Historic District
Most people new to Annapolis are familiar with the Historic District. This is the center of town with Main Street and its shops and Restaurants. It is centered on the waterfront area when up until the 1960s, the docks were lined with oyster and crab boats with their daily haul. That area is now called “Ego Alley” as it affords boaters the chance to slowly cruise and show off their boats! The historic homes range from tiny townhomes to huge brick colonial mansions that line the streets between Duke of Gloucester to King George Street. The Naval Academy borders the town on the east side and St. John’s College borders town to the north.
On the west side of the Historic District is Murray Hill. This very popular quiet neighborhood has classic older homes set back from sidewalks and tree-lined streets. Downtown is very walkable from here, and these homes have easier parking and less inconvenience from tourists and the frequent parades and activities. It’s the best of both worlds! Murray Hill has a few highly-coveted streets that offer waterfront access, though many homes are a more modest cottage-style. Some streets have a small park that ends at Spa Creek. On the north side of Murray Hill is the Maryland Hall campus, the old Annapolis High School that has been turned into a vibrant arts center. Murray hill is a quiet haven with elegant and well-cared-for homes!
Just beyond Murray Hill is the Germantown-Homewood section of town. This area is also walkable to many restaurants and shops, and is bordered by the U.S. Naval Academy Stadium to the east. The roar of the crowd can be heard when Navy scores a touchdown! Homewood is an eclectic community with a pleasant mix of small bungalows and large homes. Most have nice yards and off-street parking along with sidewalks and mature trees. Admiral Heights is a section of homes that was built in the 1960s, and offers different sizes and styles of homes along with a community pool and small waterfront parks on College Creek. It is a pleasant community that is home to a new public library. Homewood also offers quick access to downtown and outside shopping areas including Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, and Harbour Center.
West Annapolis and Wardour offer beautiful homes in a range of styles. Wardour has winding streets with large waterfront homes with private docks that dot the Severn River and Weems Creek. West Annapolis features more modest mature homes in a range of styles and a small district with restaurants and shops. The West Annapolis Elementary school is a central focus of this quiet sought-after neighborhood!
Once you go through the Historic District and head east over the Spa Creek Bridge, you land in Eastport. This once-sleepy waterman’s village that at one time was only accessibly by ferry, is now the bustling hub of the boating world. Marinas, restaurants, yacht clubs and boating businesses have collected on this spit of land that is positioned between two creeks. Large homes, townhomes and condos line the water’s edge along Spa Creek and Back Creek. Modest waterman’s cottages have been renovated and vacant lots have new larger homes to accommodate the flood of Buyers. The energy of Eastport and its fine dining are a real draw to people who enjoy more of an urban lifestyle. But there are also plenty of quiet side streets and old trees for those who prefer low-key days. There are two large yacht clubs anchoring the peninsula and private marinas for boaters needing a place to land. Eastport proudly features the Maritime Museum, developed on the site of the old McNasby’s oyster facility. The large homes at the end of the peninsula have an expansive unencumbered view down the Chesapeake Bay.
