New Attractions and Services

Annapolis Bicycle Map—In May 2010 the City of Annapolis announced the release of a new bicycle map designed to help cyclists navigate Maryland’s capital city. It includes local attractions, scenic routes, Maryland bike laws, bike tours, and information on how to take a bike onto City buses, among other things. The map is available at the Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau’s 26 West Street offices, City Hall, Capital Bicycle on Chinquapin Round Road, and at the Bike Doctor on Jennifer Road. www.annapolis.gov

Annapolis Carriage—Miss Monique is the latest addition to Annapolis Carriage’s equine family. The ten-year-old registered Percheron mare made her Annapolis debut at the company’s bridal open house in April 2010. She then served as an equine guide in Annapolis’ Historic District throughout the summer. She fits right in with the rest of the company’s equine family, Elle, Princess, and Lexy. 410-349-1660  www.AnnapolisCarriage.com

Annapolis Urban Adventures—Established in August 2010, the company provides tours designed to show off Annapolis as seen through the eyes of its locals. Participants visit the sites and meet the people and business owners who make Annapolis unique. 410-602-7132  www.annapolisurbanadventures.com

Annapolis Wedding Chapel—In October 2010, ordained Universal Life Church minister Loveta Wilen opened the Annapolis Wedding Chapel on Old General’s Highway in Crownsville. The former restaurant manager turned minister opened the chapel as an alternative for couples who prefer a small wedding and don’t want to get married in the courthouse. The cottage-like chapel is believed to be the only private nondenominational chapel in Anne Arundel County. The surrounding property features a garden and a trellis for outdoor ceremonies, where even pets are welcome. 410-266-1440  www.annapolisweddingchapel.com

Captain Salem Avery Museum—On Sundays through November 2010, individuals visiting the Captain Salem Avery House can view the Shady Side Rural Heritage Society’s new exhibit, Chesapeake Crafters: Boat Models, Decoys, and Pictures recall Life on the River. The exhibit includes boat models of traditional boats seen on the West River and Chesapeake Bay. The newest addition to the Museum’s collection is a model log canoe. Also on exhibition are two model schooners, carved duck decoys, as well as prints, photos, and pictures of Chesapeake Bay boats and waterfowl. 410-867-4486  www.shadysidemuseum.org

Captain Salem Avery Museum—In June 2010, The Shady Side Rural Heritage Society opened a bio-retention project at the Museum. It features a newly installed rain garden and rain barrels. The goal of the project is to divert as much water as possible away from the Chesapeake Bay and into the garden where it is filtered, cooled off, and slowed down. 410-867-4486  www.shadysidemuseum.org

Craft-Brewed Beer Tour of Historic Annapolis—Enjoy a two-hour guided beer tasting of some of the region’s most delicious brews while visiting several of Annapolis’ most popular watering holes. Highlights include stories of the Fordham Brewing Company which originated in Annapolis, Baltimore’s National Bohemian, and Flying Dog from Frederick, one of the state’s largest breweries. The tour is slated to kick-off in late October 2010. 443-534-0043  www.annapolispubcrawl.com

Gallery Row—Five business owners have banded together to create Gallery Row on the first block of West Street in Annapolis. Whitehall Gallery, Annapolis Collection Gallery, and the Annapolis Collection Gallery II that is slated to open by the end of October 2010 have teamed up with Stan and Joe’s Saloon, 49 West Coffeehouse, and Tsunami. The outside façade of Stan and Joe’s features photographs taken by the late, legendary Marion Warren, and 49 West and Tsunami feature rotating art collections. 410-280-1414  www.AnnapolisCollection.com

Historic Annapolis Museum—History Quest at 99 Main Street in Annapolis has a new name and a new look. In October 2010, the building reopened as the Historic Annapolis Museum with a six-foot-by-six foot model of 18th-century Annapolis as its centerpiece. The newly remodeled museum features cutouts of famous visitors to Annapolis including Marquis de Lafayette, Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain, Michelle Obama, and Sarah Jessica Parker. Visitors to the museum can rent a $5 audio tour and follow the celebrities’ footsteps around the Historic District. The Museum is open 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from noon until 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. 410-267-6656  www.annapolis.org

