★★★★★ Rated Excellent on TripAdvisor | Small groups | Runs year round | Photo ID required for guests 18 and over | Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Less than an hour from Washington DC, Annapolis is one of the most historically significant cities in America — and one of the most overlooked. This is the city where the Treaty of Paris was signed, ending the Revolutionary War. Where George Washington resigned his commission as General of the Continental Army. Where the slave trade brought thousands of Africans to the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. Where the United States Naval Academy has trained the nation’s naval officers since 1845.
Annapolis has more original 18th-century buildings standing than any other city in the United States. This two-hour walking tour takes you inside that history — including 30 minutes inside the Maryland State House itself — with an expert local guide who knows what happened in these streets and why it matters.
Check Dates & Book Your Spot
Spots fill up fast. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before, so there’s no risk in reserving your spot now.
⏱ Duration: Approximately 2 hours
📍 Meets at: Annapolis Visitors Center, 26 West Street, Annapolis MD. Look for your guide in DC by Foot attire outside the Visitors Center. Tour ends at City Dock by the Market House.
🚗 Getting here: Annapolis is approximately 45 minutes from Washington DC by car. Parking is available in the Gott’s Court Parking Garage at 25 Northwest Street, one block from the Visitors Center. Street parking is available but limited.
🪪 Photo ID required: Guests 18 and over must bring a valid photo ID to enter the Maryland State House.
👟 Physical level: Easy — under 1 mile of walking on historic brick sidewalks and streets. Some uneven surfaces throughout the historic district.
We don’t just show you the sites.
We tell you the stories.
Every stop on this tour has a story most visitors never hear. Our guides bring them to life.
The Maryland State House
The oldest state capitol building in continuous use in the United States — and the only one to have served as the capitol of the nation. Your group spends approximately 30 minutes inside. This is where the Treaty of Paris was ratified in 1784, officially ending the Revolutionary War. This is where George Washington stood before Congress and resigned his commission as General of the Continental Army — a moment that stunned the world and established the American tradition of civilian control over the military. King George III called it the greatest act in human history. Your guide tells you the full story.
The Kunta Kinte Memorial
Annapolis was one of the major ports of entry for enslaved Africans brought to the colonies. The Kunta Kinte Memorial at City Dock marks the spot where Alex Haley’s ancestor — immortalized in the book and film Roots — arrived in America in 1767. It is one of the most powerful and least discussed sites in any American city. Your guide gives this stop the depth and care it deserves, placing it in the full context of Annapolis’s history as a slave trading port and the long legacy of that history in the city today.
William Paca House
One of the finest Georgian mansions in America, built in 1763 by William Paca — a signer of the Declaration of Independence and Governor of Maryland. The house itself requires a separate appointment to enter, but your guide tells the story of Paca, his role in the founding of the nation, and what colonial life in Annapolis actually looked like from the outside of one of its most spectacular surviving examples.
Hammond-Harwood House
Widely considered the finest example of colonial academic architecture in America — designed in the 1770s and described by architectural historians as one of the most perfect buildings ever constructed in the colonies. Your guide covers the story of the house, its architect, and the families who lived here across three centuries of Annapolis history.
St. Anne’s Church
One of the oldest parishes in Maryland, established in 1692. St. Anne’s sits at the center of one of the two circles that define the baroque street plan of Annapolis — a layout so admired by George Washington that it influenced the design of the nation’s capital. The church and its surrounding circle tell the story of how religion, politics, and civic life were deliberately woven together in colonial Annapolis.
City Dock and the Chesapeake Bay
The tour ends where Annapolis’s story begins — at the water. City Dock has been the commercial and social heart of Annapolis since the city was founded in 1649. From here, ships carried tobacco, goods, and enslaved people across the Atlantic and up the Chesapeake Bay. Today it is one of the most scenic spots in Maryland. Your guide connects the view in front of you to the centuries of history that happened on this waterfront.
Why tour with a guide?
Annapolis has more 18th-century buildings than any other American city. Knowing what happened inside them is something else entirely.
You could walk the streets of Annapolis on your own and admire the architecture. The buildings are beautiful. But without a guide you are looking at facades — beautiful, historic facades that hold stories most visitors never hear. The Treaty of Paris. Washington’s resignation. The slave trade. The founding fathers who lived and argued and compromised on these exact streets. A two-hour tour with an expert guide turns a pleasant day trip into something genuinely unforgettable.
- You go inside the State House. Most visitors to Annapolis walk past the Maryland State House without going in. Our tour includes approximately 30 minutes inside one of the most historically significant buildings in the country, with a guide who knows exactly what happened there and how to bring it to life.
- The full story of Annapolis. The colonial grandeur and the slave trade. The founding fathers and the people they enslaved. The Naval Academy and the city it transformed. Our guides tell the complete history of Annapolis, not just the comfortable parts.
- Context that changes everything. Annapolis was once the wealthiest city in America. It was briefly the capital of the United States. It was a major port of entry for enslaved Africans. Understanding all of that at once changes how you see every building and every street.
- Your questions get answered. See something that catches your eye? We stop and talk about it. No audio guide ever did that.
