Annapolis Travel and Things to Do Guide

Welcome to Cvent's Meeting and Event Guide to Annapolis, a city guide for meeting professionals. Renowned as America's sailing capital and a history-rich former Colonial seaport, Annapolis is also Maryland's state capital. Amazing attractions, scenic natural beauty, lots of amenities and easy accessibility - coupled with unique Annapolis event venues, make the city is a wonderful place to meet.

The gateway to North America's largest estuary, the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis is undeniably a maritime destination rich in on-the-water activities. Off the water, Annapolis is a lively, upbeat, contemporary city that showcases four centuries of architecture and embraces 21st century living, rich with unique shopping and fine dining. Steeped in history and eclectic neighborhoods, the City of Annapolis boasts a thriving cultural scene and a downtown that meets at the water's edge. Even though Annapolis has become a modern city, it hasn't lost its Colonial charm, thanks to its brick-paved streets and bayside charm, as well as the fact that the city is home to more 18th-century structures than any other city in the country. In fact, many of the buildings that helped create the city's history, such as the Maryland State House and the US Naval Academy, are open to the public.

Getting to Annapolis is a breeze, thanks to the city's proximity to three major airports. Located about 30 minutes outside of Annapolis, Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) serves an estimated 62,000 passengers every day on one of its nearly 700 commercial operations, providing nonstop service to dozens of domestic and international destinations. Less than 90 minutes from Annapolis, Dulles International Airport (IAD) offers nonstop service to more than 80 domestic destinations and 50 international destinations, while Reagan National Airport (DCA), just one hour from Annapolis in Arlington, Virginia, offers nonstop service to 84 destinations.

Once in Annapolis, meeting participants will find this to be an extremely walkable city, with all major hotels within a mile of the Maryland State House and City Dock, the heart of the city. The Annapolis Circulator, a downtown shuttle service that makes it easy to access the city's shops, restaurants, entertainment and attractions, serves the city's four downtown parking garages; even if groups don't access the shuttle from one of the garages, they can flag a trolley drive for a ride in the Central Business District.

Looking to explore the area by water? Visitors can traverse the Annapolis Harbor, including Spa Creek and Back Creek, via Watermark water taxis, which run from mid-May to mid-September.

In addition to accessibility, Annapolis offers meeting travelers a wealth of meeting venues. Perched within steps of the Chesapeake Bay, the 215-room Loews Annapolis Hotel offers a nautical theme and 20,000 square feet of event space, complete with indoor and outdoor facilities for 10 to 500 guests. Meeting spaces include the 4,300-square-foot Regatta Ballroom with a pre-function atrium, as well as seven meeting rooms ranging from 400 to 1,500 square feet. The Power House Conference Center, a three-story historic landmark that once powered the city's railroad, marries 18th-century charm of exposed brick walls and high ceilings with modern technology. A second meeting destination, The 225-room Westin Annapolis in historic downtown boasts 19,000 square feet of meeting space, all outfitted in stylish decor and calming tones. With the area's largest ballroom (measuring in at 5,335 square feet), the hotel features a total of 14 indoor and outdoor meeting spaces.

Aside from the Loews Annapolis Hotel, The Westin Annapolis, the Annapolis Marriott Waterfront and Historic Inns of Annapolis, Annapolis is home to a number of unique spaces and activities perfect for groups. Groups can tour the landmark US Naval Academy and its many attractions, as well as the Maryland State House, which holds the title of the oldest state capitol still in legislative use and the only state house to have ever served as the nation's capitol. Groups can rent theater space at the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts or Rams Head On Stage, as well as rent indoor space and the docks, piers and deck at the charming Annapolis Maritime Museum, housed in the city's last oyster-packing plant.

For an on-the-water event, groups can board the largest fleet on the Chesapeake Bay courtesy of Cruises on the Bay by Watermark, or set sail aboard Schooner Woodwind Cruises' two wooden schooners custom designed and built specifically for sailing on the Chesapeake Bay. Looking to stay on land? Board a Towne Transit Trolley Tour to explore the city's back streets, marinas and points of interest. Nearby Terrapin Adventures combines team building and thrills with its aerial adventure course and group activities.