When you visit Annapolis, take some time to go shopping in the historic downtown area. Stroll along the centuries old streets and take in the sights of the waterfront as you meander from shop to shop. The unique establishments of downtown include everything from women’s clothing boutiques, galleries, jewelry stores, home décor, antiques and more.

Main Street, Maryland Avenue, West Street and Eastport are the main sections of downtown to find the best shopping. Visit Main Street for the largest selection of shops. Pick up an original piece of art at the Annapolis Marine Art Gallery, or buy pieces for your wardrobe at any of the clothing boutiques. Stop at Annapolis Cigar Co. for a gift for your boss, or pick up a comic book for your teenager at Capital Comics.

Wander over to Maryland Avenue for even more cigar shops, art galleries, home furnishings and more. Sign your little one up for an art class at Already Artists Annapolis, peruse antiques at Evergreen Antiques or shop for your furry friend at Paws Pet Boutique. Whatever retail therapy tickles your fancy, Annapolis provides many unique choices and a beautiful setting in which to shop.

The Colonial Annapolis Historic District is a section of the city that comprises much of the originally surveyed plans of 1695. The town of Annapolis was strategically established where the wide and winding Severn River meets with Chesapeake Bay. As one of the first planned cities in America, the founders of this town appreciated the proximity to the waterway and the protection of the south shore harbor. Roughly 120 17th and 18th century homes and commercial buildings still stand on the original site.

City planners opposed the traditional street grid for the layout, and chose instead to introduce the Baroque style of town planning to the colonies. Instead of streets running perpendicular to each other, the center of town included two circular streets surrounding the legislative seat and the local church. Avenues sprawled outwards from this center to the outskirts of town. The historic district of Annapolis includes Maryland State House, a mixture of large mansions and proper row houses, in addition to various commercial buildings. To locate the area of the city that is included in the district, visit the National Park Service website.

Annapolis is home to the oldest capitol building that in continuous legislative use, and has a unique history for many reasons. The building, started in 1772 and completed in 1779, served as our country’s first peacetime capitol after the American Revolution. Construction lasted so long due to the battles and length of the war. The State House is the only legislative structure to have ever served as the nation’s capitol. It is topped by the largest wooden dome in the United States made without the use of nails. In 1960, the State House was designated a historical landmark, and today houses the Maryland General Assembly as well as the Governor and Lieutenant Governor’s offices.

Maryland State House is open every day to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding Christmas and New Year’s Day. There is self-guided tour information available at the Office of Interpretation on the first floor. Photo identification is required for entrance. There are other exhibits within the State Office Complex. The complex is home to the State House, the Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. Senate Building, and the Casper R. Taylor House of Delegates Building. All of these are within a block of the state house, and these attractions are open Monday through Friday only.

Maryland State House
100 State Circle
Annapolis, MD 21401
Telephone: 410-260-6445
Admission: Free
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.