Historic Pub Crawls of Annapolis—Since August 2010, the two-hour guided tours have provided participants the opportunity to relax with a cocktail while they learn about Annapolis’ colorful past at some of its oldest drinking establishments. 443-534-0043  www.annapolispubcrawl.com

In-Zone Fitness—Opened in August 2010, the Annapolis facility offers three main training courses. Each reflects the owners’ core commitment to making training interesting and fun, while maximizing personal performance. All three courses – including the group training sessions – focus on personal supervision to ensure that all members are treated as individuals with different strengths and goals. 443-254-8022  www.in-zonefitness.com

John Dillinger’s Getaway Car—BWI Marshall Airport has teamed up with the National Museum of Crime & Punishment to host one of America’s most notorious historical artifacts: the getaway car owned by mastermind bank robber John Dillinger. Dillinger was an infamous bank robber in the early years of the Great Depression. His criminal activities and the hunt for his arrest captivated the country and led to the formal creation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The 1933 Essex Terraplane is on display in Southwest Airlines’ Terminal A/B at BWI through early 2011. www.bwiairport.com

Visitors Center Parking Lot—On October 8, 2010, the City of Annapolis unveiled the reconstructed Gott’s Court garage surface parking lot behind the 26 West Street Visitors Center in Annapolis. Featuring 27 spaces and an elliptical “parking garden,” the one-of-a-kind environmentally sustainable project serves as the entry point for visitors to Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. It was designed to fit in with the character of the Historic District. The lot provides parking for cars, bikes, and scooters and includes solar power pay and display as well as landscaping and engineering to handle heavy rainfall. It was funded in part by the only green infrastructure grant that the State of Maryland awarded for a project in a historic district. The project’s sustainable elements include on-site storm water management, 10,000-square-feet of permeable brick pavers, six rain gardens, native plants, recycled glass, refurbished street lights, solar bollards, and recycled corrugated flexible rain pipes. 410-263-1183  www.annapolis.gov

Watermark—The tours, charters, and cruise company is participating in PVA WATERS, the Passenger Vessel Association’s voluntary green businesses practices program. The objective of WATERS is to encourage companies like Watermark to run greener businesses and reduce waste by taking small steps to lessen their impact upon the environment. 410-268-7601  www.watermarkjourney.com

 

What’s New in Accommodations

Sheraton Annapolis—Elizabeth Delens is the new General Manager of the 196-room Sheraton Annapolis Hotel. On board since the summer of 2010, Ms. Delens is managing a property that offers 9700 square feet of meeting and conference space. Ms. Delens has been with Crestline Hotels for nine years. She has 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. 410-266-3131  www.sheraton.com/annapolis

Westin Annapolis—Executive Chef James Barrett is raising honey bees on the rooftop of the hotel. He started this past summer in an effort to help combat the declining bee population. Farms pollinated by bees typically see a 50-percent increase in their yield. Barrett plans to use the honey in some dishes at the Westin’s Azure restaurant. 410-972-4300  www.azureannapolis.com

Westin Annapolis—Travelers have ranked the Westin Annapolis among the world’s best hotels on the 2010 Expedia Insiders’ Select list. The list formally recognizes individual hotels worldwide that consistently deliver excellent service, a great overall experience, and a notable value. The Insiders’ Select program ranks the top hotels from among the more than 123,000 properties offered on Expedia sites internationally. The 2010 Expedia Insiders’ Select list was compiled based on the more than one million hotel reviews collected by Expedia. 410-972-4300  www.westin.com/annapolis

 

What’s New in Dining

Annapolis Ice Cream Company—Individuals have until January 15, 2011 to guess the total number of Oreo packages that the shop will have hand crushed for use in its ice cream between July 1 and December 31, 2010. The empty packages are being piled up in the window of the 196 Main Street Annapolis store for all to see. Annapolis Ice cream uses the Oreos in seven different flavors of its homemade ice cream. 443-482-3895  www.annapolisicecream.com

