Annapolis, the state capital of Maryland, was founded in 1649 and served briefly as the Nation's Capital in 1783. The historic Maryland State House, built in 1772, is the oldest state capital building in the United States still in legislative use. In addition to the historic State House, Annapolis has many other historic sites and museums for visitors to explore.
The City Dock is the heart of historic downtown Annapolis. Visitors will find an active waterfront that is popular with both sailors and motor boaters.
The United States Naval Academy is located on the waterfront in the heart of Annapolis. Walking tours of the Academy are available. You can also view the Naval Academy, and other Annapolis sites by water on one of the many cruises available for visitors.
The Historic Annapolis Foundation Museum Store and Welcome Centeris located at 77 Main Street in an historic building. The Foundation owns the William Paca House and Gardens. The home of William Paca, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a governor of Maryland during the Revolutionary period and constructed between 1763 and 1765, the house stands today as one of the most impressive of Annapolis’s restored eighteenth-century mansions. The house and gardens are open for tours daily during the spring, summer, and fall, and on the weekends during the off-season.
There are a variety of accommodation options in Annapolis, including waterfront hotels, historic inns, and bed and breakfasts. Please contact the bed and breakfasts individually for reservation information.
. This beautiful, award-winning hotel stands in the historic center of Annapolis, within walking distance of Chesapeake Bay and area attractions. Traveler Reviews and Rate Comparison.
Westin Annapolis. One of Annapolis' newest hotels. 225 guest rooms and suites. Rooms feature wireless high speed internet and flat panel high definition TVs. Morton's Steakhouse in the hotel and Starbucks on lobby level. Gym and heated indoor pool. Traveler Reviews and Rate Comparison.
O'Callaghan Hotel Annapolis. Owned by O’Callaghan Hotels of Ireland, this hotel is half a mile from the center of historic Annapolis and 1 mile from the U.S. Naval Academy. Restaurants, shops, Colonial homes, and a dock are within walking distance. Traveler Reviews and Rate Comparison.
Hampton Inn and Suites. Located near the Westfield Annapolis Shopping Mall and three miles from the Annapolis historic district and Naval Academy. Billiard room, fitness room, outdoor pool, 24 hr convenience store. Suites feature fully equipped kitchen, living area, and private bedroom.
. Peninsula House is a romantic Bed & Breakfast located in the maritime neighborhood of Annapolis, Maryland, and just steps away from the Chesapeake Bay, Historic Annapolis Harbor, the US Naval Academy and numerous museums and wonderful shops. 11 Chester Ave., Annapolis, MD 21403. Phone: 410-267-8796. Visit the Peninsula House website.
Schooner Woodwind Boat & Breakfast. Sleep aboard a classic wooden 74-foot schooner. Package includes two-hour sunset sail, overnight accommodations in a private, air conditioned, stateroom with double double berth, and deluxe continental breakfast. Great downtown location! 80 Compromise Street, Annapolis, MD 21401. Phone: 410-263-7873 FAX: 410-280-6952. Visit the Schooner Woodwind website.
La Bella Vita Boat & Breakfast. A stay aboard a luxury yacht is not just an accommodation, it is a romantic memory that will inject new pleasure and peace into any stay way from home. Solomons Yachting Center and The Yacht Basin, Solomons & Annapolis, MD. Phone: 443-404-1559 or 410-326-6714. Visit the La Bella Vita Boat & Breakfast website.
William Page Inn Bed & Breakfast. Distinctively appointed Annapolis Historic District home. Suite, Private Baths some with Whirlpools. Full breakfast, onsite parking, wireless internet, no additional cost. Gift Certificates. Walk to USNA, City Dock, Shopping and Restaurants. AAA Approved. 8 Martin Street, Annapolis, MD 21401. Phone: 410-626-1506 or 800-634-4160. www.williampageinn.com
This Historic Annapolis Foundation has audio tape tours available for rent at their museum store. These tours guide you through the main sites throughout town. The museum store is located at 77 Maine Street. There are also several companies that offer
The Rams Head Tavern, at 33 West Street, offers a large selection of beers as well as their own micro-brew. Features nightly live musical entertainment. Concerts are presented in a dinner theater-style with service available during the show.
