Things to do in Annapolis
Late spring and early fall bring warm days, clear skies, and prime sailing on the Chesapeake, and October hosts the famous boat shows. Summers are hot and humid, while winters are quiet and cold with limited boat tours.
Best months: May, June, September, October
What is worth your time in Annapolis
Main StreetDo not miss
The lively sloping spine of downtown running from St. Anne's Church to the water, lined with independent shops, pubs, and ice cream.
Neighborhood · 1.4 hr4.9
Annapolis Historic DistrictDo not miss
A remarkably intact colonial quarter of brick row houses, gas lamps, and 18th-century mansions radiating from Church and State circles.
Neighborhood · 2.3 hr4.8
Hammond-Harwood HouseDo not miss
A pristine 1774 Anglo-Palladian masterpiece by architect William Buckland, prized for its carved doorway and period decorative arts.
Historic Site · 1.3 hr4.8
Schooner WoodwindDo not miss
A two-hour cruise aboard a 74-foot wooden schooner out of the harbor, where you can take the wheel or trim a sail on the Chesapeake.
Activity · 2.3 hr4.8
United States Naval Academy MuseumDo not miss
Two floors of naval heritage inside Preble Hall, famous for the Rogers Collection of intricately rigged 17th-century ship models.
Museum · 1.5 hr4.8
Maryland State HouseDo not miss
The oldest US state capitol in continuous legislative use, where the Continental Congress met and George Washington resigned his commission.
Historic Site · 1.1 hr4.7
United States Naval AcademyDo not miss
The storied 338-acre campus on the Severn River where future Navy officers train, with monumental Beaux-Arts halls and a daily noon formation.
Landmark · 2.8 hr4.7
Annapolis City Dock and Ego AlleyDo not miss
The heart of the harbor where boats parade up the narrow Ego Alley channel to show off, ringed by waterfront cafes and shops.
Landmark · 1.4 hr4.6
United States Naval Academy Chapel and Crypt of John Paul JonesDo not miss
A soaring copper-domed chapel with Tiffany windows above the marble crypt of Revolutionary War hero John Paul Jones.
Architecture · 45 min4.6
William Paca House and GardenDo not miss
A restored 1765 Georgian mansion of a Declaration signer, fronting two acres of elegant terraced pleasure gardens.
Historic Site · 1.9 hr4.6
Watermark Cruises Annapolis Harbor Tour
A narrated 40-minute boat tour past the Naval Academy seawall and Spa Creek mansions, the easy way to see Annapolis from the water.
Activity · 1.1 hr4.9
Quiet Waters Park
340 acres of woods and meadows on the South River with paved trails, a dog beach, gardens, and seasonal kayak rentals.
Park · 2.5 hr4.8
St. Anne's Episcopal Church
A landmark parish anchoring Church Circle since 1692, its present 1859 Romanesque tower a focal point of the colonial street plan.
Historic Site · 33 min4.8
Annapolis Ghost Tour
An after-dark lantern walk through colonial alleys and graveyards, weaving tavern hauntings and Naval Academy legends.
Cultural Experience · 1.6 hr4.7
And 31 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- The historic district is compact and walkable but paved with brick and cobblestone, so wear comfortable shoes and expect tight, hilly streets.
- Park once at a downtown garage like Hillman or Knighton, or use the stadium shuttle lot, since downtown street parking is scarce and metered.
- Naval Academy visitors over 18 need a government photo ID for the security gate, entered at Gate 1 beside the visitor center.
- Maryland blue crab is the signature meal, with steamed crabs in season from late spring through fall, so plan a crab house stop accordingly.
- Fall delivers the United States Sailboat and Powerboat Shows in October, the prettiest sailing weather, and the biggest crowds, so book lodging early.