Population: 33,187

Elevation: 16 feet

Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (same time as New York City). Daylight saving time: April-October.

Weather:

Average Temperatures:

Month

High

Low

January

44F

25F

February

46F

26F

March

54F

33F

April

66F

43F

May

76F

53F

June

84F

61F

July

87F

66F

August

85F

65F

September

79F

58F

October

68F

46F

November

57F

34F

December

46F

26F

When to Go

Spring and Fall are ideal times to visit the capital region of Maryland. Seeing Annapolis from the water is a highlight of any visit. This is especially enjoyable in summer. Most attractions are open from April through October.

Holidays

New Year's Day Jan. 1

Martin Luther King, Jr., Day 3rd Mon. in Jan.

President's Day 3rd Mon. in Feb.

Memorial Day last Mon. in May;

Independence Day July 4

Labor Day 1st Mon. in Sept.

Thanksgiving Day 4th Thurs. in Nov.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dec. 24 and 25

New Year's Eve Dec. 31.

Business Hours

Banks are usually open weekdays 9 to 3 and some Saturday mornings. Post offices hours are usually from 8 to 5 weekdays and often on Saturday mornings. Shops in urban and suburban areas, particularly in indoor and small malls, typically open at 9 or 10 daily and stay open until anywhere from 6 to 10 PM on weekdays and Saturdays, and from noon until 5 or 6 on Sundays. Hours vary greatly, so call ahead when in doubt.

Customs & Duties

Arriving in the United States

For information, contact the U.S. Customs Service (inquiries, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20229, 202/354-1000.

Electricity

The U.S. electrical standard is 110 volts/60 cycles AC. International visitors traveling with dual-voltage appliances will not need a converter, but they will need a plug adapter. The standard U.S. electrical outlet takes a plug of two flat pins set parallel to one another.

Emergencies

Ambulance ( 911).

Fire ( 911).

Police ( 911).

Area Code: The area codes in Annapolis are 410 and 443.

Hospitals: Anne Arundel Medical Center is at Franklin and Cathedral streets (410/267-1000).

Newspapers/Magazines: The local daily newspaper is the Annapolis Capital. The Baltimore Sun and the Washington Post are also widely available. The leading monthly magazine is Annapolis.

Police: For non emergency police assistance, dial 311. For emergencies, dial 911

Post Office: T he main branch is at Church Circle and North West Street(410/263-9292). Open Monday through Friday from 8am to 6pm, Saturday from 8am to noon.

Taxes: The local sales tax is 5%; the local hotel tax is an additional 7%.

Transit Information: Call the Annapolis Department of Parking and Transportation (410/263-7964 on weekdays and 410/263-7994 on weekends).

Getting There

By Plane: Annapolis is served by Baltimore-Washington International Airport (800/I-FLY-BWI or 410/859-7111), located approximately 20 miles northwest of the city. Minibus transfer services between the airport and the major hotels of Annapolis and the Naval Academy are operated by BWI Shuttle Express/Supershuttle (410/859-0800). Reservations are required at least 2 hours in advance. Transfer by taxi is more costly, but is direct with no stops. Contact BWI Taxi Service at 410/859-1100.

By Car

From Baltimore and points north, take I-695 (the Baltimore beltway) to I-97 south and U.S. Route 50 east. Rowe Boulevard from U.S. Route 50 will take you into the city. From Washington, D.C., take U.S. Route 50 east off the Washington beltway (I-495) to Rowe Boulevard.

It is best to walk the historic district because parking is difficult. You can also park at the Navy/Marine Corps Stadium (off Rowe Boulevard at Taylor Avenue) and ride the shuttle into the historic district. Shuttles depart every 15 minutes and run daily from May to mid-October from 6:30am to 8pm. From mid-October to May, they run Monday through Friday from 6:30am to 7pm. The shuttle is free on weekends and has a nominal cost during the week.

By Bus

Greyhound (800/231-2222:   offers service from the eastern seaboard. Buses depart from and arrive at the Navy/Marine Corps Stadium on Rowe Boulevard.

Baltimore MTA (410/539-5000) provides weekday service to and from Baltimore; buses stop at College Avenue by the State Buildings and the Navy/Marine Corps Stadium. Dillon's Bus Service (800/827-3490 or 410/647-2321) offers weekday direct service to and from Washington, D.C., with buses stopping at the Navy/Marine Corps Stadium, Harry S. Truman Park, and several other places downtown.

Getting Around

By Shuttle: For visitors and local residents, the Annapolis Department of Parking and Transportation (410/263-7964 on weekdays and 410/263-7994 on weekends) operates a shuttle-bus service between the historic/business district and the parking area of the Navy/Marine Corps Stadium. Shuttles operate May to mid-October daily from 6:30am to 8pm; mid-October to May, Monday through Friday from 6:30am to 7pm. Shuttles depart approximately every 15 minutes.

By Water Taxi

Annapolis has regular water taxi service in the summer months, operating from

the City Dock to restaurants and other destinations along Spa and Back Creeks. It also functions as a regular taxi, and can be reserved for individual pick-up. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:30am to midnight, Friday from 9:30am to 1am, Saturday from 9am to 1am, and Sunday from 9am to midnight.

By Car

Parking: Much of he charm of Annapolis is its 18th-century style. Midtown Annapolis is very compact, with narrow streets; and parking in the historic district is limited. There is a park-and-ride lot accessible to public transportation.

By Bus