The Acme Bar and Grill is a casual locals restaurant serving funky comfort food and featuring live music every night of the week. Located at 163 Main Street.
The McBride Gallery at 215 Main Street, has a fine collection of by well known artists.
The Elizabeth Myers Mitchell Gallery at St. John's College hosts museum-quality traveling exhibits. During the academic year, gallery hours are: Tuesday through Sunday noon to 5:00 p.m. and Friday 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Shopping in Annapolis:
Shoppers will find plenty of variety in Annapolis. The City Dock area has fashionable boutiques, art galleries, and antique shops housed in historic buildings. Nearby, the Harbor Main and Maryland Avenue/State Circle area offer more shops and restaurants.
West of Downtown, Annapolis Harbor Center (2454 Solomon Island Road) is laid out like a maritime village of 40-plus shops, including nine movie theaters. Opposite the Annapolis Harbor Center is The Pennsylvania Dutch Farmers Market, a mecca for homemade Amish foods and crafts; open Thursday through Saturday.
The Annapolis Mall, located north of Route 178 on Defense Highway, has four anchor stores, including JCPenney and Hecht’s, as well as more than 160 other shops and boutiques, plus a mulitplex movie theater.
The Anne Arundel County Farmer's Market is open from 7:00 am to noon on Saturdays from April 5 to December 20 and on Tuesdays from 7:00 am to noon from June 10 to October 28. The farmer's market is located at Riva Road and Harry S. Truman Parkway. More Information.
Annapolis Fishing Charters:
Annapolis Sport Fishing Charters. There's no better way to experience the Chesapeake Bay than aboard Dancer. Captain Joe Richardson's 20 years of experience and his 37-foot Post Sport Fisherman will make your "day on the Bay" as enjoyable as possible. Annapolis Harbor, near the Charthouse. Annapolis, MD. Phone: 410-798-6419 or 410-570-4632 (cell). www.annapolisfishingcharters.com
Chesapeake Adventures Sportfishing. Customized charters for you and your party. Experience the best fishing available in our area any time of year aboard our 33' express sportfish "Reel Time". 25 minutes from Annapolis. Breezy Point Marina, Chesapeake Beach, MD. Phone: 301-758-3475 (cell) 410-257-3285 (evenings). www.goreeltime.com
Chesapeake Bay Sport Fishing. We are a private first-class Chesapeake Bay fishing charter for up to 47 passengers with Rockfish being our primary target. We fish 7 days a week from the Annapolis area, conveniently located within minutes of both Baltimore & D.C.. Queen Anne Marina, Stevensville, MD. Phone: 410-703-2760 (cell) 410-224-6780 (home). www.chesapeakebaysportfishing.com
Down Time Sportfishing Charters. Enjoy Sport Fishing on the Chesapeake Bay for Trophy Striped Bass and Light Tackle Fishing for summer Stripers, Blues and Perch. Small Group & Family Charters Welcome (1 to 6 people). Breezy Point Marina (Spring Trophy Season), Deep Creek Marina (Summer and Fall) Phone: 443-949-8030 (home) 443-995-8666 (cell) www.downtimecharters.com
Lucky Strike Charters. Charter fishing aboard the "Lucky Strike" for striped bass, seasonal rock fishing, light tackle chumming for stripers, blue, spot, perch, croaker, flounder, and trout fishing out of Happy Harbor Marina located in Deale, Maryland. Happy Harbor Marina, Deale, MD. Phone: 410-257-7164 or 301-807-0973. www.luckystrikeII.com
There is always something interesting going on in Annapolis. Choose from our list of festivals, seafood feasts, boat shows, and more.
