Maximum Fun with Minimum Risk

Safe-distancing options for fun for small-group getaways in Annapolis

By Susan Able and Matthew Yan | Sponsored by Visit Annapolis

Changes in business operations due to the pandemic have made planning to get out of the house more fraught than usual, but we’ve sorted out some great options nearby that provide safe small-group fun as an essential change of pace this summer.

Beyond crabs and cocktails, visiting the historic town and environs of Annapolis makes for an easy, mostly traffic-free drive with lots of activities you might have never considered for your family or a small group of friends. There are options for nature lovers, crafting and more. And of course, there are always crabs and cocktails aplenty. Not to worry, we’ve got ideas for those too.

Get Crafty

Reserve a table for you and five of your best friends for a hands-on crafting session at The Clay Bakers. Whether painting ceramics or trying your hand at fused glass, you can give your right brain the freedom to explore your artistic side. Table reservations are for six persons max; there are four tables outside and four tables inside, with hand-washing stations and hand sanitizer in abundance. It’s easy: Just reserve your table and choose a ceramic project. Currently, glass projects are only offered in workshops. There is a wide choice of ceramics to paint; most range $25–35. Staff members give instruction, and your pieces will be fired and glazed and ready for pickup in a week. Su–Th 10am–5pm, F–Sa 10am–9pm. 151 Main St., Annapolis, MD. www.theclaybakers.com

Go Fly a Kite!

Make a day of being outdoors. As you come into town, pick up a kite at Franklin’s Toy Store at the Festival Shopping Mall, a large iced coffee next door at Ceremony Coffee and some snicky-snacks and head to the best place to fly kites in Annapolis, the Navy Stadium. This idea comes from Birgitta Sundstrom, a staffer at Annapolis’ renowned pizzeria Vin 909, which has call-ahead carryout and expanded outside dining. “This summer makes you think of all the simple things you enjoyed as a kid,” she says. “What’s better than flying a kite for a while? Then come pick up some pizzas at Vin 909 and take them to Quiet Waters Park, where there are acres and acres to have a picnic with friends. That’s a perfect day.”

Enjoy Quiet Waters Park with Friends and Fido

Operated by Anne Arundel County, beautiful Quiet Waters Park is open on its regular schedule, with a daily entrance fee of $6 on the weekends. Saved from becoming a housing development in the late ’80s, the park features 340 acres of wooded and cleared land with six miles of walking trails, plenty of picnic spots, waterfront walking and views, a kayak launch area and dog parks. While there is no human swimming allowed, there is a dog beach! Boat rentals are also open. Social distancing is required, of course, and the Visitors Center is currently closed. It’s a lovely respite from traffic and city life.

The Vineyard at dodon | photo by Jennifer Chase

Visit a Vineyard

For gorgeous views and a taste of some of Annapolis’ local wines, book an afternoon at local wineries like The Vineyards at Dodon or Great Frogs Winery. At The Vineyards at Dodon, step back and admire the sprawling landscape––with 555 acres, the working family farm and vineyards are the largest in Anne Arundel County. While onsite tastings and tours are currently unavailable, book a table for $25 on the deck or pavilion and pre-order some snacks from Dodon’s caterer for a picnic––or, for a different experience, bring your own picnic to enjoy. At Great Frogs Winery, most seating has been moved outdoors with a select number of indoor spots for reserved tastings. Visit their patio without a reservation from noon to 4pm on Wednesday to Saturday and settle down for a picnic on the grassy area, explore the vineyard or spend some much-needed (but socially distanced) quality time with friends.

Cruise Through American History

Reserve your own all-electric eCruiser to be guide-driven with yourself and up to four friends throughout Annapolis and its neighborhoods, while learning about the history of the city and seeing its colonial architecture, including the homes of four signers of the Declaration of Independence. While you take in views of Annapolis Harbor and Chesapeake Bay, you will also visit City Dock and Ego Alley. The 1½-hour tour is $145 to reserve the vehicle exclusively for your use. The tours start at 10am from the Annapolis Visitors Center, 26 West St., Annapolis. Annapolis History Tours, www.annapolisurbanadventures.com

Photo courtesy of visit annapolis

How about a Chesapeake Seafood Crawl?

