Thanks to its rich maritime heritage, Annapolis has long been regarded as the world capital of mid-Atlantic sailing.
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Atlantic sailing. Although it is home to just 40,000 permanent residents, it is easy to see why 7 million visitors flock to the city each year: spires and domes dot the historic skyline, while high-masted sailboats and stately triple-decker yachts gather along an inviting harbor that has been bustling since the seventeenth century. Sheltered by Spa Creek, the waterfront is as alive as it ever was, animated by water taxis conveying tourists to their destinations, grand schooners setting sail for scenic cruises, and kayaks gliding noiselessly toward Chesapeake Bay.
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As Maryland’s capital and one of the nation’s major boating hubs, Annapolis welcomes a large share of the 19,000-plus personal watercraft registered in the state. The Annapolis City Dock boasts two bulkheads for boats up to 125 feet – one (260 feet in length) is reservation-only, while the other (360 feet), is first-come-first-served. This local marina also offers 17 slips for boats up to 60 feet, 56 moorings for boats up to 55 feet, and 20 moorings for boats up to 35 feet. The Annapolis Yacht Club, which offers 75 wet slips and dry dockage to its members, shares its facilities with visitors from reciprocal yacht clubs.
Boaters will have no trouble reaching the many restaurants, boutiques, and museums Annapolis has to offer: the city is exceptionally accessible from the water, with docks for dinghies up to 12 feet or less (with an engine below 25HP) located wherever any public street ends at the water. At the bottom of main street – affectionately called “Ego Alley” by locals for its parade of opulent watercraft – small vessels up to 17 feet in length are welcome to dock at Kunta Kinte Park, a memorial to Alex Haley and his ancestors, a popular destination boasting 1 million visitors a year.
With 22 street endings to choose from, sailors can easily tether their tender and enjoy a short walk toward the downtown district, replete with quaint colonial architecture, historic sites, and hip cafes. The dense, compact size of the city facilitates an all-too-rare type of excursion: a day trip that is both relaxed and action-packed. Start at Main Street and grab a latte at Bitty & Beau’s Coffee or oysters on the half-shell at McGarvey’s (a local institution for almost 50 years), then head over to Prince George Street for a stroll around the picturesque gardens of William Paca House, the genteel 1760s estate of the city’s former governor. The US Naval Academy Museum and its surrounding grounds and monuments is just a 3-minute walk away and well worth a visit.
Once you’ve explored the rest of the city, double back to Main Street for some retail therapy: be tempted by the artisanal leather goods of the Hobo Flagship Store, then pick up some stylish, high-performance marine gear at the local Helly Hansen location. Round off the day with a refreshing Mai Tai at the Pearl Restaurant and Ponche Tiki Bar.
On the other side of Spa Creek is Eastport, a neighborhood of Annapolis with its own unique personality. Long considered the earthier sister of the more well-heeled downtown Annapolis, Eastport was jokingly declared “The Maritime Republic of Eastport” by locals after a temporary suspension of the drawbridge that connects the two areas. Known for its laid-back, sociable atmosphere, Eastport offers a break from the touristic commotion of downtown. The Safe Harbor Eastport Yacht Center features wet slips for 18- to 65-foot vessels as well as transient slips, dry storage, winter storage, and vessel service.
