Annapolis 2026: guide to accommodation, hotels, apartments, locations, parking and prices
Annapolis, the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, is a historic city on the shore of the Chesapeake Bay where the location of accommodation strongly influences how visitors get around. The historic district, City Dock, Main Street, Maryland State House and the entrance to the U.S. Naval Academy are concentrated within a small area, making downtown practical for exploring on foot. West Street, Parole and Annapolis Town Center offer easier access by car, while Eastport suits guests who value marinas and a quieter waterfront atmosphere. According to Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, the accommodation offer includes hotels, historic inns, bed and breakfast properties, extended-stay accommodation and short-term rentals.
For most visitors, the first step is to determine the reason for the trip. A weekend in the historic district requires a different location from a family road trip or a visit to an event at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Commissioning Week, sports weekends and autumn boat shows can increase demand and put pressure on parking, so it is worth booking earlier for those dates. Available accommodation offers for this destination should therefore be compared according to location, cancellation conditions and total cost.
Where to stay: the historic downtown area for exploring on foot
The historic downtown area is the most practical choice for a first stay if City Dock, Main Street, State Circle, Maryland Avenue and historic attractions are priorities. Visit Annapolis states that many downtown hotels and inns are within walking distance of the main points of interest. The car can therefore often be left in a garage, which is an advantage in the historic zone where parking is limited. Downtown is particularly practical in the evening, when additional transportation is generally unnecessary.
Accommodation on the most sought-after streets and along the waterfront is often more expensive than properties farther from downtown, especially on weekends and during major events. Historic properties may have smaller rooms, stairs or limited parking, so accessibility, luggage unloading and overnight parking should be checked. If the plan consists almost entirely of exploring the old town and the Naval Academy, the higher price of downtown accommodation may be partly offset by a reduced need to drive.
Eastport: a quieter waterfront stay by the marinas
Eastport is located on the other side of Spa Creek and is connected to the historic downtown area by a bridge, while during the warmer part of the year a water taxi also operates between certain points. Visit Annapolis describes this neighborhood as a distinctly nautical area with marinas, waterfront restaurants and views toward downtown. For couples, sailors and guests who value a harbor atmosphere more than immediate proximity to Main Street, Eastport can be a very good choice. City Dock can be reached on foot from parts of Eastport, but actual convenience depends on the exact address and weather conditions.
In Eastport, it is important to check whether the property has its own parking and how far it is from the bridge over Spa Creek. Accommodation deeper inside the neighborhood may be quieter, but less practical for frequent trips downtown. During sailing season and major nautical events, demand around the marinas increases, and special traffic measures may apply around City Dock.
West Street, Arts District and Park Place: a compromise between downtown and car access
The West Street corridor is a good compromise for travelers who want to be close to the historic district but do not insist on a room directly by the harbor. The part of the city around the Arts District, Park Place and hotels west of Church Circle is connected with downtown by walking routes and local transportation. According to the City of Annapolis, free electric trolleys operate on weekends during the season, connecting certain municipal garages with central streets, while official local transportation information also mentions a free shuttle through the central zone. Such a location can be practical for guests arriving by car who want to avoid the most congested streets around City Dock.
Another advantage of this area is its proximity to the Park Place and Knighton garages. According to the rates available at the time this article was prepared, Park Place charges 2.50 U.S. dollars for the first hour, 4 dollars for up to two hours, 8 dollars for up to four hours and a maximum of 18 dollars for stays longer than ten hours. According to its currently published rates, Knighton charges 3 dollars per hour for up to four hours, with a daily maximum of 15 dollars. Prices, Sunday free-parking rules and fees may change, so they should be checked on the official city parking websites before arrival.
