I know, its summer and the great Annapolis Boat Show is months away, but we are starting to plan early because we have never attended, nor ventured into Annapolis and have no idea where to stay and what to expect. We are driving from Atlanta so it should be less than 10 hours. Many of the hotels in town are already booked so that leaves us with having to stay out of the city, this is where I need some advice regarding accomodations. Richmond? Baltimore? If anyone has been to the show and I am sure a great number here have, can you let me know just what to expect regarding traffic, crowds, getting around, etc. Is this going to be a zoo!? Any good restaurant or tavern recommendations? I did read they have shuttles from various locations to the docks. Its nice to be armed with the knowledge before heading out, so why not start early. We are looking very forward to our first visit there. Appreciate any input. Bob
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Great show
Don't worry about the traffic. It's worst on Fridays, otherwise slow but steady. Look for motels on the web in La Plata or Waldorf as you come up 301 from Atlanta. Don't stay near Route 50-301 since room prices are outrageous.
Don't worry about the traffic. It's worst on Fridays, otherwise slow but steady. Look for motels on the web in La Plata or Waldorf as you come up 301 from Atlanta. Don't stay near Route 50-301 since room prices are outrageous.
Try...
motels/hotels in Bowie, Odenton, or around BWI Airport. They are a short (15 mi) drive into Annapolis. If you have to stay in Baltimore take that option. Richmond is NOT an option because the traffic is horrible between the two. Think Atlanta x 2. Try to go to the show on Friday (or Thursday if you're the VIP type.) The crowds on Sat - Mon are overwhelming and Friday is by far the best day IMHO. I usually wind up going Friday to look, plus another day to watch the crowds etc. Search the archives here, I and several others have written before with hints on parking, restaurants, etc. You can also email me direct if you want...dcdon@hotmail.com
motels/hotels in Bowie, Odenton, or around BWI Airport. They are a short (15 mi) drive into Annapolis. If you have to stay in Baltimore take that option. Richmond is NOT an option because the traffic is horrible between the two. Think Atlanta x 2. Try to go to the show on Friday (or Thursday if you're the VIP type.) The crowds on Sat - Mon are overwhelming and Friday is by far the best day IMHO. I usually wind up going Friday to look, plus another day to watch the crowds etc. Search the archives here, I and several others have written before with hints on parking, restaurants, etc. You can also email me direct if you want...dcdon@hotmail.com
Boat Show Parking
The Annapolis Boat Show is very well organized. Buy your tickets on line and save a couple bucks. Follow the signs to parking at the Naval Academy Stadium. Parking is about six bucks, take the school bus right to the boat show. When you have had all you can stand, get back on the school bus and be delivered right to your car. Another place to consider staying is Kent Island -- there are several hotels available there. (Stevensonville, Grasonville). If you want to go back in time and see some history, try a bed and breakfast in Chestertown, Maryland. Nice little town, 35~ miles from the show. Check out the Chestertown web site. Have a great trip. Paul
The Annapolis Boat Show is very well organized. Buy your tickets on line and save a couple bucks. Follow the signs to parking at the Naval Academy Stadium. Parking is about six bucks, take the school bus right to the boat show. When you have had all you can stand, get back on the school bus and be delivered right to your car. Another place to consider staying is Kent Island -- there are several hotels available there. (Stevensonville, Grasonville). If you want to go back in time and see some history, try a bed and breakfast in Chestertown, Maryland. Nice little town, 35~ miles from the show. Check out the Chestertown web site. Have a great trip. Paul
Boat Show survivor guide
You have probably seen this, but it looks like a good site for tips: http://www.annapolis.com/articles/article.php/a_id/80
You have probably seen this, but it looks like a good site for tips: http://www.annapolis.com/articles/article.php/a_id/80
Thank You
Great helpful information. We will schedule the show for friday based on what I am reading here. We figured a long weekend anyways with the travel. I agree that a small town with charm and history enroute would outweigh the larger cities. I do not mind the 30-50+ mile drive to Annapolis from a nights stay considering the beautiful time of year and countryside. Keep em coming. Bob
Great helpful information. We will schedule the show for friday based on what I am reading here. We figured a long weekend anyways with the travel. I agree that a small town with charm and history enroute would outweigh the larger cities. I do not mind the 30-50+ mile drive to Annapolis from a nights stay considering the beautiful time of year and countryside. Keep em coming. Bob
Secrets
Being a former Annapolis resident, I won't give away my "secret" parking spot 'cause it'll fill up if I do, but it does involve walking across the Spa Creek Bridge and stopping at Fawcett's before entering the show. I have always gone to the show on Monday, especially after a nice weekend as it is much less crowded and the tent exhibitors are more than willing to make a deal on stuff on display rather than pack it up and haul it back to the shop. Also, if you can hang around until after closing, the break-up is a sight to behold! Bring your appetite, there's a number of eating places within a stone's throw of any show gate if you can't handle the beef sandwiches at the Fleet Reserve Club.
