Ways to Explore Southern Maryland’s Scenic and Historic Routes

Ways to Explore Southern Maryland’s Scenic and Historic Routes. . Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail , This unique trail is designed for you to experience by boat. It is America’s first waterway national historic trail and includes more than 3,000 miles explored by Captain John Smith., The route is marked at several sites on the water by special buoys that are part of the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System (CBIBS). Accessible by cell phone or internet, these buoys transmit date that include historical information related to Captain John Smith’s explorations., (Images of boat dock and buoys.) , Interpretive buoys (right) are found along the trail., Religious Freedom National Scenic Byway , Automobile is the best way to experience this byway. You can explore various sites, churches, homes, parks, and museums, to learn about the very first attempt in American to introduce religious toleration and the separation of church from state. If you would like to tour any of the churches, we recommend contacting their administrative offices before you visit., Visit www.bit.ly/rfsbyway , Visit www.nps.gov/cajo, (Image of church) , Trinity Episcopal Church is one of many religious sites along the byway., (Images of signs and roadside.) , Road signs containing the byway logo will guide you., Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail , Southern Maryland was an attractive target for British raids during the War of 18 12. Along the trail are the sites of the largest naval engagements in Maryland waters. Follow the route of British warships as they sailed to and from their attacks on Washington and Baltimore. Explore historic sites such as Sotterley Plantation, which was raided in 1814 when at least 48 enslaved people sought freedom on British ships., Visit www.nps.gov/stsp, (Image of five people.) , History comes alive at Sotterley Plantation, which you can drive to in eastern St. Mary's County., Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail , This evolving trail network is a portal into the region’s history, culture, and ecology. As the metropolitan area expands, hiking, bicycling, paddling, horseback riding, and related outdoor recreation activities provide you with opportunities for intimate connections with the river, its tributaries, and the region’s distinctive landscapes., Visit www.nps.gov/pohe, (Image of bicyclists.) , Bicyclists enjoy Lighthouse Road, Piney Point., (Logo for the Southern Maryland Heritage Area Consortium.) , Discover more at www.DestinationSouthernMaryland.com, National Park Service , U.S. Department of the Interior , This project was funded in part by the National Park Service, (Logos for the National Park Service and the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority.), This project has been financed in part with state funds from the Maryland Heritages Areas Authority, an instrumentality of the State of Maryland. However, the contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect views or policies of the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority.