Annapolis is a fabulous destination by day. Out of habit, I always migrate to the downtown area. There are shops and restaurants galore. You can have tea at Reynolds Tavern or bring your dog with you as you grab a beer in the pub below this historic tea house. You’ll find water and treats for your canine friend here and at other locations along West Street, Main Street, and in the City Dock area.
You can wander the historic streets of downtown as you wonder what life must have been like here two hundred years ago. You can walk by St. Mary’s, the school and church which stand sentinel over Spa Creek and where Pat Sajak and Lesley Brown were married in 1989. Students in parochial uniform crowd the streets and swarm into the City Dock area at 3 pm so it’s a good time to be settled until the traffic dies down.
Mill’s Wine Shop is the best wine store I’ve found anywhere. It has an endless supply of wine of all types and all prices. It is known for it’s large selection, low prices, and knowledgeable staff. I found this to be true first hand. I love the staff who will help you find the perfect accompaniment to your meal that is within your budget. I belonged to a gourmet club years ago and the first dinner was a Polish Gourmet meal. When I explained that I needed a wine to accompany the dish I was preparing for this Polish gourmet feast, he told me that he thought that “Polish” and “gourmet” couldn’t be used in the same sentence. With twinkling eyes, I told him I was serious and he immediately found the perfect wine for the evening.
During the winter, you can sip coffee and read the newspaper – or your text messages and emails — while watching the oyster men slide quietly into the harbor. During the summer, you can watch the bikini-clad babes adorn the bows of the boats that noisily stream in and out of the same space but which is now aptly referred to as Ego Alley. You can encounter the Naval Academy Midshipmen anywhere in the downtown area mostly during the school year, but really almost anytime as their schedules are demanding and their demands don’t start in September and end in May.
The other day I went into a fairly new burrito shop with my son and saw the entire basketball team satisfying a need for something other than the food served at the Academy.
I had to attend an event at a new sports bar/music venue located just around the corner from Giolitti’s and the old Tam Joines tire center for those of you that like the old landmarks. For the rest of you, this new spot, Wild Willy’s is across from the fabulous new Annapolis Towne Centre shopping area on Somerville Road. You can find Anthropologie, Target, Whole Foods, and a wide variety of new restaurants, shops, and boutiques. This is a beautiful new addition to Annapolis that shows promise day and night.
If you are die-hard shopper and want to hit as many stores as possible in as short a time as possible while sipping a Starbucks and dining at tasty eateries, then Westfield Annapolis Mall is for you. You can’t beat the shopping options anywhere this side of Montgomery County. You have Nordstrom’s, Macy’s, JC Penney’s, Pottery Barn, J. Crew, Sears, and The Apple Store. There are another 230+ stores and restaurants to choose from , so don’t leave empty handed or go in search of other shopping options just yet. Tired of shopping and need a break? Head to one of the many current movies set up in the mall to entertain you.
Ready for dinner, try McCormick and Schmick’s, a popular and wonderful seafood restaurant located adjacent to the mall. You can even plan on your mealtime and ensure that you won’t have to wait for a table by making a reservation at this restaurant through OpenTable.com.
Take an afternoon or spend the weekend in Annapolis and try one of the many Annapolis shopping options. Whether you stroll through downtown, soaking up the history and browsing the boutiques or wander around Westfield Annapolis Mall hitting all of the department stores and popular chains, you can’t go wrong.
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