The Chesapeake Biological Laboratory Visitor Center, located on the first floor of the historic Solomons House, offers guests the opportunity to explore exhibits highlighting the health of the Chesapeake Bay, ongoing research, and an oyster reef community aquarium. Visitors will discover who CBL scientist are, what they are researching, and why it is important. Visitor Center exhibits include:
- Welcome video: Who are we and what do we do?
- Chesapeake Bay Watershed Exhibit: Is the Bay healthy?
- Oyster Reef Aquarium: What lives in the nooks and crannies of an oyster reef?
- Research Exhibit: Highlights of current research.
- Making Waves with CBL Students: Select short videos to learn about graduate student research, in their own words.
Hours of Operation
Hours of operation at the CBL Visitor Center vary seasonally:
- May through Memorial Day: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday from 9:30am to 4:30pm
- Memorial Day through Labor Day: Wednesday - Sunday from 9:30am to 4:30pm
- June 11 - July 2: CLOSED for renovations on weekdays. Open Saturday & Sunday from 9:30am to 4:30pm. Planned improvements will help CBL preserve the historic Solomons House, in which the CBL Visitor Center is housed, and will improve the energy efficiency of building operations.
- Labor Day through November: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday from 9:30am to 4:30pm
- December: Special hours during the Solomons Island Christmas Walk
- The CBL Visitor Center closes for the winter season
- Calvert & St Mary's Spring Break: Everyday from 9:30am to 4:30pm
Plan Your Visit
Visitor Center Information: (410) 326-7443.
There are no admission or exhibit fees for the CBL Visitor Center.
The CBL Visitor Center is located in the historic Solomons House at 200 Farren Ave., Solomons, Maryland 20688. View a Campus Map.
Free parking is available in front of the Visitor Center, with handicap parking in the back.
Campus Tours
Free campus tours are offered to the public on Fridays at 2:00 pm from June through October. Campus tours will not be offered on June 15th, 22nd, and 29th, when the Visitor Center will be closed for renovations. These tours last approximately one hour and depart from the CBL Visitor Center. Please arrive 15 minutes early for tours. Because CBL is a working lab, campus tours will not include access to our actual laboratories. Children must be age 12 and over and accompanied by a responsible adult. Some areas on the tours may not be handicap accessible as many of our campus building are historic structures. Call the CBL Visitor Center at (410) 326-7443 to confirm Campus Tour availability.