Established in 1845, the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis is the second oldest of the five United States service academies. Its primary focus is to educate officers for the United States Navy and the Marine Corps, and admission, typically only granted after a Member of Congress nomination, is highly regarded. The United States Navy funds tuition at the United States Naval Academy in exchange for fulfilling an active duty service obligation immediately upon graduation. Prestigious alumni include Jimmy Carter, John McCain, and Roger Staubach.
An Annapolis historic treasure resting on 338 acres once Fort Severn, the United States Naval Academy is home to many historic buildings and memorials. It’s also a great place to visit because its location—33 miles east of Washington, D.C., 26 miles southeast of Baltimore, and at the convergence of the Chesapeake Bay and the Severn River in Annapolis, Maryland—is convenient to everything.
The best way to experience the true splendor of this impressive institution is by taking a historical tour led by a certified, professional United States Naval Academy tour guide. You may even get lucky enough to schedule your tour on the same day as one of the many musical or theatrical events on The Yard. Tours are currently on hold due to the coronavirus, but until private and public tours can be scheduled again, there is also a guided “walking” video tour online.
