Point Lookout Monument

Lexington Park is a town 60 miles SSE of Washington, D.C. at the mouth of the Patuxent River in Southern Maryland. The Patuxent River Naval Air Station is adjacent to it.

Understand

Three Notch Rd is the name for the road commonly known as MD Rt. 235

Get in

By car

Southern Maryland is a peninsula that extends 90 miles to the south of Baltimore and Washington DC. There are two primary arteries into Southern Maryland, MD Rt. 5 through Charles County, and MD Rt. 4 through Calvert County.

By plane

Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI), 162 Aviation Blvd, Baltimore, Phone: +1 410 859-7027. 86 miles N of Patuxent River, use MD Rt. 4. While 20 miles further than DCA, BWI is considered by many an easier drive as it avoids Washington DC beltway traffic.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), 1 Aviation Cir, Washington, D.C., Phone: +1 703 417-8000. 64 miles NNW of Patuxent River, use MD Rt. 5.

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). 91 miles NW of Patuxent River, use MD Rt. 5. Dulles is not ideal due to distance and location along the DC Beltway.

See

• 1 Patuxent River Naval Air Museum, Route 235 and Pegg Road (take MD-4 south, then turn right on MD-235). Patuxent River Naval Air Station is the Navy's primary aircraft test facility. Virtually every aircraft flown by the Navy since World War II has been testing at Pax River. The base is, of course, not open to the public, but you can visit the Naval Air Museum, which includes a large collection of jet-age Navy aircraft, including an F-14A, NF/A-18A, AV-8B Harrier II, and the two experimental aircraft that competed for the Joint Strike Fighter contract, the Boeing X-35C and the Lockheed-Martin X-32B. Visitors can walk up and touch the aircraft. Museum exhibits also include flight motion simulators. Free; donation requested.  
• St. Mary's River State Park
• Greenwell State Park
• Annmarie Garden, 13480 Dowell Road, 20629, ☏ +1 410 326-4640. Superb open-air sculpture garden, including many pieces on loan from the Smithsonian's Hirshorn Gallery. The Garden offers rotating exhibitions in its indoor gallery place, as well as a gallery shop, snack bar, and classes. $5 adults. 

Outdoor sculpture park associated with the Smithsonian Institute. Shaded, beautiful and dog friendly walking path.

• 2 Point Lookout State Park, 11175 Point Lookout Road, 20687 (at the southern tip of St. Mary's County, at the junction of the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay; it can be reached via Maryland Route 5), ☏ +1 301 872-5688. The park is open year-round; 6AM to sunset. Some activities are allowed outside of regular park hours, such as fishing, boat launch and hunting where permitted. Camping and some other activities are seasonal. Point Lookout State Park sits at the southernmost tip of Maryland's western shore on a peninsula formed by the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River. Recreational opportunities abound in this picturesque Bay setting. Swimming, fishing, boating and camping are just a few of the activities to be enjoyed. The park's peaceful surroundings belie its history as the location of a prison camp for more than 52,000 Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. A museum on site recounts this vivid history. Civil War Ghosts wander the grounds. October - April: $3/vehicle for MD resident and $4/vehicle non-resident. May - September: Weekdays $3/vehicle for MD resident and $5/vehicle non-resident. Weekends and Holidays: $5/person for MD resident and $7/person non-resident. Night fishing: an additional fee of $3/vehicle for MD resident and $5/vehicle non-resident. Service charges also apply to the Causeway. (updated Mar 2018)

Do

• Confederate Memorial Park, 11625 Point Lookout Road (south on Rt 5 1/2 mile before Pt Lookout State Park), ☏ +1 301 934-1716. 24 hr. Confederate Memorial Park was erected by the descendants of the more than 52,000 people imprisoned at the Union POW camp. Plaza with illuminated bronze statue,"Voices from the Pen" engraved first person accounts, 21 state and Confederate National flags, informational signage. A memorial for the soldiers, sailor, marines and civilians imprisoned 1863-1865. Adjacent to the Federal and Maryland monument acre which contains the mass grave of the prisoners who died there. Free. (updated Mar 2018)

Eat

Budget

• Blue Wind Gourmet, 22803 Gunston Dr, California, ☏ +1 301 737-2713. Good soups, sandwiches and salads. Best selction of liquor, wine and beer in area. Most evenings has some wine tastings. 
• Coffee Quarter, 22576 Macarthur Blvd, California, ☏ +1 301 866-0106. Great local coffee shop with good sandwiches and desserts. 

