naval academy tour annapolis

For Visitors

Hours of Operation

January – february.

Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Gift Shop open until 5:00 p.m.

March – December

Daily 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Closed on the Following Days

• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day
• New Year’s Day
• Easter Before Noon

Contact Information

52 King George Street Annapolis, Maryland 21402 Phone: 410-293-8687 Email: [email protected]

Welcome to the U.S. Naval Academy! We are thrilled to have you visit the Yard. Whether you have a day to explore or a long weekend in Annapolis, we can’t wait to see you. Plan your trip here .

Maryland Residents Frequent Tour Program

Present your Maryland driver’s license for your first tour with us. You will be given a MD Membership card. Every time you return with one or more guests, your tour will be free!

IMPORTANT: Anyone 18 years of age or older must present a valid, unexpired government issued driver’s license or identification card and an additional acceptable form of identification such as an SSN card, student ID, birth certificate, or voter registration card. Original, unexpired passports will gain admittance in lieu of the previously stated ID forms AND is required for visitors who are NOT U.S. citizens.

Please click here for additional acceptable forms of identification .

Experience the Historic U.S. Naval Academy

Stay Informed & Stay Ahead

U.s. naval academy tours.

Tour the U.S. Naval Academy on foot or by electric car. See the Yard, learn about the midshipmen, and experience Navy history. Public, private, and group tours are available.

NABSD is cashless. Credit or debit cards are accepted throughout the Yard.

Service Animals

Only service animals are permitted in the Visitor Center, U.S. Naval Academy buildings, on tours, and in ceremonial areas. Please be respectful of the ceremonial areas, especially in front of Bancroft Hall. They are clearly marked with signs. Do not jog, cycle, or walk your pets in these areas.

Parking & Shuttles

Parking is available daily at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium located at 550 Taylor Ave, Annapolis, MD 21401. Shuttles run during most major events before, during, and after. There are also several parking garages in Downtown Annapolis, rideshare options, trolley, and shuttles. Only vehicles with U.S. Naval Academy IDs, DoD credentials, or handicapped tags may enter the grounds.

The U.S. Naval Academy boasts the oldest Navy Museum in the country.

U.S. Naval Academy Museum

Located in Preble Hall on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Academy, the museum offers two floors of exhibits about the history of seapower, the development of the U.S. Navy, and the role of the U.S. Naval Academy in producing officers capable of leading America’s Sailors and Marines.

Our displays combine historical artifacts with video and audio technology to bring to life the stories of the men and women who have served their country at sea. Whether you are a casual visitor, a student of naval history, or a member of the Brigade of Midshipmen, the Museum stands ready to make your visit a memorable one.

For more information, visit the U.S. Naval Academy Museum website .

Admissions Briefings

U.S. Naval Academy Admissions briefings, lasting approximately one hour, are held at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, on the second deck of the Visitor Center, excluding all federal holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. 

Naval Academy Tours in Annapolis, MD

aimintang/Getty Images 

The Naval Academy is a “must see” attraction in Annapolis, Maryland with its beautiful 338-acre campus, known as the Yard, and its scenic location on the Chesapeake Bay. The U.S. Naval Academy is a four-year training facility for officers of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Designated a National Historic Site, the Naval Academy has a distinguished history and French Renaissance and contemporary architecture. A 90-minute guided walking tour is available to the public and provides visitors with an overview of the experiences of the midshipmen as well as the history, culture, recreation and educational resources available onsite.

Getting to the Naval Academy

The Visitor Access Center is located at Gate 1, Randall St. and Prince George St. Pedestrian entrances to Gate 1 are located on Randall Street (between Prince George and King George Streets) and on Prince George Street at Craig Street. Both entrances are just a block from the Annapolis City Dock. To enter the campus, everyone 16 and older must have a photo ID. There is no public parking available for visitors, except for those with a handicapped tag (a pass is required from the Visitor Access Center). The closest public parking garage is Hillman Parking Garage, 150 Gorman Street, located just off of Main Street. Parking meters throughout downtown Annapolis are limited to 2 hours. Annapolis is located 33 miles east of Washington, DC and 30 miles southeast of Baltimore.

Visiting Tips

• Arrive at least 30 minutes before your tour to allow time to explore the exhibits in the Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center. The USNA Gift Shop features a selection of USNA, U.S. Navy, and USMC merchandise, hats and souvenirs. Items are also available to purchase online.
• Be sure to bring a photo ID. It is required to enter the campus.
• Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. The tour includes walking a distance of about one mile through the Naval Academy Campus.
• Allow time after the tour to explore on your own. Visitors are allowed on campus from sunrise to 5 pm or sunset, whichever is later, daily.

