Pax River - What You Need To Know

At AHRN.com, we want to offer our readers a place to turn to when facing the challenge of a PCS. You know how it is when you get orders. You go to your Facebook friends list, find someone who is there or has been recently and get all the details! We are sharing the little things that help you to make a home at Pax River!

Located in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, where the Patuxent River and Chesapeake Bay meet, Naval Air Station Patuxent River is where the future of naval aviation begins.

Approximately 90 miles from the Fleet in Norfolk, Virginia, and 65 miles south of the nation’s capitol, the 14,500-acre complex includes the main station in Lexington Park, Webster Outlying Field in St. Inigoes, Naval Recreation Center Solomons in Calvert County and Bloodsworth Island Range in the Chesapeake Bay.

What are the best neighborhoods?

Wildewood and the newer base housing.

What schools are considered the best?

Leonardtown, Hollywood and Wildewood, as well as many private options are highly regarded. Check out more specific school data at greatschools.org.

Is there anywhere traffic becomes problematic?

This is a small town, but traffic can back up on Three Notch and crossing the bridge to Calvert County.

Is there a preferred gate during high traffic times?

Equally easy as the traffic!

Can I get off post for lunch?

Absolutely. The small town make it very doable.

Where do you like to do your grocery shopping? Where is the best produce? The best prices?

Commissary is small but good. There are many Amish markets and local farms for produce as well as regular grocery stores.

Where do you like to do your clothes/home shopping?

There are many department stores here but you’ll need to drive to Annapolis to get to a decent Mall.

What are your favorite local restaurants?

Blue Wind Gourmet, CD Cafe on Solomos Island, Thai Inter

Where do you go if you want to grab a coffee with friends and relax?

Boldly Going Coffee Shop has comfortable couches and good coffee, plus some natural offerings (like raw honey) that aren’t available at other places. It’s a favorite!

Best spot for a date night?

For a dinner date, we normally choose to head to Miyori Japanese Steakhouse or Milano. But our favorite thing to do is take a weekend and head down to the beaches which are less than 2 hours away!

Best rainy day energy buster for the kids?

Calvert Marine Museum

What do you LOVE about Fort Rucker?

beautiful, laid-back and family-friendly

What would you tell a friend who just got orders to Fort Rucker?

Make the most of the beautiful base and water-oriented activities

We Want To Know:

Have you lived at Pax River? What would you add to these answers?