Being a former Annapolis resident, I won't give away my "secret" parking spot 'cause it'll fill up if I do, but it does involve walking across the Spa Creek Bridge and stopping at Fawcett's before entering the show. I have always gone to the show on Monday, especially after a nice weekend as it is much less crowded and the tent exhibitors are more than willing to make a deal on stuff on display rather than pack it up and haul it back to the shop. Also, if you can hang around until after closing, the break-up is a sight to behold! Bring your appetite, there's a number of eating places within a stone's throw of any show gate if you can't handle the beef sandwiches at the Fleet Reserve Club.
Been there many times...
And you're wise to start planning now, 'cuz hotel rooms for a reasonable price within a reasonable distance from the show go early. I always drove from Atlanta 'cuz I was gonna be there for nearly two weeks. 10 hours is a bit optimistic. Depending on where in Atlanta, you start from (I started from Dunwoody), you can easily make Richmond in 7-8 hours, provided you don't stop at any of the 4 factory outlet malls on I-85
...but while it doesn't look like it should take more than another 3 hours to go from Richmond to Annapolis, you fail to take the DC Beltway traffic into account. I always spent the night with friends near Richmond, leaving there about 8 am...which put me on the Beltway around DC after morning rush hour. So I suggest you also break the drive somewhere between Richmond and DC....'cuz if you try to drive it in one day, you're gonna hit the Beltway right in the thick of evening rush hour, which is even worse than Atlanta's (if that's possible), and lasts at least as long. The most reasonably priced hotels are the airport hotels around BWI, most of which are only about a 30 minute drive from the show. The Best Western BWI is an excellent choice. Hampton Inn is a close second. You might also want to check the rates in Parole, which is right next Annapolis. Parking: if you get into the historic district of Annapolis by 8 am--which I used to do and then have a good breakfast before the show opened at 10, you can easily find parking on the street--but not in any metered space...they don't just ticket, they TOW, if you let it run out) near the Academy or across Spa Creek in Eastport. However, till you get the "lay of the land," I recommend you follow the signs to the stadium shuttle bus parking...the shuttle busses run every 15-30 minutes. Plan on spending at least 2 days at the show if want to do more than just walk through it...lines to get onto boats are long. If you're drive 550 miles to get there, you'll also want to see a bit of the area--the shops around the show, drive across the Bay Bridge to Kent Island...and if you've never seen the Vietnam Memorial or the new FDR memorial (you don't have to be an FDR fan to appreciate it), or spent any time at the Smithsonian, I can't imagine driving over 1100 miles round trip just to pass by DC on your way to or from Annapolis. We can talk about restaurants and other things closer to the show...the important thing now is for you to plan your trip and make your hotel reservations ASAP.
