Towns in southern Maryland are few and far between, but a couple are worth seeking out. The old shipbuilding community of
SOLOMONS ISLAND
, sixty miles south of Annapolis via Hwy-2, is not actually an island but a narrow two-mile peninsula between the Patuxent River and Back Creek Bay. The entire waterfront is dotted with cozy
B&Bs
, like the
Locust Inn
(tel 410/326-9817; $50-75), and fresh seafood
restaurants
, including the
Lighthouse Inn
(tel 410/326-2444) on the bay side, and
Solomon's Pier
(tel 410/326-2424) across the road, both of which have tasty food and sunny outdoor decks. The best reason to stop here is the
Calvert Marine Museum
(daily 10am-5pm; $5), on Hwy-2 at the north end of town. This focuses specifically on the Patuxent River, and on the unique estuarine ecosystem of the Chesapeake Bay tidal areas. Its two protected marshland wildlife areas, one saltwater and one freshwater, can be explored on raised walkways. Inside the main building, exhibits follow the development of local boat-building and commercial fishing, and dozens of historic boats are on show. In summer, an old oyster bay-boat, the
William B. Tennison
, leaves from the museum dock on hour-long
cruises
(May-Oct Wed-Sun at 2pm; $5) around the bay.
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