Getaway Guide: One Tank Trip To Annapolis
Historic Annapolis boasts dozens of bus, trolley, walking and sailing tours with Colonial-esque guides waiting to teach you everything about this exciting city. The state's capital since 1694, this city hasn't changed much over the centuries. Its charmingly narrow, time-worn streets make it fun to explore, and museums and art galleries here promise culture galore. A quaint, picturesque town with architecture worth viewing it also boasts attractions ranging from the City Dock to the much-loved United States Naval Academy. Don't miss out on a weekend in this exciting city for a lesson in love of country you'll never forget.
Getting There
Getting from Baltimore to Annapolis is an easy one hour drive on I-695 onto I-95/I-895 to Rt. 97. Bus service is also available. There are also cruises from Baltimore's Inner Harbor to the Annapolis Dock.
What to see
Maryland State House
91 State Circle
Annapolis, Md. 21401
(410) 974-3400
www.msa.md.gov/
Price: free
At Annapolis' center is the 1779 Maryland State House, the oldest, continuously in-use state capital. The only state house ever to have also served as the nation's capital, few state centerpieces boast such rich history. From 1772 to now, everything from the cornerstone to the state house dome boasts a history Annapolis visitors simply must not miss. Open every day, it's perfect for even weekday visits.
U.S. Naval Academy
Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center
52 King George Street
Annapolis, Md. 21402
(410) 293-8687
www.navyonline.com
/
Price: $9.50 adults/$8.50 adults ages 62 and older/$7.50 children from first through 12th grades/free preschool
The country's premier naval training academy is located right in Maryland's state capital. The U.S. Naval Academy access is through the Visitor Center, located inside USNA Gate 1. Learning its history, visiting the Crypt of John Paul Jones -- a Revolutionary War hero -- and visiting Tecumseh Court and the Herndon Monument promises an interesting and exciting day. Simply watch the midshipmen in action as they report to duty stations throughout the day for a little lesson in what this country's military does from day-to-day.
Museums
Annapolis Maritime Museum
723 Second Street
Annapolis, Md. 21403
(410) 295-0104
www.amaritime.org
Price: $70 lighthouse tours/priced by event
Annapolis Maritime Museum connects the community and its visitors to Annapolis' unique maritime heritage and the natural wonders of the Chesapeake Bay. The museum operates from a waterside campus on the shores of Back Creek, with unequaled views of the Chesapeake Bay. This campus boasts the last remaining oyster packing plant in the area, the McNasby Oyster Company building. Enjoy maritime seminars, concerts and waterfront educational experiences at the historic McNasby. Displays include oyster boats, processing equipment and an original cannon used to protect the extremely profitable product of the day in the 1880s. Parking at the Museum is very limited. However, you may use the free eCruiser shuttle that will take you to the Annapolis Maritime Museum. You may also travel from the City Dock via a water taxi.
Chesapeake Children's Museum
25 Silopanna
Annapolis, Md. 21402
(410) 990-1993
www.theccm.org
Price: $4
The Chesapeake Children's Museum is dedicated to creating an environment of discovery. Its primary focus is to make the Chesapeake Bay's unique history accessible to children of all ages. The museum encourages families to examine the people who rely on the Chesapeake Bay for their livelihood. It also offers educational experiences exploring the technologies that help to monitor the water quality and the ecology surrounding the bay.
Banneker-Douglass Museum
84 Franklin Street
Annapolis, Md. 21401
(410) 216-6180
www.bdmuseum.com
Price: free
The Banneker-Douglass Museum is dedicated to preserving the African-American heritage of Maryland, named after Frederick Douglass and Benjamin Banneker. It is also the official repository for African-American cultural materials. The museum exhibits the unique role black Marylanders played during the Civil War as well as in the Underground Railroad. Beautiful and fascinating in every way, it also features a 19th-century brick facade in its interior lobby.
Related: Best Spots for a Picnic in Baltimore
Dining
Bertucci's
2207 Forest Drive
Annapolis, Md. 21401
(410) 266-5800
www.bertuccis.com
Bertucci's offers variety ranging from pizza to gourmet Italian and seafood dishes. Relax in lovely décor for a comfortable dining experience appropriate for both families, couples and groups out for the day. Make a meal out of the Art of Sharing appetizer menu, which boasts options including roasted artichoke fonduta, pesto bacon menucci and an antipasto sampler that's just to die for.
Lodging
The Gatehouse Bed and Breakfast
249 Hanover Street
Annapolis, Md. 21401
(410) 280-0024
www.gatehousebb.com
Price: from $200
This bed and breakfast sits in a lovely setting overlooking the U.S. Naval Academy. It is within walking distance of historic sites such as St. John's College, the State Capital and the City Docks. Relax in ease, bringing elegance in this refurbished Georgian-style townhouse in the heart of Annapolis. Each morning a delicious breakfast includes delicious options such as Scotch eggs, Vermont cheese omelets and creme brulee French toast between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Coffee service is available at 7 a.m. Fresh-baked breads and rolls along with seasonal fruits are also daily offerings. The gatehouse is a non-smoking, climate-controlled, adult-only inn. Internet ports and fax services are available along with concierge services.
Scotlaur Inn
165 Main Street
Annapolis, Md. 21401
(410) 268-5665
www.scotlaurinn.com
Price: from $95
All rooms at Scotlaur offer a private bath, television (some with DVD), telephone and air conditioning. Wireless Internet is available. The inn is tantalizingly near great area shopping as well as historical sites and the City Dock. Take guided walking tours or vintage carriage rides of the area, and don't miss out on world-class dining nearby. The Inn's Chick & Ruth's Delly offers delicious sandwiches, old-fashioned milkshakes, ice cream and bakery items. Stop by the souvenir shop for a little something extra to take home.
Related: Road Trip Rules
Anna Renault is a life-long resident of Baltimore County. After a 31 year career, Renault has re-careered into the world of journalism. She writes a weekly column for The Avenue News, her local paper. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
