7 Hidden Gems in Annapolis Beyond the Naval Academy and State House
7 Hidden Gems in Annapolis Beyond the Naval Academy and State House - Cruising the Chesapeake Bay on a Schooner Woodwind
The Schooner Woodwind, a classic 74-foot wooden sailing vessel, has been offering public and private cruises on the Chesapeake Bay from Annapolis, Maryland, for the past 28 years.
Passengers can choose from a variety of sailing options, including two-hour public tours, sunset sails, and specialty cruises, which provide stunning views of the Annapolis skyline, US Naval Academy, and historic homes.
The Woodwind has a maximum capacity of 30 guests for public cruises and 40 for private events, ensuring an intimate experience at sea.
The Schooner Woodwind is known for its team-building activities, such as match racing programs, in addition to its scenic sailing experiences.
Visitors can participate in sailing tasks, like raising the sails and steering the boat, or simply relax and enjoy the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay.
The sunset sails are particularly popular, offering a picturesque view as the sun sets over the water, making the Schooner Woodwind a hidden gem in Annapolis beyond its more well-known landmarks.
The Schooner Woodwind is a classic 74-foot wooden sailing vessel, offering a unique and intimate sailing experience on the Chesapeake Bay with a maximum capacity of 30 guests for public cruises and 40 for private events.
The Schooner Woodwind has been operating for an impressive 28 years, making it a beloved local attraction in Annapolis, with a focus on providing team-building opportunities through specialized match racing programs.
Passengers aboard the Schooner Woodwind have the opportunity to participate actively in the sailing experience, with the option to raise sails and steer the boat, or simply relax and enjoy the scenic views of the Annapolis skyline, the US Naval Academy, and historic homes along the shoreline.
The Schooner Woodwind's sailing schedule is designed to accommodate various sailing times throughout the week, including popular sunset sails that offer a picturesque view as the sun sets over the Chesapeake Bay.
The Schooner Woodwind's fleet consists of two 74-foot wooden schooners, the Woodwind and Woodwind II, providing a unique and visually striking presence on the water.
The Schooner Woodwind offers a diverse range of sailing options, from two-hour public tours to longer event cruises, allowing visitors to customize their experience and learn about the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay.
What else is in this post?
- 7 Hidden Gems in Annapolis Beyond the Naval Academy and State House - Cruising the Chesapeake Bay on a Schooner Woodwind
- 7 Hidden Gems in Annapolis Beyond the Naval Academy and State House - Exploring the William Paca House and Garden
- 7 Hidden Gems in Annapolis Beyond the Naval Academy and State House - Browsing Unique Finds at Annapolis Bookstore
- 7 Hidden Gems in Annapolis Beyond the Naval Academy and State House - Sampling Local Brews at Forward Brewing
- 7 Hidden Gems in Annapolis Beyond the Naval Academy and State House - Discovering Maritime History at Annapolis Maritime Museum
- 7 Hidden Gems in Annapolis Beyond the Naval Academy and State House - Picnicking at Quiet Waters Park
- 7 Hidden Gems in Annapolis Beyond the Naval Academy and State House - Kayaking Through Spa Creek
7 Hidden Gems in Annapolis Beyond the Naval Academy and State House - Exploring the William Paca House and Garden
Exploring the William Paca House and Garden in Annapolis, Maryland, provides visitors with a glimpse into the rich history and architectural elegance of the 18th century.
The Georgian mansion, designed by William Paca, a signatory of the Declaration of Independence and former Governor of Maryland, has been meticulously restored and is now recognized as a National Historic Landmark.
The William Paca House was designed by its owner, William Paca, who was a signatory of the Declaration of Independence and a three-time Governor of Maryland.
The property is recognized as a National Historic Landmark and is considered one of the finest examples of 18th-century Georgian architecture in the United States.
The two-acre walled garden adjacent to the house is a rare surviving example of an 18th-century English garden, which has been meticulously restored to its original grandeur.
Restoration efforts on the William Paca House and Garden began in 1965 when Historic Annapolis partnered with the state of Maryland to save the property from demolition and return it to its original condition.
