Discover Annapolis

In Annapolis, historic sites, remembrance, and maritime themes come together. The city is connected to the waters of the Chesapeake Bay; historic buildings, a memorial, and the permanent exhibition at the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park offer different focal points for your trip. As you plan, you can decide whether political and social history, maritime themes, or parks should take priority.

Historic Sites and Buildings

The Maryland State House is the first peacetime capitol of the United States. Annapolis is also home to the United States Naval Academy, founded in 1845. The city’s historic buildings include the homes of all four Maryland signers of the Declaration of Independence. This means its history can be explored through both government institutions and private homes.

The history of the city’s architecture can also be understood through specific examples. The Hogshead Trades Museum is a rare surviving example of a building type that was common in 18th-century Annapolis. A small warehouse on the Annapolis waterfront is also a rare surviving example of an 18th-century building type. At Hogshead, the building type’s former prevalence in Annapolis is part of the context; for the small warehouse, its rarity and waterfront location are the main focus.

Remembrance and Social History

The Hogshead Trades Museum focuses on more than just its architecture. In an interactive experience, visitors can learn what life was like for the “lower and middle classes” in early Maryland, with guides in colonial clothing and authentic and reproduction artifacts. This perspective draws attention to everyday life and social groups, not only government institutions.

The Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial commemorates the name and arrival point of an enslaved African. Its Story Wall features ten markers topped with bronze plaques. In this way, remembrance of a name and an arrival point is presented alongside a clearly arranged series of markers. The Compass Rose is a 14-foot-tall granite and bronze installation.

The Chesapeake Bay and Maritime Themes

City Dock connects Annapolis with the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. The permanent exhibition at the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park explores both the Bay’s ecology and the area’s maritime heritage. Visitors interested in nature and local history will find two perspectives within a single exhibition theme. Exhibition details may change; if a particular focus matters to you, check what is currently on offer before your visit.

Public trips aboard the historic vessel Wilma Lee offer views of the Chesapeake Bay and operate seasonally. Sightseeing cruises and walking tours are also ways to explore Annapolis. Operators and schedules may change, so check the latest information before making these activities a fixed part of your plans.

Parks and Trails

Annapolis has 40 parks and trails across more than 200 acres of parkland. The city’s offerings complement its historic and maritime themes with green spaces. If you plan to visit parks, check the information on conditions and access rules for each park, as these may change.

Discover more destinations: Linthicum, Annapolis Junction, Deale, Odenton, Glen Burnie, Millersville, Arnold

Return to the main travel overview: Anne Arundel.