Big News, Big Investment at the Airport

from 2023 Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Visitors Guide

NAVIGATING YOUR

Big changes are afoot at Baltimore/ Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). A $332.5 million investment is under way that will improve the passenger experience and is the most significant terminal upgrade in the airport’s history.

The project includes enhancements to Southwest Airline’s hub operations, including an improved baggage system, a direct connection of Concourses A and B, as well as upgraded concessions and shopping areas. Southwest Airlines is the largest carrier at BWI with more than 100 daily flights to destinations across the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

As a lifelong resident of Anne Arundel County, working in local government these past few years has opened my eyes to so much. For example, did you know Annapolis is not the only incorporated municipality in the county? The Town of Highland Beach was incorporated in 1922, becoming Maryland’s first African American municipality. I encourage all visitors to stop by the Frederick Douglass Museum and Cultural Center to learn more about the history of Highland Beach.

VINCENT MOULDEN, Director, Community Engagement & Constituent Services

Anne Arundel County Executive’s Office Tours are by appointment only. Visit www.fdmc.org for information.

Opening Summer 2023, a new and improved Noah Hillman Garage will improve the visitor experience in downtown Annapolis. Located at 150 Gorman Street, the parking facility will include 165 more spaces than the prior garage, and will feature improved lighting, conveniences, and other parking enhancements for visitors to enjoy.

Convenience for the traveler is the BWI team’s top priority. With more than 21 domestic and international airlines, including popular travel routes for Southwest Airlines patrons, BWI is the perfect airport to access low fares and connect you to any part of the country. BWI has a convenient Cell Phone lot so if someone is meeting you upon arrival, there’s no need to arrange a perfectly timed, high stress pick up at the terminal.

BWI accommodates the needs of passengers with special considerations for families with small children, hosting play areas for getting out that pre-boarding energy; nursing mothers, housing Mamava units throughout the concourse for clean and private feeding or pumping; and passengers flying with pets have access to animal relief areas. Other comforts include a meditation space for those who need a respite from the stimulation of a busy airport, and sites to see like the Observation Deck and rotating art shows by the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County.

LIFE IS A HIGHWAY—TRAVELING BY CAR

If you’re road-tripping, the Anne Arundel County region’s convenient location along both I-95 and Route 50 makes it a perfect stop to include in your travel plans. Annapolis is an easy drive from Baltimore and Washington, D.C. but continue east on Route 50 and you’ll find beautiful countryside on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. But not before you cross one of the country’s most epic bridges. The William Preston Memorial Bridge, most commonly known as the Bay Bridge, is a 5-mile span crossing the Chesapeake Bay with unrivaled views of both Annapolis and Kent Island shorelines. In addition to fun dockside restaurants along the Kent Narrows, highlights of the Eastern Shore include historic Easton, Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center in Church Creek, and beach towns along the Atlantic Ocean. If you’re heading north to Philadelphia, Route 301 is an easy drive with lots of scenery.

Visitor Information Kiosk at City Dock

Photo by Annapolis Aperture

N Avigating Downtown

The City of Annapolis has unique characteristics that define it as a must-see destination. You can walk through the streets and experience living history while viewing the colonial architecture, gardens, and landmarks. Orienting yourself around these landmarks will help you easily navigate the city while enjoying its views. The city is flanked by the majestic Maryland State House, where the Founders signed the Declaration of Independence; St. John’s College, the third oldest college in the nation; the revered United States Naval Academy and its glorious Chapel Dome; and the picturesque waterfront on the Severn River. The main arteries of Annapolis—West Street, Main Street, and Rowe Boulevard— all converge upon three main traffic circles: State Circle, surrounding the State House; Church Circle, with landmark St. Anne’s Church in the center; and Westgate Circle, the furthest circle from the harbor, yet only a little over a mile’s walk. The city is quite enjoyable and manageable to explore on foot.

While the Noah Hillman Parking Garage is under construction, Annapolis has bolstered its alternative travel options and made it easier to park and shuttle around town. The ADA-accessible Free Downtown Shuttle (also called the Circulator) runs continuously from Park Place to City Dock, with seven convenient stops along the route. Park Place and Knighton garages are among these stops, with several other garages and lots within walking distance, including the Calvert Street Garage that is free on weekends. AccessAnnapolis.com allows you to track the shuttle’s location at any time. The site also has links for the Annapolis ride-share app Annapolis Go, as well as the BIRD app for renting bikes and scooters you’ll find throughout the city.

The Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Visitors Center is located next to Gotts Court garage and the adjacent Circle parking lot, where you can talk to destination experts about booking a walking or trolley tour, water taxi, or cruise around Annapolis Harbor.

If you’re in town for a special event like the Annapolis Boat Shows or holiday shopping, check out VisitAnnapolis.org or scan the QR code for recommended travel methods and special promotional parking.

Participating garages partner with local businesses to validate parking, and sometimes additional temporary lots or additional shuttles are implemented to accommodate big events. If you’re trying to avoid stadium traffic on game days, avoid Rowe Boulevard and Taylor Avenue and try alternative routes for accessing downtown like outer West Street or Spa Road leading into Westgate Circle.