Major Points of Interest 

Lejeune Physical Education Center – The Athletic Hall of Fame, an Olympic-size pool and wrestling arena are located here. Visitors learn about the athletic requirements of the midshipmen. Dahlgren Hall – The building houses space for social activities for the Midshipmen as well as the Drydock Restaurant that is open to the public and. There are a variety of ship and aircraft memorabilia on display. Bancroft Hall – The dormitory houses the more than 4,400 midshipmen and contains 1700 rooms, 5 miles of corridors and about 33 acres of floor space. The rotunda, Memorial Hall, and a sample room are open to the public. Tecumseh Court – A statue of the Indian warrior Tecumseh stands at the site of the noon formations for the Midshipmen. Naval Academy Chapel – Catholic and Protestant services are conducted in the chapel and are open to the public. Religious services of other faiths are held at other locations on the campus. Approximately 200 weddings are held here every year. It is on the tour route except when there are weddings, funerals and special events. The Main Chapel is generally closed on Friday afternoons for wedding rehearsals and Saturdays for weddings. 

Additional Things to Do

• Noon formation is one of the daily attractions on the Navy Yard . It is held, weather and schedule permitting, Monday through Friday during the academic year and Monday through Saturday during the summer.
• Visit the Naval Academy Museum , located in Prebble Hall, after your guided tour and see the famous Gallery of Ships and more than 50,000 naval artifacts.
• Enjoy lunch at the Drydock Restaurant in Dahlgren Hall or The Naval Academy Club or walk a short distance to Main Street and enjoy dining and shopping in the heart of Annapolis.
• Many events are open to the public including musical and theatrical events, religious services and athletic games.

Contact Information Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center of the United States Naval Academy Visitor Information & Naval Academy Guide Service Website: www.usna.edu

12 Best Things to Do in Annapolis, Maryland

The 26 Best Washington, D.C. Monuments and Memorials

Annapolis, Maryland Visitors Guide

The Top 20 Historic Attractions in Maryland

Annapolis Maps: Downtown and the Surrounding Area

10 Things to Do on the Capitol Riverfront in Washington, DC

Science Says This Is the Perfect U.S. Road Trip

20 Great Small Towns Near Washington, D.C.

The Top 12 Places to Visit in Maryland

The 12 Best Museums in Atlanta

10 Best Things to Do in Alexandria, Virginia

The 9 Best Museums in Charleston

22 Best Things to Do in Chennai

Boston Irish Heritage Trail

50 Best Free Things to Do in Washington, DC

25 Best Free Things to Do in Los Angeles

US Naval Academy Walking Tour

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

US Naval Academy Walking Tour - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• USNA Gift Shop
• Midshipmen Store
• Area Hotels
• Bed & Breakfasts
• NStar Rewards
• Account Login
• Browse All Mens
• Sweatshirts
• Dress Apparel
• Accessories
• Browse All Womens
• Browse All Kids
• Boys Bottoms
• Girls Bottoms
• Browse All Home & Gifts
• Home & Office
• Toys & Games
• Special Orders

A REAL Feel for Navy on the Yard

The best way to truly experience the U.S. Naval Academy is to take one of our highly-regarded historical USNA tours. Led by professional, passionate, certified guides from NABSD, these tours bring many of the U.S. Naval Academy’s most important stories to life.

Take a public guided walking tour to hit the highlights and get the inside scoop on admissions and the midshipmen experience in our most popular tour, covering:

• Bancroft Hall (Midshipmen dormitory)
• Memorial Hall
• Statue of Tecumseh
• Herndon Monument (famous for Herndon Climb)
• Main Chapel and Crypt of John Paul Jones
• Noon Meal Formation (Fall and Spring)
• Lejeune Hall (site of Division I Swimming and Diving)

For groups of 16 or more, check out our group guided walking Navy tours .

Enjoy a public riding tour in our comfortable electric vehicles and learn the fascinating facts and fables behind:

• Bancroft Hall
• Main Chapel
• Parade Ground
• Sports Complexes
• Jewish Chapel
• Monuments and Memorials along the Severn River Seawall
• Foremast of the USS MAINE
• The Air Park

Get times, meeting locations and prices here and learn about directions, parking, required ID, food options and more here .

Visiting for the weekend? Check out these accommodations located close to the Yard  for USNA family and friends.

Can’t make it to Annapolis right now? We’ll bring the Yard to you with some of our favorite U.S. Naval Academy Tours on video .

With Navyonline.com , you do more than just wear your support. You make a meaningful difference for the Midshipm en. Support them by purchasing your Navy apparel here!