Parole and Annapolis Town Center: practical for drivers and longer stays
West of the historic district are Parole, Annapolis Town Center and larger commercial corridors with hotels in various categories. This area is practical for business travelers, families and guests planning road trips toward Baltimore, Washington or other parts of Maryland. Visit Annapolis states that Annapolis Town Center is less than four miles from downtown, meaning that accommodation outside the historic district does not necessarily have to be logistically remote, although a car or local transportation will still be more important for most daily trips. Compared with the old town, it is more common here to find larger parking areas and properties adapted to guests arriving in their own vehicles.
The disadvantage is greater dependence on daily transportation to City Dock and the old town. If road connections, easier parking and a longer stay are priorities, this area may nevertheless make more sense than a more expensive room in the historic district. Before booking, check whether breakfast, parking and additional fees are included in the price.
Hotels, historic inns and apartments: what to choose
Hotels are a straightforward choice for travelers who value a reception desk and a predictable standard, while historic inns offer more local character. In older buildings, it is important to check whether there is an elevator, how far away the parking is, whether a car can reach the entrance and whether the room is in the main building or a separate building. These details are especially important for guests with heavy luggage, reduced mobility or strollers.
Apartments and short-term rentals are practical for families and groups that want a kitchen or more space. The City of Annapolis requires them to be registered and licensed, and city information states that Anne Arundel County applies an 8-percent accommodation tax. Maryland also applies state sales and use tax to accommodation services, so the base price is not necessarily the final amount. The final calculation, cancellation conditions, parking and valid property registration should be checked.
How much does accommodation in Annapolis cost in 2026?
For Annapolis, it is not useful to state a single "average" nightly price because rates vary significantly depending on the date, type of property, location and events. A room in the historic downtown area during a quieter midweek period may have a completely different price from the same room during a football weekend, Commissioning Week or the autumn boat shows. According to the Visit Annapolis calendar, the Annapolis Powerboat Show 2026 takes place from October 8 to 11, while the Annapolis Sailboat Show is held from October 15 to 18, which are examples of periods when stronger pressure on availability should be expected. During such periods, a flexible reservation and earlier booking may be more important than waiting for a lower price.
The best way to compare options is to calculate the total cost: the room rate, taxes, parking, possible additional fees, breakfast and transportation to downtown. A cheaper property outside downtown may lose part of its advantage if transportation and garage parking must be paid for every day, while a more expensive downtown option may be rational for a short stay without a car. Prices are dynamic, so the final amount should be checked directly with the selected accommodation before purchase.
Parking: when a private parking space is essential
Parking is one of the most important criteria when choosing accommodation in Annapolis. The city officially lists four main municipal garages in the central area: Mills Hillman, Gotts Court, Knighton and Park Place, along with additional street parking spaces and lots. The payment system is not the same in all zones, and the historic district and other parts of the city are served by different operators. A guest booking accommodation without its own parking should therefore check not only the distance to a garage, but also the possibility of multi-day parking, exiting and re-entering, as well as the rules that apply at night and during events.
For a visit to the U.S. Naval Academy, visitors should plan to park outside the complex. The Academy states that the general public cannot enter by vehicle without appropriate military or DBIDS credentials and that visitors should park outside the Academy and enter on foot through an authorized entrance. General Public Visitation was reinstated on May 11, 2026, but security rules may change, so they should be checked immediately before arrival.
Arrival from the airport and getting around without a car
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, or BWI, is important for international and domestic travelers. According to official information from the City of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, BWI Express connects the airport with Annapolis Mall via Crownsville and Millersville Park & Ride. The service is free, and the official city website states that it operates daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. However, Annapolis Mall is not in the historic district, so after arriving the traveler should plan a local transfer, taxi or other transportation to the final accommodation. The schedule may change, so it should be checked with the Anne Arundel County Office of Transportation before traveling.
In downtown Annapolis, a car is often unnecessary: Main Street, City Dock, Maryland Avenue and State Circle can be explored on foot, while Eastport can be reached across the bridge or by water taxi when it is operating. During part of the year, the city uses free electric trolleys between garages and downtown on weekends. Shuttle and water-taxi schedules change seasonally, so they should be checked before the trip.
