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Experiences|Museums

Not Many People Know About This Marine Museum Right Here In Maryland

Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, Maryland, offers a diverse range of exhibits and activities for all ages, combining pre-history, natural history, and maritime heritage.

Published Aug 24, 2018

Written by 

Jamie Alvarenga

Hello, Marylanders! Are you a fan of museums? How about aquariums? Or boats? Or boardwalks? All of these things are combined into one unique attraction in Solomons. This place is so much more than a museum, offering activities for all ages, indoors and outdoors, and more. Read on to see what we mean...

Head south to find Calvert Marine Museum, which is located in Solomons, Maryland.

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Google Maps

This place may look ordinary from the exterior...

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Flickr / alliecat1881

...but it's actually jam-packed with a diverse amount of things to see and do. According to the website, "At the Calvert Marine Museum pre-history, natural history, and maritime heritage come together to tell a unique story of the Chesapeake Bay."

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Flickr / alliecat1881

There are one-of-a-kind exhibits galore, featuring fossils, live animals, and historic vessels.

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TripAdvisor / Elena H

Come see the aquarium-like exhibits that offer a view of local wildlife. You'll be surprised to learn just how many underwater creatures call our bay, wetlands, and rivers home.

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Flickr / alliecat1881

You can even touch curious turtles...

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TripAdvisor / Norma F

...and marvel at species that you had no idea were in Maryland.

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Flickr / alliecat1881

There are also exhibits featuring local history, from southern Maryland's first residents, to ship trading, boats, and more.

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Head outside where you can enjoy the marsh walk and lighthouse.

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Climb the stairs...

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TripAdvisor / Kelli O

...and take in the views from the top!

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TripAdvisor / Kelli O

This state gem makes learning fun. In fact, you won't even realize how much information you soaked in until you're leaving.

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TripAdvisor / 276Sherry

Next free weekend you have, consider a trip to Calvert Marine Museum. No matter your age, young or old, you're sure to enjoy.

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TripAdvisor / Alexsa B

Find Calvert Marine Museum at:

14200 Solomons Island Rd S

Solomons, MD 20688

For more information, visit the website by clicking here.

Have you visited this unique museum in Maryland? For more indoor activities around the state, check out this list.

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Experiences|Museums

Visit The Heart Of The Bay In Maryland At The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

Published Mar 28, 2024

Written by 

Beth Copenhaver

The Chesapeake Bay is one of the crown jewels of Maryland, and it's no mystery why. Whether you've been a lifelong resident of the Old Line State or are traveling through, there are few places better to immerse yourself in the history and culture of the Bay than the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels. Let's take a look at all that this wonderful resource has to offer, shall we?

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The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, also known as the CBMM, was established in an effort to preserve the culture, history, and landscape of the Bay.

Aerial view of a marina with boats, waterfront buildings, and lush greenery under a clear blue sky.
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum / Google Reviews

As stated on the website, the CBMM is driven by "values of relevance, authenticity, and stewardship, along with a commitment to providing engaging guest experiences and transformative educational programming, all while serving as a vital community partner."

In short, it's a community resource for all things related to the Bay, a resource we can all agree is one worth studying, celebrating, and protecting.

A boat docked at a pier with a white building, surrounded by calm water and a cloudy sky.
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum / Facebook

The museum first opened in 1965 on Navy Point, which was once a collection of docks, workboats, and packing houses on the St. Michaels Harbor.

A wooden boat in a workshop, featuring a white hull, blue trim, and a chain securing the front. Tools and other boats in background.
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum / Facebook

The organization was founded by citizens who cherished the histories and traditions of the Bay, wanting to keep them alive. Today, the museum welcomes nearly 100,000 guests each year!

A vintage postcard depicting sailboats and a small boat on calm waters near St. Michaels, MD.
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum / Facebook

So, what can you expect from your visit? To start, the 18-acre campus is home to a fleet of historic boats and vessels, historic structures, and immersive exhibits.

A charming lighthouse with a green roof and white exterior, illuminated by sunset, overlooking a calm waterway.
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum / Facebook

The CBMM has also made partnerships with other local businesses and organizations, including the YMCA of the Chesapeake, Habitat for Humanity Choptank, and the beloved Crab Claw.