A Naval Academy Tour You Might Not Know About

A tour of the United States Naval Academy is a “must-do” on the Annapolis sightseeing list. Only one place on “ The Yard ,” however, offers the most diverse and captivating tales of midshipmen past and present and figures from other facets of U.S. naval history. It’s probably also the least known because it’s not your run-of-the-mill destination.

Here’s what usually takes place for a walking tour: After a short orientation film, guides lead groups around only parts of the southeastern quadrant of the Yard. 

Those in search of a completely different historical experience must be willing to make a larger time, and effort investment just to get there. They also must be willing to do without any “interactive” displays, too, in favor of what is literally chiseled in stone.

Visitors must walk from the museum on Decatur Road, across the College Creek/Dorsey Creek bridge, and turn right on Phythian Road to the hill at Hospital Point (the Academy’s highest land feature) for this self-guided journey. On top, to the right, is the entrance to the Naval Academy Cemetery and Columbarium, where tombstones and memorials tell not only the gripping and sometimes quirky stories of its occupants but also provide some historical background for how this plot of land became a graveyard in the first place. Unlikely as it may sound, it is a singularly stirring experience.

Much of the credit for revealing the secrets behind this “unliving classroom” goes to the recently retired senior curator of the museum, James Cheevers. In fact, Jim has become so well known for his knowledge of the landscape, the Academy has made a Cheevers-narrated video available so that one can follow along as the expert darts from story to story and gravesite to the gravesite. Using this tool to plan your own tour could be a challenge because duplicating the Cheevers encyclopedic recitations of details—and keeping track of them all—is nearly impossible.

To get you started, after viewing the Jim Cheevers tour, see if you can identify the following people who are buried there by taking this quiz:    

• One of the most recent, well-publicized burials was for a former Vietnam War prisoner who went on to serve in the U.S. Senate, eventually twice being the Republican candidate for President.
• This graduate became the Chief of Naval Operations during the Vietnam War, ordering the spraying of the defoliant Agent Orange, which is blamed for the tragic death of his own son. This four-star admiral has a ship class named after him.
• This former midshipman went on to be a hero of World War II later served three terms as Chief of Naval Operations. This four-star admiral also has a ship class named after him.
• Both the composer and the lyricist of the Navy theme song, “Anchors Aweigh,” are buried here. Can you name both of them?
• This former Vietnam prisoner of war went on to become the running mate of presidential candidate Ross Perot.
• A lone gravestone can be seen from what is now the headquarters of the U.S. Naval Institute. It is the final resting place of a prolific Institute author, perhaps best known for his book, Run Silent, Run Deep , also a movie starring Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster.

ANSWERS: John McCain, Elmo Zumwalt, Arleigh Burke, Charles Zimmermann, and Alfred Hart Miles, James Stockdale, Edward L. “Ned” Beach, Jr.

So if you're looking for a deeper experience, something that aids everything from your trivia team to your intellectual curiosity, make sure to check out this unexpected Naval Academy tour!

Frederick Schultz

Download the free 2024 visitor guide.

This handy resource includes a complete listing of accommodations, restaurants, shopping destinations, and more in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County!

Sign Up For Our E-Newsletter

Sign up today and we'll keep you in the loop on upcoming deals, specials, and happenings in and around Annapolis.

STOP BY OUR VISITORS CENTER

26 west street annapolis, md 21401, [email protected], phone: 410-280-0445, toll-free: 888-302-2852, fax: 410-263-9591.

Visit Annapolis

• Privacy Policy

©2024 VISIT ANNAPOLIS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

800-692-7804

• Overnight Trips
• Tours by Destination
• Tours by Duration
• A Tour for Everyone
• Holiday Tours
• Broadway Tickets
• Special Event
• Trip Planning
• Request Quote
• Safety & Certification

Annaplis Harbor Cruise And US Naval Academy Tour

Travel with the Pack to Maryland's state capital, Annapolis, for a walking tour of the prestigious United Sates Naval Academy, guided tour of the Maryland State House, a narrated Annapolis Harbor Cruise and free time to browse and explore the beautiful downtown. Also, enjoy a delightful lunch included at a local rstaurant.

