Annapolis: Best Things to Do
SIGHTSEEING
Tour around Annapolis Historic District and take a step back in time to the 18th century. As home to the colonial neighborhood in Annapolis, you will find the architecture of typical buildings with brick and wooden features. To start your tour in this beautiful old craftmanship town, you can stop by the main Visitors Center first to get the map. Then you can continue your journey to the top Annapolis's attractions in the area including William Paca House, St. Anne's Parish, and the Maryland State House.
Annapolis Historic District
St. Anne's Parish
DOWNTOWN
The downtown Annapolis is not only vibrant but also filled with historic sites and charming with the 18th-century neighborhood. The town is pedestrian-friendly, so you can enjoy walking around the downtown area. Start your exploration of the city's heart from Ego Alley. The alley is attractively packed with sightseeing spots like the floating docks on one side of the alley and colorful old houses on the other side. Close to the alley, you can continue your walking tour to Main Street where you can find many stores and restaurants.
Ego Alley
SHOPPING
Stroll and shop at Annapolis downtown's Main Street. The area is filled with numerous stores you can hop from one store to another just by a few steps. What are looking for? From boutique clothing to handcrafted accessories are available in the district. It's easy to make shopping part of your experience in the city. One of the souvenir stores that you can stop by is The Rooster General Store. But if you are looking for a high-end shopping center, Westfield Mall is where you go. With more than 210 stores and well-known restaurants, the shopping mall provides everything you need from local to international products.
The Rooster General Store
Westfield Mall Annapolis
FOOD & DRINK
No traveler can leave Annapolis without trying the famous Maryland Blue Crab. The blue crab season is on summers. The crab meat is delicious and has a depth of flavor that will not fail to satisfy your taste buds. For the drink, the craft cocktails made by the bartenders in the city are known to be refreshing and creative.
CULTURE
Annapolis is known as a colonial capital city with rich of its cultural activities. The neighborhood is known to be a friendly but active harbor. Filled with 18th-century histories in every corner, Annapolis has a dozen of art galleries to explore. If you want to learn about the art and culture in the city, Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts is where you can learn about them.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Summer in Annapolis has the most suitable weather and temperature average to have outdoor activities. It is a season of blue crab feast. You will also find many ice cream stalls filling the sides of the street.
HOTEL
If it's your first time traveling in Annapolis, it's best to book hotel in the city's center so you can have good access to the city's landmarks. Historic Inns of Annapolis offers you a comfortable stay just across from Marry State House. With period-style furnishings, every room in the hotel features free Wi-Fi and a 42-inch flat-screen TV. A pub and a 24-hours fitness center are available in the hotel. But if you are looking for a budget stay in the city, Best Western Annapolis can be one of your options. This hotel is located 5 miles to Maryland State House and William Paca House. The hotel provides a low-key room with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV, and desks. Breakfasts and parking fees are excluded. There is also a fitness center and a seasonal outdoor pool.
Historic Inns of Annapolis
Best Western Annapolis
RESTAURANT
Annapolis is filled with vibrant restaurants offering an unforgettable dining experience for your trip in the city. One of the popular spots to eat in the city is Chick and Ruth's Delly. This restaurant has open since 1965 serving the city delicious diner food. Located in the historic downtown Annapolis, they serve various menu from breakfast options to quick-bites foods in a family-friendly atmosphere. But if you are looking for a fine dining experience in the city, Harry Browne's Restaurant is your answer. With classy art deco interiors, this restaurant will serve you good presented food and delicious wine. The restaurant has 2 floors with 2 different sections. The restaurant is downstairs and the bar is situated upstairs.
Chick and Ruth's Delly
Harry Browne's Restaurant
CAFE
Recharge your energy with a boosting cup of coffee in Ceremony Coffee Roasters-Riva. This cafe offers home-roasted beans ground and pressed to make tasty coffees. They also have wide breakfast options and a vegan-friendly menu. Another good spot to drink coffee in Annapolis downtown is City Dock Coffee. This little coffee shop offers delicious single-origin coffee and lates. They also sell some packed beans in the cafe. With an overview of a port, you can choose the outdoor seating to enjoy the view.
Ceremony Coffee Roasters-Riva
City Dock Coffee
BAR AND NIGHTLIFE
Looking for a perfect spot to enjoy live music in the city? Rams Head On Stage is one of the premier musical attractions in downtown Annapolis. With a capacity of 500 seating, this music venue offers a seated nightclub with fantastic performances of local musicians. They have table service for food and beverages that are served before shows. But if you want to experience pleasant drinking in the city, Level A Small Plates Lounge is a perfect spot to stop by. Decorated in classic interior with wooden and brick elements, the bar offers American small plates and creatively crafted cocktails. With a great atmosphere and friendly service, this bar is a perfect spot to drink and chill out.
Rams Head On Stage
Level A Small Plates Lounge
INTERESTING PLACE
US Naval Academy Museum is one of the top attractions in Annapolis. This museum exhibits the history of naval's collections such as personal artifacts, medals, and uniforms. This maritime museum offers four galleries to explore. The famous collections of the museum include The Rogers Ship Model Collection and paintings collection of Naval Academy Art Collection. Note that this museum is open every day, except on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Also, for your trip to Annapolis, you can't miss visiting the oldest state house of the United States namely Maryland State House. Filled with histories, visitors can have tours in the building starting from the lobby. In the lobby, you can see the old construction with old wood and plaster interior featuring marble flooring. While from the outside you can see a large wooden dome centered in a vast garden.
US Naval Academy Museum
Maryland State House
INSTAGRAMMABLE SPOT
From pictures of the beautiful waters to the 18th-century-old houses, there are so many instagrammable spots to capture in Annapolis. Quiet Waters Park is filled with a breathtaking scenic view. With the setting of Harness Creek and South River, you can a tour on the great walking path with the beautiful surroundings and clean waterside. Another attractive place for your Instagram feed is William Paca House and Garden. Once home for a wealthy young planter William Paca, the mansion is designed in a Georgian five-part mansion surrounded by vast gardens. This mansion offers countless spots to have a memorable photo. The surrounding of the house itself features two acres of green area with five scenic terraces, medicinal herb gardens, and water gardens. Keep your camera on, so you can capture every second of your memories in Annapolis.
Quiet Waters Park
William Paca House and Garden
