Although Maryland is below the Mason Dixon line, I do not consider it the south. There are so many things I miss about the south; the football games, the southern accents, the heat, the food, how everyone uses the word “y’all.” With that being said, there are many things that I do like about living in Maryland. How about the fact that I live twenty minutes outside Maryland’s capital? Downtown Annapolis is so much fun, and it’s steeped in history. No, it doesn’t have the elements of the south that I miss dearly, but it does have a great deal of charm that appeals even to the biggest southern snob.
Where to Eat
I wouldn’t consider Annapolis a “foodie” town, but there are many great places to grab a bite to eat.
- If you’re looking for something on the water, you can stop and grab a Painkiller at Pusser’s Caribbean Grille. I wouldn’t recommend getting anything higher than a #2. Even a #3 will knock you on your ass. The crab dip is delicious and the Mahi tacos are pretty good.
- Want something a little nicer? A water taxi can take you from downtown to The Chart House. They have an extensive wine list and on certain dates you can reserve a table for a 5-course dinner and wine pairing.
- Blackwell Hitch has an amazing brunch and dinner menu. I’ve never had lunch there but I’m sure it’s amazing. Brunch is set up in different stations – a smorgasbord if you will – of fried chicken and waffles, an omelette station, a seafood station, and all the fixings’. Go there for dinner and you’ll see it’s a pretty good hot spot, usually with a jazz band for entertainment. They have a delicious charcuterie board that I usually pair with a house wine.
- We recently went to Level with some friends. It was phenomenal. It’s a small plates lounge that’s farm to table. Even though the food was served in small plates, we rolled out of there completely full. The four of us ordered the 3 cheese mac and cheese, ricotta gnocchi, seared pork ribs, and fried brussel sprouts. We were completely full with just those four plates and it was delicious.
- Middleton Tavern doesn’t have the best cuisine from what I remember. It was an odd mix of food on the menu and I wasn’t impressed with what came from the kitchen. What IS cool about this establishment, however, is that it was once the bar where George Washington partied. As the story goes, after Washington resigned his commission as Commander in Chief at the State House, he partied at Middleton Tavern to the point where he couldn’t pay his tab! Just paying a visit to the tavern for a beer to observe the inside is worth the trip.
- The Iron Rooster has got to be one of my favorite breakfast spots and there’s always at least an hour wait to get in. The top of the building is slanted and it doesn’t look like much, but they serve the most delicious homemade pop-tarts. I usually get the classic benny when I dine in.
What to See
Not only is it the oldest working state house in the U.S., but it is also home to our nation’s capital before D.C. was established. It is also the location where George Washington signed his resignation as Commander in Chief and the room is set up to replicate that day.
2. The William Paca House and Garden
I had always been curious about this house every time I walked through downtown. From the outside it doesn’t look very large. Once you get inside and start touring, it’s astonishing how spacious it actually is. I learned that it was built in the 1760’s by William Paca, one of the signers of The Declaration of Independence. We paid for a guided tour and was very much worth it.
3. The United States Navel Academy
I didn’t think touring a college was a big deal. That is, until I found out the academy was founded in 1845 and is rich in history. I also didn’t know how difficult it was to attend the United States Navel Academy. Not only do you have to have a letter from your Congressman to even apply, but out of some 17,000 applicants, only around 1,200 are selected! In addition, you can visit the crypt of John Paul Jones in the basement of the chapel!
I used to take Grady to story time at an old bookstore right down the street from this house. It looks so interesting and I would like to tour it one day and learn about the people who walked the floors. From what I understand, the original builder in the 1700’s was part of the Maryland government. I’d have to tour it to learn more detail.
Where to Shop
These are just a few of the places I like to frequent when I make the trip downtown:
Being from Florida, I’m a Lilly lover by nature. This shop is a cute mix of Lilly, Kate Spade and Kiel James Patrick jewelry!
The one thing I like about this store is that there is a mix of expensive to inexpensive. It’s a preppy little shop with a nautical vibe and it includes clothing for men and women.
Historic Annapolis Museum and Store
This store is more of your go-to for housewares. It has everything you need for a crab boil and decorate your kitchen. They have a really cute baby section and a great selection of Maryland coffee table books. Walk upstairs and you’ll get to tour a free museum of Annapolis history.
This shop features stunning marine prints that are priced high to low. They have a great mix for all budgets. My house doesn’t really feature a coastal look, but I’d be willing to find a place for one of these. I love to just troll through the store when I’m downtown because they seem to get new prints all the time.
These wood maps are so intricately detailed and so worth the money. I had a map of the Florida Keys made for my dad as a Father’s Day gift. They can cut any land/body of water and make the map into wall art, a tray or a clock.
This shop is really neat and although I haven’t purchased anything from them, I might have to eventually. They take sails and repurpose them into bags and jackets!
Want to purchase a row home in downtown? It’ll only cost you a couple million dollars…
Where to Stay
Any time Scott has coworkers in town, he sets them up here. The hotel sits on a corner in downtown Annapolis and is walking distance from everything. Built in 1772, the hotel has been renovated but still has that historical charm. I’ve seen the inside and it’s beautiful. I’d stay there!
This hotel was just as it’s name applies – a house. It was the house of Charles Calvert, the Governor of Maryland from 1720 to 1727 (I think). History says that a fire destroyed most of it and it moved through several different owners until it became a historical landmark through the state. At that point it was renovated and expanded for hotel guests.
Pictured Below: The Dormitory of The Navel Academy