• Detailed Overview
• Tour Itinerary
• Pick-up Points
• Departure Dates
• Useful Links

Package Includes:  Lunch, 1-Hour Guided Walking Tour of the United States Naval Academy, Guided Tour of the Maryland State House, Narrated Annapolis Harbor Cruise and Free Time to Browse and Explore Downtown Annapolis and Transportation

*Please Note:  Valid photo identification is required to enter the Maryland State House and the United States Naval Academy grounds. *

**Any cruise may be altered or cancelled by its Captain due to severe weather conditions**

***ALL WOLF’S TOURS – TIMES AND ITINERARY SUBJECT TO CHANGE***

Upon arrival in Annapolis, Maryland, the group meets our USNA certified guide for a 60-minute walking tour of the prestigious United States Naval Academy. Founded in 1845, the Naval Academy is home to 4,000 of our country's future naval leaders. As you stroll through the beautiful campus you will experience the sense of military tradition and heritage all around us. Your visit includes the Naval Chapel, the Crypt of John Paul Jones, Bancroft Hall, and various monuments that represent defining moments in the Academy's history. At the conclusion of the tour, you will walk to the Maryland State House for a guided walking tour of the building. Construction of the State House was begun in 1772 but was delayed by the outbreak of the American Revolution, and then completed in 1779. The interior of the original section of the State House was constructed of wood and plaster. The newer colonial revival section has matched veined Italian Marble walls and columns. A broad black line across the columned lobby marks the line between the two sections. The Maryland State House was the first peacetime capitol of the United Stated and is the only state house ever to have served as the nation's capitol. After your tour, lunch is included at an area restaurant. Next, you head to City Dock to take a 40-minute sightseeing cruise with spectacular views of the Annapolis Harbor and the banks of the US Naval Academy. Hear about the Annapolis' integral role as an historic seaport and even catch a glimpse of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Once back on land, you have free time to browse the downtown shops and get a bite of dinner on your own before departing for home.

Please Note: Valid photo identification is required to enter the Maryland State House and the United States Naval Academy grounds. * **Any cruise may be altered or cancelled by its Captain due to severe weather conditions** ***This tour involves a lot of walking*** ***ALL WOLF'S TOURS - TIMES AND ITINERARY SUBJECT TO CHANGE***

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

It is not possible to display the map. This may be due to Google Maps not being supported in your browser.

Pick-up Point Times

There are currently no departures available on this tour.

The website timed out while searching for the departure dates. Please try again.

Keyword Search

Availability search.

• Tour Book Request
• Purchase Gift Cards
• Tour Policies
• Charter Policies
• Request Charter Quote
• Buses for Sale
• Special Assistance

200 Old US Rt. 15

York Springs, PA 17372

Office Hours

Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM

Select Saturdays 8AM-1PM

Closed Sundays and Holidays

US Naval Academy and Harbor Cruise

Call for future dates.

Please join Superior Tours as we embark on a fabulous day in Annapolis, MD. We start our very special day with a docent led walking tour of the prestigious United States Naval Academy. What could be more inspiring than an afternoon spent exploring this magnificent institution? Learn about the traditions of the Academy and midshipmen life, including the pageantry of the midshipman noon formation. Filled with highlights, past and present, of the Academy's rich history, this tour promises to inform and inspire people of all ages. 

After lunch on your own at any of the many restaurants in downtown Annapolis, our day continues as we experience a view of “the Yard” from the water as we step aboard the Harbor Queen!  A must-do Annapolis activity, this 40-minute narrated cruise of the historic Annapolis Harbor, and the banks of the U.S. Naval Academy, is not to be missed.

Trip includes:

• Roundtrip transportation aboard Superior Tours luxury motor coach
• Docent led tour of the Academy
• 40-minute narrated cruise of the Annapolis Harbor aboard the "Harbor Queen"
• TBD - per person
• 8:30 am depart from Pikesville: 2801 Smith Avenue, Pikesville, MD 21209 (Greenspring Shopping Center)
• 8:45 am depart from Towson: Park & Ride at Cromwell Bridge Road, Towson, MD 21204 (Exit 29A off of 695)
• 4:00 pm depart from Annapolis, Maryland:

Call 410-602-1704 for reservations and details

Annapolis Harbor & USNA Cruise

Dates available.

Available April - October See highlighted dates below. Call for future dates/times. 410-268-7601 x 100

Upcoming Dates

Sat 11:00 am - 11:40 am

Sat 12:00 pm - 12:40 pm

Sat 1:00 pm - 1:40 pm

Sat 2:00 pm - 2:40 pm

Sat 3:00 pm - 3:40 pm

Sat 4:00 pm - 4:40 pm

Sat 5:00 pm - 5:40 pm

Sat 6:00 pm - 6:40 pm

Description

Step aboard the classic Harbor Queen for a narrated cruise of the Annapolis Harbor and the banks of the U.S. Naval Academy. Hear the history of the Naval Academy, Annapolis’ role as a historic seaport, the region’s waterways, and catch a glimpse of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. This cruise is an Annapolis tradition and fun for the whole family.

Departure Location

Annapolis City Dock 1 Dock Street, Annapolis, MD, 21401

Share This Event