Annapolis, MD

Founded in 1649 and once the capital of the United States, Annapolis has been a city for 350 years. Now the state capital of Maryland, it is a beautiful historical seaport situated along the Chesapeake Bay. It boasts more existing buildings from the eighteenth century than any other place in the United States. This city is known for The Annapolis Naval Academy as well for its sailing, crab cakes, and beautiful shoreline. Annapolis is an easy day trip from Washington, DC.

Located in Anne Arundel County, approximately 32 miles from Washington and 26 miles from Baltimore's Inner Harbor, Annapolis is a fun place to explore, with lots of great museums, shopping, and restaurants. It offers a combination of history and a zest for fine living.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Approximately 71 percent of Annapolis workers are employed by companies, 20 percent by the government and 6 percent are self-employed. The city has an unemployment rate of 3.4 percent, which is lower than the national average. The leading industries in are educational, health and social services, management, administrative, waste management services, arts, entertainment, recreation, and food services.

Major Annapolis employers are the State of Maryland, United States Naval Academy, ARINC Incorporated, L-3 Communications, and TeleCommunication Systems.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Annapolis has various notable neighborhoods in and around the city:

• Arnold is a neighborhood between the Magothy River and Severn River.
• Crofton, a planned community, was part of list of "100 Best Places to Live" in the United States prepared by Money magazine.
• The Cape St. Claire area is known for marinas and multiple parks.
• Mayo (also known as Edgewater) is a famous weekend destination for the city residents.
• Other neighborhoods of the city are Admiral Heights, Bay Ridge, Blackwalnut Creek, Downtown, Fishing Creek Farms Water Front, Harness Creek, Homewood Historic, St. Margaret's, and West Annapolis.

BEST BETS

• The City Dock is at the heart of the Historic District, where many of the city's original 18th-century buildings are preserved. Here you'll find the Market House as well as work boats, tour boats, pleasure craft, and visiting ships. Numerous shops and restaurants line the waterfront. Sightseeing cruises and water taxis leave from the dock regularly.
• The Hammond-Harwood House is a Georgian-style home with unusual architecture, including semi-octagonal wings and carved moldings. It features exhibits of furniture and decorative arts from the past three centuries, and its fine arts collection is one of Maryland's best.
• The Maryland State House, which once hosted George Washington and the Continental Congress, now serves as the State Capitol and has a number of statues, memorials, and plaques to commemorate the extensive historical significance of the building. Plans are underway to improve the State House's visitor's center and to open the Old Treasury Building for self guided tours and exhibits.
• The Annapolis Naval Academy was founded in 1845. It houses a visitor's center and the Naval Academy Museum, featuring exhibits devoted to naval history.
• Inner West Street, also known as the Uptown District, offers coffee shops, restaurants and bars, theaters, galleries, and upscale accommodations. On the first Sunday of each month, West Street hosts the First Sunday Arts Festival. The festival provides a stage for both visual and performing arts. You'll find live music and vendors selling handmade goods.
• Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre: This theater gives area residents an opportunity to perform alongside seasoned actors.
• Annapolis Symphony Orchestra: The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra is recognized as the largest and most distinguished performing arts organization in Maryland's capital city.
• Colonial Players Theatre: Colonial Players offers dramatic productions in the heart of downtown Annapolis.

EVENTS

• Historic Annapolis Antiques Show: Located at the Medford National Guard Armor, the show features fine arts, antiques, and collectibles.
• Anne Arundel County Fair: This fair takes place at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds and features agricultural exhibits, farm and garden displays, home crafts, art, and food booths, as well as other events including bluegrass music, crafts shows, demolition derbies, and tractor pulls.
• Annapolis Maritime Heritage Festival: An annual weekend celebration held at the City Dock in May, featuring food, music, sailboats, and arts and crafts.
• Annapolis Maritime Museum Winter Maritime Seminar Series: Featuring a number of lectures covering unique aspects of Maryland's history. Held in February and March at the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts.
• Annapolis Rotary Crab Fest: A yearly festival offering local steamed crab to an estimated crowd of nearly 3,000 people. Held in August at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

EDUCATION

There are a number of colleges in Annapolis, including:

• St John's College: Chartered in 1784, this historic university offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in integrated arts and sciences.
• Sojourner-Douglass College: An independent, primarily African-American four year university offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in administration and social sciences.
• University of Maryland University College: One of 11 campuses in the University of Maryland system, this four year university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in Business, Communication, Law, Technology, and Psychology.
• Anne Arundel Community College: Offers continuing education, certificates, and associate's degrees.
• Johns Hopkins University- Peabody Preparatory Campus: Offers professional training in music and dance to over 2,000 students of all ages.

LOCAL MEDIA

Newspapers in Annapolis include:

• The Annapolis Capital: A daily newspaper with a circulation of around 43,000 copies.
• Prince George's Post: A weekly paper with a circulation of around 15,000 copies.

Local magazines include:

• Whats Up? Annapolis: Covers local events and attractions in Anne Arundel County.
• Annapolis Magazine: Features local news stories, business spotlights, and entertainment.
• SpinSheet Magazine: A free monthly magazine covering local sailing.

Radio stations include:

• WFSI 107.9 FM (Religious)
• WLZL 99.1 FM (Spanish)
• WNAV 1430 AM (Adult contemporary/ talk radio)
• WYRE 810 AM (Spanish)
• WBIS 1190 AM (Business news)

Television stations include:

• WMPT 22 (PBS)