Chick & Ruth’s Delly—The famous delly on Main Street in Annapolis has a new arrival: a half-pound, All Jumbo Lump Crab Cake that owner Ted Levitt says rivals any in Annapolis. On the menu since September 11, 2010, the crab cake is a popular item. In the two-week period from September 11 to September 25, sales of the new crab cake doubled the number of crab cakes the restaurant sold in the entire month of September 2009. 410-269-6737  www.chickandruths.com

Cadillac Ranch All-American Bar & Grill—Since June 2010, Cadillac Ranch at the Annapolis Towne Centre has been focusing on bringing authentic, All-American cuisine to its customers in a fun, dynamic environment. Patrons enjoy a warm, Rock ‘N’ Roll-inspired atmosphere, with plenty of room for dancing. The menu features a wide variety of offerings ranging from homemade meatloaf to pasta dishes. The food is freshly prepared using quality ingredients. 410-224-0263
www.cadillacranchannapolis.com

Crush Winehouse—The only true European wine bar in the Annapolis area that features both wine tasting and retail wine sales on site continues to evolve. In addition to offering tastings, small plates, and pairings, Crush has introduced a number of new events, including an Annapolis Wine and Cheese Emporium. The free event takes place at least one Saturday each month from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The emporium features artisanal cheeses from around the world, hand-crafted cured meats, exclusive olive oils and fine wines. 410.216.9444
www.CrushWinehouse.com

Dunkin’ Donuts—Visitors and ticketed passengers alike have been enjoying Dunkin’ Donuts’ freshly brewed coffee, specialty breakfast sandwiches, and baked goods since the company opened a landside store at BWI Marshall Airport in October 2010. The 300-square-foot store is part of the AIRMALL operated by OHM Concessions Group. For information: 412-642-7700  www.airmall.com

India Restaurant—After closing for renovations following a winter fire at its 257 West Street location in Annapolis, India Restaurant reopened in May 2010. Serving lunch and dinner, the restaurant provides traditional as well as new and innovative Indian dining. All of their food is freshly prepared and cooked to order. 410-263-7900  www.indiasofannapolis.com 

Main Ingredient Café and Catering—The Main Ingredient recently underwent renovations. New flooring, paint colors, tabletops, décor, restrooms, and new paintings of Annapolis scenes by local artist Laura Reed Howell have given the place a whole new look. 410-626-0388  www.themainingredient.com

Menchie’s—The 1,650-square-foot self-serve frozen yogurt shop opened at the Annapolis Towne Centre in April 2010 next to Arhaus and Target. The shop allows customers to build their favorite frozen yogurt combinations and pay for their creations by weight, not topping. Menchie’s offers more than 40 toppings, from hot fudge to fresh fruit as well as a rotating assortment of traditional and unique frozen yogurt flavors. 410-224-7599  www.menchies.com

Paladar Latin Kitchen and Rum Bar—Opened at the Annapolis Towne Centre in September 2010, Paladar is a Nuevo Latino restaurant and rum bar, inspired by the flavors, music, and culture of Central and South America, Cuba, and the Latin Caribbean. It offers slow-cooked meats, poultry, fresh seafood, house-made salsas and guacamole, and other Latin dishes – all made from fresh, regional ingredients. The bar features a wide selection of rare rums as well as flavored Mojitos and Margaritas. 410-897-1022  www.paladarlatinkitchen.com

Wild Orchid Café—A favorite Annapolis dining establishment relocated from Eastport to the Downtown Annapolis Arts District at Westgate Circle in June 2010. The new restaurant offers large comfortable dining areas, a “top chef” kitchen, two large group dining areas, a full-service bar offering happy hour and daily specials, and free parking in a covered garage. The menu is fresh, hearty, and local. It features regional favorites, steaks, game, and fresh seafood. 410-268-8009  www.thewildorchidcafe.com

Yellowfin Steak & Fish House—The restaurant made its debut into solar energy when Seven Seas Energy LLC installed 36 solar panels on its rooftop in August 2010. The panels will provide more than 10,000 kilowatts of electricity annually. That is equal to the energy consumed by a typical Maryland home. The panel installation is part of a larger program involving sustainable energy initiatives throughout the restaurant. 410-573-1333  www.yellowfinrestaurant.com

 

