Maryland's Unique Capital City Is A Vibrant Hub Of Historic Charm & Amazing Seafood

Annapolis, Maryland's unique capital, is a city fit for a queen. Surrounded by water, shrouded in history, and created in Old World-style, Annapolis has been as lauded for its beauty and architecture as its seafood since its "Golden Age" before the American Revolution. Designed by Maryland Governor Sir Francis Nicholson before the turn of the 18th century to reflect a European city, Annapolis quickly became a small but wealthy port and shipping hub in the Colonies. According to local lore, George Washington visited to watch horse races. Though these events took place hundreds of years ago, the city still looks much the same, with charming Georgian buildings and Palladian-style homes throughout.

Despite being one of the smallest state capitals, Annapolis has some of the most endearing cultural and historic sites in America. Although one of Philly's most cultured areas is the birthplace of the United States, independence was officially granted in Annapolis, the U.S.'s first capital city after the Revolutionary War, when the Treaty of Paris was signed and ratified in 1784 at the Maryland State House. Moreover, Annapolis is the site of the U.S. Naval Academy, one of the most prestigious institutions in the country.

Annapolis is about 45 minutes away from Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and roughly half an hour from Baltimore-Washington International Airport, the nearest major airport. If you've come from D.C., you'll likely notice some similarities between the two cities. George Washington had Pierre L'Enfant, the chief architect of Washington, D.C., incorporate a similar circular design for the nation's new capital.

Each step that you take down the brick-lined streets of compact and walkable downtown Annapolis tells a story of the past. Historic buildings tell three centuries of stories about a wealthy gentry and slaves who toiled, struggled, and found freedom and equality through the Underground Railroad as well as the Civil Rights Movement. As you meander through the Colonial Annapolis Historical District, you'll pass charming hotels, restaurants, and bars that seem to breathe history. Buildings are marked according to when they were built, along with the architectural style, giving you further insight into this outdoor museum. Chick and Ruth's Delly on Main Street is known for its delectable crab cakes and milkshakes just as much as its breakfast and long lines, which can stretch down the street. If you're looking to soak in the historic vibes with an adult beverage, O'Brien's Oyster Bar & Seafood Tavern is housed in a building that has been at the center of the Annapolis social scene since 1774.

At the heart of Annapolis is the City Dock and "Ego Alley," a waterway named for wealthy mariners who pilot their boats nearby to be seen by passersby. Historically, City Dock has been the gateway of Annapolis, welcoming visitors from the world over. While you're walking around, you'll likely note a part of the city's history that tells of Annapolis' role as a port of entry for African slaves centuries ago. If you're going local and boating to "America's sailing capital," the city has public showers (currently closed), docking, as well as several anchorage points along the Severn River, Weems Creek, Spa Creek, and Back Creek. 

While in Annapolis, you can't miss filling your belly with oysters, crabs, and fish like locals have done for centuries. While you'll find plenty of restaurants downtown, another option to sample seafood is 'Restaurant Row' off of Severn Avenue along Spa Creek. Two standout choices are Carrol's Creek Cafe and the Boatyard Bar & Grill. According to a local poll of over 50,000 voters tallied by Whatsup? Media, Carrol's Creek Cafe is the best choice in town for dining al fresco and seafood. If you're looking for iconic crabcakes and are taking the kids, don't miss trying the nautical-themed Boatyard Bar & Grill. The best thing is that if you want to share the taste with loved ones back home, they also send food anywhere in the United States.

When you're ready to rest your head, you'll find the best of modern comfort wrapped in historic buildings throughout Annapolis. Downtown, the historic Maryland Inn, Robert Johnson House, and Governor Calvert House all played a role in American history, serving as places of rest for local statesmen and delegates who witnessed Washington step down as commander of the Continental Army, setting the precedent of a peaceful transition of power. Nearby, the charming Georgian House Bed and Breakfast was a hangout spot for Benjamin Franklin and other Founding Fathers before the American Revolution.

Along with the historical architecture, you likely won't miss spotting the Chesapeake Bay Bridge connecting Western Maryland to Stevensville, a laid-back and charming town on Kent Island. Travelers are required to pay a toll to head east, though the sunsets are worth every penny.