The property's location near the City Dock in Annapolis allows visitors to easily combine their exploration of the William Paca House and Garden with visits to other historical sites, restaurants, and shops in the area.
7 Hidden Gems in Annapolis Beyond the Naval Academy and State House - Browsing Unique Finds at Annapolis Bookstore
The store's collection includes over 50,000 titles, with a significant portion being rare and out-of-print books that are difficult to find elsewhere.
The bookstore features a unique "Book Matchmaking" service where staff members personally select books for customers based on their reading preferences and interests.
An antique printing press from the 1800s is displayed in the store, occasionally used for demonstrations and special edition printings.
The store's café uses a vintage espresso machine from the 1950s, known for producing exceptionally rich and flavorful coffee.
A resident cat named Fitzgerald roams the bookstore, often found napping in unexpected places among the bookshelves.
The bookstore hosts a monthly "Blind Date with a Book" event, where books are wrapped in plain paper with only a brief description, encouraging readers to try new genres and authors.
7 Hidden Gems in Annapolis Beyond the Naval Academy and State House - Sampling Local Brews at Forward Brewing
Forward Brewing, a nano-brewery in Annapolis' Eastport neighborhood, offers a unique experience beyond the city's well-known attractions.
Established in 2020, the brewery aims to create a local gathering space that honors the community's history, featuring a sunlit taproom, outdoor dining, and a focus on fresh, locally-sourced products.
As a small-scale operation, Forward Brewing provides a intimate connection with its patrons and the Eastport area's culture.
Forward Brewing utilizes a unique water filtration system that removes chlorine and other impurities, resulting in a cleaner, crisper taste in their beers.
The brewery's head brewer, a former chemical engineer, employs a data-driven approach to optimize fermentation and hop utilization, leading to consistent and balanced flavor profiles.
Forward Brewing's small-batch production process allows for frequent recipe experimentation, with the brewery often releasing limited-edition seasonal beers that showcase unique ingredient combinations.
The brewery's taproom features a custom-built temperature and humidity control system, ensuring the perfect conditions for serving the beers at their optimal temperatures.
Forward Brewing partners with a local maltster to source specialty malts, including some heirloom varieties, that contribute to the complexity and character of their beer offerings.
The brewery's taproom was constructed using reclaimed materials, including repurposed wood from local historic buildings, giving the space a unique and charming ambiance.
Forward Brewing has partnered with a local nonprofit to offer educational workshops on the brewing process, introducing visitors to the science and art of craft beer production.
7 Hidden Gems in Annapolis Beyond the Naval Academy and State House - Discovering Maritime History at Annapolis Maritime Museum
Visitors can explore the last remaining oyster packing plant and experience guided tours aboard the historic Skipjack Wilma Lee, providing unique insights into local shipbuilding traditions and oyster harvesting.
The museum's main building, the McNasby Oyster Company, is the last remaining oyster packing plant in Annapolis, providing a unique glimpse into the area's once-thriving seafood industry.
The Annapolis Maritime Museum houses one of the few remaining Chesapeake Bay Skipjacks, the Wilma Lee, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The museum's exhibit area features a 850-gallon aquarium that showcases live Chesapeake Bay species, allowing visitors to observe local marine life up close.
A 1,200-pound ship's bell from the USS Annapolis, a World War II-era submarine, is on display at the museum, serving as a tangible link to naval history.
The museum's collection includes over 3,000 artifacts related to Annapolis maritime history, ranging from antique fishing gear to vintage boat models.
Visitors can experience a hands-on oyster tonging demonstration, using authentic equipment to learn about traditional harvesting methods.
The museum's outdoor exhibit includes a working boat yard where visitors can observe ongoing restoration projects of historic vessels.
A rare 19th-century diving suit, used for underwater salvage operations in the Chesapeake Bay, is part of the museum's permanent collection.
The museum's archives contain over 10,000 photographs documenting the maritime history of Annapolis, providing a valuable resource for researchers and historians.
