Solomons Island City
Maritime village at Patuxent River mouth, museum complex
Solomons Island occupies a Chesapeake promontory where seafood shacks, a maritime museum and the Calvert County lighthouse meet charter boats; visitors come for crabbing, kayaking the Patuxent and waterfront boardwalks.
Why Visit Solomons Island?#
A compact Chesapeake waterfront town where boating, seafood, and maritime history converge. The Calvert Marine Museum offers hands-on exhibits, the Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center hosts seasonal art shows, and the Solomons Island boardwalk and harbor restaurants serve fresh blue crab and crab cakes. Warm summer evenings draw boat tours and sunsets over the Patuxent River. Relaxed pace and strong maritime culture make it an ideal short coastal escape.
Best Things to Do in Solomons Island#
Solomons Island Bucket List#
Calvert Marine Museum - Maritime exhibits, local archaeology, and the Drum Point Lighthouse on site.
Drum Point Lighthouse Museum - Historic 1883 screw-pile lighthouse relocated to Calvert Marine Museum grounds.
Solomons Island Boardwalk - Harborfront walkway with seafood restaurants, kayaking launches, and sunset viewing.
Calvert Cliffs State Park - Fossil-rich cliffs and a sandy beach ideal for fossil hunting and hiking.
Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center - Outdoor sculpture park hosting seasonal art workshops and quiet woodland walks.
Parkers Creek Natural Area - Tidal marsh trails and low-impact paths for birding and secluded shoreline access.
Local seafood markets - Small markets offering fresh Chesapeake seafood, local produce, and friendly vendors.
Annapolis - Colonial waterfront, U.S. Naval Academy tours, and historic downtown restaurants and cafes.
St. Mary’s City Historic Site - Maryland’s colonial capital site with reconstructed buildings and archaeological exhibits.
Best Time to Visit Solomons Island#
Visit Solomons Island from late spring through early fall for warm, sunny Chesapeake Bay weather ideal for boating, beaches, and waterfront dining. Winters are milder and quieter but often gray and chilly.
December - February
-2 to 8°C (28 to 46°F)
Quiet, cooler months with fewer tourists; marina scene slows, some seafood spots reduce hours, occasional frosty mornings but rarely prolonged deep cold.
March - May & September - November
8 to 24°C (46 to 75°F)
Lovely shoulder seasons - warm days for kayaking and patio dining, fewer crowds, and crisp mornings that make oyster and crab hunts especially pleasant.
June - August
22 to 32°C (71 to 90°F)
Hot, humid, and lively - peak boating season, crowded marinas and festivals; perfect for swimming, evening cruises, and late-night waterfront drinks. Bring sunscreen.
Solomons Island's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -3°C to 31°C. Abundant rainfall (1095 mm/year), wettest in March, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of -3°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -2°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (108 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 20°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm).
Comfort
Weather
August
August is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm).
Comfort
Weather
September
September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
October
October is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
November
November is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 0°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
How to Get to Solomons Island#
Solomons Island is best reached by car from the Washington/Baltimore airports-there is no direct rail link into town. Fly into Baltimore/Washington (BWI) or Reagan National (DCA) and either rent a car or take a pre-booked taxi/rideshare for the last leg.
Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall (BWI): BWI is the closest major commercial airport for Solomons Island (about 45-60 miles). Driving time to Solomons is roughly 60-80 minutes depending on traffic; car rental is the most practical option. Typical economy car rental rates start around $40-90/day depending on season; a one-way rideshare/taxi to Solomons is commonly in the $80-130 range.
Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA): DCA is about 70-90 minutes’ drive to Solomons. Driving or renting a car is the easiest way to reach the island; expect similar rental pricing as from BWI. Public transit options require multiple transfers and are considerably slower (allow 2+ hours).
Train: There is no direct passenger rail service to Solomons Island. The nearest rail access is the BWI Rail Station (serving Amtrak and MARC commuter trains) and Odenton (MARC); from those stations you must continue by car or taxi. Expect a 45-75 minute drive from the BWI/odenton rail area to Solomons.
Bus: Local service around Calvert County is limited. There are county shuttle and demand-response services for residents; for visitors the practical intercity option is a taxi/rideshare from BWI or driving. Plan on arranging a rental car or pre-booked shuttle for reliable access.
How to Get Around Solomons Island#
Driving (rental car) is the most practical way to get to and around Solomons Island; public transit options are limited and often require transfers. If you prefer not to drive, pre-book a rideshare/taxi from BWI/DCA or confirm county shuttle schedules in advance.
- Car (rental) (USD 40-90/day) - Renting a car is the simplest and most flexible way to explore Solomons and the surrounding Calvert County shoreline. Roads are straightforward; parking in town is generally easy except during summer weekends. Recommended for day trips and reaching nearby state parks.
- Taxi / Rideshare (USD 80-130) - Taxis and rideshares (Uber/Lyft) are available from the major airports and nearby train stations. A one-way trip from BWI or DCA to Solomons typically runs around $80-130 depending on time and demand. Good for travelers without a car or arriving late.
- Local shuttle / county transit (USD 2-10) - Calvert County offers shuttle and demand-response transit for residents and limited fixed routes; schedules are sparse for visitors. Useful for short hops if you have planned ahead and checked timetables, but not a reliable way to sightsee widely.
- Bicycle (USD 0-30/day) - The small scale of Solomons makes bicycling a pleasant option on quiet roads and marked paths near the waterfront. Bring a bike or rent seasonally from local outfitters. Watch for occasional narrow shoulders on county roads.
- Walking - Solomons is compact and highly walkable around the harbour, shops and restaurants; walking is the best way to explore the village core and waterfront trails.
Where to Stay in Solomons Island#
Waterfront / Solomons - $70-150/night
Solomons Island has several modest motels, inns, and chain options on the waterfront; many budget rooms are seasonal.
Hilton Garden Inn Solomons (budget guide) - Chain hotel on the waterfront area.
Budget rooms & guesthouses (marketplaces) - Seasonal guest rooms and small inns.
Harborfront - $140-230/night
Mid-range waterfront hotels and inns are the most common comfortable option, close to marinas and restaurants.
Hilton Garden Inn Solomons - Reliable mid-range hotel near marina.
Local inns & waterfront B&Bs - Comfortable rooms with harbor views.
Island waterfront - $220+/night
There are no large luxury resorts on Solomons Island; upscale travel typically uses private waterfront rentals or boutique B&Bs with premium services.
Upscale vacation rentals - Private waterfront homes with premium amenities.
Premium B&Bs and boutique stays - Select boutique lodging in the county.
Where to Eat in Solomons Island#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Solomons Island’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Solomons Island#
Solomons’ shopping is small‑scale: a handful of boutiques, art galleries and marine-oriented stores clustered on the waterfront. The Calvert Marine Museum has a modest gift shop; most other shopping is locally owned and geared to visitors and boaters.
Nightlife in Solomons Island#
Nightlife in Solomons is low‑key and seasonal. Evenings center on waterfront restaurants, a few neighborhood bars and occasional live music at restaurants. There is no club scene-expect relaxed bars and seafood restaurants rather than late‑night venues.
