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Annapolis Attractions
Annapolis's National Historic District has more than 1,500 restored and preserved buildings, and its narrow streets are best seen on foot. If your visit is short, make sure to see the United States Naval Academy, the Maryland State House, the William Paca House & Garden, the Hammond-Harwood House, and the Chase-Lloyd House. Enjoy the stroll down pretty Prince George's Street on your way to the Paca House -- it's packed with striking homes from Annapolis's 4 centuries. Tours are offered from the visitor center or HistoryQuest.
The City Dock, once the destination of merchant sailing ships, now attracts pleasure boats from near and far. Sightseeing boats, both gas- and wind-powered, offer cruises from spring to fall. The area around the City Dock has plenty of good restaurants, bars, shops, and a summer theater. As if frozen in time, a sculpture of Alex Haley reaches out to the Chesapeake Bay to tell the story of Roots, his best-selling novel, to a group of children sitting on the City Dock. This display not only memorializes Haley and his African ancestor Kunta Kinte, but also recalls an actual place where enslaved Africans arrived in the New World. The sculpture is accompanied by a series of engraved plaques that complete the story and the memorial.
The Colors of Annapolis
The Historic Annapolis Foundation has spent years identifying historic buildings throughout Annapolis. When a house meets the criteria, it receives a marker decorated with the Liberty Tree, a 400-year-old tree that once graced the grounds of St. John's College. Marker colors indicate the house's style:
Green -- 17th-century "vernacular," built 1681 to 1708
Terra cotta -- 18th-century "vernacular" or Georgian, built 1715 to 1800
Bronze -- Georgian of national importance, built 1730 to 1800
Blue -- Federal-style, built 1784 to 1840
Verdigris -- Greek Revival, built 1820 to 1860
Aubergine -- Victorian, built 1869 to 1901
Gray -- 19th- or 20-century Annapolis vernacular, built 1837 to 1921
Ocher -- Distinctive homes of all styles built in the 20th century
9 Results
- Historic Site
Charles Carroll House of Annapolis
This is the birthplace and home of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the only Catholic to sign the Declaration of Independence. With sections built in 4 centuries, it sits on high ground overlooking Spa Creek, a block from City Dock. Visitors can tour the house, which is still… - Historic Site
Chase-Lloyd House
Home of Samuel Chase, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, this historic home (built from 1769-74) is outstanding for its brilliant interior design, exquisite hanging staircase, and intricate moldings. It was designed by William Buckland, architect for the Hammond-Harwood… - Historic Site
Hammond-Harwood House
If you see only one historic house in Annapolis, make it this one. A five-part classic Georgian home quite unlike the Paca mansion, with semi-octagonal wings and carved moldings, it is considered one of the 18th century's most noteworthy. The architecture, by William Buckland, is… - Historic Site
HistoryQuest at the St. Clair Wright History Center
The Historic Annapolis Foundation's orientation center, located at the foot of Main Street, is a restored 1790s building that once housed a bakery. Exhibits here are designed to help visitors better understand the state capital's history, architecture, and culture. It's a great place… - Landmark
Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial
As if frozen in time, a sculpture of Alex Haley reaches out to the Chesapeake Bay to tell the story of Roots, his best-selling novel, to a group of children sitting on the City Dock. This display not only memorializes Haley and his African ancestor Kunta Kinte, but also recalls an… - Historic Site
Maryland State House
This is the oldest state house in continuous use in the nation. It opened in 1779 and served as the U.S. Capitol from 1783 to 1784. Restoration of the original Senate and House Chambers is expected to continue for 2 to 5 years, but visitors can still visit the contemporary Senate and… - Landmark
St. John's College
One of the oldest U.S. colleges, St. John's started in 1696 as a prep school but was chartered as a college in 1784. Two buildings are named for Maryland's signers of the Declaration of Independence: the Chase-Stone House and the Paca-Carroll House, both built in 1857. Don't miss the… - Historic Site
The William Paca House & Garden
The home of William Paca, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a governor of Maryland, this estate was built between 1763 and 1765 and restored by Historic Annapolis. It's one of two such houses in town (another, the Brice House, is around the corner but isn't open to the… - Landmark
U.S. Naval Academy
Tucked behind Annapolis's historic district, standing proudly on the Severn River, the United States Naval Academy (USNA) has been educating future naval officers for more than 160 years. For the full USNA experience, enter the Naval Academy at the pedestrian entrance near Gate 1, at…
Annapolis Shopping
Shops in Annapolis's Historic District are filled with all kinds of gifts and nautical-themed merchandise. Navy T-shirts, the classic souvenir, are everywhere. You could redecorate your house from the shops on Maryland Avenue. This town is picturesque in December -- with greenery draped around every window and white lights on the trees, it's a delightful, old-fashioned place to buy those last-minute items. Finish your day with a drink at McGarvey's or a meal at one of the casual restaurants.
