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what to do in annapolis

5K views 48 replies 27 participants last post by  Jeff_H 
#1 ·
I'm going to spend a few days between Christmas and new years in Annapolis, md working on my son's boat.

If the weather is decent I'm be busy grinding or sanding or something equally horrid. If the weather gets bad what should I do.

Any good used boat part places or nautical themed historical places I should see.

I've already been to that giant mall place with every national store in the country.
I've been to many of the standard tourist shops in old Annapolis because we go to the boat show every year.
I'm looking for what I've missed.
 
#2 ·
Naval Academy museum at Preble Hall (free). Spectacular ship models, including those carved from the bones in the rations of P.O.W.s from the early 1800. Or, PM us, and we can meet for a beer downtown.
 
#4 ·
John Paul Jones' crypt on the Naval Academy grounds. Go to the chapel and walk around to the back on the west side where you will see the steps to the underground crypt.

Go out West Avenue to Bacon's...used sails and everything else nautical.

Go to Bancroft Hall on the Naval Academy grounds and go in the main entrance and walk up the steps in front of you into the Rotunda and Memorial Hall and read the history of USNA graduates in each of the nation's conflicts. Includes flags and pennants flown in major engagements and listings of graduates who were casualties from each class.

Walk through the USNA Cemetery and Columbarium near the Naval Hospital and pay respects to the famous and the unknown whose remains are there in the hill overlooking the Severn River.
 
#6 ·
There's an old saying in Annapolis "Keep Maryland Green - Bring Money!" Everything in Annapolis is expensive, the restaurants are OK - nothing fantastic other than the prices, Naval Accademy is a good visit, Bacon Sails is good for an hour at most. I'll be more than happy to provide you with the recipe for Green Coconut Margarettas.

Good luck on the weather,

Gary :cool:
 
#7 · (Edited)
If you like Sushi or Japanese Tappan cooking go to Joss's. The Rams Head tavern usually has great live music and a good atmosphere.

Mainesail is my good friend and expert in electronics, but listen to a chef here, avoid eating food at Chick and Ruths except to see the pictures and posters and to drink something out of a bottle...the cockroaches are the secret ingredients in their food.

In the last published Sanitation report by the health inspector they received a conditional.

New Years eve is the First Night Celebration.

In years past it meant a lot of neat venues in town like the churches and schools with live music, magicians, plays, storytellers, artwork, and busses for transportantion. It looks scaled down this year for some reason, but the Fireworks at City Doc are cool as are the bars in the area.

New Year's Annapolis 2012-2013 - Celebrate New Year's Eve in Annapolis, Maryland

If you have the time take at least one day and travel the 35 miles up Route 50 to Washington DC and take in a museum. All the Smithsonians are cool,and free. Take a tour of the Capiol at the Capitol Visitors Center which is also free ( you see all the neat stuff and an awesome IMAX movie) tours are every 20 minutes. Make a free reservation at visitthecapitol.gov. See the national Christmas tree
http://www.visitthecapitol.gov/

Goto Baltimore (30 miles up route 97) and see the Inner Harbor and visit little Italy
 
#34 ·
Mainesail is my good friend and expert in electronics, but listen to a chef here, avoid eating food at Chick and Ruths except to see the pictures and posters and to drink something out of a bottle...the cockroaches are the secret ingredients in their food.

In the last published Sanitation report by the health inspector they received a conditional.
Ouch...... Still, I will eat there but will suggest others heed your advice. First went there with my grandfather as a little tyke so it has more sentimental value & character to me than the quality of the food... It has largely remained unchanged since I was a kid and I find that pretty cool in today's world...

Listen to Chef if you don't want cooties!!!
 
#8 ·
Thank you all.
And yes I forgot how close DC is, DUH.
Haven't been their since the kids were little.
 
#9 · (Edited)
Most have covered the other things to do when in town, a couple I might add...

Food:

Check out the Red Red Wine Bar, a student of mine is now the chef, do the sample flight of wines, pretty fun.

Joss isn't what it used to be unfortunately, the last three times I have eaten there is was pricey and nothing special. Still good, but not great.

I like a greasy dive as much as anyone, but I cant do Chick & Ruth's again, just see to many things that make one gag.

Sailing,

As mentioned, Navel Academy Museum is awesome, Bacons off West St. is entertainment for at least 2 hours. I like to walk some of the local boat yards once and while, my favorite for brokerage boats is Bert Jabins :)

Other:

If you're in the area with a car, St Michaels is about an hour, check out the maritime museum. Baltimore can be fun, especially Canton & Fells Point are fun if you like night life. Some good restaurants, bars, and live music.
 
