Historic Leonardtown
This little town at the heart of St. Mary’s County, has been faithfully fulfilling its small town mission since 1695, when political winds changed and colonial officials decamped, moving Maryland’s capital from St. Mary’s City to Annapolis. That’s when the locals looked around for a new place to conduct their own affairs and settled on Leonardtown as “most convenient.” Today, you’ll still find the requisite neoclassical courthouse, old county jail, and leafy town square. However, things are changing a bit, and in some very cool ways. The Rex Movie Theater is now The Rex Restaurant and Bar, and is adorned with posters from movies shown there since its doors opened in the 1930s. The Leonardtown Wharf which once served as a steamboat landing, is now a waterfront park where Saturday starts early. First to arrive is the sunrise yoga crowd, followed by the dog walkers, joggers, and paddle boarders. In the evening, couples occupy the benches, enjoying the sunsets over Breton Bay.
The “in-town” water trail, McIntosh Run, winds through woods and wetlands and then spills out into open water. Rent your kayak from the Patuxent Adventure Center outfitters and launch into the Run right from the site. The trail takes about two and a half hours to navigate and ends at Leonardtown Wharf. The Port of Leonardtown Winery is adjacent to the outfitter. It’s one of the nation’s only winery co-operatives. Here, the best from vineyards tucked throughout Southern Maryland is transformed into wines steadily gaining in reputation. Try the Petit Verdot 2012 or the just released Traminette. Leonardtown is Southern Maryland’s only state-designated Arts & Entertainment District. You will find galleries and shops around the town square and along Fenwick Street, plus a variety of local restaurants including several featuring outdoor dining. Enjoy First Friday, August 7; Beach Party on the Square, Saturday, August 8; and upcoming on September 12, it’s Art.Work.Shop. – a day of art workshops held at locations throughout the town.
For more info about the town and upcoming events, visit www.visitstmarysmd.com