Mid-range

• Captain's Table, 275 Lore Rd, Solomons, ☏ +1 410 326-2772. 
• Clarke's Landing Restaurant, 24580 Clarkes Landing Ln, Seafood, ☏ +1 301 373-8468. Waterfront location on Cuckhold Creek. 
• Ledo Pizza, 21911 Three Notch Rd, ☏ +1 301 737-2700. 
• Lenny's Restaurant, 23418 Three Notch Rd (1/2mi.N.rt.4 on Rt.235), ☏ +1 301 737-0777. 11AM-9PM. Local family dining since 1952 serving seafood, steaks and sandwiches. Sunday brunch buffet style 8AM-1PM. $4-29. 
• The Lexington Restaurant & Lounge (The Lexington), 21736 Great Mills Road (at the corner of Shangrila Drive and Great Mills Road), ☏ +1 240-237-8096. 7AM to 11PM. 2.99 to 28.99. 
• Monterey Mexican Restaurant, 22576 MacArthur Blvd, California (in San Souci Shopping Center), ☏ +1 301 866-5262. 
• Nicoletti's Pizza, 22741 Three Notch Rd, ☏ +1 301 863-2233. 
• Niko's Pizza & Carryout, 21600 Great Mills Rd (in St. Mary's Square shopping center), ☏ +1 301 862-2800. 
• Rick's Cheesesteak Factory & Pizza, 23415 Three Notch Rd # 22 (in Wildewood Shopping Center), ☏ +1 301 862-1181. 
• Solomon's Pier, 14575 Solomons Island Rd, ☏ +1 410 326-2424. Waterfront location on Solomon's Island. 
• Stoney's Kingfishers Seafood House, 14442 Solomons Island Rd S, Solomons, ☏ +1 410 394-0236. Seafood. Waterfront location on Solomon's Island. Order the crabcake sandwich. 
• Stoney's Seafood House, 3944 Oyster House Rd, Broomes Island, ☏ +1 410 586-1888. Seafood. Beautiful waterfront location on Broomes Island in Calvert County, about 25 miles north of NAS Patuxent River. Order the crabcake sandwich. 
• "'Thai Inter"', Corner of MacArthur Blvd and MD 235. Great Thai Food

Splurge

• Asahi Japanese Steak House, 22576 Macarthur Blvd, California (in San Souci Shopping Center), ☏ +1 301 866-9070. 
• DiGiovanni's Dock of the Bay, 14556 Solomon's Island Rd, Solomon's, ☏ +1 410 394-6400. Waterfront location on Solomon's Island. 
• The Tides Restaurant and Oyster Bar, 46580 Expedition Dr, ☏ +1 301 862-5303. Located immediately north of Gate 1 on MD Rt. 235, in front of Extended Stay America hotel. 
• Zahniser's Dry Dock Restaurant, 251 C St, Solomon's, ☏ +1 410 326-4817. Seafood. Waterfront location on Solomon's Island. 

Drink

• Catamaran's, 14470 Solomons Island Rd S, Solomons, ☏ +1 410 326-3698. Small dance floor - 2 stories of boozin'. Good for comsumption of liquids. Food is not the best. 
• D.B.McMillan's Pub and Grill, 23415 Three Notch Rd, California (1/2 N.of Rt4 on Rt.235 in The Wilde Wood Center), ☏ +1 301 866-0777. 11AM-11PM. An Irish pub with traditional music and food along with burgers, sandwiches, stews and corned beef and cabbage. A place to relax and meet friends old and new. $5-18. 
• The Green Door, Rt 5 South, Park Hall MD - A local fave and home of the $6 pizza and pitcher of beer on Monday nights!
• Tiki Bar, 85 Charles St, Solomons, ☏ +1 20688 410 326-4075. Open 3rd Friday in April to Columbus Day. Opening Day is an annual event that draws thousands for an all-day/all-night party. 

Sleep

• Comfort Inn, 255 Lore Rd, Solomons, ☏ +1 410 326-6303. 7.8 miles from Gate 1 into NAS Patuxent River. Requires longer commute over Solomon's Bridge. 
• Country Inn & Suites, 44941 Worth Lane, 20619 (3 miles from Gate 1 NAS Patuxent River), ☏ +1 301 737-5227, cx_lpmd@countryinn.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Offers fresh cookies and complimentary Hot breakfast as well as free high-speed internet and an indoor heated pool. (updated Sep 2020)
• Days Inn, 21847 Three Notch Rd (0.2 miles from Gate 2 into NAS Patuxent River), ☏ +1 301 863-6666. 
• Extended Stay America, 46565 Expedition Park Dr (0.1 miles from Gate 1 into NAS Patuxent River), ☏ +1 240 725-0100. 
• Fairfield Inn, 22119 Three Notch Rd (0.1 miles from Gate 1 into NAS Patuxent River), ☏ +1 301 863-0203. 
• Hampton Inn, 22211 Three Notch Rd (0.1 miles from Gate 1 into NAS Patuxent River), ☏ +1 301 863-3200. 
• Hilton Garden Inn Solomons, 13100 Dowell Road, Dowell (2.5 miles from Gate 1 into NAS Patuxent River), ☏ +1 410 326-0303. Requires longer commute over Solomon's Bridge. 
• Holiday Inn, 155 Holiday Dr, Solomons (8.0 miles from Gate 1 into NAS Patuxent River), ☏ +1 410 326-6311. Beautiful waterfront location, requires longer commute over Solomon's Bridge. 
• La Quinta Inn & Suites Patuxent Naval Base, 22769 Three Notch Rd, California (2.5 miles from Gate 1 into NAS Patuxent River), ☏ +1 301 862-4100. 
• 1 Point Lookout State Park Campground, 11175 Point Lookout Road, ☏ +1 301 872 5688, pointlookout.statepark@maryland.gov. Camping is available in Point Lookout State Park in one of 143 wooded campsites, of which 26 have full hook-ups and 33 have electric. There are also six four-person camper cabins available for overnight stays. $21.49 to $38.49 for camping; $50.49 for cabins. (updated Mar 2018)
• Sleep Inn, 23428 Three Notch Rd (4.7 miles from Gate 1 into NAS Patuxent River), ☏ +1 301 737-0000. Across from Wildewood shopping center indoor pool, Free Internet, walk to restaurants and shopping. 
• Super 8 Motel, 22801 Three Notch Rd, California (2.8 miles from Gate 1 into NAS Patuxent River), ☏ +1 301 862-9822. 

Go next

This county is known for its miles of shoreline. Two great beaches are on St. George Island. One is right next to the bridge but the best is at the end of the Island, with a nice private campground and cottages.