Annapolis

Annapolis sits on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River; the U.S. Naval Academy's visitor page places it 33 miles east of Washington, D.C. and 30 miles southeast of Baltimore. It began as Providence in 1649, founded by Puritan exiles, was relocated and renamed for Princess Anne of Denmark in 1694, and was incorporated as a city in 1708. For nine months, from November 1783 to August 1784, it was the actual capital of the United States — the only reason most Americans have heard the word “Annapolis” in a history class.

The Maryland State House anchors the historic core: construction began in 1772, the legislature first convened there in 1779, and Wikipedia describes it today as the oldest state capitol in the country still in continuous legislative use. Its dome, built without a single nail, is the largest wooden dome of its kind in America. It's a short walk from City Dock, the colonial waterfront where the Market House and the Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial sit within sight of each other.

The United States Naval Academy, founded in 1845 on the site of the old Fort Severn, occupies a large stretch of reclaimed riverfront just past the historic district. Roughly 4,500 midshipmen train there on a four-year program that carries a five-year active-duty commitment after graduation. Outside the Academy gates, the rest of Annapolis leans hard into sailing — the city markets itself as “America's Sailing Capital” and hosts the world's largest in-water sailboat show every fall.

The United States Naval Academy is the anchor and the single most-visited site in Annapolis — but it's an active military installation, not an open campus, and getting in takes planning. Visitors 18 and older need a REAL ID–compliant driver's licence or state ID, a U.S. passport or an enhanced driver's licence, and visitors without a Department of Defense credential park outside and walk in through Gate 1. Inside, the Naval Academy Museum and the chapel (with John Paul Jones's crypt) are open to the public on the standard visitor route.

Annapolis takes its seafood as seriously as its sailing. The Maryland State Archives' state-symbols page says the blue crab's flavor is appreciated by cracking and eating steamed hardshells or feasting on softshells.

For something less messy, the Annapolis Market House at City Dock lists oysters on the half shell on its menu, sold singly, by the half dozen or by the dozen. We were unable to confirm other casual seafood counters or raw bars near the water.

One brewpub within 10 miles of Annapolis. In a small town that is often the kitchen still serving when everywhere else has stopped.

Brewpub locations from Open Brewery DB (MIT)

20 more Highway Heads places lie within about 180 miles of Annapolis in a straight line — far enough that most are a night away rather than an afternoon.

• National Air and Space MuseumDistrict of Columbiaabout 30 mi
• Washington, D.C. — U.S. CapitolDistrict of Columbiaabout 30 mi
• DoverDelawareabout 55 mi
• FrederickMarylandabout 60 mi
• Harpers FerryWest Virginiaabout 70 mi
• LewesDelawareabout 75 mi
• WilmingtonDelawareabout 75 mi
• Rehoboth BeachDelawareabout 80 mi
• Cape MayNew Jerseyabout 90 mi
• HarrisburgPennsylvaniaabout 90 mi
• Ocean CityMarylandabout 90 mi
• Independence HallPennsylvaniaabout 100 mi
• PhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaabout 100 mi
• Atlantic CityNew Jerseyabout 110 mi
• RichmondVirginiaabout 110 mi
• Shenandoah CountryVirginiaabout 110 mi
• TrentonNew Jerseyabout 130 mi
• NewarkNew Jerseyabout 170 mi
• New York CityNew Yorkabout 180 mi
• Statue of Liberty National MonumentNew Yorkabout 180 mi

Naval Academy visitor rules can change without notice. Confirm current ID requirements and gate hours on the Academy's own site before building a trip around campus access.

Downtown is walkable but parking is tight. The historic district's streets are narrow and colonial by design; municipal garages near City Dock are usually the easiest bet.

Fall brings the sailboat show and game days. Both fill hotels fast; book well ahead if either overlaps with your visit.

The State House is a working government building. The Maryland State Archives says it is open to the public every day from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except Christmas and New Year's Day, with self-guided tour information by the Archives Room on the first floor; group tours of the legislative complex are by advance reservation on weekdays.

One public campground within 25 miles of Annapolis, and it takes reservations. Public campgrounds run by federal agencies. State-park and private campgrounds are not included.

United States Naval Academy Visitor Center

Address

52 King George St, Annapolis, MD 21402

Hours

Check the official site for current visitor hours and ID requirements

Price

Free to enter with valid ID; check the official site for tour pricing

Link

usna.edu/Visit

We checked opening hours, seasonal opening, operating status and reservations on 2026-10-13. These change without notice — confirm with usna.edu, navalacademytourism.com, msa.maryland.gov, navysports.com, annapolisboatshows.com, ndw.cnic.navy.mil, annapolismarkethouse.com and dnr.maryland.gov the week you travel.

Straight-line distance from Annapolis, not drive time.

• Fort Meade Executive (FME) — 16 miles
• Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI) — 17 miles
• Martin State (MTN) — 24 miles