Naval Academy Visit this week

F15DOC

5-Year Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2013
Messages
281
Would love to hear any suggestions about our upcoming visit to the naval academy.
We will be there on Thursday all day and available Friday morning, our flight leaves out of Baltimore in the afternoon so he can't attend the all day program the academy offers on Fridays.
Any suggestions that will help us with our visit it appreciated, not looking for area or regional suggestions, we are not about visiting the area, only looking for suggestions about what to do, see or who to chat with at the Naval Academy itself.
Thanks for your suggestions!
 
The Admissions brief. USNA.edu has the info.
Take the walking tour offered by the Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center. Info on USNA.edu. That will take you into the allowed public areas. There is a short film at the center, plus some exhibits. And all the logo gear you could desire.
USNA Museum, to get a feel for history.
Navysports.com to see what sporting events are going on. Very few have any entrance fees.
USNA.edu has a pdf map worth downloading.
 
Thanks for the info, we reviewed all that, we have a friend of a friend mid that is going to give my son a little personal time.
Will having our military ID allow us any better access?
 
The military ID won't really get you any better access except to drive on base. Areas that are restricted such as Bancroft Hall are restricted only to Mids and select staff. The ID will get you access to drive on the yard, but parking is extremely limited due to renovations. My recommendation is to following all parking rules, as spots are labeled for Midn and then also for faculty. There are several garages in town that are a short walk away. CAPT MJ is spot on for recommendations. The Mid whom your son gets to speak to can help tour him a classroom and even go to the Midstore as a guest, if he has time.
 
Great info guys, favorite informal Thursday night dinner spot?
 
Iron Rooster in DTA (downtown Annapolis) is a new local fave - American classics and breakfast all day. Also in DTA, Federal House or McGarvey's for varied menu and crab cakes - although most places in DTA who serve crab cake don't stay open long if the don't make the grade for lots of jumbo lump crab barely held together by filler. All those I just mentioned are a quick walk out USNA Gate 1 ped gates. If you want to do old-school waterfront crab/seafood deck, go to Cantler's, Deep Creek Restaurant (Arnold) or Mike's on the South River (Edgewater), all just a few miles from USNA. Fancier with killer views of the harbor: Chart House, Carrolls Creek and Severn Inn. All the usual chains are out by the Annapolis Mall.
 
The Midstore ("Midstrom's") is run like a BX/NEX but can be used only by mids, staff, faculty, alumni, mid parents or those with a special pass. You can go in and look around, but your military ID won't give buying access unless in above category. It's a closed loop store whose profits go right into USNA MWR and not big Navy MWR. Friend mid can do guest things, as noted by Navyhoops.

Since you have military ID, go across the Naval Academy Bridge for a windshield tour of the Naval Support Activity - new NEX and Commissary, golf course, Brigade Sports Complex (tennis, ice rink, etc.). No ID needed to drive around these areas outside gate. Always fun to cruise other Exchanges.
 
Just one of those waterfront places where local families have gone for generations. If you want the paper laid down on the table, and your soft-shelled crabs to come by the platter and your beers in a bucket of ice, while you look at the dock with interest to see who's rolling in by boat, where nothing around you has been contrived in a brand marketing agency, then you will just sink into the local color and enjoy. Staff is always ready to show you how it wield a crab mallet as you tuck in your paper bib. (There is plenty of other stuff on the menu.) Totally casual attire.
 
Last edited:
Gotta do Iron Rooster for breakfast! Tucked back in the corner of the square just a couple of minutes walk to the gate.
Also, just to make your choices more difficult, had a terrific meal with my MID at O'Leary's Seafood across the bridge...and a nicely crafted Manhattan, I hasten to add.
 
The crabs and view if I remember right. CAPT MJ nailed the local favorites. I am not a huge crab person but I love some crab dip. When I am back in town I always destroy an order (must admit I don't even share!)
 
Awesome response gang, now I am looking more forward to it than before!
 
The trifecta: crab dip starter, crab-cake and soft-shelled crabs. Or Bay rockfish in season. Again, all these places have plenty of non-crustacepus choices.
 
Cantler's is great, Iron Rooster has good homemade pop-tarts...it really depends what you're looking for as far as food. There are so many good restaurants of all varieties in DTA and the surrounding areas.

I'm a fan of Ram's Head if you don't mind walking a little further. Nano's is great sushi, and don't forget Annapolis Ice Cream...

If you want any perspectives directly comparing USAFA and USNA, don't hesitate to let me know.
 
What is this Iron Rooster you all speak of? We moved away from Annapolis seven years ago, so I assume it is newer?

Ram’s Head. Again, Yes.
 
Mmmm. The Rooster has been around just over a year. Instant hit in downtown, filled a breakfast and home-style but updated food classics niche. Liquor license. Chicken and waffles for lunch, oh my!
Maria's went out of business (near McGarvey's), the Rooster rolled in hot, and word spread quickly. They updated the interior to nice and bright, wait staff is pleasant ... And did I say chicken and waffles. Or the Rooster in a Biscuit sandwich? Or the daily house-made "Pop Tart," a flaky hot pastry filled with fresh fruit, or chocolate mousse with hazelnuts or...
Clearly, we haven't eaten dinner here at home yet. And I feel a Rooster business lunch might be necessary this week.
 
Back
Top