1. Rotary Crab Feast
City: Annapolis, MD
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: Lovers of Maryland’s prized crustacean should bring a hefty appetite to the world’s largest crab feast, held for over 50 years. More than 185,000 gallons of crab soup and 325 bushels of Maryland blue crabs are consumed at this spicy event, which benefits the Annapolis Rotary Club.
2. Maryland Seafood Festival
City: Annapolis, MD
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: The bounty of the Chesapeake Bay is baked, steamed, grilled, broiled, sautéed, and fried at this waterside park, next to the western end of the towering Bay Bridge. Admission fee applies.
3. U.S. Sailboat Show/U.S. Powerboat Show
City: Annapolis, MD
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (410) 268-8828
Description: Held on consecutive weekends, with the sailors going first, these are the largest in-water boat shows in the nation. With boats and nautical products from the world’s leading manufacturers, Annapolis turns into a festival for the water-loving set. Admission fee applies.
4. Maryland Department Of Natural Resources/State Forest And Park Service
City: Annapolis, MD
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (410) 260-8186
Address: 580 Taylor Avenue
Description: Call the department for information about its 280,000 acres of public parks and forests.
5. Westfield Annapolis Shopping Mall
City: Annapolis, MD
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (410) 266-5432
Address: 2002 Annapolis Mall
Description: With more than 240 stores, eateries, and entertainment options, you should be able to find anything you’d want in a regional mall. Check the Web site frequently or sign up for e-mail notices for information about specials. When you’re planning to see a movie, you have to buy your ticket at the booth just past the food court and then take the escalator upstairs to the theaters. This is no big deal unless you’ve timed your arrival to within 30 seconds of the movie starting time. Wheelchairs and electric scooters are available at no charge, on a first-come basis. The kiosk is near Lord & Taylor. You must have a photo ID to borrow one. The mall is open Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Holiday hours have stores opening earlier and closing later.
6. United States Sailboat Show
City: Annapolis, MD
Category: Spectator Sports
Telephone: (410) 268-8828
Description: Boating purists get their due in October with this show, also held at the City Dock. Admission is the same as that for the powerboat show.
7. Maryland State House
City: Annapolis, MD
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (410) 974-3400
Description: The beautiful Maryland State House is yet another reason to visit the historic sailing mecca of Annapolis. The focal point of Maryland’s government, this is the nation’s oldest state house in continuous legislative use. It even served as capital of the United States for several months in 1783 to ’84 and is the place where George Washington resigned his commission as commander of the Continental Army and where the Treaty of Paris was ratified, ending the Revolutionary War. Be sure not to miss the great exhibits depicting Annapolis during colonial times. The visitor center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Free 25-minute tours take place at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily. Each adult must show a picture ID.
8. U.S. Naval Academy
City: Annapolis, MD
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (410) 263-6933
Description: It’s hard not to feel exceedingly patriotic when you set foot on the gorgeous grounds of this National Historic Site where naval officers have been trained since 1845. The academy chapel dominates the scene; below the building lies the crypt of John Paul Jones. Other campus highlights include a museum featuring models, swords, and paintings; Bancroft Hall, where the Brigade Noon Formation takes place; numerous monuments dedicated to naval heroes and battles; and Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center, 52 King George Street (Gate l), houses a theater, gift shop, and exhibits. The visitor center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In January and February it closes at 4 p.m. Guided tours, with times varying seasonally, are available daily except Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1. Be prepared to show a photo ID.