Annapolis is home to some of the most historic attractions in the country, the U.S. Naval Academy being one of them. In fact, 50 years ago, Annapolis itself became a National Historic Landmark District, one of the first cities to achieve this distinction. With a whole weekend ahead of you, you’ll have plenty of other places to see and things to do. Grab your suitcase and get your walking shoes on, Annapolis has a whole lot in store for you.
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Use This Guide For The Perfect Annapolis Weekend Getaway
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Places to Visit in Annapolis
Start your historic trip off on the right foot by visiting the Banneker-Douglass Museum. Named after both Frederick Douglass, a black social activist and Benjamin Banneker, a black scientist, this museum retells their stories and those of African Americans in Maryland. The museum is free and is open from Tuesday through Sunday. Explore the rich history of the African American culture, their struggles that persisted throughout our country, and learn about the fight to change the education system in the U.S. by Thurgood Marshall.
While you’re in Annapolis, you’ll want to check out the United States Naval Academy campus. Its midshipmen can be seen marching in formation at certain times of the day. You can also visit the free U.S. Naval Academy Museum and admire the beautiful architecture of this historic institution on your own self-guided tour. The Academy is located right on the Annapolis harbor, so get your camera ready for a picture of all the boats lining the water, too. Since you’ll be on the harbor, you’ll also be within walking distance to Historic Annapolis. Here, you can stroll around the old streets and pop into shops and art galleries, bars and restaurants, and check out some attractions. Head to the William Paca House, a 1700s mansion built by former Governor William Paca, one of the state’s four Signers of the Declaration of Independence.
St. Anne’s Church is another must-see on your weekend in Annapolis. The church was originally built in the 1700s but was destroyed by a fire in the mid-1800s. A new one was built on the same site and was completed in 1859. Today, visitors come in to admire the beautiful stained-glass windows and take free, guided tours. Check out the Maryland State House, too, as it served as the U.S. capital for a brief period of time. Today, it is the oldest state house still in use. Take a stroll around the well-manicured grounds and enjoy a quick tour inside the State House.
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Places to Eat in Annapolis
If you’re toting your family along on your weekend in Annapolis, head to Boatyard Bar & Grill for a casual, nautical-themed meal right near the harbor. Since you’re in Maryland, you can’t go wrong with Boatyard’s crab cakes. They have an extensive seafood menu, but also many options for kids who don’t like fish. If you’re on a romantic weekend getaway, stop in at VIN 909, a wine bar with consistently delicious food. Customers love the hand-crafted pizzas and Moroccan Skirt Steak just as much as they enjoy the extensive wine selection. Cantler's is slightly out of town and has a great crab menu and is popular with locals.
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Where to Stay in Annapolis
If your main priority in Annapolis is visiting the Naval Academy, you’ll want to stay in the northeastern corner of the city to be within walking distance of the school. Historic Annapolis is located right in the heart of the city, so a vacation rental or hotel near the State House or Main Street Circle would be ideal if you plan on doing some walking in the area. For something a little less touristy, check out the rentals just across Spa Creek in the southern area of Annapolis. This has more of the neighborhood feel and won’t be as crowded as other parts of the city.
This article was written by Julianne Aiello.
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