Travel and History
Features in the Media
Read external articles and stories about history and travel in Maryland's Original Destination!
Holiday bazaars, artisan markets and festive shopping events are underway across the region as vendors, small businesses and community groups gear up for one of the busiest seasonal traditions. From multi-day markets and farm pop-ups to school bazaars, winery workshops and museum holiday fairs, Southern Maryland residents have dozens of opportunities to shop local, browse handmade goods and enjoy family-friendly festivities throughout December.
A new holiday tradition is drawing visitors to the waterfront this season as the Waterman’s Association of St. Mary’s County debuts its first Crab Basket Christmas Tree at Leonardtown Wharf.
Boone’s Bagels & Marketplace officially opened its doors on Nov. 22 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new location at 41654 Fenwick Street in the heart of Leonardtown. The event, hosted in collaboration with the Town of Leonardtown, drew a crowd of local officials, residents, and curious customers eager to welcome the new bagel shop to the community.
When the air turns colder, Maryland's smaller downtowns shine in entirely different ways than those found in the bigger cities. Historic streets, waterfront promenades, and community-sized holiday events all combine to create a cozy yet festive experience. Discover one of the nine small towns, Leonardtown, where its downtown compacts around a town square, flanked by civic buildings, art galleries, and locally owned restaurants, that is easy to explore on foot. The town is officially recognized as the only designated Arts & Entertainment District in Southern Maryland.
Breakfast is often called the most important meal of the day, and Southern Maryland seems to agree. There are plenty of tasty cafés and diners throughout Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties and beyond, so here are 10 picks you should try if you love coffee, pancakes or brunch!
The centuries-old story of Maryland’s founding enters a brand new chapter as a team of shipbuilders endeavor to recreate the Dove of 1633… without a blueprint. Viewers follow along as historians and shipbuilders unravel the mystery of what the 17th century ship central to Maryland's founding might have looked like.
This month's issues of What's Up? Annapolis, and What's Up? Eastern Shore feature scenic autumn Chesapeake drives; 200+ Top Docs; wow-factor holiday party tips and the U.S. Oyster Festival!
Four pillars of St. Mary’s County’s craft beverage scene — Tobacco Barn Distillery, Port of Leonardtown Winery, Corteau Vineyards, and Xella Winery and Vineyard — took center stage Monday during the unveiling of St. Mary’s Liquid Assets’ new branding and retail display shelves while aboard the Big Kahuna Cruise.
Getaway Mavens top picks for Romantic Hideaways Far From the Madding Crowd in Northeast US this year include Pier450 in Ridge, Maryland. Getaway Mavens are romantic getaway experts, and they were busy throughout 2024, staying in boutique hotels, inns, and Bed and Breakfasts all over the world.
Memorial Day weekend always serves as the kickoff of “The Season,” that period of time from now to Labor Day. The weather warms up (maybe too much so) the tourists are back, but things do start to get kinda busy. The County’s tourism group Visit St. Mary’s headed up by Liz Mildenstein, has recently published a Visitors Guide for the County that it is worth checking out.
The scenic views of the Chesapeake Bay are enough to make anyone wish for a day at sea. Southern Maryland is surrounded by beautiful bodies of water, and there are dozens of cruises throughout the area that’ll take you on an unforgettable day trip. We’ve compiled a handful of the best boat rides you can book near the Chesapeake Bay, so go get your captain’s hat and prepare to set sail!
Drive about an hour and a half south from Annapolis and you will hit the tip of St. Mary's County, MD, home to writer Kaylie Jasinski's alma mater, St. Mary's College of Maryland. Whether visiting by boat or car, there are miles of shoreline, historical sights, and seafood galore to satisfy any Bay lover. When driving south, you'll know you've reached your destination upon crossing over the (rather steep) Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge aka the Solomons Island bridge.
Maryland is the most recent state to introduce legislation to exonerate those convicted of witchcraft centuries ago. But why now? Learn about the story of Moll Dyer from The New York Times.
Read on page 30 about how St. Mary's County is the Destination for historical group travel, featuring an interview from our executive director Liz Mildenstien!
Getaway Mavens top picks for the most Romantic Hotels in Northeast US this year include Pier450 in Ridge, Maryland. Getaway Mavens are romantic getaway experts, and they were busy throughout 2024, staying in boutique hotels, inns, and Bed and Breakfasts all over the world.
Al Spoler visits the veteran owned Tobacco Barn Distillery in St. Mary’s Maryland. Voted 2023’s #1 Farm Distillery Bourbon in America, Al gets more than a wee taste of what it takes to be a self-sustaining farm distillery. Tune in around the 16-minute mark.
There are bountiful things to do in St Mary’s County MD according to Malerie Yolen-Cohen from Getaway Mavens. It's a “can’t get there from here” section of Southern Maryland, bounded on three sides by water – the Potomac and Patuxent Rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay.
Reflect on Southern Maryland's history with podcast host Phoebe Judge as she tells the story of three men who filed lawsuits in the General Court of Maryland in 1791. They were all suing the same person: the Jesuit priest who enslaved them.
If you ever need to escape “real life” – to feel a bay breeze on your face, and sip wine with your toes squiggling in the sand of a makeshift beach while watching a glorious sunset – Malerie Yolen-Cohen recommends staying at Pier450 in teeny Ridge MD.
Learn about Historic St. Mary's City from Lauren Kershner who writes for Islands, an online and print travel planning publications.