The United States Naval Academy occupies a large campus on the waterfront southeast of downtown, and it is open to civilian visitors — a fact that surprises many people. The Beaux-Arts architecture alone is worth the walk in: the Chapel with its impressive dome, Bancroft Hall (said to be the largest dormitory in the world), and the expansive Tecumseh Court give the campus a grandeur that few American universities can match.
The Naval Academy Museum, just inside the main gate at King George Street, has an outstanding collection of model ships, naval artifacts, and memorabilia from the Academy's history. Allow at least an hour. The visitors' center runs a guided walking tour of the grounds that covers the highlights, including the crypt of John Paul Jones beneath the Chapel. During the academic year you may catch the noon formation — a full parade of midshipmen in the yard — which happens on most weekdays.