Welcome to Annapolis, Maryland’s charming capital city located on Chesapeake Bay! It is famous for its rich history and maritime heritage, this beautiful destination is home to 18th-century brick houses, the domed Maryland State House, and the United States Naval Academy with its beautiful beaux arts architecture.
If you want to explore the city’s colonial roots, you can enjoy its culinary scene, or soak up the arts, there’s many things to learn. Here’s a list of the top 10 things to do, inspired by visitors who stop by the Annapolis Visitors Center each year. Enjoy the combination of history, culture, and scenic beauty that this historic city has to offer!
Best things to do in Annapolis:
- Historic Annapolis
- United States Naval Academy
- Banneker-Douglass Museum
- Maryland State House
- Quiet Waters Park
- Ego Alley
- Hammond-Harwood House
- Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse
- William Paca House & Garden
- Sandy Point State Park
1. Historic Annapolis
“Historic Annapolis” refers to the charming restaurants, galleries, and shops lining Main Street’s converted row houses. Popular spots include Chick & Ruth’s and boutiques like Lilac Bijoux. This area, extending through downtown and the harbor, also features historic gems like the Hammond-Harwood House and the Banneker-Douglass Museum. Visitors often recommend exploring the district on a cool fall afternoon, suggesting parking outside the area to avoid tricky street parking. Convenient nearby garages offer spaces for your vehicle. Main Street is located between Church Circle and the Main Street Circle in the heart of Annapolis.
2. United States Naval Academy
The U.S. Naval Academy trained future Navy officers and Marine Corps second lieutenants founded by George Bancroft in 1845. This beautiful academy is rich with history and architecture, that is visitors can explore The Yard on foot or via a five-passenger electric vehicle. The free USNA Museum provides fascinating exhibits on naval history. A highlight is the “noon meal formation,” where midshipmen march in formation, weather permitting.
Visitors recommend guided walking tours to learn more about naval history and the academy’s beaux-arts architecture. The music department also hosts public performances by ensembles like the Naval Academy Band, requiring masks and proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test.
Located on the Annapolis harbor, the academy has entrances on Randall and Prince George streets. Visitors 18 and older need a government-issued ID, and international visitors must show passports. Guided tours cost $12 for adults, $11 for seniors, and $10 for children. For more details, check the academy’s website.
3. Banneker-Douglass Museum
Though small, the Banneker-Douglass Museum is rich in history. Named after Black scientist Benjamin Banneker and social crusader Frederick Douglass, it honors their fight against slavery in the 19th century. Housed in the historic Mount Moriah African Methodist Episcopal Church, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it offers a well-curated look at African American history in Maryland.
Recent visitors praised the museum’s exhibits and staff for highlighting lesser-known figures from the Annapolis and Baltimore communities. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., admission is free, though guided tours cost $5 and must be scheduled two weeks in advance. The museum is located on Franklin Street, just off Church Circle. For more details, visit their website.
4. Maryland State House
Though its architecture might not immediately impress, the Maryland State House is steeped in history, having once served as the U.S. capital for a brief period. It holds the distinction of being the oldest state house still in legislative use, and its surrounding grounds are charming. Recent visitors noted that while the building is small, it offers an insightful glimpse into U.S. history, making it a great stop if you have an hour to spare. Open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., it’s located on State Circle, near St. Anne’s Church. Self-guided tours are available at the Office of Interpretation, and group tours require advance scheduling. For more information, check the website.
5. Quiet Waters Park
For a scenic spot to stretch your legs, Quiet Waters Park is perfect. Spanning 340 acres, it offers a nearly 7-mile paved path for biking or jogging, formal gardens for a stroll, and art lovers can enjoy sculptures and two galleries. There’s also a playground for kids, and in summer, outdoor concerts, canoe, and kayak rentals. In winter, the park sets up an ice skating rink. The South River Overlook is a favorite, providing stunning panoramic views of the river. Locals also recommend the dog park, making it a great destination for visitors with pets.
6. Ego Alley
This isn’t a regular alley—Ego Alley. This little waterway leading into Spa Creek is famous for the weekend boat parade of luxury vessels that come through. It’s a wonderful place for walking regarding, as the name suggests with its ostentatious display of warships. Dock Street benches are a favorite place for visitors to relax and enjoy the boat pass. Many people enjoy the view while enjoying an ice cream from Storm Bros. Ice Cream Factory in the warmer months. Boats with Christmas light decorations bring charming festiveness during the winter. Pusser’s Caribbean Grille is found across the water.
7. Hammond-Harwood House
Known as the “jewel of Annapolis,” the Hammond-Harwood House is an incredible architectural gem. This 18th-century Anglo-Palladian home was beautifully maintained and designed by William Buckland. The design of the house and the families who live there are explored in 60-minute guided tours, which are open for visitors. There is also a 30-minute tour available if you are limited for time. You may schedule a two-hour architectural tour for a more deep look.
The trained tour guides, who make history interesting and dynamic, are highly praised by recent tourists. Adult admission is $12; seniors, students, and children are allowed in at discounted rates. April to December is when tours are available; bookings must be made in the winter.
8. Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse
Dating back to 1824, Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse is a historic gem. First lit in 1875, it became the last manned lighthouse on the Chesapeake Bay, automated by the Coast Guard in 1986. It is the only screw-pile lighthouse in the bay still in its original location and is now owned by the City of Annapolis and managed.
To know about the lighthouse’s history visitors can take a 1.5-hour tour, stepping back to the 1800s, the lives of its protection, and the efforts to keep it. The tour has a scenic 30-minute boat ride departing from the Annapolis Maritime Museum.
Tours are available on Saturdays from June to October (weather permitting) at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. The cost is $85, and reservations are required. Restrictions include a minimum height of 4 feet, no children under 12, and mandatory masks for all visitors.
For more details, you can visit the lighthouse’s website.
9. William Paca House & Garden
The William Paca House & Garden is a beautifully restored 18th-century Georgian mansion that was once home to William Paca, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and Maryland’s governor. Along with a guided tour of the house, visitors can explore the stunning 2-acre garden. Recent guests praised the friendly and knowledgeable staff, who are eager to share insights about the history of the house and grounds.Â
The house and garden are open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, which includes a one-hour docent-led tour of the house. Tickets for children ages 3 to 17 are $7, and self-guided garden tours are available for $5. Masks are required during house tours but are optional in the garden. For more details, visit the official website.
10. Sandy Point State Park
Sandy Point State Park was the first state park opened in 1952, that African Americans were allowed to visit. Despite integration, facilities remained segregated until a 1954 NAACP lawsuit led to a U.S. Supreme Court order for full desegregation in 1955.
Nestled on the northwestern shore of the Chesapeake Bay in Annapolis, this 786-acre park is rich in history and natural beauty, making it a perfect location for an outdoor day trip. Visitors can enjoy sandy beaches, picnic areas, and various activities like fishing, crabbing, and swimming. The nearby Corcoran Tract offers a 4-mile trail for hiking, jogging, and sightseeing.
Past guests have praised the park’s small beach and stunning views of the Chesapeake Bay and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, recommending early arrival to secure a good spot.
The park is open year-round from 7 a.m. to dusk, with a nominal entry fee. From May 1 to September 30, it’s $4 per person on weekdays and $5 on weekends. From October 1 to April 30, the fee is $3 per vehicle. For more information, visit Sandy Point State Park’s website.
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Bottom Line:
If you want to explore the city’s colonial roots, enjoy its culinary scene, or soak up the arts, there are many things to do in Annapolis. You can enjoy the combination of history, culture, and scenic beauty that this historic city has to offer!
