If youre coming to town for Labor day, here are some other, "non-ren fest" type things you may find interesting around here...let me know of any questions...cheers!
First, of course, is a catch-all web site to find out things about the area. Lots of info here...
www.VisitAnnapolis.org
See the links that Master James posted as well, especially for travel to the area type info...BWI is one of the busiest airports in the country...I think they even fly in there from Kitty Hawk...
Getting to the Fest Site:
Basically, there are two routes in and out, from the north and south:
From the North:
Head South on I97 from the BWI Airport area. Exit I97 at Exit 5 (Crownsville). You will be on MD 178 (Generals Highhway). Head South on this road until you get to Crownsville Road. Turn Right onto Crownsville Road, and follow the signs for 3 miles or so. The fest parking will be on the left.
From the South:
The Souther entrance can be accessed from MD 450 (Defense Highway). Coming from Annapolis, head west on 450. Turn right when you get to Crownsville Road. Pass under I97, and the fest parking is on the right.
Coming from the Crofton/Bowie area, head east on 450. Turn left on Crownsville Road. Pass under I97, and the fest parking is on the right.
Places to stay:
That first web site up there has all the contact information you'd ever want to read about the hotels in the general area. They are plentiful near the airport (and its a straight shot to the fest grounds from there, see directions above).
All the major chains are represented.
If you have a favorite, just go to its web site, and I bet they are nearby.
www.VisitAnnapolis.org
This event just happens to be on the next weekend. If you like seafood, and are hanging around in the area, it is highly recommended:
42nd Annual Maryland Seafood Festival
www.mdseafoodfestival.com
Other Activities:
Annapolis Sailing Cruises: Schooner Woodwind
www.schoonerwoodwind.com
Other Activities:
Annapolis Segway Tours
www.annapolissegwaytours.com
Other Activities:
Annapolis Towne Crier
www.squirefrederick.com
Capital City Colonials
www.capitalcitycolonials.com
Other Activities:
Discover Annapolis Tours:
www.discover-annapolis.com
Other Activities:
Liberte', The Schooner
www.theliberte.com
Other Activities:
The United Staes Naval Academy
If you like naval history, this place is worth a look...
www.navyonline.com
Other Activities:
HistoryQuest
Good source for local history tours.
www.annapolis.org
Other Activities:
Another good source:
Ann Arundel County Historical Society
www.aachs.org
Pubs, Places to Eat, Etc.
These places are all good and recommended...
Ramshead Tavern - Several locations
www.ramsheadtavern.com
Cafe Normandie - Annapolis
www.restaurant.com
Castlebay Irish Pub - Annapolis
www. castlebayirishpub.com
Fado Irish Pub and Restraunt - Annapolis
www.fadiirishpub.com
Brian Baru Pub and Restraunt - Severna Park
www.brianborupub.com
Other Activities:
Sports: The Baltimore Orioles...now, if your looking for real baseball, this may not be the place...Baltimore has only had this imitation team for a few years now...but, the ball park is one of the prettiest ones in the Majors, and the beer and food are excellent, if a bit pricey. Web site provided below if you are of a mind...
http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=bal
Local Bed and Breakfasts:
If a B&B is more to your liking, here are a few of the local offerings:
www.annapolisbandb.com (general website)
www.williampageinn.com
www.theannapolitan.com
www.chezamis.com
www.gatehousebb.com
www.GeorgianHouse.com
Local Hotels:
Comfort Inn
www.comfortinn.com
Country Inn
www.countryinns.com
Courtyard
www.marriott.com/bwian
DoubleTree Annapolis
www.doubletreeannapolis.com
Hilton Garden Inn
www.annapolisstayhgi.com
Holiday Inn Express
www.hiexpress.com/annapolis
Residence Inn
www.marriott.com
Other Various Attractions:
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museums
www.borail.org
Harbor Cruises
www.harborcruises.com
Linganore Winecellars
www.linganorewines.com
Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
www.marylandzoo.org
National Aquarium in Baltimore
www.aqua.org
Of course, we'd be remiss if we didn't pont out our proximity to our nation's capitol, just minutes away.
These sites will provide more info if you are interested, as well as more links...
www.smithsonian.org/museums
www.washington.org
www.culturaltourismdc.org/index.htm
www.house.gov/house/tour_dc.shtml
Hope at least some of this is moderately entertaining...let me know if anything I can find out for you.
See you in a week or so...cheers!
My favorite attraction out there is Ft McHenry. That's the fort that was being attacked during the War of 1812, where Francis Scott Key watched overnight from the harbor, and later wrote the Star Spangled Banner from his experience. Very nice historical site!
Butch is absolutely correct. This is a can't-miss place for history buffs. And you get a great shot of the USS Constellation across the harbor...well, a distant one, anyway...
www.nps.gov/fomc
Thanks, Butch!!
...and, speaking of the USS Constellation...right here in Baltimore Harbor...
Sail geeks, such as myself, need to go here...
http://www.constellation.org/
I am shocked, shocked you didn't mention the National Cryptologic Museum (http://www.nsa.gov/about/cryptologic_heritage/museum/index.shtml) right up in Fort Meade, probably only 30 minutes from MDRF or so. It's free and will be open on the weekdays leading up to the faire (and the weekdays after labor day). It will also be open that Saturday (the 5th) but I imagine that is a moot thing since everyone will be at MDRF! :)
Uh, anyway, it's a really cool place and if you go, they usually have docents (mostly retired NSA folks) who can take you around the museum and tell some of its stories. Highly, highly recommend it. (And heck, it's cheaper than going to the Spy Museum in DC!)
As well you should be shocked...an old exhibit at the National Cryptologic Museum entitled "Burned Out Warhorses of the Cold War" had an interesting picture of me under a pair of ancient headphones, but they took that exhibit down for reasons of national security...er, I mean, national decency...
Thanks, Analise!
Quote from: Amras Elfwine on August 27, 2009, 02:25:27 PM
As well you should be shocked...an old exhibit at the National Cryptologic Museum entitled "Burned Out Warhorses of the Cold War" had an interesting picture of me under a pair of ancient headphones, but they took that exhibit down for reasons of national security...er, I mean, national decency...
Thanks, Analise!
I totally missed that one! Awww. I always miss the good stuff.
:)
All that said, I also highly recommend visiting Annapolis and the Naval Academy is
great. They've got a nice set of exhibits in the visitor center and definitely check out the chapel and the tomb of John Paul Jones and have a walk along the water.
And if you're looking for tasty seafood, I know a lot of people always recommend going to Cantler's (http://www.cantlers.com/). And don't be too concerned if you're going through a small road to get there through a residential area, you're probably not lost (unless you are!). I think they get a good bit of their clientele from boats that dock there on the Severn River.
And downtown Ellicott City (http://www.ellicottcity.net/) is a nice place to visit too. Which, if you go, make sure to check out what I call "the Faerie store" (http://www.forgetmenotfactory.com/) (I haven't found Jareth in there yet, but it definitely feels like I'm visiting the Labyrinth there on their second floor....), the Rumor Mill Restaurant (http://www.therumormillrestaurant.com/) for tasty, tasty Asian fusion (try the Banana Wontons for dessert, or the crab dumplings, and definitely the sweet potato fries. Don't ask me what makes that last "Asian", just eat 'em. :) ), or The Wine Bin (http://www.winebinec.com/) for. Uh. Wine. (get the Blueberry Wine.)
Besides, Ellicott City is just plain cool!