The Tour Annapolis
PHILOSOPHY
The Guided Tour completely reimagined:
Local. Welcoming. Thought-Provoking. Made to Inspire.
Tour Annapolis was founded on the conviction that travel should be more than just recreation:
it should be an inspiration.
On our tours, you'll become a part of the Annapolis story: her beautiful waterways and quaint brick streets, her venerable naval and civic traditions, her zesty local cuisine, her varieties of neo-classical architecture, and so much more.​
​Our tours are holistic, blending nationally significant history with personal and family stories. Conversation moves from teaching moments to friendly chatter, from laughter to appreciative silence. Questions and requests for special stops are encouraged.​​
We also make our tours easy-going and uncomplicated. We'll take photos of you at the best sites, and share them after the tour. You can always stop for ice cream, a restroom break, or just to sit in the shade and enjoy the tranquillity. The only schedule here is yours.
By the end of your tour, we hope to part as friends and as fellow lovers of the "Jewel of the Chesapeake"—that is to say,
as fellow Annapolitans.
The Tour Annapolis
STORY
Hello—it's nice to "meet" you!
My name's Michael. This is the story behind Tour Annapolis.
I was young when I first started touring Annapolis. My father, a Naval Academy graduate ('83), submariner, and Academy instructor, used to take our family down to explore downtown Annapolis. The city intrigued me, and as I grew up, I read about and explored it on my own. Soon I was leading informal tours for family and friends.
Growing up sailing, I also became familiar with the waters that surround Annapolis—Spa Creek, Ego Alley, the Severn River, and of course, the beautiful Chesapeake Bay. As an adult sailing instructor (my other part-time job!) I have the pleasure of introducing people to this thrilling, challenging, and rewarding pastime. It's such an essential part of Annapolis life, and I love to talk about it on my tours, whether they're on land or sea.
My intellectual interests have now led me back to the East Coast, to pursue a PhD in medieval philosophy. This has opened up even more perspectives on Annapolis. Did you know that this city was once known as "the Athens of America"? Annapolis is where Charles Carroll wrote his First Citizen letters, the Sons of Liberty met and debated under the old Liberty Tree, General George Washington resigned as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, and the world's first Great Books curriculum was implemented.
When I decided to share a little of what I love with other people, Tour Annapolis was born. This is
a city unique in beauty and charm . . .
I look forward to sharing it with you.
I left home to study philosophy and theology at a small liberal arts school in California. On the West Coast I sought out colorful destinations like Ventura, Santa Barbara, L.A., San Francisco, Sonoma County, and Seattle. These trips inspired me to dive back into Annapolis' quintessentially East-Coast identity, including her neoclassical and Beaux-Arts architecture, her naval and maritime traditions, her political history, and the lives of her famous citizens.
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Whenever I travel abroad, I try to learn about local history, arts, music, and cuisine. Each journey I make teaches me more about myself, other people, and the world. I hope to share this same spirit of wonder with everyone who visits Annapolis.
