We love weekend road trips that take you out of the district but keep you close enough that you can easily be home in time for Sunday brunch. DC has plenty of popular day trips that you have probably taken like Baltimore or Shenandoah Valley. But we found a charming tiny town not far from DC that you must visit.
Port Tobacco is a tiny historic town in Maryland about an hour outside of DC. As of the 2010 census, Port Tobacco had a population of 13. But this tiny town offers plenty of history and interesting attractions and everyone should experience it.
Port Tobacco existed as a Native American settlement of the Potopaco tribe. Later, Port Tobacco became one of the biggest seaports in Maryland. During the 1700s, it was a bustling town with shops, taverns and local businesses.
By the late 1800s however, the area had shifted and Port Tobacco was not the booming town it was at one time. But in the mid 1940s, the Society for the Restoration of Tobacco was formed.
The group began to restore the historic buildings and creating museums in the area. Today, you can visit these historic places and learn about the history of the town.
Port Tobacco is an excellent excursion for learning about the history of the area and seeing some of the oldest buildings the state. For example, the Thomas Stone National Historic Site features a Georgian mansion from the 1700s. It was once the home of Thomas Stone, who signed the Declaration of Independence.
The Port Tobacco Courthouse is another one of the most popular attractions. It contains tobacco and Civil War exhibits, as well as archeological finds.
Port Tobacco is also home to St. Ignatius Church. The church was founded in 1641 and is one of the oldest continuously active Catholic Parishes in the country.
Not only is Port Tobacco a great place of historical significance, it’s also in a beautiful location Chapel Point State Park sits right on the Tobacco River. It’s a gorgeous spot to fish or kayak.
You can visit Port Tobacco on your own or you can take a guided tour. The operating hours for the Historic District are Thursday through Monday from 10am to 4pm.
