Annapolis Questions

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AG8297

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I have a few questions about the area since we've never visited (DS did summer seminar, but flew up alone).

1. Is it 100% needed to have a rental car or is it possible to uber from BWI to Annapolis and not need a car for the rest of the visit? Like hotels, restaurants, and the academy all within walking distance?

2. What are your favorite places to stay in Annapolis or the surrounding area? Any Inns, Hotels, etc that are walking distance to the academy?

3. Favorite restaurants (preferably local not chain type places)

4. If we do have a car: what are some of your favorite things in the area that are driving distance from the academy that would make a fun day trip (no more than 1.5/2 hours each way)

Thank You =)
 
AG8297 said:
I have a few questions about the area since we've never visited (DS did summer seminar, but flew up alone).

1. Is it 100% needed to have a rental car or is it possible to uber from BWI to Annapolis and not need a car for the rest of the visit? Like hotels, restaurants, and the academy all within walking distance?

2. What are your favorite places to stay in Annapolis or the surrounding area? Any Inns, Hotels, etc that are walking distance to the academy?

3. Favorite restaurants (preferably local not chain type places)

4. If we do have a car: what are some of your favorite things in the area that are driving distance from the academy that would make a fun day trip (no more than 1.5/2 hours each way)

Thank You =)
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We flew into DC and rented a car for a CVW. We parked at our downtown hotel when we arrived and didn't move the car until we left after the CVW. There are plenty of restaurants, shops and sights in the downtown area around USNA.
 
AG8297 said:
I have a few questions about the area since we've never visited (DS did summer seminar, but flew up alone).

1. Is it 100% needed to have a rental car or is it possible to uber from BWI to Annapolis and not need a car for the rest of the visit? Like hotels, restaurants, and the academy all within walking distance?

2. What are your favorite places to stay in Annapolis or the surrounding area? Any Inns, Hotels, etc that are walking distance to the academy?

3. Favorite restaurants (preferably local not chain type places)

4. If we do have a car: what are some of your favorite things in the area that are driving distance from the academy that would make a fun day trip (no more than 1.5/2 hours each way)

Thank You =)
Click to expand...
I used uber from BWI to Annapolis. In our case, all were within walking distance, or a shuttle bus was running around.
 
You can easily Uber from BWI to Annapolis. If you stay downtown a car isn’t really needed. You can walk everywhere. Downtown Annapolis doesn’t have many chains, most are local spots. There is a massive thread out there on best spots someone can probably dig up.
 
You can definitely Uber from BWI and probably not need a car - but a car does add some flexibility. Because we have a family place to stay in NW DC, we often flew into Reagan but I would not recommend Reagan as a place to Uber to Annapolis from. During rush hour, figure 2 hours from Reagan. To be honest, Annapolis doesn't have all that much to do (but take that opinion with a grain of salt because we've been there, done that too many times). DTA gets old fast (IMHO) - there's only so many t-shirt shops that one can tolerate. Off rush hour, you can drive from the Yard to the National Mall via New York Ave in about 40 minutes - if you haven't been, I recommend. Lots of eating options in DTA. I'm a big fan of Yellowfin for relaxed but more upscale dining - it's in Eastport (about 15 minutes from the Yard) but well worth it. Chick n' Ruth's is a great breakfast and lunch place in DTA. None of the crab cakes in Annapolis compare with my wife's so I can't comment on that. If you rent a car and stay in an Airbnb, make sure it has off-street parking or you will get towed. I don't know if the DTA parking garage (forget what street it's on) is back open yet but that's a good place to keep a car during the day.
 
There are hotels/food all close to USNA. It depends on how mobile you want to be.

Our first visit, we had no clue, either. Stayed in DTA, no car, ubered to/from the airport. Every visit since, we have stayed further out to get away from that. It’s fun to try both!

It’s a touristy seaside town. Quaint. Lots of shops and things to explore. Right there by the Yard. Have you looked at Google maps to get an idea of the layout?

Here is some past discussion

Annapolis recommendations

Daughters official visit is coming up. Looks like USNA will be keeping her busy during our time in Annapolis. She and I will have a little time on our arrival and departure days to do things on our own? Restaurant recommendations? Good shopping’? Interesting things to do/see? 😊 Thank you!
www.serviceacademyforums.com
 
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Budget may come into play as well. Just know that is a very wide range for both eating and staying but it is my absolute favorite place! More budget friendly options for lodging are typically not right in the walkable DTA area.
 
