Annapolis, the state capital of Maryland, was founded in 1649 and served briefly as the Nation's Capital in 1783. Stop by the visitor information booth at Annapolis City Dock or the visitors center located at 26 West Street for information on attractions and events in the city. Whether you're planning a day trip or a family vacation, there are lots of things to do and sights to see.
 The historic Maryland State House, built in 1772, is the oldest state capital building in the United States still in legislative use. The Maryland State House was the first peacetime capitol of the United States. The Continental Congress met in the Old Senate Chamber from November of 1783 to August of 1784. George Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army on December 23rd, 1783 in the Old Senate Chamber. A well known painting by Edwin White, commemorating this event, hangs in the State House.
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The Archives Room contains a cross-section model of the State House dome and early photographs showing changes that have been made to the building over time. Maryland's legislature meets for 90 calendar days each year starting on the second Wednesday in January. The State House is open to the public from 9:00am to 5:00pm Mondays through Fridays and 10:00am to 4:00pm on the weekends. Free walk-in tours of the first floor are usually given at 11:00am and 3:00pm each day. The adjacent Old Treasury building, built between 1735 and 1737, is the oldest public building in Maryland. In 1949, the state restored the building and it is now open to the public for viewing. The City Dock is the heart of historic downtown Annapolis. The adjacent waterside park is the site of summer band concerts. At the head of the dock, a plaque commemorates the 1767 arrival of Kunta Kinte, whose story was told by his descendent Alex Haley, in Roots. |
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The Historic Annapolis Foundation has developed walking tours of Annapolis' many historic buildings and homes. For something different, visit the Helen Avalynne Tawes Garden on Taylor Avenue and Rowe Boulevard at The Tawes State Office Building in West Annapolis. This six acre park, located among the state office buildings, has plantings representing Maryland's various natural communities.
The United States Naval Academy, in Annapolis has a new visitor center with interactive displays telling the history of the Academy. The visitor center's theater shows the award winning film, "To Lead and to Serve." The Naval Academy Gift Shop is also located here. Guided walking tours of the Naval Academy are given daily. The tours leave from the visitor center every half hour from 9:30 to 3:00, Monday through Saturday and from 12:30 to 3:00 on Sundays (June through Labor Day - check  here for off season schedules). The fee for the tour is $6.00 for adults, $5.00 for seniors, and $4.00 for students. The center is located at the foot of King George Street, next to the City Dock, inside Gate One.
At Bancroft Hall, one of the largest dormitories in the world, all the midshipmen sit down together for a meal once a day. You may be able to catch the noon meal formation in Tecumseh Court, where the entire brigade assembles and marches into lunch during the school year. The Navy Chapel features Tiffany stained glass windows. Revolutionary War hero John Paul Jones is buried in a crypt beneath the chapel. The Naval Academy Museum features some of the nation's earliest battle flags, the table on which the agreement was signed for Japan's surrender at the end of World War II, and a collection of model ships considered to be the finest in the world.
Also in Annapolis, St. John's College is the third oldest school in the United States. The college traces it's history back to King William's School, founded as the Maryland Colony's "free" school in 1696. Francis Scott Key, the author of, "The Star Spangled Banner," was a graduate of St. John's College. Today, the college is known for it's unique curriculum based on the reading and discussion of "great books."  Sailing is a favorite past time for Annapolis area residents. On any given day, visitors can see sailboats of every description on the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding creeks. The Annapolis Yacht Club hosts Wednesday night races on Spa Creek. Wednesday night races are an Annapolis tradition that dates back to the 1950s. A fleet of 150 sailboats in six classes now participate in the race. The Wednesday night races run from May to September. The start takes place at 6:10pm. The finish line is located in front of the Annapolis Yacht Club, which is just past the Spa Creek Bridge. Spectators can view the races from the water by boat, or on land - along the harbor, the Naval Academy seawall, or at the Spa Creek Bridge. The Chesapeake Bay sailing newspaper "Spinsheet," is a great source for racing in the Annapolis area and elsewhere around the Bay region. Visit Spinsheet's online edition for up-to-date race information.
To really experience Annapolis, you should try to get out on the Chesapeake Bay. The Schooner Woodwind offers 2 hours sails on a 74 foot classic wooden sailing yacht. The Woodwind sails up to four times daily from the Annapolis Marriott. The Schooner Liberte sails out of Annapolis in the Spring and Fall. The Liberte offers Sunday brunch cruises every week and is also available for charters. Watermark Cruises offers a variety of 40 and 90 minute narrated cruises which leave from the City Dock daily. Or, if you prefer self-propelled transportation, Amphibious Horizons offers kayaking tours of downtown Annapolis.
If you would like to see the city via bicycle, Net Pedallers at 42 Randall Street, will rent you a bike or electric scooter by the by the hour or by the month. They also have an internet cafe where you can log on and check your email or surf the internet. Annapolis Museums Information.... Annapolis Tours Information.... |
