Aboard + Ashore
Annapolis is a maritime town. Located right on the shores of the Severn River in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the waterfront spot is a destination for all things aquatic, from sailing and rowing to Maryland’s famous crabcakes. Do your seminar reading on a bench by the Bay, take an afternoon off to go paddleboarding, catch some sun in Sandy Point State Park, or walk around the grounds of the nearby Naval Academy.
Sailing + Rowing
Hoist sails, row crew, or cruise on something more comfortable.
Annapolis is considered by many to be the sailing capital of America, and for good reason. Walk around downtown and you’ll see a bevy of boats on the water and docked at marinas, plenty of nautical art, and various sailing schools along the Severn. While you can sail and row using the campus boathouse, Annapolis offers several annual boat shows (showcasing powerboats, sailboats, and more), lessons from the pros, and a chance to rent pontoon and power boats for a fun afternoon asea.
Canoeing, Kayaking + Paddleboarding
Not a serious sailor? There are plenty of fun ways to hit the water.
If you want to make the most of life on the Severn without spending time worrying about technique, take advantage of the many canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding opportunities on and off-campus, including paddleboard yoga, sunrise paddles, and more. There are plenty of rivers and places to explore within driving distance, too—check out Chestertown and Rock Hall, two cute waterfront towns about an hour away. And if you'd rather sit on the shore than take to the sea, make a trip to Sandy Point State Park, a cute beach overlooking the Bay that's only about 15 minutes away. (Oh, and Ocean City is a bigger beach town about two hours away—perfect for a weekend getaway.)
Fishing + Seafood
There’s a reason Maryland’s crabcakes are world-famous.
Annapolis is renowned for its seafood, and for good reason. Local watermen catch fresh fish and Maryland blue crabs and deliver them to the city’s many seafood houses, including the world-famous Boatyard Bar & Grill, O’Brien’s Oyster Bar, Carrol’s Creek Cafe, O’Learys Seafood, and plenty more. You can’t finish four years here without falling in love with Old Bay.
Naval Academy
The U.S. Naval Academy is home to more than just our croquet rivals.
About a quarter-mile from campus sits the United States Naval Academy (est. 1845), where Midshipmen study and train for duty in the Navy and Marine Corps. Though SJC’s most notable interaction with them is through our annual Croquet match, the Midshipmen and Johnnies are friendly and will often attend waltz parties on each other’s campuses. Close proximity to USNA also brings amazing shows from the Blue Angels during Commissioning Week, the chance to enjoy college sports at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, and the impressive USNA Museum, which offers an in-depth look at the Navy’s history.