Overview
Annapolis is the capital city of the U.S. state of Maryland. Annapolis was a thriving, wealthy town in the 1600s and 1700s. Many of the houses and other buildings from the 1800s remain, leaving a thriving, vibrant historic district with shops and restaurants along the waterfront. Brick-lined streets and quaint shops add to the feel. You could easily spend a day walking around the town's downtown harbor area shopping and eating. There is also a lively nighttime scene.
10 sights · 2 things to do · 13 places to eat · 8 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Annapolis
Maryland State House
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 178…
Sandy Point State Park
Activities include swimming, fishing, crabbing, boating and windsurfing. The park's beaches and picnic areas provide views of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.
William Paca House
Is one of the most interesting historical home tours due to its fabulously restored gardens. The gardens are closed in the winter (Jan-Mar).
U.S. Naval Academy
The entire campus is walled off and the only entry point for visitors is near the visitor center. You must show ID and go through a metal detector. Guided tours are offered from the visitor center.
Hammond-Harwood House
one of a series of historical homes open for tours. This treasure of a colonial mansion was designed by architect William Buckland and built in 1774. See colonial-era architecture and 18th century period furnishings incl…
Banneker-Douglass Museum
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 30°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jul and Sep. (climate data from nearby Baltimore)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BWI Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Baltimore — 17 mi away (major hub). Directions
- DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington — 31 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $109–$109 a night (typical $114), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$150, mid-range ~$190, comfortable ~$280.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Maryland State House, Banneker-Douglass Museum, William Paca House
- Lunch Harry Browne's
- Afternoon Hammond-Harwood House, Historic Annapolis Museum & Store
- Dinner Chick & Ruth's
Day 2
- Morning The Hall of Presidents Before Washington, Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts
- Lunch Tsunami
- Afternoon U.S. Naval Academy Visitor Center
- Dinner Joss Cafe
Day 3
- Morning Sandy Point State Park
- Lunch Cantler's Riverside Inn
- Dinner Severn Inn
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
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.
Get in
By plane
- Many major air carriers fly to Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI), in Linthicum, Maryland, only a 30 minute drive from Downtown Annapolis.
By bus
Place 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).
Place 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.
By car
- From Baltimore, take I-97 south then go east on Hwy 50.
- From Washington, D.C., take Hwy 50 East.
Get around
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.
See
- 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.
See Maryland State House
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.
See U.S. Naval Academy Visitor Center
Small exhibits about the academy, the US navy, and prominent graduates. Has a gift shop that sells anything and everything branded USNA.
See Hammond-Harwood House
one of a series of historical homes open for tours. This treasure of a colonial mansion was designed by architect William Buckland and built in 1774. See colonial-era architecture and 18th century period furnishings including furniture produced by cabinet maker John Shaw, and paintings by portrait painter, Charles Willson Peale.
Do
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.
Do Schooner Woodwind
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.
- 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. Numerous nationally recognized junior and club teams also play throughout the year.
- Scenic drives: although Marylanders love the Chesapeake Bay, the majority of waterfront property is privately owned. As a result, very few scenic drives exist in Annapolis. The closest thing to an open drive is through Bay Ridge at the end of Forest Drive.
- Navy football: Although largely dormant since Roger Staubach's days, Navy football has enjoyed a Renaissance under Paul Johnson, and current coach Ken Niumatalolo. Still, even in a good season, the middies and their chants can be more entertaining than the onfield activities. Although stadium seating is often available, families with kids are known to prefer the North endzone, which is a grassy hill. The list of battles in which USNA alumni participated is always impressive, and leaves a strong impression. Be sure to be inside the stadium for marchon and for the weather permitting flyovers.
- Have some delicious Maryland crabs and crab cakes.
Learn
Annapolis is home to [https://www.sjc.edu/ St. John's College] (which also has a campus in Santa Fe). St. John's has an undergraduate and graduate studies programs in the Great Books tradition. All are welcome to attend the free, weekly lecture series during the school year, or to visit the [https://www.sjc.edu/academic-programs/libraries/greenfield-library Greenfield Library]. The school also hosts Great Books Saturday and a Continuing Education and Fine Arts program.
Buy
- There are many, many shops catering to all tastes in historic downtown Annapolis and it is very easy to just take a stroll and look around at what there is to see. Many shops in downtown Annapolis tend to be fairly expensive and others cater to the tourists.
Eat
Eat Cantler's Riverside Inn
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.
Eat Joss Cafe
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.
Eat O'Leary's Seafood
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.
Eat Tsunami
home to delicious Asian and Indian food, known for their $5 lunch bowls.
Eat Pip's Dock Street Dogs
Has many different specialty hot dogs and sausages. It is good value and delicious.
Eat Buddy's
Located at the bottom of Main Street, by Market Space, this restaurant is home to good food with low prices. Watch out for specials like the $14.99 Main Lobster Feast.
Eat Sofi's Crepes
Home to delicious, fresh crepes made right in front of you. The selection is fairly large.
Eat Mangia
Home to good Italian food and delicious pizza.
Eat Osteria
It is formal and fairly expensive. Wonderful food, beautiful atmosphere. Excellent bar with a world renowned bartender.
Eat Harry Browne's
The place for Annapolis insiders on State Circle. Often frequented by visiting politicians, a tourist shouldn't let the minor celebritology stand in the way of what is Annapolis's finest restaurant. The bar upstairs is known for excellent martinis, and often gets very crowded around 11PM. Perhaps the best place for cigars until the cigar ban goes into effect.
Eat Heroes Pub
A roast beef and brie here are a popular choice before a big NFL or Terrapin game. This place is often frequented by Terps fans to watch Terps and Duke basketball. Heroes also sponsors a very competitive Sunday Lacrosse league frequented by college recruiters.
Eat Severn Inn
Best view in Annapolis, overlooking Severn River and U.S. Naval Academy. Great modern American Food. Wonderful wine list
Eat Chick & Ruth's
Home of the 6lb (3 kg) Colossal Shake.
Drink
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.
Sleep
Stay safe
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.
Go next
- The Chesapeake Bay Bridge is close, and when it was built it was the largest bridge of its type in the world. The western end is at Sandy Point State Park which has great views of the bridge and bay and ships passing on the way to Baltimore. From here you can see the Baltimore Lighthouse which for a brief time in the 1960s was the world's first and only nuclear powered lighthouse (it is solar powered at this time). Kite flying, beach walking, swimming, summer concerts, boat launches, etc.. are all here. At the other end of the bridge is Kent Island, another historic place, known for its seafood and popular new bike trails.
Nearby
Severna Park
City / town · 3 listings · 8 mi away
Kent Island
City / town · 15 listings · 10 mi away
Bowie
City / town · 19 listings · 14 mi away
Glen Burnie
City / town · 6 listings · 14 mi away
Rock Hall
City / town · 12 listings · 17 mi away
Upper Marlboro
City / town · 12 listings · 18 mi away
Linthicum
City / town · 10 listings · 18 mi away
Hanover
City / town · 5 listings · 20 mi away
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