Annapolis, the capital of Maryland and the county seat of Anne Arundel County, was originally called Providence by the Puritans. In 1649 these pre-colonial settlers moved from Virginia to Greenbury Point and chose the name of their early settlement to signify their thankfulness for the care and protection of God. The town, which was not the capital until around 1695, gradually moved to a location with better shelter and port of entry. Thus, it became the Port of Annapolis.
Annapolis became a hub of trade, art, education and government. With such a long and proud history, there is so much to do and see in Annapolis and all of Anne Arundel County. But during November we would like to bring your focus to our veterans. When it comes to celebrating both our history and our veterans, your first stop should be the United States Naval Academy.
The Academy, established in 1845, may be the most well-known college in Annapolis. However, it is not the only one and not the oldest either. (There are over 50 colleges in the Annapolis area, with St. Johns’ College being the oldest. In 1696 King William’s School school was founded; in 1784 it merged with the newly chartered St. John’s College. The beautiful campus is also worth a visit!)
Here are three must-sees when you visit the United States Naval Academy:
1. When visiting the Naval Academy, we encourage you to join a public historical walking tour. These tours do not require any reservations. So if you’re strolling through Annapolis’s unique streets, you don’t have to worry about being distracted by the beauty and history of the Historic District. You can take your time and get your tickets for the tour when you arrive. Since the Academy is located in the Historic District, take the time to enjoy the other sights.
Start your time at the Halsey Field House and the Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center. There is a lot to see here before you get tickets for a tour.
The tours last 90 minutes and leave every hour from 10 am until 3 pm Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, the tours begin at 11 am with the last one beginning at 3 pm. This tour will take you to the historical and monumental highlights of the campus. You will also learn about the admissions process for the academy and the midshipmen who attend the academy. Note that if you or a family member is interested in attending the Academy, public admissions tours are also available with more limited hours.
2. You’ll also want to take time to eat while you’re on campus. You will find three unique dining options. 1845 Coffee is located in a historic gatehouse on the Yard. For something more substantial, have lunch or dinner at the Drydock Restaurant. You’ll be spending time with midshipmen since it is a popular choice. At lunchtime, you can experience the Naval Academy Club at the Alley. (It’s members only at night.) It’s a former bowling alley, but you won’t know it by the great food and atmosphere. You can try one or all of these options. Of course, since you’re already in the heart of the historic district, you’ll find many other dining options nearby.
3. Finally, don’t skip the museum and monuments. Simply being on site is a historical experience, but you will want to take in the wealth of information in the U.S. Naval Academy Museum and visit the monuments on the Yard.
We think a visit to the Academy is a fitting way to honor the men and women who have served our country. On your visit, do remember to take your ID along. Any visitor 18 and over will have to present valid identification. You can learn more about visiting here.
Join us in celebrating our veterans not only on November 11 but all year long.
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