MD City Ranked Among Best American Towns To Visit

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Annapolis was recently named to CNN's list of America's Best Towns to Visit in 2025. CNN lauded the historical and nautical vibe of Naptown, a small city of about 40,000 at the crux of the Chesapeake Bay and the Severn River.

"Indeed, there’s a lot of history throughout this cozy waterfront city, whose narrow streets, brick sidewalks and handsome Georgian buildings could serve as an 18th-century movie set," CNN reporter Brandon Griggs wrote.

Griggs recommended that tourists visit the state house, spend a day on the water, tour the U.S. Naval Academy and try some seafood.

"Annapolis, Maryland’s capital and a 45-minute drive from Washington, D.C., offers visitors much more than historic charm," Griggs wrote in the June 26 article. "A key port on the Chesapeake, it provides numerous ways to explore the Bay, from sunset cruises to outings aboard a historic skipjack, a working sailboat once used for dredging oysters."

Here's CNN's full list of the top towns to visit:

1. Ithaca, New York
2. Missoula, Montana
3. Asheville, North Carolina
4. Bend, Oregon
5. Annapolis, Maryland
6. Petaluma, California
7. Las Cruces, New Mexico
8. Northampton, Massachusetts
9. Clarksdale, Mississippi
10. Rapid City, South Dakota

"We're thrilled Annapolis has been recognized by CNN as one of the best places to visit," Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley told Patch in a statement. "The recognition captures our unique mix of history, culture, and waterfront beauty. It's what makes our City so special! Whether you're here for a day or a lifetime, Annapolis leaves an impression - and we're proud to share that with America, and the world."

In Annapolis, CNN noted that the Maryland State House was the country's first peacetime seat of Congress. It served as the nation's capital for nine months, spanning 1783 and 1784. It's where the Treaty of Paris was ratified, ending the Revolutionary War. It's also where George Washington resigned as the commander of the Continental Army, marking the nation's first peaceful transfer of power.

The write-up also highlighted Annapolis' complex history surrounding slavery. There's a sculpture at City Dock of Alex Haley, author of "Roots," reading the story of his ancestor, Kunta Kinte. Kinte arrived in Annapolis before being sent into slavery in Virginia. On the flip side, the city sandwiched between the North and the South also had free Black people who owned businesses and were granted the right to vote.

"We're honored that CNN has spotlighted both our town and the work of Historic Annapolis," said Karen Theimer Brown, president and CEO of preservation nonprofit Historic Annapolis. "We hope it inspires people to come experience the rich, layered history that makes Annapolis so unique. With America's 250th birthday on the horizon, there's no better time to explore the roots of our nation and discover the stories that helped shape it."

For water activities, CNN recommended sailing aboard the Wilma Lee skipjack from the Annapolis Maritime Museum or the schooner Woodwind from Annapolis Sailing Cruises. Other options include the water taxi or private fishing charters.

The 90-minute walking tour of the Naval Academy was another suggestion. Tours visit Bancroft Hall, the nation's largest dormitory. Housing all 4,400 midshipmen, Bancroft Hall has its own ZIP code and almost 5 miles of passageways. Tours that include the 12 p.m. hour may be able to see the brigade of midshipmen assemble and march to lunch.

No trip to Annapolis is complete without seafood. In the Eastport neighborhood, CNN vouched for Boatyard Bar & Grill, Carrol’s Creek Cafe, O’Leary’s Seafood and Davis’ Pub. On the downtown Annapolis side of Spa Creek, CNN suggested The Choptank and Chick & Ruth’s. A final recommendation was the nearby Cantler’s Riverside Inn.

"It's great to see Annapolis recognized as a great destination to experience history, seafood, the U.S. Naval Academy and sailing on the Chesapeake Bay," said Erik Evans, executive director of the Downtown Annapolis Partnership, an organization promoting local small businesses. "We believe this is a great place to live, work and play."

CNN's full itinerary for Annapolis is posted here.