Annapolis, MD Road Trips

Tourism from the surrounding Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metro area is a major part of the town's life, as is a thriving boat business. 1 Visitors Center, 26 West St, toll-free: +1-888-302-2852. 9AM-5PM daily. The official destination marketing organization of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County. Come in for area maps, restroom, restaurant menus, and tours and tour schedule.

The city put up a memorial at the waterfront of Alex Haley, author of the book "Roots" which became a TV mini-series in the mid 1970s. This memorial marks the spot where Kunta Kinte, first arrived in this country, in Annapolis in 1767. He came aboard a slave ship from Gambia, Africa named the Lord Ligonier. 1 Maryland State House, 100 State Cir, ☏ +1 410-946-5400. 9AM-5PM. is the oldest in the nation still in legislative use, was the capitol of the US from November 26, 1783 to August 13, 1784. General George Washington resigned his commission before the Continental Congress here and in 1784, Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris to end the Revolutionary War. From there, the Annapolis convention issued the call to the states that led to the Constitutional Convention. You have to show ID (driver's license or passport) and go through a metal detector to enter. There are exhibits on the first floor covering the many historic events that have occurred both there and in Maryland. free. (updated Mar 2018) 2 Sandy Point State Park, 1100 East College Pkwy (19 km (12 mi) from central Annapolis, exit from US-50 just west of the Bay Bridge), ☏ +1 410-974-2149 (Office), +1 410-974-4699 (Marina), [email protected]. Activities include swimming, fishing, crabbing, boating and windsurfing. The park's beaches and picnic areas provide views of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. $4/person. 3 William Paca House, 186 Prince George St (btwn East St and Maryland Ave). M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM.

Annapolis is the sailing capital of the United States (there's a sign saying so right before the Eastport Bridge), so you must go sailing while in Annapolis. 1 Schooner Woodwind, 80 Compromise St. (at the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel), ☏ +1-410-263-7837, [email protected]. Daily 11AM-6:30PM (April to October). Cruises last 2 hours, please check the schedule first to confirm they are sailing on the day you wish to embark. Cruises leaving nearing dusk are called Sunset Sails and operate from a different schedule. You can raise the sails, take the helm, watch for crab pots, see the sunset and experience Annapolis from the water. Beer, wine and soft drinks are available and you're welcome to bring your own lunch/snacks. Bring a camera, a good hat and soft-soled shoes with adequate traction. Adult $48, senior (60+) $46, child (age 11 and under) $31. (updated Aug 2019) Another great thing to do is go to Sandy Point State Park and look at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. There is a sandy beach, and it provides spectacular views and a view of an old lighthouse in the middle of the Chesapeake. Explore the historic district of Annapolis by foot. Walk with the colonial-clad guides of the Capital City Colonials as they tour you about town explaining the history, buildings, and colonial life in Annapolis' golden age. Lacrosse: Annapolis is generally considered to be the lacrosse capital of the U.S., with marquee matchups between high school powers St. Mary's and Severn taking place in the spring at the United States Naval Academy.

1 Cantler's Riverside Inn, 458 Forest Beach Rd. One of the best seafood restaurants in the area. About 15 minutes outside of town nestled on the backwaters of the Chesapeake Bay. You can arrive by boat or car. Cantler's is an authentic Maryland Family Style seafood restaurant where you sit at park benches and eat shoulder to shoulder with everyone. Steamed crabs are a favorite but so are lots of local, freshly-caught seafood choices. Cantler's is an Annapolis family-run institution. Try their soft crab sandwich, which is a whole crab with shell and an all but very soft and very delicious. It's insanely hard to find by car, so either print out the directions from their website, or use a GPS navigation device. 2 Joss Cafe, 195 Main St, ☏ +14102634688. The "in the know" sushi spot in Annapolis. Small, generally crowded and no reservations available. Located towards the top of Main Street on the left. Best sushi in town. Go to Nano's for Chinese food but stick to Joss for sushi. On Main Street, just up from Church Circle. (updated Mar 2026) 3 O'Leary's Seafood, 310 Third Street (Eastport), ☏ +1 410-263-0884. Is by far the best seafood restaurant in the area. It is consistently ranked as one of the Washington, DC area's top 100 restaurants. (updated Mar 2026) 4 Tsunami, 51 West St (On the corner of West and Cathedral), ☏ +1 410-990-9868. home to delicious Asian and Indian food, known for their $5 lunch bowls. (updated Mar 2026) 5 Pip's Dock Street Dogs, 118 Dock Street (Dock Street by Randall Street), ☏ +1 410-990-9009.

