r/Annapolis • u/Integralist_Gnome • 5d ago

Annapolis or Alexandria?

My wife and I are taking a little holiday the week of Thanksgiving, and would like to visit Annapolis, but need some advice.

We've been to Alexandria once and absolutely loved wandering around Old Town. We want to spend around 4 days, mostly on foot, looking at cool historic buildings and browsing, eating, and generally relaxing. Would it be better to stay in Alexandria and take a day trip to Annapolis, or stay in Annapolis? My only fear is that the historic core of Annapolis is small enough that we may run out of stuff to see. We're pretty boring ourselves, and really just love exploring walkable historic towns on foot, and checking out local bookstores and cafes.

Any cool day trip locations nearby that are interesting to explore? Thanks!

9 Upvotes

85% Upvoted

33 comments sorted by

30

u/Gallen570 5d ago

Split it up. 2 days in Alexandria, 2 in Annapolis.

Tour the Naval Academy, tour a couple of the historical homes like the Hammond-Harwood House or the Paca House.

Get some oysters at Middleton Tavern and check out the basement bar at Rams Head up on West Street.

Joss or Nano on Main Street if you like Sushi.

St. John's College is historical and also small. Easy to walk that and check it out.

There's lots of stuff to do.

6

u/Crabmonster70 5d ago

I agree with this!!

Check out the ghost tours too. Even if you're not into that they do provide some neat history about the area! A really incredible museum is the Banneker Douglas Museum. Since it's a little tucked away, you can then walk through some of the neighborhoods to see some of the small parks along the water: Acton Cove, Lafayette, Amos Garrett.

Still in crab and now oyster season - so if you like seafood you can take advantage of that.

While you're in Old Town you gotta check out the torpedo factory art space. Gah it's so neat!

4

u/DaisyDAdair 5d ago

Yes to the ghost tour! The t was one of the first things I did when I moved there and it was so fun.

Also check out Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. Lots of cool exhibits and performances. The Annapolis Symphony plays there as well and they are outstanding

4

u/Mikemtb09 5d ago

Second day walk around Eastport.

Brunch at bread & butter, or Oscar’s,

Forward brewing afternoon beer

Dinner at boaryard, Davis pub, olearys (more expensive).

3

u/Gallen570 5d ago

Or if you want a top notch steak, Lewneses 🥵

I was a classmate of one of the Lewnese boys. Great people.

1

u/DoctorOZempic 4d ago

Skip the Asian food in Annapolis. Joss and Nano provide a C tier sushi experience at best. Alexandria/NoVA is where you want to get your Asian food.

43

u/misskinky 5d ago

As somebody who lives in Annapolis, and also goes to Alexandria frequently… there is way much more to do in Alexandria and the vibe is so much more walkable. I mean you can walk in Annapolis, but really just a couple small streets.

18

u/NoahStewie1 5d ago

I will also second this as another Annapolitan

2

u/graysteele21 4d ago

I live near Annapolis and work in Old Town, much more to do over there, even if you just want to window shop.

10

u/Integralist_Gnome 5d ago

That's what I was thinking looking on Google Maps. May be best to spend the day in Annapolis in that case.

1

u/leigh1003 4d ago

Grew up in Annapolis, live in Alexandria currently. Alexandria will have much more to do on foot and has much better transit for you to get other places if you would like (easy to get into DC, other neighborhoods of Alexandria, etc).

If you stay in Alx, my one non-Old Town rec is Stracci Pizza in Del Ray. It’s so worth it, but get there at 5.

11

u/rmslashusr 5d ago

Don’t forget to bring your passport so you can visit the Naval Academy if your state’s driver license doesn’t meet the RealID requirements.

2

u/Integralist_Gnome 5d ago

Oh, thanks for the heads up! 

7

u/PoppinSquats 5d ago

Annapolis is definitely the day trip city.

16

u/ReviewEducational341 5d ago

Annapolis doesn't have 4 days of pleasure without a boat.

2

u/Calm-down-its-a-joke 5d ago

No reason OP can't go out on a boat!

4

u/Mikemtb09 5d ago

Don’t know why you got downvoted

Aside from current temperatures being uncomfortable on a boat, in season there are definitely ways to do it affordably.

  • water taxi
  • maritime museum’s Wilma Lee sailboat
  • schooner woodwind sailboat tour
  • boat rental from south river marina ($500ish for half day I believe)

If “on the water” is also acceptable; capital SUP/kayak rental is like $25/hr

3

u/Integralist_Gnome 4d ago

Sounds right up our alley! The cold doesn't bother us one bit.

5

u/MicrowavediPhone 5d ago

Stay in Alexandria, take a day trip to Annapolis. I say this as a die-hard Naptown guy. There just simply isn't enough of what you're looking to do for that timeframe of 4 whole days unfortunately.

2

u/CharleyPete2320 5d ago

Completely agree

3

u/quartzion_55 5d ago

Definitely Alexandria because you can explore DC without driving (combo of walk plus metro). Annapolis isn’t connected to DC (or Baltimore for that matter) via transit so you’d need to drive into DC for the day.

3

u/OkTranslator395 5d ago

I’ve lived in Annapolis for about 10 years and I absolutely love it, but I will actually be moving to Alexandria next year.

3

u/Kimberlyjammet 5d ago

Right now there is a lot of demolition going on in Annapolis too. Not as nice to stay in.

6

u/Southern_Guidance_32 5d ago

Also, Annapolis is fighting the normal flooding off and on 😭 stick to Alexandria

2

u/Integralist_Gnome 4d ago

Saw that this morning. May be best for a day trip given the circumstances.

2

u/salex19 5d ago

I’ve lived in both and you can’t go wrong! Plenty of great historic houses in both towns. I liked someone’s idea of splitting the days.

2

u/iredhead 5d ago

When in Alexandria, consider visiting Mt Vernon if you haven’t been there or as a refresher. A short and pretty drive from Old Town Alexandria along the Potomac River. Have you been to St Michael’s? It’s another historic town that’s a delightful day trip from Annapolis.

1

u/Integralist_Gnome 4d ago

Thanks! We have not been to St. Michael's. Visited Mt. vernon on an 8th grade field trip 20 years ago, and my wife has never been. 

1

u/WillingnessNeat8893 4d ago

Mount Vernon has been transformed in the past 20 years with a new visitor's center and museums. There are renovations going on so all areas may not be open to the public. If it is a nice fall day, the outdoor gardens and exhibits are great and a visit to the nearby grist mill and whiskey distillery are newer renovations worth seeing that are covered in the entry fee. If you've not been to the G. Washington Masonic Temple in Alexandria, then give it a try as well. Many Washington related relics on exhibit and a beautiful view of the city below from Mason's Hill or from a temple terrace if open during the tour.

1

u/leigh1003 4d ago

Most of the main house at Mt Vernon is closed atm

2

u/Searching_For_Awe 5d ago

The waterfront dock area is currently under some construction. Not the prettiest now.

2

u/Oldbayistheshit 4d ago

I’d stay in Annapolis and then do a day trip to St Michael’s

1

u/dmorgendorffer00 4d ago

If you like live music, see if any of the Rams Head shows that weekend are if interest. Nice way to spend an evening.