What’s New in Retail

Crugear—Opened on Bay Ridge Avenue in the summer of 2010, Annapolis Performance Sailing’s (APS) second location in Maryland’s capital city is also Annapolis’ only walk-in retail storefront that provides customized team apparel for sailors as well as custom casual wear and promotional items for the corporate world. Annapolis Performance Sailing was founded in Annapolis in 1991. Today, APS is recognized around the world as a leader in outfitting performance sailors. www.apsltd.com

hhgregg—The hunt for electronics and appliances became even more convenient for mall shoppers when hhgregg opened its newest location at Arundel Marketplace, the shopping center located across the street from Arundel Mills Mall. hhgregg is a leading specialty retailer of premium video products, brand name appliances, audio products and accessories. Two additional hhgregg stores are located at 150 Jennifer Road in Annapolis and at 6711 Ritchie Highway in Glen Burnie. www.hhgregg.com

Homestead Gardens—The largest enclosed garden center in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Homestead Gardens in Davidsonville opened its second retail location in Severna Park in March 2010. The new location is about one-third the size of Homestead’s Davidsonville property. It has a 15,000-square-foot sales floor and a 23,000-square-foot outdoor area for nursery items. 410-384-7966  www.homesteadgardens.com

Lilac Bijoux—In September 2010, the fashion jewelry and casual, chick handbag shop began offering its patrons an additional way to look great – with fun, trendy, accessory clothing. Their selection includes casual, easy wear tops, sweaters, and dresses. While the shop’s main focus continues to be on fashion jewelry and handbags featuring the work of designers from across the United States and abroad, customers can now also find the perfect garment to compliment their accessory. 410-263-3309  www.lilacbijoux.com

Restoration Hardware—The new retail home furnishings store held its grand opening at the Annapolis Towne Centre in June 2010. The store features artisan furniture, lighting, bedding and bath textiles, bath hardware and home accessories in an integrated gallery setting. 410-266-7901  www.restorationhardware.com

ShopRite of Glen Burnie—ShopRite opened its Glen Burnie store with a ribbon-cutting on October 12, 2010. The 85,000-square-foot store is located in the former K-Mart in the Chesapeake Square Shopping Center. In addition to offering a broad array of groceries and fresh produce, the first ShopRite in Anne Arundel County has a fresh bake shop, a full-service butcher, fresh seafood, a full-service floral department, a wide variety of gourmet cheeses, and a broad selection of natural and organic products. A full-service catering and prepared foods department is also on site, as well as a fresh-made sushi bar and Chinese buffet.

A unique feature of the store is the Wi-Fi lounge attached to the café. Here, shoppers can take a break in overstuffed chairs and sofas in front of a cozy fireplace. The store also has a designated “Meeting Place” room, which it uses to host wedding and baby showers, birthday parties, corporate meetings, and other events. For information: 973-337-6395  www.ShopRite.com

Simply Silver—Open since 2009, the shop at 47 Maryland Avenue in Annapolis carries 95% pure silver jewelry that is crafted by Peruvian Artisans in modern and traditional styles. 410-990-1992

U.S.N.A. Museum Store—The U.S. Naval Academy Museum has opened a Museum Store in the lower level of Preble Hall in April 2010. The store sells merchandise including books, artwork, ship models, gifts, and souvenirs that relate to U.S. Naval history. It provides tax-free shipping and offers discounts for active and retired military and members of the U.S.N.A. Alumni Association and Naval Academy Athletic Association. Proceeds from the sales benefit the Brigade of Midshipmen. The Museum Store and the U.S. Naval Academy Museum are open seven days a week: Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. 410-293-7447  www.usna.edu/museum

Woodcraft Artisans—On April 30, 2010, the teak furniture business celebrated the opening of its first United States’ store at 155 Main Street in Annapolis. Owners Merja and Peter Washburn have been in the teak business for ten years. They specialize in outdoor teak furniture as well as centuries-old designs of indoor teak furnishings. All of the furniture is crafted in Java, Indonesia, an area that is home to the world’s largest teak plantations. Because the Washburns are around-the-world sailors, they decided to open their first stateside store in Annapolis. In addition to teak furniture, the store also features decorative art, home décor, gifts, and the largest selection of silk items in Annapolis. 410- 280-0008  www.woodcraftartisansonline.com

 