February 7 through March 27 - Annapolis Maritime Museum Winter Maritime Seminar Series
. Every Thursday from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Seminars are held at the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts and at the museum's Barge House at Second Street and Back Creek. Seminar Schedule and Information.
Annual catch and release tournament to benefit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Coastal Conservation Association, and the Annapolis Police Department's fishing camp. An outline of the winning fish will be painted on the rafters at the Boatyard, which will host the after tournament party. More Information.
May 2 - 4 -- Maryland Maritime Heritage Festival. City Dock. Events include music, sailing regatta, maritime arts and crafts, classic watercraft, and a visit from the Schooner Virginia. More Information.
May 9 - 11 -- Hospice Regattas National Championship. 19 skippers and their crews will represent the hospice regatta winners of 2007, sailing for national honors and publicizing hospice care. Racing will be held on the Chesapeake Bay, off Annapolis. More Information.
May 10 -- The Back Creek CRAB Party. Fundraiser event for Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (C.R.A.B). Port Annapolis Marina. 5:00 to 9:00. Food, live music, live and silent auctions. Tickets are $40. Call 410-626-0273. More Information
May 20 - 21 -- Blue Angels Air Show. The Blue Angels precision flight team will demonstrate their high-speed maneuvers over the Severn River for the U.S. Naval Academy's Commissioning Week. Practice shows on Tuesday at 11:00am and 2:00pm. Official show is Wednesday from 1:45 to 3:45.
June 8 -- Great Chesapeake Bay Swim. 4.4 mile swim and 1 mile Bay Challenge. Sandy Point State Park to Kent Island. Charitable events benefits the March of Dimes.More information.
June 13 -- Bermuda Ocean Race. Watch the start of this race from Annapolis to Bermuda. 1:00. Eastport Yacht Club.More Information.
June 21 -- Bands in the Sand. Chesapeake Bay Foundation fundraising event on the beach at Phillip Merrill Environmental Center, Annapolis. Live music, food, drinks, and an art auction. Advance ticket sales only. More Information.
June 21 -- Eastport-A-Rockin'. A big Eastport block party featuring lots of local and regional bands, crafts, food and fun for the whole family. Second Street and Eastern Avenue, Eastport. 11:00am to 8:00pm. More Information.
July 19 -- Lacrosse at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The Washington Bayhawks take on the Boston Cannons on Saturday, July 19th at 7pm at the Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. All Star Express also holds exhibition game. Fun for the whole family. More Information.
August 1 -- Annapolis Rotary Crab Fest. 5:00pm to 8:00pm. This annual event serves steamed crabs to 2,500 to 3,000 people under the grandstand of the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Assortment of other foods, including corn on the cob, crab soup, hot dogs, beef barbeque, are available. Activities. More information.
August 23 -- South River Federation's Annual Fish Fry. Fried local fish, corn on the cob, vine ripe tomatoes, coleslaw, hush puppies, and beverages. Live music and fun stuff for kids. 2:00 to 6:00pm. Philip Merrill Environmental Center, 6 Herdon Ave., Annapolis. More information.
September 6 -- Boatyard Bar & Grill Regatta
. Regatta to benefit CRAB (Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating). Eastport Yacht Club. Race party will be held at Eastport Yacht Club with music by the band Misspent Youth. More Information.
October -- 10 - 12 -- United States Sailboat Show. The Annapolis Sailboat Show is the oldest and largest in-water boat show in the country. Annapolis City Dock and Harbor. Annapolis Sailboat Show information.
October 17 - 19 -- United States Powerboat Show. The Annapolis Powerboat Show is the oldest and largest in-water boat show in the United States. Annapolis City Dock and Harbor. Annapolis Powerboat Show information.
Historic London Town is a 23 acre park located on the South River in Edgewater, Maryland. The park includes part of the late-seventeenth and early eighteenth-century town of London, which is currently being excavated by archaeologists.
William Page Inn Bed & Breakfast.
