Annapolis

Travel Guide

Annapolis
Annapolis
U.S. Naval Academy showing interior views, military items and heritage architecture
Annapolis as well as a couple
Annapolis

See sailing regattas, naval officers and red brick colonial mansions in the state of Maryland’s attractive capital city.

Annapolis is a laid-back place of narrow cobblestone streets, 18th-century brick buildings and colonial mansions and a proud naval heritage. Although now home to many high-tech industries, the city has retained its historic charm.

Situated on the south bank of the Severn River, the state capital of Maryland has been the center of marine activities for years. It’s a port and the site of the U.S. Naval Academy.

Annapolis was founded in 1649 by Puritan settlers and renamed Annapolis in 1694 after Princess Anne of Denmark and Norway. For 9 months between 1783 and 1784 it served as the nation’s first peacetime capital after the American Revolutionary War.

Make City Dock your first port of call. It’s the heart of the city’s waterfront. Walk along the promenade to view the boats, peruse the shops and dine in the restaurants and bars. Walk on the dock to see the memorial of Kunta Kinte’s arrival from Africa in 1767. His story was told in Alex Haley’s novel Roots.

The U.S. Naval Academy was founded here in 1845. Within its walls future naval officers undergo 4 years of training. Take a guided tour of the grounds where you’ll learn about the history of the academy and its traditions. Visit the U.S. Naval Academy History Museum and view medals, swords and multimedia presentations that chart the history of sea power and the development of the U.S. Navy.

Gain further insights into Annapolis’s history at Maryland State House, the oldest state house in the United States that’s still in legislative use. Stop by Chase-Lloyd House, the Georgian brick mansion that was constructed for Samuel Chase, one of the signatories to the Declaration of Independence.  

Annapolis is the gateway to Chesapeake Bay, and its shoreline is dotted with marinas. Get out on the water with a day cruise or charter your own boat. You can also rent canoes, kayaks and pedal boats. If you don’t want to get on the water you can enjoy it from land by watching one of the sailing races. From the end of April to early September there are sailboat races every Wednesday night. More than 150 boats sail around several markers in the bay before heading for the finish in front of the Annapolis Yacht Club. 

Annapolis is less than an hour’s drive from Washington D.C. and is a popular daytrip destination for visitors to the nation’s capital.

Where to stay in Annapolis

Annapolis featuring street scenes and a city as well as a small group of people

Historic District

While visiting Historic District, you might make a stop by sights like Maryland State House and William Paca House.

Historic District
Default Image

Eastport

While visiting Eastport, you might make a stop by sights like Annapolis Maritime Museum and Annapolis Harbor.

Eastport
Default Image

Murray Hill

While visiting Murray Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Ballet Theater of Maryland and Spa Creek.

Murray Hill
Default Image

Cape Saint Claire

While Cape Saint Claire might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Sandy Point State Park and Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

Cape Saint Claire
Maryland Quiet Waters Park which includes a garden and a house

Hillsmere

If you're spending some time in Hillsmere, Maryland Quiet Waters Park and Great Frogs Winery are top sights worth seeing.

Hillsmere
Default Image

Arundel on the Bay

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Arundel on the Bay and surrounding area, you can visit Bay Ridge Beach and Carrs Beach.

Arundel on the Bay
Historic Inns of Annapolis

Historic Inns of Annapolis

3.5 out of 5
58 State Circle, Annapolis, MD
Book a stay at this historic hotel in Annapolis. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,810 reviews)
"Enjoyed the stay! Beautiful place!"

Reviewed on Jul 28, 2025

Historic Inns of Annapolis
Graduate by Hilton Annapolis

Graduate by Hilton Annapolis

4 out of 5
126 West St, Annapolis, MD
The price is P9,040 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
P9,040
P10,305 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Annapolis. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the bar and ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,012 reviews)
First class
"It was pouring when we arrived, my wife and i were soaked and the staff was at the front desk with warm towels. Beginning to end first class service, attentiveness and respectful."

Reviewed on Jul 28, 2025

Graduate by Hilton Annapolis
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Annapolis

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Annapolis

4 out of 5
210 Holiday Court, Annapolis, MD
The price is P5,851 per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
P5,851
P6,671 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Annapolis. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
7 out of 10 stars
"The hotel is older and as we walked through we were saying how it could be (& you can tell it was) a really nice hotel. Don’t misunderstand, it was a nice hotel, but you can tell it’s ‘used’. There are scuffs on doors and walls, there are tiles broken on floors, etc. the room itself was clean. The ..."

Reviewed on Jul 27, 2025

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Annapolis
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Majestic Hotel & Apartments

Majestic Hotel & Apartments

3 out of 5
7th St & Boardwalk, Ocean City, MD
Stay at this 3-star beach aparthotel in Ocean City. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
6.2/10 (269 reviews)
"Staff excellent. Room ready early. Loud at night until 11:45p.m. Older hotel w/ thin walls. Small parking lot. Tiny elevator. Many food options and shopping. On boardwalk. Easy beach access close by."

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

Majestic Hotel & Apartments
Coconut Malorie Resort Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection

Coconut Malorie Resort Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection

3 out of 5
200 59th Street on the Bay, Ocean City, MD
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Ocean City. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,259 reviews)
"Food was okay not great from the local restaurants The bed was quite comfortable"

Reviewed on Jul 28, 2025

Coconut Malorie Resort Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection
WhyHotel by Placemakr Columbia

WhyHotel by Placemakr Columbia

4 out of 5
6200 Valencia Ln, Columbia, MD
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Columbia. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (749 reviews)
"Floyd at checkin was absolutely amazing. Clean rooms and it's a quick walk to the concert venue! Thanks for a great stay"

Reviewed on Jul 30, 2025

WhyHotel by Placemakr Columbia
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do