Landmarks & Neighborhoods

Annapolis is city with no shortage of eye-catching landmarks and unique neighborhoods to discover.

When driving in from the West, toward downtown Annapolis, you’ll see:

• Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, a 60-plus-year-old open-air stadium that hosts Navy football and lacrosse games, Major League Lacrosse Chesapeake Bayhawks games, and myriad local, regional, national, and international events, on the right.
• St. John’s College, the third oldest college in the United States and the oldest in Maryland (it was founded in 1696), on the left.
• The Maryland State House, which served as the nation’s capital from 1783 to 1784 and is the oldest state capital in continuous legislative use, and the infamous pineapple atop its dome, straight ahead. 
   

Once downtown, whether in the car or on foot, you’ll keep from getting lost by taking stock of:

• St. Anne’s Church, in the middle of Church Circle at the top of Main Street.
• The Annapolis Market House, at the bottom of Main Street, and the Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial, at City Dock (where the water starts).
• St. Mary’s Church, located due South of downtown and close to the Spa Creek Drawbridge, which leads to Eastport. 
• The Naval Academy Chapel, located due North of downtown and right in the middle of the 338-acre U.S. Naval Academy.
   

After getting your bearings, you’ll be ready to explore neighborhoods including:

• The Historic District, full of a diverse mix of hundreds-year-old brick mansions, such as the William Paca House & Garden and the Hammond-Harwood House, and renovated yet historically-maintained townhomes and row houses.
• Eastport, a laid-back and very nautically-inspired neighborhood of businesses, restaurants, and homes.
• The Annapolis Arts District, where you’ll find diverse restaurants, galleries, and artist studios.