And you're wise to start planning now, 'cuz hotel rooms for a reasonable price within a reasonable distance from the show go early. I always drove from Atlanta 'cuz I was gonna be there for nearly two weeks. 10 hours is a bit optimistic. Depending on where in Atlanta, you start from (I started from Dunwoody), you can easily make Richmond in 7-8 hours, provided you don't stop at any of the 4 factory outlet malls on I-85
...but while it doesn't look like it should take more than another 3 hours to go from Richmond to Annapolis, you fail to take the DC Beltway traffic into account. I always spent the night with friends near Richmond, leaving there about 8 am...which put me on the Beltway around DC after morning rush hour. So I suggest you also break the drive somewhere between Richmond and DC....'cuz if you try to drive it in one day, you're gonna hit the Beltway right in the thick of evening rush hour, which is even worse than Atlanta's (if that's possible), and lasts at least as long. The most reasonably priced hotels are the airport hotels around BWI, most of which are only about a 30 minute drive from the show. The Best Western BWI is an excellent choice. Hampton Inn is a close second. You might also want to check the rates in Parole, which is right next Annapolis. Parking: if you get into the historic district of Annapolis by 8 am--which I used to do and then have a good breakfast before the show opened at 10, you can easily find parking on the street--but not in any metered space...they don't just ticket, they TOW, if you let it run out) near the Academy or across Spa Creek in Eastport. However, till you get the "lay of the land," I recommend you follow the signs to the stadium shuttle bus parking...the shuttle busses run every 15-30 minutes. Plan on spending at least 2 days at the show if want to do more than just walk through it...lines to get onto boats are long. If you're drive 550 miles to get there, you'll also want to see a bit of the area--the shops around the show, drive across the Bay Bridge to Kent Island...and if you've never seen the Vietnam Memorial or the new FDR memorial (you don't have to be an FDR fan to appreciate it), or spent any time at the Smithsonian, I can't imagine driving over 1100 miles round trip just to pass by DC on your way to or from Annapolis. We can talk about restaurants and other things closer to the show...the important thing now is for you to plan your trip and make your hotel reservations ASAP.WAITTTT11111
WAITTT!! Dont stay in Bmore or at the airport. Its a long drive and its hardly beautiful. Went last year. Booked a bed and breakfast about two weeks before the show -- very reasonable -- about $200 per night. There are lots of b and bs in annapolis. beauty is you park and the b and b and walk to the show. if you want to go back to your room and take a rest and then go back you can. annapolis is such a charming town -- take my word for it STAY IN ANNAP!!!!!
WAITTT!! Dont stay in Bmore or at the airport. Its a long drive and its hardly beautiful. Went last year. Booked a bed and breakfast about two weeks before the show -- very reasonable -- about $200 per night. There are lots of b and bs in annapolis. beauty is you park and the b and b and walk to the show. if you want to go back to your room and take a rest and then go back you can. annapolis is such a charming town -- take my word for it STAY IN ANNAP!!!!!
Friday or Monday? Opinions Please
Interesting about monday for the show. I always preferred events at the end rather then the beginning. It seems everything slows, folks mellow out, you get closer to the vendors and your right about bargains. So with that, does the boat show ticket cover all days, or selected days? Sunday would be a great people watching day as some suggested, and monday the time to get closer to things as the place folds up. Mind you we are not their to buy a boat (we have a Catalina 30 we are quite pleased with), but to just take it all in. Or is it friday to see it all with limited crowds and the people watching on saturday? Interesting scenarios........... Thanks everyone Bob
Interesting about monday for the show. I always preferred events at the end rather then the beginning. It seems everything slows, folks mellow out, you get closer to the vendors and your right about bargains. So with that, does the boat show ticket cover all days, or selected days? Sunday would be a great people watching day as some suggested, and monday the time to get closer to things as the place folds up. Mind you we are not their to buy a boat (we have a Catalina 30 we are quite pleased with), but to just take it all in. Or is it friday to see it all with limited crowds and the people watching on saturday? Interesting scenarios........... Thanks everyone Bob
Ticket/Crowds/Price
Your ticket covers one day -- so if you want to attend more than one day you need more tickets. Remember, the power boat show follows the sail boat show so the vendors will be there for two weeks, not one. I have gone back during the power boat show to get a better price. Monday the 10th is a holiday, all government workers and the military will be off, some of which will be at the show. Friday is probably the best day to avoid crowds. Just some thoughts. Paul
Your ticket covers one day -- so if you want to attend more than one day you need more tickets. Remember, the power boat show follows the sail boat show so the vendors will be there for two weeks, not one. I have gone back during the power boat show to get a better price. Monday the 10th is a holiday, all government workers and the military will be off, some of which will be at the show. Friday is probably the best day to avoid crowds. Just some thoughts. Paul
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