A One-Day Trip to Annapolis: What to See and Do

Get ready to mark off another city on your map – that’s right, Annapolis, Maryland has got to be the next travel spot on your list. Have you ever been there? If not, I suggest you start planning out your itinerary.

Annapolis is known to be America’s sailing capital because of its spot by the countless rivers and creeks. You will find that the city offers many exciting water activities because of its coastal position. So, all the water lovers can easily find fun things to do in Annapolis.

Visiting for the first time? It isn’t super easy to figure out how to tour around the city, especially if you’re only there briefly. This beautiful city has so many attractions, just waiting for you to explore and snap pictures to make memories, it’s easy to get confused about where you should start your day!

Don’t worry, though: I’m here to guide and help you figure out how you can spend your day in Annapolis and make the most of it.

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Volkswagen Beetle with Maryland plates in downtown  Annapolis. ©Pexels/Jacob Morch

Go to the State House

First up, I’d suggest you make your way over to the State House. You will be surprised to know that the State House is the oldest state capitol which is still in use. Have a look at it from the outside and the inside!

The place is open to all throughout the day, and there’s plenty of public information around. That means it’s ideal for a self-guided tour. This is also the perfect chance to get to know more about the city and dive into its history in a fascinating way.

Next to the Governor’s Mansion

If you made your visit to the State House, you might as well go to the Governor’s Mansion which is just across the street (that’s convenient!).

Get the chance to see the beautiful entrance to the house and the luxurious interior where Maryland’s Governor lives.

Walk around Main Street

Of course, shopping has got to be on your list of things to do. Main Street, also known as Downtown Annapolis, should most definitely be your go-to place for shopping. If you want to rest, walk up to one of the many restaurants and get some tasty food so you can chill nearby.

There are also several gorgeous art galleries you can visit. These places are always brimming with life as people come from all over to admire the beautiful works inside.

If that isn’t enough, you can relax on the benches that overlook Annapolis Harbour after you are done shopping and eating (a great place to watch the boats cruise by on a sunny morning!). Make the most of your visit there.

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Sandwich shop in downtown Annapolis. ©Pexels/TonyNojmanSK

Water activities at Annapolis Harbour

Well, it’s officially time for the water lovers to take notes now! It wouldn’t make sense for you to come all the way to America’s sailing capital and not try out any of the water sports the city has to offer you.

As you are already by the Annapolis Harbour, you can pick out any of the water sports that take your fancy. You can go for kayaking or paddle boarding if you want to just dip your feet in the water (and this is great for beginners!). See the beauty of the water first-hand by being in it.

If you want to go full in on the water activities, you can book a boat cruise, and there are some fabulous options that I can vouch for! If you’re a true water enthusiast, consider trying out all of these.

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Sailing is a popular activity in Annapolis, Maryland. ©Paliparan

Visit St. Anne’s Parish Church

After you have had your share of fun in the water, you can explore the delightful St. Anne’s Parish Church. Get a calming and quiet environment after a fun-filled day. The church’s pristine beauty will not disappoint you in the slightest.

The door of St. Anne’s Parish Church is always open to all. You can go ahead without any hesitation and admire the mesmerizing architecture from within.

In short

Well, there you have it — a quick one-day trip to Annapolis. Of course, the city has many more attractive spots you should visit if you’ve got time, or at least put on the agenda for your next trip. However, for now, that concludes my list of fun things and activities you should do while you are there.

Don’t miss out on Annapolis; get planning your next trip! You will fall in love with the beautiful city and not want to leave the place. It doesn’t matter if you are travelling solo or sharing the experience with your friends — fun times await you. If we’ve convinced you, then keep in mind that a ticket there might not cost as much as you’d think, especially if you keep a few important tricks for saving money on your flights in mind.

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Koen

Koen works as a freelance journalist covering south-eastern Europe and is the founding father and editor-in-chief of Paliparan. As a contributor to some major Fleet Street newspapers and some lesser known publications in the Balkans, he travels thousands of miles each year for work as well as on his personal holidays. Whether it is horse riding in Kyrgyzstan’s Tian Shan mountains, exploring the backstreets of Bogotá, or sipping a glass of moschofilero in a Greek beachside taverna, Koen loves to immerse himself into the local culture, explore new places and eat and drink himself around the world. You can follow Koen on his travels on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

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