About Annapolis

Annapolis is a National Historic Site full of outstanding Georgian and Colonial architecture. The city remains one of the few with a downtown area essentially unchanged since colonial times. Annapolis is the state capital of Maryland. It is approximately 30 miles from Baltimore and Washington, D.C. It is a small city (approximately 35,000 people) with lots of charm and history. It also boasts the U. S. Naval Academy. The city dock is two blocks from Gate 1 (and five blocks from Gate 3). There are many reasons for tourists to visit Annapolis. (Many consider it the sailing capital of the East Coast.) One million persons annually visit the Naval Academy alone. It does not take much of an event to saturate available hotels, restaurants, and parking spaces. While the implications of this condition quickly become second nature to Midshipmen parents, they can be overwhelming during your first or second visit.

Perhaps the first objective that parents must accomplish after the basics of locating the hotel and getting to and from the Yard, is knowing how to find shopping malls, movie theaters, and better restaurants. Especially during Plebe Year, time with your mid goes very fast and it is very frustrating to "want to do something" (such as see a movie) and not know how to find it. Want a quick test? Find the nearest McDonalds; Plebes crave "junk food".

A packet of state travel and tourism information can be obtained by calling the Maryland State Office of Tourism at 1-800-543-1036. Brochures are included on Accommodations, Restaurants, Directions, Festivals and Events, Attractions, and Recreation.  You may also want to go to the Annapolis Visitor's Bureau website to see what's going on in and around this fascinating sailing city.  In addition, an up-to-date synopsis of local events, activities and places to eat, sleep and hang out can be found on the "What's Up Annapolis?" website.