Gift a Getaway this Holiday Season

Gift Idea #1: For the Cocktail Lover in Your Life 

Treat the spirits enthusiast in your circle to a weekend where Maryland’s distilling heritage takes center stage. On January 30-31, 2026, St. Mary’s County is home to multiple events showcasing the best of local whiskey, bourbon, gin, and more.  

Day 1: Jan 30, 2026

4-5:30p: Settle into St. Mary’s County

Arrive, check-in to your hotel, and get ready for an unforgettable weekend

6-9p: Runway Reserve: A Bourbon & Beef Affair

Kick off the weekend with a unique celebration of local bourbon and the culinary artistry of Chef Kevin Devine. Enjoy local bourbon cocktails from Tobacco Barn Distillery, Xella Winery wines and a bourbon inspired dinner—all included with your ticket.

Day 2: Jan 31, 2026

Start your morning at a local café

• If you’re staying in Leonardtown, enjoy a cozy start in the town’s charming historic square
• If you’re staying California/Lexington Park, fuel up at one of the area’s popular breakfast spots before the day’s tastings begin

Whiskey University

Take a deeper dive into the history of Maryland-made whiskey, offering insider knowledge and tasting tips from the experts.

Spirit of Maryland at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum

Enjoy an afternoon of discovery as you sample whiskeys, gins, vodkas, and more from distilleries across the state. Meet the makers, explore Maryland’s rich distilling heritage, and find new favorites to take home.

Dinner Your Way

Wrap up the day with dinner at a local restaurant near the event location or closer to your hotel

Hotel options (with special rates for the weekend):

• avid Hotel (new): $119 per night, available on Jan 30 & 31, 2026. Deadline to book: January 20, 2026
• Home2 Suites: $129.00 per night, available on Jan 30 & 31, 2026. Deadline to book: January 15, 2026
• Hampton Inn: $119.00 per night, available on Jan 30 & 31, 2026. Deadline to book: December 31,2025 *Other Options to Book: - Call our hotel main phone number: (301) 863-3200, give the SRP code: 907, and tell the front desk associate they want to make a reservation under the “Spirits of Southern MD January 2026” group block.
• LaQuinta: $89 per night, available for Jan 31, 2026. Deadline to book: December 31,2025
• The Inn at Leonardtown: $135 per night, available on Jan 30 & 31, 2026.
• TownPlace Suites: $124 per night, available on Jan 30 & 31, 2026. Deadline to book: January 15, 2026

Spirits of Southern Maryland at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum

Gift Idea #2: Enjoy a Couples Retreat 

Whether you’re celebrating your recent engagement, sneaking in a baby-moon and simply rewarding yourselves for making it through the holidays in one-piece, a romantic getaway makes a thoughtful, memory-making gift for your partner. Pair a cozy stay at an inn, boutique hotel, or waterfront short-term rental with a leisurely trip along the Craft Beverage Trail, a sunset cruise on our scenic waterways, and an evening savoring fantastic local flavors. St. Mary’s County has the perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and quality time – take this opportunity to wrap it up with a bow on top. 

One of the Incredible Rooms at Pier 450

Gift Idea #3: Celebrate America 250 in Southern Maryland 

Celebrate America’s semiquincentennial (good luck pronouncing that on the first try – semi-quin-centennial) with a family getaway that blends history and hands-on activities in St. Mary’s County. Bonus: Plan your trip during the weekend of April 11-12, 2026, to catch the third annual ‘Rebel’s & Redcoats’ event, a lively, two-day celebration of Southern Maryland’s Revolutionary War history. Here is a sample itinerary:

Day 1: Attend Rebel’s & Redcoats

Kick off your weekend at ‘Rebels & Redcoats,’ an event commemorating the Battle of St. George Island, the only Revolutionary War battle fought in Maryland. Engage in family activities, historical displays and talk with living-history interpreters. Explore period encampments, talk to reenactors and watch cannon demonstrations and live performances.

Day 2: Explore Historic St. Mary’s City

Visit Historic St. Mary's City, a living history museum built on the site of Maryland's first capital. Decades of research are the foundation of exhibits assembled across the landscape, each focusing on the first European settlers, religious tolerance, African-American heritage and the history of indigenous populations from the region.

Check out our full list of historical sites in St. Mary’s County – all capturing the unique story of the people and culture that built our landscape. 

An Overhead View of Historic St. Mary's City