Reed’s Take:
The bottom line is that Annapolis is one of the best places to watch college football in the US. The city itself is an historic treasure and the Naval Academy, it’s alumni and Midshipmen are great hosts to visiting fans. Below is a ton of info about the Bowl game and associated issues. There will be a lot to do. One thing I highly recommend is that you take the opportunity to work in a visit to the Naval Academy itself. Visiting there is a pretty formalized because so many people do it every day.
Here is the link to the Armel-Leftwich Visitors Center and some more additional info and numbers to call if you plan on getting more info. I will say this – if you go to the Main Chapel (ADM John Paul Jones is buried here)…
Adm John Paul Jones’ Crypt
and to the Naval Museum on campus be prepared for the waterworks to start… at least they always do for me. The Naval Cemetery is impressive as hell also.
I plan on visiting in late morning on Sunday and because I am a retired Coastie can park on the Academy grounds at the Visitors Center – I can take three guests with me if anyone is interested – you just have to have valid photo IDs.
Our favorite restaurant/pub in Annapolis is the Irish pub Galway Bay but there are a ton of good and interesting places to eat and drink. Sometimes the weather in late December isn’t all that bad so don’t hesitate to go down Main Street and walk around the dock harbor. You’ll see that statue of Alex Haley, author of “Roots” and who was on active duty with the US Coast Guard when he wrote that book (way before my time you jagoffs). Also check out this small museum, the Waterfront Warehouse, for in-depth history of Annapolis and immediate region.
