Love trips near the water, but tired of the same-old beach vacation and strolling up and down the boardwalk with throngs of other travelers? Well, we’ve got the trip for you. Visit Annapolis, Md.!
An approximate 2 ½- to 3-hour drive from the Reading area, Annapolis is an easy weekend drive away. Close to the beautiful Chesapeake Bay and home to a historic downtown, it’s a perfect spot for families, couples and even the solo traveler.
A Place to Rest your Head
Essential to a vacation is the lodging. If you’re traveling to Annapolis and want to make the most of the area’s nautical feel and experience luxury service at the same time, the Loews Annapolis is just the place. A 300-square-foot Superior 2 Double-bed Room in February starts at $149. As a note: the downy pillow top mattress is to die for! As a special treat, the concierge brought my 7-year-old son Riley and I a fresh fruit tray, milk and cookies. It was all delicious! A bonus: there’s a Keurig and K-Cups in the room for coffee lovers!
Head WEST
Speaking of delicious, if you’re staying at the Loews Annapolis, make sure you have at least one meal at their restaurant, WEST Kitchen and Tavern. The scratch kitchen cooks up just about anything your heart desires, and it’s great. I enjoyed a simple cheeseburger (actually part of the lunch menu) and grilled asparagus for dinner, but even that had some unique touches. The ketchup was not from a bottle on the table, but rather, made from – you guessed it – scratch in kitchen and presented with the dry-aged Maryland beef burger, which was on a soft brioche bun. For the most part though, WEST’s dinner menu reflects the area, offering some unique seafood dishes like Rockfish and Flounder.
We also enjoyed breakfast at WEST the next morning before leaving. While Riley enjoyed his usual scrambled eggs and toast, I indulged in the specialty Cinnamon French Toast – topped with citrus whipped cream, toasted walnuts and bourbon caramel. It is, in two words: sinfully good.
Get Downtown
You’d be remiss if you visited Annapolis and didn’t explore its quaint downtown district, lined with unique shops. The Loews Annapolis can even provide you with a complementary shuttle service if you prefer not to hoof it. If you’re a lover of cute home décor sundries, make sure to visit Plat du Jour at 220 Main St., which carries cute candles, soaps, lotions and more, and is home to Brie the cockatiel, a particular favorite of Riley’s.
So there you have it in a nutshell. Annapolis is quite the quaint spot for a not-so-far away relaxing visit away. If it isn’t already on your To-Visit List, it should be.
Loews Annapolis Hotel 126 West St., Annapolis, Md. 410.263.7777 | Loewshotels.com Plat du Jour 220 Main St., Annapolis, Md. 410.269.1499 | Platdujour.net