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A waterfront restaurant with outdoor seating, surrounded by boats on a clear blue day.
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum / Facebook

Throughout the year, the museum hosts talks and events. One upcoming event, for example, dives into the history of the Chesapeake crab cake.

A crowd gathers outdoors for a speech near a modern gray building, with chairs arranged in front of a podium.
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum / Facebook

Looking for some hands-on programs? Sign up for a Shipyard Workday, where you can work on the construction and restoration of vessels. How incredible is that?

A person in a blue jacket and headphones works on wood in a workshop, using a hand tool with wood shavings around.
CBMM, website

No matter your reason for visiting, you'll leave feeling inspired by all that is the beloved Chesapeake Bay.

A view from a kayak on calm water, with other kayakers in the distance under a colorful sunset sky.
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum / Facebook

Have you ever visited the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum? What did you think of your experience there? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments below -- we'd love to hear from you! For more information on planning your visit, be sure to check out the official Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum website. You can also donate to this wonderful organization.

Need a place to stay while you're exploring? Check out these gorgeous Chesapeake Bay rentals in Maryland.

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Experiences|Museums

The National Bonsai Museum Is One of Maryland’s Best-Kept Secrets

The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum in D.C. offers a unique and enjoyable day trip showcasing the art of bonsai with free admission.

Published Jul 21, 2023

Written by 

Hugh Taylor

OK, so the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum is technically in D.C. Actually, it’s entirely in D.C. However, it’s so close to Prince George’s County that the drive from Maryland is negligible, and trust me when I say that this is one of the most unique and enjoyable museum day trips you will ever take. Bonsai is an art that operates at a beautiful intersection of nature, history, and sculpture. These trees are living poetry the whole family can appreciate!

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The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum began in 1976 when the Nippon Bonsai Club of Japan donated 53 trees as a gift commemorating America’s bicentennial. The museum was constructed on the grounds of the National Arboretum and is an absolutely delightful slice of culture.

A wooden gate surrounded by trees, leading to a serene garden with stone steps and greenery.
Nicole Seagle, Contributed Photo

Bonsai trees are kept in their dwarfed state by a meticulous process of pruning, wiring, and root reduction, amongst other methods. The result is a miniature tree that is somehow simultaneously wild and cultivated.

A beautifully shaped bonsai tree in a terracotta pot, showcasing intricate branches and lush green foliage.
Nicole Seagle, Contributed Photo

A walk through the grounds of the museum will bring you on a full journey through the bonsai art form, from its origins in China and Japan to its North American incarnations. It’s also full of visually stunning arrangements that could have easily leapt off of a film reel.

An octagonal window with a geometric metal frame, revealing a lush bamboo garden outside.
Nicole Seagle, Contributed Photo

Some of the arrangements are designed to reflect, in miniature, larger landscapes, like mountains stalwart above the clouds or islands rising from the ocean foam. The interpretations are left up to the observer, and resultantly are innumerable.

A decorative stone arrangement with a small pine tree, set against a plain wall.
Nicole Seagle, Contributed Photo

The crown jewel of the collection is the Yamaki Pine. This tree is over 400 years old and was cultivated in Hiroshima, Japan. It was one of the original 53 trees presented by Japan to America in 1976.

A lush bonsai tree with a wide canopy, displayed in a wooden planter against a backdrop of wooden slats and blue sky.
Hugh Taylor, Contributed Photo

The Yamaki Pine witnessed almost the entirety of the 200-year Tokugawa shogunate, the Restoration of Emperor Meiji in 1868, and survived the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945, all to end up standing here in our own backyard. It’s a truly awe-inspiring sight.

A close-up of a gnarled tree trunk with twisting branches and green needles, set against a blurred background.
Nicole Seagle, Contributed Photo

The National Arboretum grounds are full of beautiful places within walking distance of the Bonsai & Penjing Museum for the whole family to explore - perfect for a sunny weekend outing!

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A row of tall, classical columns against a blue sky with scattered clouds, surrounded by trees.
Nicole Seagle, Contributed Photo

And, like these seven museums in Maryland, admission to the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum is free! These little trees love basking in your shade for a change, so be sure to check it out.

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