In the historic district, the main shopping streets are: Main Street, which runs from Church Circle to the City Dock, has many apparel and gift shops; Maryland Avenue has shops in the block just below the State House and State Circle, where you might find home accessories and antiques; West Street has added lots of new shops and restaurants; and the shops around the City Dock itself are mostly nautical in nature. Most stores are open Monday through Saturday from 10 or 11am to 5 or 6pm, Sunday from noon to 5pm. Many stay open until 8 or 9pm on Friday and Saturday.
At Plat du Jour, 220 Main St. (tel. 410/269-1499; www.platdujour.net), you'll be convinced you've walked into Tuscany or Provence. It's filled with tableware, linens, toiletries, and a cookbook or two. Lovers of the Emerald Isle should head for Avoca, 141-143 Main St. (tel. 410/263-1485; www.avoca.ie), for its Irish clothes, linens, and decorative items.
Handmade arts and crafts are available in several places. American Craft Works, 189B Main St. (tel. 410/625-1583), features the handiwork of the League of Maryland Craftsmen. Annapolis Pottery, 40 State Circle (tel. 410/268-6153), sells wares made on the premises; you can even watch the stock being made. Easy Street, 8 Francis St. (tel. 410/263-5556), focuses on art glass.
For home furnishings, head for Maryland Avenue. Peake House, 76 Maryland Ave. (tel. 410/280-0410), sells new stuff, including Mottahedeh, Quimper, and Herend. Interior designers display some of their finds at Alex Clymer Interiors, 86 Maryland Ave. (tel. 410/263-0992), and Be Home, 82 Maryland Ave. (tel. 410/280-8616).
For artwork to hang on the walls, check out McBride Gallery, 215 Main St. (tel. 410/267-7077; www.mcbridegallery.com), or the juried exhibits at the Maryland Federation of Art's Circle Gallery, 18 State Circle (tel. 410/268-4566; www.mdfedart.org). For something most definitely nautical, check out Annapolis Marine Art Gallery, 110 Dock St. (tel. 410/263-4100; www.annapolismarineart.com). Over in Eastport, Howard L. Rogers carves teak boat signs and displays his marine paintings at his Raven Maritime Studio, 130 Severn Ave. (tel. 410/268-8639).
For gifts and collectibles, stop by the Annapolis Country Store, 53 Maryland Ave. (tel. 410/269-6773; www.annapoliscountrystore.com): It has Pooh, Raggedy Ann, and Curious George items. Pick up your Navy T-shirt at Peppers, 133 Main St. (tel. 800/254-6289 or 410/267-8722; www.navygear.com). For gifts for your favorite teen, see Brown Eyed Girl, 10 Francis St. (tel. 410/990-4475). Get something stylish at Diva, 30 Market Space (tel. 410/280-9198; www.modadiva.com). Earth-friendly and fair-trade gifts with pizazz are available at Mixed Greens, 48 Randall St. (tel. 410/216-9830.) Next door, Re-Sails, 42 Randall St. (tel. 410/263-4982; www.resails.net), stocks bags refashioned from old sails.
Annapolis Nightlife
Annapolis is a town of small venues. Most local bars feature live music on weekends -- everything from pop to classic rock to blues and funk -- and there are a few good local theater companies. For up-to-date listings of concerts and other events, check the Friday "Entertainment" section of the Capital newspaper. The visitor center gives out seasonal event calendars as well.
The Performing Arts
The town's largest venue, the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 Chase St. (tel. 866/438-3808 or 410/263-5544; www.mdhallarts.org), presents performances by the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, Annapolis Opera, Annapolis Chorale, and the Ballet Theater of Maryland, as well as national acts. Check out the calendar of events online. Tickets are $10 to $50.
The Colonial Players, 108 East St. (tel. 410/268-7373; www.cplayers.com), stage five plays per year in a 180-seat theater-in-the-round. Shows are Thursday through Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 2:30 or 7:30pm. Ticket prices are $10 to $15.
Since 1966, the Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre, 143 Compromise St., across from the City Dock (tel. 410/268-9212; www.summergarden.com), has produced three shows a summer. Reservations are encouraged; tickets cost $18.