Along with a lively night scene, there comes a number of great bars. During the day most of these play the role of family restaurant very well and serve outstanding authentic Maryland food and then turn up the volume when the sun goes down. It can be a bit odd to travelers having lunch at a great restaurant that happens to serve some drinks and hoping to be back for dinner, only to find a packed bar that happens to serve some food. There are far too many to name, even in a small downtown such as Annapolis, but one unique specialty can be found at Lujan's Pub. Situated on the water front it caters to mostly Naval Academy Midshipmen but finds its fan base with the tourist. Ask for the Crab Cod. A delicious mix of crab juice with rum and cherry flavors. Other main street establishments can lead to an interesting interaction between the very rich and the Middies. The Mexican Cafe on the south side of town remains very popular for those visiting PAL Park.

1 Hilton Garden Inn Annapolis, 305 Harry S. Truman Parkway, ☏ +1 410-266-9006. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Located in the heart of Annapolis just 4 miles (6 km) from the famous US Naval Academy and historic district. Available 24 hour fitness center, heated outdoor pool, and free WiFi. $109. (updated Oct 2017) 2 Annapolis Waterfront Hotel, 80 Compromise St, ☏ +1 410-268-7555. The only accommodation located directly on the waterfront, in downtown Annapolis. (updated Oct 2017) 3 Historic Inns of Annapolis, 58 State Circle, ☏ +1 410 263-2641, toll-free: +1-800-847-8882. The Historic Inns of Annapolis in Maryland, with a historical restaurant, tavern, and rooms; this hotel is unforgettable. (updated Oct 2017) 4 Graduate by Hilton Annapolis, 126 West Street, ☏ +1 410 263-7777. (updated Oct 2017) 5 Courtyard by Marriott Annapolis, 2559 Riva Road, ☏ +1 410 266-1555. A bit outside downtown Annapolis. $119. (updated Oct 2017) 6 Annapolis Crowne Plaza, 173 Jennifer Road, ☏ +1 410 266-3131, fax: +1 410 266-6247. Annapolis Mall and Anne Arundel Medical Center. (updated Oct 2017) 7 SpringHill Suites Annapolis, 189 Admiral Cochrane Dr, ☏ +1 443-321-2500, toll-free: +1-888-663-0094. Near Route 50. (updated Oct 2017) 8 The Westin Annapolis, 100 Westgate Circle, ☏ +1 410 972-4300, fax: +1 410-295-7420, [email protected]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. (updated Oct 2017)

Many major air carriers fly to Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI IATA), in Linthicum, Maryland, only a 30 minute drive from Downtown Annapolis. Bus 70. from southern Baltimore to Annapolis. If coming from downtown Baltimore, it'll take about 2 hr to take the lightrail to Patapsco or Cromwell and then transfer to the 70. If going to Annapolis as a day trip, just buy the day pass ($4.20). $1.80. (updated Mar 2018) MTA Maryland. MTA Maryland operates rush-hour commuter bus service (Route 220 and Route 230) to Annapolis from Washington, D.C.; this service travels from Annapolis in the morning and to Annapolis in the afternoon and evening. A commuter bus (Route 210) soes from Annapolis (and Kent Island) to downtown Baltimore in the morning and returns to Annapolis from Baltimore in the afternoon. (updated Jan 2017) From Baltimore, take I-97 south then go east on Hwy 50. From Washington, D.C., take Hwy 50 East.

The first place you should stop in when you are in Annapolis is the Visitors Center, 26 West Street, ☏ +1-888-302-2852, daily 9AM-5PM, the official destination marketing organization of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County. Come in for area maps, restroom, restaurant menus, and tours and tour schedule. The most economic way of enjoying Annapolis would be getting around on foot. There are plenty of parking spaces available during less crowded times, such as during the winter months and weekdays after work hours. They are easy to find by following either the parking signs to a parking garage or looking around the harbor area for metered spots which can be held for up to two hours. Bicycles are also an option to bring along, but generally wouldn't be needed for a day of sightseeing in the harbor area. Tourist maps are available at many downtown establishments, usually highlighting map sponsors as places to visit, but also including most places of interest as a not-to-scale reference. Any local Annapolitan would be more than happy to give short directions, or even a tip on where to eat. During the busier times, a parking place will be a bit harder to find, but patience is usually rewarded. If needing extended transport, a bus line does traverse Annapolis at various locations. Though, the Annapolis Transit buses have a tendency to run off schedule and are often extremely early or extremely late; plan extra time if using the buses. Weekend nights, you will also find more than enough taxis available at the base of Main Street.

Annapolis is one of the safest cities in Maryland. The normal precautions apply, but downtown is pretty much safe at all times. Due to its status as the state capital, there is a larger-than-usual police presence; the Annapolis City Police, Maryland Capital Police, Maryland State Police and, Anne Arundel County Police are all commonly seen in the city and surrounding areas.