New Events

Annapolis Food and Wine Festival— This first time festival combines three of Annapolis' prime attractions: fine dining, premium wines and the charm of Annapolis’ colonial maritime heritage. On Saturday, November 6, from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., participants will have the opportunity to stroll to a host of participating restaurants to enjoy samples of gourmet cuisine paired with an array of award-winning wines from Maryland and international wineries. Nineteen restaurants (and the list is still growing) from Hell Point Restaurant at City Dock to the Wild Orchid Café at Westgate Circle will present their own unique culinary creations. Food and wine connoisseurs can meet with chefs, sommeliers, and wine makers while celebrating the best of Annapolis.

Participating restaurants include: Breeze at the Loews Hotel, Castlebay Irish Pub, Crush Winehouse, Hell Point Seafood, McGarvey’s Saloon & Oyster Bar, O’Brien’s Oyster Bar and Restaurant, Middleton Tavern, Pusser’s Caribbean Grille, Fado Irish Pub and Restaurant, Mangia Italian Grill and Sports Café, Maria’s, Federal House Bar and Grill, Latin Quarter, La Piccola Roma, Luna Blu, The Wild Orchid, Treaty of Paris at the Maryland Inn, Café Normandie, and Annapolis Ice Cream Company. While attendees may choose to walk from restaurant to restaurant, eCruiser electric shuttles will provide complimentary transportation to participating restaurants.

Admission is $35. 410-263-4012. Tickets can be purchased online at www.annapolisfoodandwinefestival.com

Chesapeake Bayhawks—Since 2009, the Chesapeake Bayhawks have been bringing the excitement of Major League Lacrosse to the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. 866-994-2957  www.thebayhawks.com

 

What’s New at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

August 2010 Passenger Count an all-time High—One month after setting an all-time monthly record for passenger traffic, BWI Marshall Airport reported that 2,108,125 passengers traveled through its doors in August 2010. The figure was an all-time August record for passenger traffic at BWI Marshall. It represented a 5.2 percent increase over August 2009. Passenger traffic has grown at BWI Marshall for 14 of the past 15 months. The only exception was February 2010, when record winter storms seriously impacted airline flight schedules across the nation. www.bwiairport.com

BWI among the Most Affordable—A government tally of average airfares at the nation’s largest airports released in August 2010 shows that Dulles International Airport is one of the most expensive for passengers, while BWI Marshall Airport ranks among the most affordable. Only six of the 100 busiest airports had steeper average fares than Dulles, where the average fare was $413. BWI ranked the 16th cheapest, with an average fare of $277. www.bwiairport.com

Business is Up—BWI was one of only two major airports in the country that experienced growth in 2009. Nearly 21-million passengers flew out of the airport in 2009, an increase of 2.3-percent over 2008. The only other large airport that saw an uptick in passengers was San Francisco International, which experienced a 0.5-percent increase. According to the Airports Council International – North America, air travel was down 8-percent in 2009. www.bwiairport.com

New Baggage Screening System—BWI Marshall Airport has a new baggage screening system. The $39 million system includes explosive detection technology that works like an MRI. It also features a curbside check-in belt. The new system includes a 14,000-square-foot addition to the terminal. It was built to help accommodate the growth at AirTran Airways, the second-largest and fastest growing airline at BWI. www.bwiairport.com

 

Significant Anniversaries

 

Arundel Mills Mall—To celebrate its tenth anniversary, Arundel Mills is offering ways to win big. Between November 10-20, Individuals are invited to enter for a chance to win a new 2010 Toyota Corolla-S courtesy of the Baltimore/Washington Area Toyota Dealers. All interested parties are also invited to enter for a chance to win a $10,000 two caret H-J, 12 Certified Round Modern Brilliant Cut Diamond courtesy of Ultra Diamond Outlet. Individuals can enter to win at Arundel Mills Mall or online at www.facebook.com/Arundel Mills through November 10, 2010. The names of ten finalists will be drawn and Arundel Mills’ fans and shoppers will be invited to vote for the winner on Facebook from November 12-20.

