Annapolis Attractions

The museum at the U.S. Naval Academy was established in 1845, there are interactive exhibits, guided tours and a film of this 300 acre facility.

The home was completed for William Paca, a wealthy young planter who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, in 1765. It has a 2 acre garden with five terraces, a fish-shaped pond, and a wilderness garden. The William Paca House has two floors furnished with a collection of antique furniture, Paca family silver, and decorative arts.

The Annapolis Maritime Museum, located on the shores of Back Creek, highlights the history of boat building, which became one of the first industries to provide for the watermen's harvest of seafood. Annapolis was dependent upon necessities coming by boats of all types from small craft to coastal vessels.

Exhibits at the Annapolis Maritime Museum include maps, photographs and documents that describe the business and culture of the area.

Annapolis Opera presents 2 full stage events as well as vocal competitions and other operatic events.

Summer Garden Theatre is a 200 seat outdoor theatre that is located in the courtyard of the city's old blacksmith shop.

The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra offers classical repertoire played by professional players.

The Banneker-Douglass Museum is named for Benjamin Banneker and Frederick Douglass. The museum collection includes artifacts and photographs that pay tribute to Maryland's African American heritage.

Charles Carroll was the only Roman Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence. This is his 18th century birthplace and home, one of only 15 surviving signers' birthplaces that is still standing.

Construction on Chase-Lloyd House, a Georgian townhouse was begun in 1769 by Samuel Chase, a lawyer and signer of the Declaration of Independence. By 1771 he decided he could not afford to complete the project. He sold the unfinished house to a wealthy plantation owner from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Edward Lloyd IV.

The Chesapeake Children's Museum offers inter-generational learning such as live animal exhibits, construction zone, a replica of the human body, visual art workspace and a theatrical area. The outdoors provide great learning space on Blueberry Hill, in the herb garden or by walking the nature trail in the surrounding woodland park.

The Class of 1951 Gallery of Ships includes 108 ship and boat models of sailing ship eras that date from 1650 to 1850. There are scale models built for the British Admiralty and original display cabinets from the 17th century.

Discover Annapolis Tours take passengers on a historic trolley tour that features local history, architecture, folklore and trivia.

Government House has been the official residence of the Governors of Maryland since 1870. Georgian-style country house was built in the style of the period and features portraits by Charles Willson Peale, one of America's foremost portrait painters, and furnishings by Potthast, eminent Baltimore furniture makers of the 19th century.

Built in 1774, Hammond Harwood House is a preserved Georgian house featuring late 18th and 19th century decorative art. Displays feature one of the largest collections of paintings by Charles Willson Peale and his family.

Helen Avalynne Tawes Garden is a five acre botanical garden representing diverse environmental communities including a Western Maryland forest, a streamside environment and an Eastern Shore peninsula.

The Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial marks the arrival location of Alex Haley's African ancestor, Kunta Kinte, as told in the book "Roots". The Memorial features a seated Alex Haley reading from a book to three children of different ethnic backgrounds.

The Liberte is a custom-built schooner offering private, personalized charters for up to 49 guests. It is available in Annapolis in the Spring and Fall, and open day sails 7 days per week in Cape Cod, Massachusetts from July 4th through Labor Day.

There has been a Market House at City Dock since 1695. The existing structure was built in 1858 and underwent a major renovation and restoration in 1972, and again between 2003 and 2005.

Maryland Hall is an arts center that offers the symphony, chorale, opera and ballet theatre. The performing arts feature rock, folk and pop performers to musical theatre productions and dance troupes. Local and regional artists exhibit their work in the galleries and outdoor sculpture program.

The Maryland State Archives serves as the central depository for government records of permanent value. Records date from the founding of the colony in 1634 to the 1990s.

The Woodwind is a replica of early 20th century yachts. Passengers of this vessel can help raise the sails, steer the boat, or sit back and relax.

Shiplap House was built about 1715, making it one of the oldest surviving buildings in Annapolis. The first floor is where a tavern room has been recreated and a display of 18th century maritime trades is on exhibit.

St. Anne's was officially established in 1692. The first St. Anne's Church was built between 1696 and 1704. In 1695 or 1696, King William III gave Saint Anne's a silver communion service which is still in use today. The present church was completed in 1859 in the Romanesque Revival style. It features a stone altar, walnut pulpit and pews as well as notable stained glass windows.

The original focus of St John's College was the traditional liberal arts, but it switched to a classics based curriculum. St. John's College was chartered in 1784 was housed in a building completed in 1789. This building is now known as McDowell Hall, the third oldest academic building in continuous use.

St. Mary's is a Victorian-Gothic structure that was consecrated in 1860. The Church was built on property that belonged to a Revolutionary patriot who cherished freedom of religion.

This memorial honours Thurgood Marshall, who became the first African American U.S. Supreme Court Justice in 1967.

Watermark Cruises offers a variety of land or water tours that will immerse the passenger in the history and culture of the Annapolis area. Services include private charters, water taxi service, walking tours, public cruises, and special events, including music cruises.