State capital of Maryland, and one of the most attractive and well-preserved historic cities in the United States, Annapolis (pop. 36,500) is one place you won’t want to miss. First settled in 1649 and chartered in 1708, Annapolis makes fair claim to being the oldest city in the country. The nation’s first capital, it’s now best-known for its maritime heritage, both as a yachting center and as home of the U.S. Naval Academy, which stands guard along the Chesapeake Bay waterfront.
The historic center of Annapolis is just south of US-50 via Hwy-70, which leads straight to the State House (daily; free), where the U.S. Congress met in 1783–84 and ratified the Treaty of Paris, thus ending the Revolutionary War. This is the oldest legislative building in America, and well worth some time. From the State House, Main Street drops downhill to the City Dock waterfront, where a visitors center has walking-tour maps and guides to the wealth of historic buildings, including the beautiful colonial-era Hammond Harwood House (closed Mon.; $6; 410/263-4683) at 19 Maryland Avenue.
Annapolis has a number of good places to eat, including the venerable Chick & Ruth’s Delly (410/269-6737), a longstanding local fave at 165 Main Street.
To fully absorb the colonial-era ambience, stay a night or two at the historic Maryland Inn ($129 and up; 410/263-2641 or 800/847-8882), right across from the State House.
