Annapolis is the capital of Maryland and one of the best-preserved colonial towns in the United States. The city served briefly as the nation's capital in 1783-84, and its compact historic district -- centred on the Maryland State House, the oldest state capitol still in continuous legislative use -- is a pleasure to walk through. Brick row houses, narrow streets, and church steeples give the downtown a scale and character that feels more European than American.
The United States Naval Academy dominates the waterfront and is open to visitors. The campus is worth seeing for its Beaux-Arts architecture alone, and the Naval Academy Museum has an excellent collection of model ships and naval artifacts. The city's relationship with the Academy shapes its character -- you will see midshipmen in uniform around town, and the annual Army-Navy football game is the biggest event on the social calendar.
Annapolis is also the self-proclaimed sailing capital of the United States, and the harbour is thick with boats. The Annapolis Boat Shows in October are among the largest in the country. Even if you are not a sailor, the waterfront is the place to eat -- crab cakes and oysters from the Chesapeake Bay are the local specialties, and several restaurants along Ego Alley (the narrow City Dock where boat owners parade their vessels) serve them well. The city makes an easy day trip from Washington, DC, about 30 miles west, but it deserves an overnight stay to appreciate the evening atmosphere along the harbour.