Download the full itinerary to get more information on dining, lodging and side trips.
Two Days / One Night
Begin At The Beginning
Discover Maryland’s Beginnings.
Do you think “Plymouth Rock” and “Jamestown” when you think “colonial”? Think again! We’ve rewritten the book: Chapter 1: Voyage out to St. Clement’s Island, Maryland’s birthplace. Chapter 2: Discover Historic St. Mary’s City, one of the nation’s most revered 17th-century sites. Chapter 3: Explore Sotterley Plantation, Maryland’s 18th-century crown jewel.
Day One
First Stop: St. Mary’s County Welcome Center. Freshen up at the Welcome Center housed in a historic building that was once part of the Charlotte Hall Military Academy. Start your visit at the adjacent Ye Coole Springs. Colonial governors in the 1700’s credited the “Fountain of Healing Water” for wonderful cures.
Second Stop: Head south towards the Potomac River and visit St. Clement’s Island Museum and discover Maryland’s beginnings. Enjoy a guided tour of the museum which tells the story of Maryland’s first landing. From Memorial Day through September, take a ride on the Water Taxi to the island and tour the Blackistone Lighthouse, a recreation of an 1800’s structure, and view the enormous cross that commemorates the place where the colonists first landed.
Third Stop: Lunch. Travel to Historic St. Mary’s City. Have lunch “on your own” in the great room at St. Mary’s College or arrange for a lunch to suit the needs of your group right at the historic site.
Fourth Stop: Spend the afternoon at Historic St. Mary’s City. Tour the acclaimed St. John’s Site Museum which encloses an actual archeological dig, and experience living history aboard the Maryland Dove and throughout this 17th-century “city” which was Maryland’s first capital.
Dinner and Overnight: Stay at one of our finest group-friendly hotels and enjoy the special touches that make you know you are welcome! Enjoy a complimentary breakfast before beginning a second inspiring day!
Day Two
First Stop: Sotterley Plantation offers a grand sweep of river views and a grand sweep of history. Tour the Manor House where each nook and cranny is filled with history, and stroll the gardens and explore the outbuildings.
Second Stop: Lunch. Remain at Sotterley for a specially prepared boxed lunch served in the gracious restored barn or on the Portico overlooking the Patuxent River.
Board bus for the return trip.