Other Tenth Anniversary events include a jump start on holiday shopping with ten days of special savings and discounts from Arundel Mills retailers November 10-20, a Customer Appreciation Breakfast, and a Kidgits "Happy Birthday Arundel Mills" party. The Anniversary Celebration finale takes place on Saturday, November 20, at 7:00 p.m. in the Food Court area. At this time, Arundel Mills will debut its new Holiday Indoor Snow and Light Show and announce the winners of the Toyota Corolla and the $10,000 diamond! The event will feature special free gifts and fun for the entire family. 410-540-5100 www.arundelmills.com

BWI Marshall Airport celebrated its 60th anniversary on June 24, 2010. Since President Harry S. Truman dedicated it as Friendship International Airport in 1950, the airport has been a leader in commercial aviation and customer service for the State of Maryland and the National Capital region. The original cost of Friendship International was about $15-million. The State of Maryland purchased it from the City of Baltimore in 1972 for $36-million. In 1973, the airport’s name was changed to Baltimore/Washington International, a title that better reflected its importance as a major airport for the entire region. www.bwiairport.com

Loews Annapolis Hotel—The 126 West Street hotel celebrated its 20th anniversary with a block-style party in September that highlighted Loews’ branded initiatives including: its Adopt-a-Farmer program that supports partnerships with area farmers, fishermen, and independent suppliers; its Green policy under which guests can take advantage of complimentary eCruiser electric shuttle transportation in downtown Annapolis and Eastport; and the Good Neighbor policy the hotel launched in celebration of its 20th anniversary. To promote healthy eating habits and raise funds to support projects in local schools, the hotel has launched its Build a Better Lunchbox program. On December 11, 2010, Loews Annapolis will host a fundraising event that teaches children and parents how to build a healthier lunch together. The event will help to support community schools through DonorsChoose.org, Loews’ newest charity partner, a web-based not-for-profit that supports local school projects.

The Loews Annapolis Celebrating 20 Years package is available through December 31, 2010. It features deluxe accommodations, breakfast for two, and parking. It also includes a book, Annapolis: Sailing Capital of Maryland, as well as an I’m Crabby amenity that gives guests a taste of the Chesapeake to take home. 410-263-7777  www.loewsannapolis.com

South River Boat Rentals—The Edgewater company that offers powerboat and sailboat rentals by the half day, full day, overnight, and weekly for bareboat charters or with a captain is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2010. 410-956-9729  www.southriverboatrentals.com

 

New Accolades

Annapolis Makes the Top 40 list for Dog-Friendly Destinations—The September 2010 issue of Dog Fancy Magazine ranked Annapolis among the 40 dog-friendliest destinations in the country in its 6th annual DogTownUSA contest.

Annapolis Named a Playful City—For the second year in a row, Annapolis has been named a Playful City USA Community. The honor recognizes the city for the innovative approaches it has taken to make play a priority for the health and wellbeing of its children. Annapolis is one of 118 cities and towns across the country that earned the recognition for 2010. The nonprofit organization, Kaboom! awards communities that create and implement programs that positively impact childhood wellness, public safety, and quality of life. 410-263-1183  www.annapolis.gov

Annapolis Named a Walkable Town—The October 2010 issue of Where to Retire Magazine names Annapolis one of Eight Terrific Walkable Towns. The article describes a walkable town as “one that has the right scale and mixture of useable retail and residential and the right heart.” Besides creating a sense of nostalgia and fun, walkable cities combat obesity, build a sense of community, fight depression caused by isolation, and are good for the environment. 410-280-0445  www.VisitAnnapolis.org

Annapolis Named one of America’s Prettiest Towns—In April 2010, ForbesTraveler.com named Annapolis One of America’s Prettiest Towns for the third year in a row. In the same article, coauthor of 101 Best Outdoor Towns, Greg Melville, wrote, “It is perhaps the East’s most romantic town.” www.forbestraveler.com

Quiet Waters’ Pet Park Makes the Top Ten—Petside.com has named Quiet Waters’ Pet Park one of the Top Ten Dog-Friendly Beaches. The park reserves a fenced-off area as a special beach for dogs. The beach also sponsors the annual Howl-O-Ween Barkin’ Bash costume parade for dogs and their owners. 410-222-1777  www.aacounty.org/RecParks/parks/quietwaters/