One thing to consider is the cost of lodging. During my son's four years at USNA, we have always used VRBO or booked a hotel room just outside of DTA. It was always less expensive. That savings and the lack of needing an Uber should more than cover the car rental cost.

Although you will not be able to park on the Yard on I-Day, you'll be able to park at the stadium and take the shuttle in. Otherwise, get that DBIDS card! You can park on the Yard. That card is worth its weight in gold, even if you only use it one time.
 
brewmeist said:
Otherwise, get that DBIDS card! You can park on the Yard. That card is worth its weight in gold, even if you only use it one time.
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Be aware that EVERYONE wants to get their DBIDS card on the morning of I-Day. It takes a few minutes (fingerprinting and photo) and you will need either a Real ID drivers license or a passport. I-Day may not be a great day to try and get this. The day before or some other day would be a better candidate. Same with PPW - you'll want to get it before the hoards descend.
 
We've been a couple times and ubered and stayed in airbnbs walking distance to the gate. Depending on your budget there's some really nice houses or apts and even some over the garage lofts that I typically book that free up money for the yummy seafood. We love ubering out to The Point restaurant and the uber prices around Annapolis are reasonable. I negotiated with a cab driver on our last trip and I want to say it was $60 all in to get from BWI to Annapolis during rush hour. It's so much easier to get uber to drop you off the gate and walk in versus dealing with the whole gate security in a car/line, etc.
 
A1Janitor said:
I usually stayed at Historic Inns of Annapolis. Great location- walking distance to USNA and food. Never needed my car.
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We stayed there for I-Day, as did not want any issues getting in Gate 8 for drop off. . .Easy walking distance to the yard and DTA from there. After I-Day, we tend to stay outside of DTA, but we drive down a lot, so have a car by default.
 
We take an Uber from BWI whenever we visit. There's never been a very long wait and it costs about $50 for a late morning trip. We get an AirBnB in the downtown area and we walk everywhere. We stayed at The Graduate once but the apartments that we've rented are a better value and are a little closer to Gate 1.

Are you traveling for just a visit to the Yard? CVW? I-Day?
 
IronmanDaremo said:
Waterside, not seaside. Ocean is a decent drive or boat ride away. ;)
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There is brine in it. That counts as seawater where I’m from in the landlocked middle USA 😆 Should have said “like” a seaside town. Anyhow, it’s what I picture as a quaint seaside town. Bayside…how’s that?
 
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When I visit, I almost always have a car, but park it and don't use it while there. Only exception is the occasional trip out to Cantlers.

We've stayed at the Westin last few Reunions, largely because that is where our reunion HQ is. A little farther walk to the Yard, but certainly doable. Have also stayed at the O'Callaghan what is now called the Graduate, and Historic Inns.

Where to eat ? OMG --to many to choose from.
 
I agree many older threads on this topic. "Walking distance" means different things to different people so it is partly a function of how FAR you like to walk. Some of the close-in places have nowhere to park so you have to park at that public garage and walk back to your hotel. Many first-timers may not realize that. Parking near the mall is much cheaper and has free on-site parking. Partly also depends on your budget and how much other traveling around you will be doing. If flying in from out of state, likely would already be renting a car to get to/from the airport.
 
brewmeist said:
Otherwise, get that DBIDS card! You can park on the Yard. That card is worth its weight in gold, even if you only use it one time.
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Definitely interested in doing this. Can the form be mailed in ahead of time or best just to do it all in person?
 
They issue you a paper copy as a Plebe/4C parent. So you don't actually go through all the picture and fingerprint taking. That comes when you get your permanent card later. In the permit to report package, it will provide instructions for submitting. Then, when you go on the Yard for I-Day, you can pick it up while waiting to go through security.

Since we're local (and I forgot to send the paperwork in), I went in a few weeks after I-Day and got my paper copy for rhe wife and I in person without the crowd.

Word to the wise. Get your permanent card after the current class graduates. It is good for 3 years from the date of receipt. Get it before graduation, and your card will more than likely expire before your kid graduates.

You will also be able to go to the Mid Store and get your permanent card for there, which will allow you to shop there without your mid, any time it is open. It is a separate thing than the DBIDS card.
 
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