Book your own electric cruiser (five people max) for a private tour and taste of some of the best Chesapeake Bay seafood there is to be had. Reserve your own private two-hour tour. The tour takes you around town to try locally sourced specialties, which could include crab, oysters, mussels, clams or rockfish. Being driven around takes the heat off your feet and allows you to see Annapolis and Eastport sites along with gorgeous water views. The guides also promise background information on how Annapolis helped shaped American history. Daily at 1:30pm, meeting at the Annapolis Visitors Center, 26 West St., Annapolis. Original Annapolis Seafood Crawl, www.annapolisurbanadventures.com

photo by susan able

Sail Away

Fun in Annapolis is synonymous with boating. The good news is that the restrictions on boat tours have been lifted and tour groups are again setting sail—with an abundance of caution. The boats are only at 50% capacity and seating is “zoned” so you will only be seated with people who you have been quarantining with or trust. For example, at Schooner Woodwind, zoned seating comes in groups of two, four or six—and to book you must buy the whole zone. It’s a great way to safely get out on the water.

We chartered a cruise on our own historic boat, the Wilma Lee, in early July and guarantee it was a fabulous experience for a sunset cocktail cruise. If you are interested in hosting your own small group in a fashion that can provide safe distancing for up to 20 people (think any celebration, even a micro-wedding!), you can rent the Wilma Lee, one of the last remaining Chesapeake Bay Skipjacks, for a two-hour cruise for $850 with Captain Rick. Check out information here for charters through the Annapolis Maritime Museum (currently closed except for venue rentals).

photo courtesy of visit Annapolis

Get Some Exercise While Having Fun

Stand up paddleboarding (SUP) options are a great way to socially distance but have fun, especially if your family and friends are game to try something new—or, if they are experienced, have the patience to give it a go with some newbies. Paddling outdoors with friends can happen, and Sunrise SUP, about 15 minutes from downtown Annapolis, is taking reservations for groups of six for a two-hour group session. Cost of $50 per person includes all the gear you need plus instruction. Sunrise SUP, Pier 7 Marina, 48 S. River Rd., Edgewater, MD

Prefer to paddle from a seated position? Annapolis Canoe and Kayak is located in Eastport and this summer is renting kayaks only, no SUPs. They have light touring kayaks, general recreation kayaks (singles and tandems), sit-on-top kayaks and canoes for rent. All gear and boats are being treated with an EPA-approved disinfectant after each use. Summer hours: M–F 11am–7pm; Sa–Su 10am–5pm. Annapolis Canoe and Kayak, 311 Third St., Annapolis; 410-263-2303

photo courtesy of visit annapolis

Dine Al Fresco or Enjoy Many To-Go Options

Annapolis acted quickly to allow restaurants to create more outdoor dining space and developed eight “Recovery Zones” that provide the opportunity to shop and dine outdoors safely. Find a list here. Expect in the evenings to find many places to eat outdoors, with food ranging from seafood to burgers, BBQ and more in downtown Annapolis, up West Street and in Eastport. Some favorite places in Eastport now have better water views with expanded dining like Bread & Butter Kitchen and Chart House. The deck view from Carroll’s Creek always feels like a real Annapolis experience, especially if you snag a table to watch the sailboat teams cross the finish line at the Wednesday Night Races hosted by the Annapolis Yacht Club. The good news is that 99% of Annapolis’ restaurants are open with COVID-19 protocols for safe dining in place. Many restaurants are accommodating small groups by reservation, so call ahead to make sure you can grab a table.

photo courtesy of visit annapolis | photo by jennifer chase

Get Crabby

We know everyone loves fat summer crabs. Two well-known and much-loved crab houses, Mike’s and Cantler’s Riverside Inn, are open again for inside dining. Both restaurants have outdoor dining, with a maximum of six at each table. With social distancing, they are only at 50% capacity, inside and out. No reservations at either establishment, and most patrons have been preferring outdoor seating, so there may be a wait on the weekends. At Mike’s, COVID-19 regulations also prevent bringing drinks or desserts (like birthday cakes) and no dogs. On the other hand, if you are looking for a great small-group setting to catch up with friends over crabs and beer, with some fried oysters and other local seafood thrown in, there is no more “Marylandy” thing to do. Think about coming early for lunch, and don’t forget an Orange Crush.

And if you really want that rustic experience but don’t feel like doing it at home, pick up a bushel of crabs from Wild Country Seafood (pro tip: order ahead or call in the morning) and either sit at the tiki umbrellas in their parking lot for a picking party or take them to Quiet Waters with plenty of paper towels and garbage bags for cleanup.

The Annapolis Visitors Center is open 9-5, all week and located at 26 West Street, phone 410-280-0445. Visitor Center guides have all sorts of information on Annapolis and Anne Arundel country and can get your group connected with a range of activities, tours and explorations.