One of the most charming and delightful aspects of Annapolis is its walkability. Within a short walk from the show, you will find coffee shops, boater-friendly casual dining, live music, and late-night bars. Fine dining, museums, the Maryland State House, art galleries, and more are also just steps away. Here are some updates of what’s changed around town since last October and reminders of old favorites worth revisiting.
ArtWalk 250
As you move around the city, take special notice of the ArtWalk 250 visual arts celebration and interpretation of Annapolis’s significant role within our country’s larger history. Life-sized (and larger!) images of George Washington and the Maryland signers of the Declaration of Independence are featured along Church Circle.
At the top of Main Street, ponder the penning of the Declaration as you look up and to your left to the side of the Smartlink building. The Annapolis Convention of 1786, which led to the drafting of the US Constitution the following year in Philadelphia, is depicted on the Randall Street side of the Admiral’s Cup Annapolis restaurant. Finally, above the Gorman Street entrance to the Mills Hillman Garage is a banner depicting George Washington’s resignation as Commander-in Chief of the Continental Army, which took place in the Maryland State House and was the unofficial end to the Revolutionary War.
A nice loop to stroll
Walking along the brick streets of historic downtown can be a pleasant escape from the frenetic energy inside the show gates. From the show, if you head up Main Street toward St. Anne’s Church and Church Circle, you will pass many options to stop for food, have a drink, grab a snack, buy a T-shirt, or pick up a souvenir. At the circle, take a right and another quick right and you will come to State Circle, with access to the Maryland State House, which is open to the public daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On the opposite side of the circle, you will find the Capital Hotel, home to Parley Room, a cozy, 1920s-style cocktail bar with Charcuterie and shared plates, desserts, and mocktails. It is definitely worth checking out.
Continuing around the circle are numerous delightful local shops. If you turn right on Maryland Avenue, Galway Bay Irish Restaurant will be on the right side of the street. An Annapolis institution with live, traditional Irish music is played every Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. Continuing on Maryland Ave, cross Prince George Street to find Old Fox Books and Coffeehouse, another cozy spot with a carefully chosen selection of old and new books and a garden in the back. Returning down the sidewalk to its end, if you take a right on King George Street, you’ll be headed toward US Naval Academy Gate One. Once there, turn right onto Randall Street to return to City Dock.
Special spots for a cup of Joe
Numerous good coffee shops are within a short walk of the show. The Starbucks on Main Street is hard to miss, but for those willing to walk a bit farther for something unique to the area, three shops come to mind. First, Oscar’s, where hot and iced coffee and baked goods are served up with a smile out of an adorable trailer that sits right on the Back Creek side of Eastport. Locally owned, dog-friendly, with plenty of outdoor seating, Oscar’s is located on the water’s edge at 105 Eastern Avenue.
A second option is 1845 Coffee, located inside the historic gatehouse at Gate Three of the US Naval Academy. Hot and iced coffee, expresso, and pastries are on the menu. You will need to enter the Naval Academy at Gate One at the corner of King George and Randall Streets and make sure to bring your official REAL ID. A third local favorite is Rise Up, located in the Market House and offering certified organic and fair trade coffee and tea.
New dining at Ego Alley
While many visitors to the show will miss grabbing a cocktail at Pussers at the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel, why not try out the new establishments that are now located in that space? Overlooking Ego Alley, Armada Cantina offers the bold flavors of Mexico with extensive tequila and agave spirit selections. The fsh tacos are PropTalk staffer approved! For traditional Italian fare, seafood, and an extensive collection of Italian wines, visit Marmo, located right next door.
On the opposite side of City Dock, in the old Stevens Hardware Building, another new restaurant, The Admiral’s Cup at Annapolis City Dock, spans the first and second floors. Soak up the vibrant nighttime energy created by the rotating lineup of local musicians.
Eastport eateries
If you’re headed over the Spa Creek Bridge to Eastport, the Boatyard Bar and Grill and Davis’ Pub are a couple of favorite spots for local boaters. Forward Brewing, a staff favorite, and Adams on Fourth are also popular local haunts. Sadly, local favorite O’Leary’s Seafood closed its doors in August.
Eastport is the home of the PropTalk world headquarters. Three staffer favorites for breakfast or lunch are Bread and Butter Kitchen (with outdoor waterfront tables and indoor seating), Eastport Kitchen (in the Eastport Shopping Center, a little longer walk), or The Leeward Market (corner of Chester and Second Streets).
US Naval Academy
The word “Annapolis” is synonymous with the US Naval Academy, and the historic campus is well worth touring. You may stroll the campus on your own or take an official tour. A good place to start is the Visitor’s Center. There you will find a mini-museum, a 13-minute film “The Call To Serve,” a gift shop, information on tours, restrooms, and more. The US Naval Academy Museum is located in Preble Hall and has two floors of exhibits on the history of seapower and the US Navy. Those age 18 years and older must show a valid REAL ID driver’s license or state ID or a US Passport to enter the Academy.
Museums
The best place to learn about the area’s maritime history is the Annapolis Maritime Museum (AMM), open Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The museum, situated on Back Creek (723 Second Street in Eastport), is housed in an old oyster-packing plant. AMM offers sailboat rides on a traditional Chesapeake Skipjack and boasts a 12-acre park located across the creek. Learn more at amaritime.org.
To learn about Maryland’s African American history and culture, visit the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum located at 84 Franklin Street. The current exhibit, “She Speaks, Black Women Artists and the Power of Historical Memory” is presented alongside rarely seen archival materials and family heirlooms. Admission is free. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fans of colonial architecture will enjoy touring the Hammond-Harwood House Museum at 19 Maryland Avenue, where the history of local business, politics, and colonial life are on display. Two tour options: half hour ($10) or full hour ($15), open from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Market Space
On Thursday, October 8, opening day of the show, join the fun at the Annapolis Boat Show Block Party along Market Space, with live music, outdoor seating, and special menu offers from Federal House, Iron Rooster, McGarvey’s, Middleton Tavern, and the Annapolis Market House. The festivities are set to start at 5 p.m., but these establishments will offer boat show exclusive deals all day long.
By Beth Crabtree