Major city · United States
SolomonsSolomons Island
Give Solomons one night, two at most: a boardwalk, a marine museum and a seafood strip where the Patuxent meets the Chesapeake Bay.
Solomons is a small waterfront resort on a peninsula in Southern Maryland, about a two-hour drive from Washington, DC and Baltimore. It is a boating and fishing town with a short boardwalk, one strong museum, a cluster of seafood restaurants and a summer open-air bar. Most people come for a night or as a day trip combined with Calvert Cliffs or St. Mary's City. There is no train and no airport: you need a car.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), Jan–Feb (many waterfront places closed)
- Airports
- BWI · DCA · IAD
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Solomons911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Calvert County Sheriff (non-emergency)410-535-1600
- Poison Control1-800-222-1222
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Solomons, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyA low-crime resort town; the real risks are summer heat, sunburn on the water, ticks on park trails and drinking on the boat or the road.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 410-535-1600 Calvert County Sheriff (non-emergency) · 1-800-222-1222 Poison Control
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBWI Baltimore/Washington International (About 1 h 45 min–2 h by car.).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: Route 2/4 is the only road in and out, and the sights sit a short drive apart.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Street or quick mealBurger or sandwich$12–18
- BeerDraught beer at the bar$6–9
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM, about a week of data$10–25
- Museum or sight ticketCalvert Marine Museum entry$7 adult, $6 senior, $2 child
- Budget bedBudget motel or chain double, a night, per roomUS$90
- Mid-range bedBudget motel or chain double, a night, per roomUS$130
- High-end bedBudget motel or chain double, a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$160 · High US$280
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BWI Baltimore/Washington International (About 1 h 45 min–2 h by car.) · DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National (About 1 h 45 min by car.) · IAD Washington Dulles (About 2 h 30 min by car; allow more in weekday traffic.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest May (10 rain days), driest Sep (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Solomons: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
9 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
8 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical choice: Route 2/4 is the only road in and out, and the sights sit a short drive apart. The boardwalk, museum and restaurant strip are walkable from each other. Boaters arrive at Solomons Harbor, Spring Cove or Zahnisers marinas on Back Creek. Bus service to the town is limited; check local schedules before relying on it.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Calvert Cliffs State Park
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min
Drive Route 4 north, then park and walk the trail to the beach
Fossil hunting on the beach; go in the morning before it is picked over.
Door to door: About 45 min
Route 4 south to Route 5 east
Historic first settlement site; pairs well with a Solomons night.
Door to door: About 20 min
Route 4 south to Route 235
Naval air museum and the area's main shopping and services.
Sotterley Plantation
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min
Route 4 south, Route 235 north, then Route 245
Mansion tours run on set hours and a fee applies; check before driving out.
Door to door: About 1 h
Drive north around the bay via Route 4 and Route 260
A separate bayfront town; better as its own stop than a quick return.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Solomons Island Road strip (Route 2/4)
Motels and the Hilton Garden Inn; walkable to the museum and most restaurants.
Dowell, north of the bridge
Quieter chain hotels about 1.5 km (0.9 mi) from the restaurant strip; needs a car.Quieter chain hotels about 0.9 mi (1.5 km) from the restaurant strip; needs a car.
Lexington Park
More rooms and services south on Route 4/Route 235, about 20 min away; useful when Solomons is full in summer.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $90–140 excl. bed
- Mid
- $150–230 excl. bed
- High
- $250+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Waterfront or mid-range hotel double1 × 1 night × US$200 | US$200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$160 | US$320 |
| Calvert Marine Museum entry2 × US$7 | US$14 |
| Calvert Cliffs State Park entry1 × US$5 | US$5 |
| Fuel, Washington round trip1 × US$30 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$57 |
| Trip total≈ US$313 per person per day, bed included | US$626 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax is added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Seafood platter or crab cakes | $22–38 |
| Burger or sandwich | $12–18 |
| Draught beer at the bar | $6–9 |
| Calvert Marine Museum entry | $7 adult, $6 senior, $2 child |
| Sotterley mansion tour | $10 adult |
| eSIM, about a week of data | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Route 2/4 is the single road in and out: summer weekends and the bridge back up badly.
- The Tiki Bar is seasonal, roughly April to October, and opening day draws a very large crowd.
- Calvert Cliffs State Park's public beach is usually picked over by noon: arrive early for fossils.
- Restaurant kitchens close early outside summer; check hours before a late dinner.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Calvert County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- 410-535-1600
- Poison Control
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
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SolomonsSolomons Island
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Calvert County Sheriff (non-emergency)410-535-1600
- Poison Control1-800-222-1222
Embassy
No embassies here; national embassies are in Washington, DC, about two hours away.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Washington, DC → Solomons by car: about 2 h, roughly 100 km (62 mi)about 2 h, roughly 62 mi (100 km)
- BWI → Solomons by car: about 1 h 45 min–2 h
- Parking on the Solomons strip: free lots near the museum and boardwalk; fills on summer weekends
Say or show
- Where is the boardwalk? — Where is the boardwalk?
- A table for two, please — A table for two, please
- Is the kitchen still open? — Is the kitchen still open?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where can I park? — Where can I park?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink at the bar.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Solomons. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), Jan–Feb (many waterfront places closed) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for DCA, BWI and IAD with traffic-aware drive times.
- Walking cluster map for the boardwalk, Calvert Marine Museum and the Route 2 restaurant strip.
- Place pages with verified hours and fees for the Calvert Marine Museum, Sotterley and Calvert Cliffs.
- Seasonal fixtures for the Tiki Bar opening and closing dates.
Sources
- officialCalvert Marine Museum
- officialSotterley
- secondaryWikivoyage: Solomons, revision 5220405 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Solomons
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