Located just 20 miles south of our nation’s capital and less than an hour from historic Annapolis, Charles County has a wide variety of activities, lodging, dining, and shopping. The gateway to historic Southern Maryland, Charles County has all the conveniences you need, while maintaining its rural, agricultural and maritime heritage.
When it comes to food, Charles County has enough variety for anyone’s taste. Enjoy the flavors that Southern Maryland is famous for – hot steamed crabs, broiled fish, stuffed ham and barbecue chicken and ribs. From upscale and waterfront dining, nationally known restaurants, and ethnic cuisine, to casual barbecue, rib, and crab shacks, take your pick!
With over 300 miles of shoreline, much of it undeveloped, Charles County is known for its natural resources. Birdwatchers will find a wide selection of birds here, including swan, turkey, loon, gannet, heron, bald eagle, hawk, gull, dove, owl, hummingbird, flycatcher, and jay. Kayakers and canoeists will enjoy exploring our rivers and creeks, with guidance from our new Water Trail Adventures in Charles County brochure, printed on water resistant paper. The free water trails guide, available at visitor centers and from our tourism office, also covers the Mattawoman Creek, Friendship Farm Park, and the Port Tobacco River.
Smallwood State Park on the Potomac River is the epicenter for world-class largemouth bass fishing. The park hosts tournaments almost every weekend in season, but there’s still plenty of room to drop a hook from a boat or a pier and see what you can catch. The Smallwood Retreat House is located within Smallwood State Park, also. Open occasionally throughout the year, the house is named for General William Smallwood, a hero of the American Revolution who went on to become Governor of Maryland.
Another Charles County-Potomac River highlight lies within the confines of a mile-long natural embayment known as Mallows Bay, one of the largest “ship graveyards” in North America. Vessels dating from the Revolutionary War to World War I and later were brought to this area when they were no longer in maritime use. Over time, as the vessels deteriorated, they became “mini-ecosystems.” The Bay has been accessible only by water, but Charles County is developing public access by land to this unique resource.
Enjoy minor league baseball with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, or take in a special event or concert, at the new family-friendly Regency Furniture Stadium, near Waldorf, MD. Situated in a rural area with plenty of parking, the stadium features family theme nights, fireworks, a children’s play area, bumper boats, concession stands, lawn and skybox seating, and offers nifty packages for group tours.
We offer small town charm and history, too. In August of 1814 – during the War of 1812 – British forces came up the Patuxent River and invaded the small port town of Benedict, the easternmost tip of Charles County. They then marched on to Washington DC, where they set fire to the Washington Navy Yard and the White House. Cobb Island, at the southern tip of Charles County, retains much of its small town and maritime charm, as well as restaurants and marinas.
The oldest incorporated community in Maryland – Port Tobacco – remains one of its smallest. Rich in history, Port Tobacco was one of colonial Maryland’s designated tobacco ports. You can visit the Port Tobacco Courthouse, and there are ongoing archeological investigations with new trails and interpretive signage in the works.
Not far from Port Tobacco Courthouse is the National Park Service-operated Thomas Stone National Historic Site. Thomas Stone was a well-respected lawyer and politician, best remembered as one of the four Maryland signers of the Declaration of Independence. The site is open year-round and offers a visitor center, nature walks, cemetery, and house tour. Port Tobacco and the Thomas Stone House are key sites on the state-designated Religious Freedom scenic byway, as is nearby St. Ignatius Catholic Church. Founded in 1641 by Reverend Andrew White, S.J., the Church is the nation’s oldest active parish with a continual pastorate and boasts a magnificent view of the confluence of the Port Tobacco and Potomac Rivers.
Another famous – or perhaps infamous – historic site is the Dr. Samuel Mudd House in Waldorf. Here, Dr. Mudd set the broken leg of John Wilkes Booth, President Abraham Lincoln’s assassin, before Booth fled across the river to Virginia. Open seasonally to the public, the Dr. Mudd House and out buildings can be visited in Waldorf. Pick up a copy of the Maryland Civil War Trails brochure “John Wilkes Booth: Escape of an Assassin” for more on Booth’s ill-fated escape and the Civil War in our region. |
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