Everything before you book.
Meeting point
Annapolis Visitors Center, 26 West Street, Annapolis MD 21401. Look for your guide in DC by Foot attire outside the Visitors Center entrance.
End point
The tour ends at City Dock by the Market House, 25 Market Space, Annapolis MD. This is a short walk from the Visitors Center parking and the main paid parking areas in the city.
Getting to Annapolis
Annapolis is approximately 45 minutes from Washington DC by car via Route 50 East. Parking is available at the Gott’s Court Parking Garage at 25 Northwest Street, one block from the Visitors Center meeting point. Street parking is available in the historic district but limited and metered. Annapolis is not easily accessible by Metro — driving or rideshare is recommended.
Photo ID requirement
All guests 18 years and over must bring a valid government-issued photo ID to enter the Maryland State House. A driver’s license, state ID, or passport are all accepted. International guests should bring their passport. Guests without ID will not be permitted to enter the State House and will miss a significant portion of the tour — please do not forget your ID.
What to bring
- Valid photo ID for all guests 18 and over — this is essential
- Comfortable walking shoes — the historic district has brick and cobblestone sidewalks that can be uneven
- Water bottle
- Camera — Annapolis is one of the most photogenic cities on the East Coast
- Weather-appropriate clothing — tours run rain or shine year round
Buildings entered
The Maryland State House is the only building entered on this tour, with approximately 30 minutes inside. All other stops — the William Paca House, Hammond-Harwood House, St. Anne’s Church, the Kunta Kinte Memorial, and City Dock — are viewed from the street or explored on the surrounding grounds.
Accessibility
The historic district of Annapolis includes older brick and cobblestone sidewalks that can be uneven and challenging for wheelchairs and strollers. The Maryland State House is accessible with an elevator available. Contact us in advance if you have specific accessibility needs and we will do our best to accommodate. For fully accessible options please contact us about a private tour.
What’s included
- Professional historian and tour guide in colonial costume
- Entry to the Maryland State House
- Annapolis restaurant and experience recommendations from your guide
- Advice on what to see and do after the tour ends at City Dock
Ready to Walk With Us?
This tour runs year round and fills up fast on weekends. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before, no risk. Don’t forget your photo ID.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need to bring a photo ID?
Yes — this is not optional. All guests 18 and over must present a valid government-issued photo ID to enter the Maryland State House. This is a security requirement of the building and cannot be waived. Guests without ID will not be permitted to enter. Please treat this the same way you would treat ID requirements for a flight or a federal building and do not leave it at your hotel.
Do you enter the William Paca House or Hammond-Harwood House?
No — both houses are viewed from the street on this tour. The William Paca House requires a separate appointment to enter. The Hammond-Harwood House is open for self-guided visits separately from the tour. Your guide will provide context and recommendations for both if you want to visit independently after the tour.
Does the tour include the US Naval Academy?
The tour covers the history and significance of the Naval Academy but does not enter the Yard. The Academy is visible from the surrounding streets and your guide provides full context on its history, its role in Annapolis, and the traditions of midshipman life. If you want to visit the Academy itself, the Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center at Gate 1 on King George Street offers separate self-guided and guided tours — your guide can advise on the best way to arrange a visit after the tour ends.
How do I get to Annapolis from Washington DC?
Annapolis is approximately 45 minutes from Washington DC by car via Route 50 East. There is no direct Metro service to Annapolis. The Maryland Transit Administration operates bus service from the New Carrollton Metro station but journey times are significantly longer than driving. Rideshare from DC is a reasonable option for guests who prefer not to drive. Your guide can recommend the best parking options when you arrive.
Where should I park?
The Gott’s Court Parking Garage at 25 Northwest Street is the most convenient option for this tour — it is one block from the Visitors Center meeting point and a short walk from City Dock where the tour ends. Street parking is available throughout the historic district but metered and limited on busy weekends. We recommend arriving 15 to 20 minutes early to allow time to park and walk to the meeting point.
Is this tour suitable for children?
Yes — this tour is suitable for all ages. The stories of the founding era, the slave trade, and the Naval Academy engage curious visitors of every age. Parents should be aware that the tour includes a thoughtful and age-appropriate discussion of the history of slavery and the slave trade at the Kunta Kinte Memorial. Children under 4 are free. Children 18 and under do not need a photo ID.
What happens if it rains?
Tours run rain or shine year round. Bring an umbrella and weather-appropriate clothing. The Maryland State House section of the tour provides covered time indoors. In the event of severe weather we will contact all guests by email and text with alternative options or a full refund.
How do I cancel or reschedule?
Reply to your confirmation email to cancel or reschedule. Full refunds are available up to 24 hours before the tour. We offer flexible rescheduling and can often accommodate you on another date with short notice. Guests who booked via a third-party platform must cancel through that platform.
How early should I arrive?
We recommend arriving at the Annapolis Visitors Center at least 10 minutes before the tour begins. Allow extra time if you are driving from DC as Route 50 can be congested, particularly on weekend mornings. Your guide’s name and phone number will be in your reminder email the day before.