Learn More! GETTING HERE & GETTING AROUND

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR ALL—ADA TRAVEL

We are dedicated to serving visitors of all abilities and can recommend wonderful experiences with ADA considerations for you and your loved ones to ensure a spectacular stay. Guests seeking to rent mobility equipment can make an appointment with Freedom Mobility Solutions, a short trip from the airport, offering motorized vehicle, wheelchair, and other adaptive solutions. BWI airport offers topof-the-line all accommodations for patrons with needing special assistance and their service animals. Visit www.bwiairport.com/flying-with-us/accessibility to plan your travel. Prior arrangements can also be made with the City of Annapolis for ADA Paratransit Service by visiting www.annapolis.gov/193/ADA-Paratransit-Service

For downtown fun, the Free Shuttle is wheelchair accessible and can help you scope out stops along the way of its West Street to City Dock route, and many West Street events occur in close proximity to a number of parking garages for minimal transport. Guests can enjoy prized experiences like a Navy football game, a cruise around the Bay, holiday fun, live entertainment, and more, with ADA-accessible vessels and venues throughout the city. Natural open spaces like Quiet Waters, Fort Smallwood, Kinder Farm Park, and Downs Park offer paved trails for picnicking, fishing, birding, and exploring.

Local organization CRAB (Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating), which recently celebrated its 30th year, will be debuting a dedicated Adaptive Boating Center, the only facility of its kind in the country. Featuring a 16-slip floating dock that exceeds ADA standards outfitted with hoyer lifts, as well as classroom space amidst a beautiful waterfront property, CRAB brings the thrill and therapeutic benefits of sailing to people with disabilities, recovering warriors, and youth from underserved communities.

GROUP TOURS—THE MORE THE MERRIER!

Motorcoaches and group tour leaders can contact the Group Sales Team at 410-280-0445 to learn about the attractions perfectly suited for pickup, drop-off, and hospitality of large groups. The BWI/Arundel Mills district is built with big entertainment in mind with large venues for dining, meeting space, live shows, gambling, and shopping. Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland, Medieval Times, and the Guinness Brewery are just some of the places you can enjoy with a group.

The historic City of Annapolis is a great walkable destination for tour groups that want it all. From colonial history and garden tours to numerous ways to get on the water, Watermark Journeys has your group covered. Watermark offers charters with private yachts for groups celebrating social, business, and wedding events. From Westgate Circle to City Dock, you can find just about any dish you’re in the mood for (The region is known for seafood!) and some restaurants have separate event rooms that can accommodate larger numbers. Within a 5-minute drive, Parole has many great restaurants and shopping options at the Annapolis Town Center, Westfield Annapolis mall, and Annapolis Harbour Center.

Join Us By Water

With Annapolis’ prime location in the Chesapeake Bay, coordinates 38° 58’ 05” N, 76° 27’ 38” W, it makes perfect sense to arrive by boat. With rivers and creeks to explore and tons of marinas, it’s no wonder Annapolis is the sailing capital of the country. Whether you are propelled by wind or power, you can dock in the midst of the excitement of downtown or the tranquility of the Anne Arundel countryside.

For a slip at City Dock, contact the Harbormaster on VHF 17 or by phone at 410-263-7973 with the length of your vessel, official number if state registration isn’t shown, captain’s phone number, and payment method. Once your vessel is docked, your sea legs can walk to the U.S. Naval Academy, the attractions of Main Street, or across the Spa Creek Drawbridge to the Maritime Republic of Eastport.

Across Anne Arundel County are gems of marinas, each with their own characteristics and adventures waiting to be discovered. You can enjoy the epic view of the Bay Bridge from a slip at Sandy Point State Park, or a famous Maryland crab cake at Herrington Harbour or Pirates Cove Marina. Bring your kayak or SUP aboard to explore the many creeks and waterways that give you an intimate view of bay life.

(Check out the “Waterfront Activities” section on page 17 for information on paddle rentals, boat charters, fishing spots and more!) Visit portbook.com to view a detailed interactive map of marinas and marine services to plan your next stay via waterway.

For an extended tour of the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in America, check out “A Boater’s Guide to the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail” by John Page Williams, available through the National Park Service Chesapeake Bay Office. As the country’s first national historic water trail, you can retrace the route of Captain John Smith, who is credited with publishing the first accurate map of the Bay with help from local Native tribes. Smith’s findings laid the foundation for the establishment of America as we know it today. This helpful guide gives you a sense of various regions of the Bay with practical information to help you set out on a journey of your own while bringing history to life through stories of Smith’s travels.

ANCHOR DOWN—RELOCATING TO ANNAPOLIS

The City of Annapolis has a sense of community like a small town with a lot to offer like a big city. As home to the U.S. Naval Academy, St. John’s College, rich history, more than 500 miles of shoreline, parks galore, and easy access to major travel hubs, it’s a great place to retire or begin a new chapter of your life. Annapolitans are very warm and welcoming and often very curious to know your story. Midshipmen from all over the country attend the U.S. Naval Academy, and with a hopping summer tourism scene, the area attracts visitors from across the globe. Retail businesses and restaurants tend to remain strong during varying economic climates—a perk whether you are an entrepreneur or patron. A short drive from Annapolis, there are plenty of real estate opportunities throughout Anne Arundel County that mean larger properties within quieter, even rural settings. If you want to live in the heart of the action and take advantage of Annapolis’ walkability, there are many charming homes in the historic district and beyond that would make for a lovely abode. Get in touch with any of Anne Arundel County’s many qualified realtors to find the perfect setting for life’s next big adventure!