St. mary's county

All Year 

• Historic St. Mary’s City - adjacent to SMCM, this first capital of Maryland (and fourth oldest permanent English settlement in North America) is an outdoor living history museum with interesting archaeology. SMCM staff get a discounted admission rate. Just show your SMCM ID! 

• Downtown Leonardtown - a charming, walkable town with shops, galleries, and eateries. Special events throughout the year. First Fridays (entertainment and special activities 5-8 PM), Summer Music Festival, Yoga at the Wharf, and more.

• Wineries -  Port of Leonardtown (Leonardtown), Xella (Mechanicsville) - Want more? Follow the Patuxent Wine Trail to visit seven wineries in Southern Maryland, and St. Mary's Liquid Assets for information about the many craft beverage producers in the region.

• Art Activities - Wine and Design (Leonardtown) - enjoy a drink and try your hand at painting; Board & Brush (Leonardtown) - DIY sood sign workshop; Elemnt Ceramics (just a few minutes from campus)

• Escape Rooms - Devil's Den (Mechanicsville), Escape from the Past (California), Escape Rooms Southern Maryland (Leonardtown)

• Exercise Classes - Club Pilates (California), Evolve Yoga (California), Spice Studio (Leonardtown; our own Dr. Aileen Bailey teaches here), Vertical Dance Co. (Callaway), Row House SOMD (California), root SUP & Fitness (Leonardtown), Hype House Cycle and Fitness Studio (Great Mills), St. Mary's Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Callaway), Knowledge Boxing Center (Great Mills)

• Cooking Classes at Quality Street Kitchen & Catering in Leonardtown

• Lighthouses - Piney Point, St. Clements, Point Lookout (near campus!)

• Parks - Elms Beach Park (near campus), Point Lookout State Park (near campus - includes Civil War Museum/Marshland Nature Center), Greenwell State Park, Chancellor's Run Regional Park (near campus)

• Farmer’s Markets - California, Charlotte Hall, Lexington Park

• Parks & Recreation - various activities

• Various Locations: Hiking, Kayaking, Cycling, Fishing, Hunting, Camping

• Budds Creek -  boasts three distinct racing venues; check out Maryland International Raceway featuring championship drag racing, Budds Creek Motocross for world-class motocross and Potomac Speedway for stock car fun. 

• Patuxent River Naval Air Museum in Lexington Park

• Historic Sotterley in Hollywood

• Three Notch Theater in Lexington Park. See the Newtowne Players in shows such as Into the Woods, Little Shop of Horrors, 9-5, and Much Ado about Nothing. 

• T and A Farm in Dameron, MD; Stop by to see goats, chickens, small hay maze for kids in the fall, pick up eggs, local meats and packaged ice cream.

• Viking Axe Throwing and Rentals - 22715 Duke Street | Leonardtown, MD | (240) 346-9654

Spring

• Cherry Blossom Festival in late March/early April in Lexington Park

• MarylandFest (previously BeerFest) - held in May at Historic St. Mary’s City

• Southern Maryland Heritage Festival at Historic Sotterley - unique artisans, cultural foods, a variety of spirits, live music, demos, children's activities, and family fun to be had by all

Summer

• • Mulberry Music Festival at SMCM - Held on the eve of Juneteenth

  • Juneteenth Celebrations in Lexington Park (and other places around the region)

  • River Concert Series at SMCM - For 5 Friday nights during the summer (Jun-Jul), enjoy classical music with a wonderful view of the St. Mary’s River and devour delicious food from a variety of vendors.

  • Beaches - Elms Beach (Lexington Park), Myrtle Point Park (California), Snow Hill Waterfront Park, Point Lookout State Park (Ridge) and more.

  • Goldpetal Farms - Sunflower Maze in Chaptico, MD; open end of June-mid July

  • Potomac Jazz and Seafood Festival - held in July at St. Clements Island

  • Governor's Cup Yacht Race

  • Smith Island - catch a boat to the island to have a slice of the State Dessert, Smith Island Cake 

Fall 

• • Riverfest - held in Sept at St. Mary’s City

  • Taste of St. Mary's - held in Sept at the St. Mary's County Regional Airport. Sample menu favorites from St. Mary's County restaurants, and enjoy live music and entertainment.

  • St. Mary’s County Fair - held in mid-September at the fairgrounds in Leonardtown. Tractor pulls, pig races, prize-winning crafts and livestock, rides, and of course, fair food.

  • Blessing of the Fleet: held the first weekend in Oct; arts & crafts, seafood, music, boat ride to St. Clement’s Island, lighthouse tours, children's activities, parade, and fireworks.

  • Oyster Festival (national oyster shucking contest and national oyster cook-off): held in mid-October at the fairgrounds in Leonardtown. Bring your appetite!

  • Pumpkin Farms & Corn Mazes: Forrest Hall Farm & Orchards in Morganza & Bowles Farm in Clements