Annapolis, MD, the historic and waterfront state capitol of Maryland, has a year-round population of not quite 40,000. Home to the U.S. Naval Academy, an historic state capitol building and a lively City Dock area, Annapolis and its plethora of Annapolis condominium rentals and Annapolis house rentals offers fun Maryland vacations that are chock full of boats and water views. Much of downtown Annapolis is along the Severn River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay.
Beautifully located at the only bridge that crosses the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis offers easy access to the Eastern Shore, while being just 28 miles to both Baltimore and Washington, D.C. When you enjoy an Annapolis vacation in a downtown Annapolis condo or in a charming and historic vacation house in Annapolis, your family can easily take a day trip to a number of surrounding states. Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Delaware are only 30, 80, 90 and 95 miles away from Annapolis, respectively.
Annapolis’ Historic State House
The Maryland State House, located on State Circle and within blocks of some Annapolis vacation rentals, is the country’s oldest state capitol that has been in continual legislative use. Construction on this building began in 1772 and took seven years to complete. In 1783 and 1784 Congress assembled here, making it the only state house to have been the nation’s capitol. Some significant events have occurred in this state capitol. In the building’s Old Senate Chamber George Washington resigned as the Continental Army’s commander in chief and Thomas Jefferson accepted the appointment of the first US minister plenipotentiary, by which he planned to be among commissioners already in Europe that would help settle the peace conditions with Great Britain. The Maryland State Capitol was also the site of the 1784 ratification of the Treaty of Paris, which officially ended the American Revolution. Guided tours of this historic site are offered weekdays and adults must present valid photo identification to enter the building. So take a morning stroll to the State House from your condo in Annapolis and envelope yourself in some key historical moments.
The U.S. Naval Academy
Established in 1845 at the Army’s Fort Severn, the U.S. Naval Academy sits on 338 acres on the south side of the Severn River. It is the U.S. Navy’s undergraduate college and also the location of Revolutionary War hero John Paul Jones’ crypt. Guided walking tours are available to guests and during the school year, noon formation is held on the weekdays. You may also visit the U.S. Naval Academy Museum. Reserve an Annapolis rental near this site so you can easily see the noon formation during your vacation.
Annapolis Is “A Museum without Walls”
Annapolis features 1,300 buildings of more than one dozen architectural styles, hence, “a museum without walls.” It contains the country’s highest concentration of 18th-Century Georgian-style buildings and includes the homes of all four Maryland signers of the Declaration of Independence, three of which are open for tours: Charles Carroll House, Chase-Lloyd House and William Paca House.
The historic City Dock in Annapolis is a popular hub of activity regardless of the location of your Annapolis vacation rental. This waterfront once welcomed ships from Great Britain, West Indies and West Africa. Today you wander to the City Dock from your Annapolis condo or Annapolis house rental and see regattas, hire a fishing charter and enroll in sailing school. Museums, historic buildings and a variety of tours—walking, self-guided, boat, horse-drawn carriage—depart from City Dock. Catch a free trolley shuttle to take you to downtown Annapolis from your Annapolis condo rental or vacation house in Annapolis.
Annapolis Recreation
Sailing is a lifestyle in Annapolis and getting a sailboat ride or taking a few lessons while staying in a condo in Annapolis is part of the fun of a vacation here. With all of the water that surrounds this area there is ample opportunity to go boating, fishing and swimming. Just seven miles east of Annapolis is Sandy Point and a variety of nearby Annapolis vacation rentals. Sandy Point is 786 acres of recreation on the Chesapeake Bay. An Annapolis rental in this area might offer excellent bird watching and your Annapolis rental could be near some bike trailheads. Go canoeing in Sandy Point or try your hand at crabbing. Kayaking is great fun and windsurfing can be learned. A daily hike for fresh air and exercise is a must when your Annapolis resort is near Sandy Point.