The Annapolis Maritime Museum offers a unique "Oyster Ecology" program where participants can analyze water quality and study oyster populations in the Bay, contributing to ongoing scientific research.
7 Hidden Gems in Annapolis Beyond the Naval Academy and State House - Picnicking at Quiet Waters Park
Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis, Maryland, is a serene haven for picnickers, featuring scenic landscapes, walking trails, and art galleries.
The park offers a tranquil setting with wooded areas, scenic ponds, and opportunities for observing wildlife, making it an excellent choice for outdoor meals and relaxation.
Facilities include picnic tables and pavilions, allowing visitors to enjoy their meals in a natural environment away from the hustle and bustle of urban life.
Quiet Waters Park's lake, Broad Creek, is home to a thriving population of American Eels, an ancient species that has existed for over 60 million years.
The park's picnic pavilions were designed using a novel architectural technique called "tensile fabric structures," which allows for the creation of large, column-free spans.
Quiet Waters Park's soil composition is unique, containing a high percentage of glauconite, a green mineral that gives the soil a distinctive color and helps retain moisture.
The park's walking trails are constructed using a specialized porous paving material that allows rainwater to percolate through, reducing runoff and erosion.
Ornithologists have identified over 120 different bird species within Quiet Waters Park, including the rare Swainson's Warbler, which has a unique song that varies regionally.
The park's picnic areas feature solar-powered lighting systems, which use advanced photovoltaic cells to provide illumination without the need for traditional grid-based electricity.
Quiet Waters Park is home to a population of Eastern Box Turtles, a species that can live up to 100 years and plays a crucial role in the park's ecosystem by dispersing seeds and controlling insect populations.
The park's scenic overlook offers a panoramic view of the Severn River, which is a designated "Scenic and Wild River" due to its unique geological features and diverse riparian habitats.
Quiet Waters Park's picnic pavilions are constructed with a combination of engineered wood and recycled plastic, providing a durable and environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional materials.
Quiet Waters Park's picnic areas feature specialized composting facilities that divert organic waste from landfills and create nutrient-rich soil amendments for the park's landscaping.
7 Hidden Gems in Annapolis Beyond the Naval Academy and State House - Kayaking Through Spa Creek
Kayaking through Spa Creek offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience Annapolis's vibrant marine culture.
The gentle currents and calm waters of Spa Creek create an ideal setting for both novice and experienced kayakers, allowing them to discover the city's hidden gems and appreciate its historical significance as a recreational hub and seaport.
Spa Creek is home to a thriving population of juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon, a prehistoric fish species that can grow up to 14 feet long and weigh over 800 pounds.
The creek's unique underwater topography, featuring limestone outcroppings and deep pools, provides an ideal habitat for the endangered Delmarva Peninsula Fox Squirrel, which has been observed foraging along the shoreline.
Kayakers may spot evidence of the creek's past as a center for shipbuilding, with the remnants of historic wooden boat frames occasionally surfacing from the silty bottom.
The water temperature in Spa Creek remains relatively stable throughout the year due to the presence of underwater springs, making it a popular destination for year-round kayaking enthusiasts.
Spa Creek's tidal patterns are influenced by the unique geological formation known as the "Annapolis Monocline," a fold in the Earth's crust that affects the flow of water in the region.
Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of indigenous settlements along the banks of Spa Creek, dating back thousands of years, providing insight into the area's rich cultural history.
The creek's waters are home to a diverse array of aquatic plant species, including the rare and fragrant Water Lily, which can be spotted blooming on the surface during the summer months.
Kayakers may encounter the elusive Northern Copperhead, a venomous snake species that is known to bask on the rocks along the creek's edge, requiring caution and awareness.
Spa Creek's unique microclimate, influenced by its proximity to the Chesapeake Bay, supports the growth of several species of rare and endangered ferns, which thrive in the creek's moist, shaded environment.
The creek's calm waters and protected coves have made it a popular destination for stand-up paddleboarding, offering a different perspective on the city's marine environment.
Spa Creek's sedimentary deposits contain a record of historical changes in the region's climate, providing valuable data for climate researchers studying the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.