Which accommodation suits different types of trips
For couples and guests on a short city break, the historic downtown area or Eastport are usually the most logical choices because they allow walking, evening outings and direct contact with the waterfront. Families traveling by car may benefit more from hotels with private parking, larger rooms and easy access to major roads, even if the property is located several miles from downtown. Business travelers often value predictable logistics, so the West Street, Park Place or Parole area may be more practical than the very heart of the historic district. Visitors to the U.S. Naval Academy should consider walking distance to Gate 1 and current access rules, rather than relying only on the distance shown on a map.
Travelers with pets should check whether the property allows animals and whether additional fees apply. For longer stays, a kitchen, laundry facilities, refrigerator and parking are important. Downtown and Eastport are the most practical areas for visitors to City Dock, while the western part of the city may be more suitable for events at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Accommodation near the main location of the trip should therefore be selected according to the actual daily route.
When to book and what to watch for in 2026
Peak periods are associated with the U.S. Naval Academy calendar, sporting events, summer weekends and autumn nautical events. For the October boat shows and major events around the Academy and stadium, waiting until the last minute may mean a poorer selection and stricter cancellation conditions. During quieter midweek periods, there is usually greater flexibility.
Before booking, several practical items should be checked: whether parking is included, whether there is a vehicle height or size restriction, what the actual walking distance is to the planned attractions, whether breakfast is included, whether additional fees apply, what the cancellation rules are and what the check-in and check-out times are. For short-term rentals, the license and the final calculation of all charges should be checked. For historic inns, accessibility and room layout are worth checking. For events and visits to the U.S. Naval Academy, current security and traffic information should be checked immediately before arrival.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to choose a hotel downtown or outside downtown?
Downtown is more practical for exploring City Dock, Main Street and historic attractions on foot. Accommodation outside downtown may be better for guests with a car, longer stays and trips around the surrounding area, especially if parking is included.
Should accommodation with parking be booked in Annapolis?
If you are arriving by car, yes. Parking in the historic district is limited and often paid, so having a private parking space can significantly simplify the stay and reduce unexpected costs.
Which part of the city is best for a first stay?
For a first visit, the historic downtown area or the area around West Street is the simplest choice because the main attractions are accessible on foot. Eastport is a good alternative for guests who value the water, marinas and a quieter atmosphere.
When is the best time to book accommodation for major events?
For Commissioning Week, football weekends and the October boat shows, it is advisable to book as soon as the travel dates are certain. Availability and prices can change quickly, so preference should be given to a reservation with clear cancellation conditions.
What should you watch for with apartments and short-term rentals?
Check the property's registration, the final amount including taxes and fees, cleaning and cancellation rules, and parking. The base nightly price may not include all costs.
Can Annapolis be explored without a car?
The historic downtown area generally can. Eastport has a pedestrian connection across Spa Creek and seasonal transportation options, while local transportation, a taxi or a car are more practical for Parole, Annapolis Mall and more distant parts of the city.
Sources:
- Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County - official 2026 guide, accommodation, neighborhoods and stay planning (link)
- Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County - information about downtown accommodation and walking access to the main points of interest (link)
- Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County - official information about the City Dock, Main Street, Eastport and other city neighborhoods (link)
- City of Annapolis - official information about parking, municipal garages and transportation in downtown Annapolis (link)
- Annapolis Parking - currently published rates for Knighton Garage (link)
- Annapolis Parking - currently published rates for Park Place Garage (link)
- Anne Arundel County Office of Transportation - BWI Express and other free county bus routes (link)
- U.S. Naval Academy - current rules for general public access, identification and entry into the complex (link)
- City of Annapolis - short-term rental registration and accommodation tax in Anne Arundel County (link)
- Comptroller of Maryland - tax treatment of accommodation services in Maryland (link)
- Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County - dates of the Annapolis Powerboat Show and Annapolis Sailboat Show 2026 (link)