Visiting: Annapolis, Maryland

The Maryland capital city of Annapolis has many things for visitors to do and see. There’s the Maryland State House and many other fine examples of historic architecture, plus museums, galleries, shops, and restaurants.

You can watch the waterfront activity at City Dock or take a tour onboard a motor or sailboat, or maybe paddle around the shoreline in a kayak. Plus, there’s the beautiful Naval Academy grounds to explore.

Park your car, put on your walking shoes, and wander the streets of historic downtown Annapolis. Everything downtown Annapolis is walk-able. You’ll find plenty of shops and galleries for browsing. Or maybe you’d rather take an organized tour of the city. There are walking tours, trolley tours, boat tours, and even segway tours.

The Annapolis Visitor Center is a good place to start your exploration of the city. It is located at 26 West Street (next to Gotts Court Garage) and is open from 9:00am to 5:00pm. In additon to information, they have a nice selection of items for sale. There’s also a visitor information booth at City Dock.

annapolis-state-house-domeAnnapolis Videos – The folks at Visit Annapolis have put together a very nice set of videos that let you take a first-hand look at all the wonderful things that Annapolis has to offer.

There are plenty of good places to stay in town. Accommodation choices include nice hotels (Westin, Loews, O’Callaghan, and Marriott), a collection of historic inns, bed & breakfasts, and vacation rental homes. All these options allow you to stay in the heart of Annapolis’s downtown historic district, where you can walk to sights, restaurants, and entertainment.

Many of Annapolis’s restaurants, bars, and pubs host live music on a regular basis. One of the most popular is the Ram’s Head, where you’ll find a full line-up of regional and national performers. And the Naval Academy has an active music program that provides free performances for the community.