Destination: Annapolis, Maryland

Colonial charm. Historical significance. Great sailing tradition. These are but a few terms to describe a wonderful place to visit – Annapolis, Maryland. Radiating out from the state capital building are brick streets lined with beautiful Colonial architecture. These aren’t buildings built in the Colonial style. These are the real deal in a city dating as far back as 1649 (though most original buildings date back to the 18th century).

The city is able to boast important moments on the timeline of American history. The Maryland State House, the oldest state house still in use, is where the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783, officially ending the Revolutionary War. Subsequently, Annapolis served as the capital of the United States from November 1783 until June 1784. The State House is also where General George Washington resigned as general of the Continental Army in December of 1783.

Annapolis also has two important educational institutions to see. Originally founded as King William’s School in 1696, St. John’s College has been operating under its current name since 1784, and is the third oldest college in the United States (after Harvard and William & Mary). The school’s Great Books program is recognized world-wide as providing one the best-rounded educations in Western philosophy, history and art.

The other institution, almost synonymous with Annapolis, is the United States Naval Academy. Established in 1845, the USNA is a four-year program that culminates in a Bachelor’s degree and an officer’s commission in the United States Navy. A beautiful campus, one can see many monuments, statues and items of great historical significance to the Navy, such as the flag flown by Commodore Hazard Perry bearing the dying words of Captain James Lawrence: “Don’t Give Up the Ship”. Finally, one should visit the crypt of John Paul Jones, a naval hero from the American Revolution. It is located in the Naval Academy Chapel.

Equidistant from the State House and the U.S. Naval Academy is City Dock, a great place for shopping and dining. Among the selection of great restaurants, I can recommend three that I have been to personally. The Middleton Tavern is one of the oldest operating taverns in America. It is a quaint tavern serving excellent crab cakes (among other local favorites). In winter there are four separate rooms one may be seated near a warm fire.

On the other side of a small street from the Middleton is Maria’s Sicilian Ristorante, serving old family recipes since the late 1960s. I recommend the Spaghetti alla Puttanesca.

A few doors down from Maria’s is a restaurant that used to be called Griffin’s. Although the name has changed to the Federal House Bar and Grille, the menu looks basically the same. The Crab Dip is an excellent appetizer, best washed down with a glass of Yuengling.

The Middleton Tavern
2 Market Space
Annapolis, MD
(410) 263-3323

Maria's Sicilian Ristorante
12 Market Space
Annapolis, MD
(410) 268-2112

The Federal House Bar & Grille
22 Market Space
Annapolis, MD
(410) 268-2576