#10 ·
Ditto on the Naval Academy Museum, it's a must see.

DC, more to see & do than you can imagine.

If you want to walk or drive boat yards there's Jabins, Port Annapolis and bit bit of a drive is the mother of all boat yards at Herrington Harbour North.

As for food, McGarveys is the place for mussels, beer & locals, The Boat Yard in Eastport is great for the sailing decor, and the Chart House is great for for the water front view and the food's half decent. I'll third the run from Chick & Ruth's, just not my place.

Bacons for used & new gear, do ask to see the back room... it's a good ½ acre of used stuff. Fawcetts new(ish) store is great, they have what West doesn't, great selection and cool to just browse.

Make sure you stop in to Pussers (at the Marriott on Ego Ally) for a drink or more, not as much fun in the winter as the season but always a great time.

Enjoy your trip!
 
#11 ·
Don't miss Annapolis Performance Sailing for the really sexy bits, none of that clunky Garhauer stuff there... (grin)

Every once in a while, you can score a great deal on something from Musto or Slam on their sale rack... I never miss a stop at APS when I'm in town, cool store, and really nice people...
 
#12 ·
Hey,

I like my Garhauer Davits and Radar pole with detachable engine hoist:):)
and have two of their triple rope clutches to install this year...grrrr
( didnt like the spinlock plastic handles or the lewmars either especially at double the price)):eek::eek:

I agree with APS. have gotten some great stuff on sale there
 
#14 ·
I second the recommendation to drive up to Baltimore and tour the inner harbor area. While you are at it, drive across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, then turn south through Easton. Make your way to St. Michaels and Oxford to visit the Chesapeake Maritime Museum and a quaint Eastern Shore town.

If you are really ambitious, drive east on Rte. 50 across the Eastern Shore, then head north to Lewes, Delaware and ride the ferry to Cape May, N.J. You won't be disappointed.
 
#23 ·
Wow what a great offer.
I thought I bent your ear enough at the party after the boat show.
Sounds like you are game for more.
Oh I get you you didn't connect me with my user name.

Thanks, I'll pray for bad weather so I can get out of grinding.
 
#19 · (Edited)
Middleton's tavern. Have the black bean soup. They make it so you can mix in onions and rice to your own liking. Then go upstairs to the piano bar. I don't know if "Larry the piano player" is still playing, but he's fantastic. Have a beer and catch some great tunes.

Years ago we'd go to Buddy's Crab House for their Sunday brunch. It was fantastic. (Not sure about it now.)

Go hang out at Lee Airport and offer to pitch in for gas if someone takes you up. Then see Annapolis from the air.

Mike's crab hous on the South River, right off Riva Road.

Too bad about Chick and Ruth's. They once opened up the Governor's booth for us.

David-- when are you going? Maria and I want to meet you down there and take you and your son out for dinner. It may be a way to pay back some of your "24 x 7" help.

Regards,
Brad

 
#22 ·
One thing I've always wanted to do in Annapolis is to sneak onto the grounds of the campus and have a look around. Of course, these days I'd be likely to have a good look at their brig if I tried that as the campus is quite well guarded by land. They do give escorted tours of the campus though as stated here: United States Naval Academy | Visit USNA

Being the cheapskate that I am I have wanted to get back at Annapolis for the $7/hour docking fee they charge for tying up at Ego Alley. Once you pay the fee they give you a few tokens to use at their public convenience. What is nice about the public convenience is that it has a shower as well as the usual porcelain conveyances for all your ablution needs. One day I'd like to go to Ego Alley and hang around the Men's room and sneak in when someone comes out. I could have a shower, do some light laundry and basically hang out there most of the day for free while using the city's hot water! I guess that this would not be such a family friendly use of your time though!!!

Seriously though, if I were you (and I'm not) I'd think about taking Jeff_H up on his kind offer of a sail and a meal (you may have to buy). IIRC he has a Farr 40 something that you would probably enjoy being on.

I've heard say that Annapolis is a drinking town with a sailing problem. If you are not into drinking there is always the sailing.

Have a great time. I've always enjoyed my visits to that area but I usually only visit when it is a little warmer.
 
#27 ·
I forgot. Jeff_H only has a Farr 11.6 metre making it about 38' or so, not forty something feet.

It is funny in a way. I have met davidpm a few times IRL (in real life) and only met Jeff_H here by his many posts. I have a distinct feeling that you two should hit it off in a good way even though I have never met Jeff_H IRL.

Anyone else out there have a real life or is this basically it?

???
 
#28 ·
I have met Jeff , a now his wife) a number of times, DavidPM once. They met together in the fall at a get together hosted by Wingnwing that I attended also. They got along famouslyof course:):)
 
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