Visit Annapolis for top-notch seafood, boating on the Chesapeake Bay, and more summer fun.
Ah summer , the very best of season . Annapolis is one of those towns that lives for summer , with its deep joining to all thing marine and its narrow historical streets that entice in tourists with ice ointment parlors and stalwarts offering all the bestChesapeake Bay seafood .
It ’s all about the water here . Annapolis is dubbed the sailing working capital of the United States and it ’s also homebase for the yachting set and the US Naval Academy . And less than an hour from DC , this city by the ocean is an loose day tripper when you take to get out of the capital or a greatweekend getawayfor long summertime adventures . To truly soak it all in , here are all the good thing to do in town , from heading out onto the water to explore the maturate food scene and settling into a buzzy fresh hotel .
Dive into the city’s history
sympathise a baseline of Annapolis ’s unique history will help you take account a visit here all the more . The Museum of Historic Annapolishas a digestible new exposition , “ Annapolis : An American Story , ” that ease up a exhaustive innovation to the city that once served as the nation ’s uppercase . The exhibit unfolds thought chronicle of Annapolis residents over the course of the last 400 geezerhood .
Or steer toThe Banneker - Douglass Museum , a space commit to preserving and share the state ’s African American inheritance and culture from 1633 onward . There ’s peck to explore on situation , but you’re able to also check outBlack History 365 , a unexampled practical exhibit create by the museum , that turn over into the tarradiddle and life of generations of Annapolis occupier from the African Diaspora . Black History 365 has a wealth of video and clause so you’re able to take the museum with you and add depth to any saunter through the city ’s street .
The story of Annapolis is not complete without a plunge into its seafaring account . TheAnnapolis Maritime Museumexplores the expanse ’s maritime history and the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay , and it ’s deserving a ready stop on your way to manoeuvre out on the water system .
Annapolis Harbor|Keri Delaney/Shutterstock
Head out on the water
Getting out on the water is an obligatory action for any stay in Annapolis . While private yachts and sailing boat pile into the harbor , there are plenty of options for those traveling without their own floating palace . Snag a point on theWilma Lee , one of the last remain Atlantic bonito in Annapolis ( there used to be more than 1,000 ) . A two - hr daylight cruise aboard will sail you through a docent - led go of the nearby shores . Visiting on a weekday ? On Wednesday nights , the Wilma Lee will bring you up close to the mid - calendar week sailboat races . And for something more amatory , hop on one of Wilma Lee ’s sundown sail . Adult potable provided .
Tour the Naval Academy
Annapolis ’s marine connection extend beyond the cruise set , of course . The city is family to the renowned United States Naval Academy which has a historic and beautiful campus that ’s subject to visitor . Book a90 - minute walk tourto get the scoop on the honorary society ’s historical monuments and live on like a midshipman for the day .
Pause for afternoon tea
Escape the heating system and humidness ( this is Maryland in the summertime , after all ) and rest your walking - aweary legs over high afternoon tea at Reynold ’s Tavern . A landmark on Annapolis ’ Church Circle , Reynold ’s Tavernhas been in operation since 1747 . to begin with opened under the name “ The Beaver and Lac’d Hat , ” the tavern was a catch - all for local anaesthetic , a place where you put off a pint as well as provide messages for neighbour and business associates , stable your cavalry , buy tickets to local theater , or bet on a circuit card biz . Today it ’s a neat lieu to pare aside an hour over a teatime , finger sandwiches , and scones . Hats and fascinators welcome .
Check out the mural scene
In the preceding couple of years — really just since COVID entered our life — murals have bounce up throughout Annapolis adding colored splashes and societal comment to the town ’s buildings and street . Thanks to the work of the organizationFuture History Now , visitors can take a self - guided walking circuit of the metropolis ’s mural .
Start at The Equal Justice Under the Law Mural ( 156 South Street ) which features depictions of equal rights champions , Supreme Court justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Thurgood Marshall . The oeuvre , which was completed in April 2021 was make by FHN conscientious objector - laminitis Jeff Huntington , his wife Julia Gibb , and a team of youth artist and professional teaching artist .
From there mind to Carr ’s Beach Mural(on West Street near Westgate Circle ) . By the Annapolis artist Comacell Bell , the mural memorialize the field that was once a vivacious resort and concert venue that catered to the African American community in the thirties through sixties . Legends like Billie Holiday , Little Richard , Tina Turner , and Temptations , and James Brown once took the point here .
Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park
The Carlester ‘ Walking Man ’ Smith Mural(1100 West Street ) commemorates the local stalwart who dedicated more than 40 years of his biography to clean up trash from the city ’s street . Completed by Comacell Bell and volunteers , the wall painting is a fitting testament to the city ’s close - knit community .
Eat and drink your way around town
Of course , no stumble to the seaside is perfect without sampling all of the sea ’s delicacies . as luck would have it , there are lot of places to do just that around townspeople . At first glance , Sailor Oyster Baris a dark and boisterous watering hole . But determine into a mesa and you ’ll observe yourself immersed in a misleadingly refined dining spot mask as a pirate ’s bar . A daily oyster glad hour force in locals and tourer alike , and there ’s an entire portion of the carte dedicate to tin fish .
Flamantis a processed yet low-down - key spot in the leafy neighborhood of West Annapolis , a 20 - mo walking from the Annapolis Visitors Center . The menu here is unsurprisingly seafood forward with fresh , forward-looking dishful like escargot donut and upright crab rolls .
For a staple fibre Annapolis eat on experience , what ’s old is new again atChick & Ruth ’s Delly . site directly across from Preserve on Main Street , the restaurant ’s vintage orange and unripened signage draws longsighted lines on the weekends for its all - twenty-four hours brunch menu . Routinely grade as the home to Maryland ’s well crab bar , this Annapolis psychiatric hospital is worth standing in line for .
Courtesy of VisitAnnapolis.org
When it fare fourth dimension to combine in a cocktail , Annapolis has large prevention and restaurant for that as well . About half way down Main Street , as it splosh to the water , Preserveis a craft eatery with locally and globally inspire fare . The speciality here is , you guessed it , preserve dish like pickles and olives that work as well with brunch as they do with a martini during happy time of day . Forward Brewing Companyis a nano brewery in the Eastport hamlet of Annapolis , and their light , aeriform space make an idealistic spot for an afternoon refresher .
Stay at an incredible hotel in the area
Channeling the historical touches and marine feel of the city , Annapolis has endearing accommodation that are worth the jaunt from DC on their own .
Retro , old - shoal vibes — retrieve madras carpet and marine wallpaper — are the hallmarks ofThe Graduate , the Annapolis outstation of the boutique hotel chain that is construct its means to on the face of it all college towns in America . The Graduate radiates a relaxed , get - as - you - are feeling that might make you nostalgic for your conscientious objector - ed days . turn up just a few minute ’ walk from the water supply and right in the center of the burgeoning food view , it ’s the perfect homebase to explore all that Annapolis has to proffer .
For something decidedly more button up , crack into134 Prince , a luxury boutique hotel start by two Naval Academy alumna . With just four suites , the hotel is an soft stay rationalize by its plush interiors , soaking tubs , and sense of privacy . The 1849 building has been top - to - bottom vivify , creating a comfortable and modern hotel that retain its historic charms . 134 Prince is steps from the Naval Academy and the city pier , which is a great spot to saunter and people watch .
United States Naval Academy Tourism
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Reynolds Tavern in Annapolis
Future History Now
Flamant
134 Prince - Luxury Boutique Hotel
