Lexington Park
Around Lexington Park
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Metro area · Maryland · 211k people
Lexington Park
Locals say Southern Maryland · “SoMD”
Where the Chesapeake meets the sky.
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Welcome to Southern Maryland, where the bay is your backyard and the crabs are always fresh. Whether you're here for the history, the water, or the small-town charm, you'll find your place among the creeks and coves.
Clubs for Lexington Park
No clubs for Lexington Park yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Lexington Park. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
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Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Lexington Park. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Patuxent River Naval Air Museum Aviation history and tours of naval aircraft.
- Point Lookout State Park Beach, lighthouse, and Civil War history.
- Calvert Cliffs State Park Fossil hunting along the cliffs.
- Historic St. Mary's City Living history museum of colonial Maryland.
- Solomons Island Boardwalk Shops, restaurants, and harbor views.
- Leonardtown Wharf Scenic spot on Breton Bay.
- Outdoors Crabbing on the bay
- Outdoors Kayaking in the creeks
- With kids Visit the Calvert Marine Museum
- With kids Spend a day at Point Lookout State Park
- Evenings Waterfront bars in Solomons
- Evenings Live music at local taverns
- Locals love Crab houses
- Locals love Marinas
Through the year
- St. Mary's County Oyster Festival October A celebration of the oyster harvest with food, music, and contests.
- Calvert County Fair September Traditional fair with rides, livestock, and local exhibits.
- St. Mary's County Fair September County fair featuring agriculture, crafts, and entertainment.
- Solomons Island Watermen's Day Summer A waterfront festival honoring the local watermen and maritime heritage.
- Patuxent River Naval Air Museum Open House Spring Annual air show and open house with vintage aircraft and performances.
Southern Maryland has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. The best time to be out is spring and fall when temperatures are pleasant. Summer brings thunderstorms and high humidity, while winter is mild with occasional snow. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for being outside, with mild temperatures and lower humidity.
Talk like a local
- “waterman”
- A person who makes a living on the water.
- “crab feast”
- A gathering to eat steamed crabs.
- “the Bay”
- The Chesapeake Bay.
- “skipjack”
- A traditional sailboat used for oyster dredging.
Getaways
- Washington DC Museums, monuments, and city life.
- Cambridge Historic Eastern Shore town with waterfront dining.
- Easton Arts, antiques, and a charming downtown.
- Salisbury Zoo, shopping, and the Wicomico River.
Local flavour
Rooting for Washington Commanders (NFL), Baltimore Ravens (NFL), Washington Capitals (NHL), Baltimore Orioles (MLB), Washington Nationals (MLB)
Eat and drink
- Blue crabs Steamed and seasoned with Old Bay
- Crab cakes Broiled or fried, a Maryland staple
- Oysters From the Chesapeake Bay, often roasted or raw
- Rockfish Also known as striped bass, a local catch
- Maryland crab soup A tomato-based soup with vegetables and crab meat
Where people go
- Crab houses Casual waterfront restaurants serving steamed crabs
- Marinas Boating and fishing hubs along the Patuxent River
- Waterfront parks Scenic spots for picnics and bay views
- Beach towns Like Chesapeake Beach, with sandy shores and boardwalks
- Historic colonial towns Leonardtown and St. Mary's City, rich in Maryland history
Heritage and traditions
Southern Maryland is proud of its deep colonial roots, waterman heritage, and the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, which blends centuries of Chesapeake Bay tradition with cutting-edge naval aviation.
This time of year in Lexington Park
- Waterfowl hunting fall and winter Hunters flock to the Chesapeake for ducks and geese.
Say it like a local: “oyster season” — Months with an 'R' when oysters are best eaten
Festivals
- St. Mary's County Celtic Festival September Celebrates Celtic heritage with music and dance.
- Calvert County Wine and Food Festival September Showcases local wineries and Chesapeake cuisine.
- Solomons Island Christmas Walk December A festive evening of carols and lights along the boardwalk.
- Chesapeake Beach Independence Day Celebration July Fireworks and family fun on the beach.
Landmarks with a story
- St. Clement's Island Museum Commemorates the 1634 landing of Maryland's first colonists.
- Leonardtown Historic District Features 18th and 19th century architecture and the Old Jail Museum.
- Drum Point Lighthouse A screw-pile lighthouse at the Calvert Marine Museum.
- St. Francis Xavier Church One of the oldest Catholic parishes in the United States, founded in 1662.
- Calvert County Courthouse A 19th-century courthouse in Prince Frederick.
Food traditions
- Stuffed ham A Christmas tradition in St. Mary's County, ham stuffed with kale, cabbage, and onions, then boiled.
- Beaten biscuits A labor-intensive biscuit made by beating dough, a colonial era staple.
- Oyster roasts Fall and winter gatherings where oysters are roasted over open fires.
Music and arts
- Decoy carving A craft passed down from waterfowl hunting, with skilled carvers creating realistic duck decoys.
- Maritime folk music Sea shanties and work songs from the watermen's tradition.
- Chesapeake Bay watercolors Local artists capture the light and life of the bay in paintings.
- Bluegrass and country Rural music traditions with local jam sessions.
A little history
- 1634 Maryland's first colonists landed at St. Clement's Island and founded St. Mary's City, the first capital.
- 1695 The capital moved to Annapolis, leaving St. Mary's City as a quiet agricultural area.
- 1812 The Battle of St. Leonard Creek, the largest naval engagement in Maryland waters during the War of 1812.
- 1942 The Patuxent River Naval Air Station was established, bringing aviation testing and growth to the region.
- Tobacco era For centuries, tobacco was the backbone of the local economy, shaping the landscape with barns and plantations.
Rivalries
- Orioles vs. Nationals Friendly baseball rivalry between fans of the two MLB teams.
- Commanders vs. Ravens NFL rivalry between the two nearby teams.
- Calvert vs. St. Mary's Friendly county rivalry in high school sports.
- Game day Oyster shucking contests
- Game day Watermen's races
- Outdoors Birdwatching at Point Lookout
- Outdoors Sailing on the Patuxent
- With kids Taking a boat tour of the Patuxent River
- With kids Visiting the St. Clement's Island Museum
Southern Marylanders speak with a Tidewater accent, often softening 'r' sounds and using phrases like 'down the ocean' for the beach. They also have watermen terms like 'bugeye' for a type of sailboat.
Only here
- The Patuxent River Naval Air Station is the largest employer and the center of naval aviation testing.
- St. Mary's City was the first capital of Maryland, and its historic site preserves that legacy.
- Calvert Cliffs are famous for fossilized shark teeth and other Miocene-era fossils.
- Stuffed ham is a local Christmas specialty found only in this region.
New here? A few tips
- Prepare for hot, humid summers and mild winters; air conditioning is essential.
- Learn to pronounce 'Patuxent' (pa-TUX-ent) and 'Solomons' (SULL-mons).
- Try stuffed ham at Christmas—it's a local tradition.
- Respect watermen's schedules; they're up early and home by afternoon.
- The Naval Air Station is a major employer; many locals work there.
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Part of Washington–Baltimore
Nearby
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Lexington Park, MD. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.