There’s a lot that’s new in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. Below is a sampling of some of the latest attractions and experiences that beckon travelers in the months ahead. For a complete listing, visit the Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau’s (AAACCVB) web site at www.VisitAnnapolis.org.
New Attractions and Services
• Amtrak: Workers at Amtrak’s Ivy City Maintenance Facility in Washington, D.C., and Penn Coach Yard in Philadelphia soon will begin installing Wi-Fi equipment in more than 450 Amfleet railcars. 202-906-3860, www.amtrak.com
• BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport: On March 8, 2011, BWI Marshall received U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s approval of its request to offer direct passenger charter service between BWI and Cuba. Several additional regulatory and procedural steps must be completed before the service can begin. 410-859-7027, www.bwiairport.com
• Cruise On In: The BWI Conference Complex — Comfort Inn/Sleep Inn & Suites and The Rose Restaurant — launched a Cruise On In promotion that invites cruise-goers to park their cars at the Complex for $50 a week and hop aboard a free shuttle that will take them to and from the port. No reservations are required. 410-789-9100, www.comfortinn.com
• The InterCounty Connector: The ICC opened to traffic on Feb. 22. On March 2, the Maryland Transit Administration introduced ICC bus routes 201 and 202. Both routes begin at the Gaithersburg Park and Ride and follow the ICC to Shady Grove Metro Station and the Norbeck Park and Ride. Bus service continues from there with route 201 making stops at Burtonsville Park and Ride and BWI Marshall’s Southwest and International terminals before ending at the BWI MARC/Amtrak station. Route 202 stops at the Savage MARC station and the National Security Agency before ending at Fort Meade. 410-539-5000, mtaiccbus.com
• Womanship: Now in its 27th year of teaching women-only crews, couples, families and groups, Womanship offered its onboard two- and three-day Sail Yourself Safely Home sessions in its home port of Annapolis for the first time this spring. Participants receive hands-on learning in 17 safety, control and emergency procedures. 800-342-9295, www.womanship.com
What’s New in Retail
• The Annapolis Collection: In November 2010, The Annapolis Collection Gallery held its grand re-opening at 55 West Street. The gallery is devoted to six Annapolis masters, and also houses a collection of rare black and white photographs of old Annapolis and Baltimore. 410-280-1414, www.AnnapolisCollection.com
• Annebeth’s: Annebeth’s is now offering free wine and beer tastings on Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Visitors are invited to stop by and sample beverages from around the world. 410-990-9700, www.annebeths.com
• Arundel Mills Mall: This year, the mall added several new shopping and dining options. In March, Coach Factory Store, Best Buy Mobile and Hakky Shoe Repair and Alteration opened. In April, Maryland’s first outlet store from Aerosoles opened. Summertime brought Buffalo Wild Wings, Red Lobster, Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse dining options, as well as Tilly’s, a leading retailer of active clothing, shoes and accessories. 410-540-5100. www.arundelmills.com
• Back Creek Books Gallery & Antiques Shop: The gallery of antiques and art, featuring several hundred rare and out-of-print books, held a grand opening celebration at its new 45 West Street store in April. 410-626-1363, www.backcreekbooks.com
• Baked by Yael: Baked by Yael — a woman-owned baking business that operates from a cart on Saturdays and Sundays — recently opened at Westfield Annapolis. Its products include cookies, raspberry bars, gingersnaps and cake balls — candy coated balls of cake and frosting mixed together. The products contain no preservatives and are baked in a licensed commercial kitchen. 202-480-YAEL (9235)
• Honey’s Harvest Bakery, Deli and Market: Honey’s Harvest, at the Herrington Harbour South Eco-Lifestyle Marina Resort, is a hometown, country-style store featuring fresh, healthy breakfast and lunch sandwiches, salads and bakery items. In addition to locally harvested honey, the store will carry a comprehensive selection of beers and wines and a variety of groceries and sundries. www.herringtononthebay.com
• National Cryptologic Museum: This past year, the National Cryptologic Museum introduced the Dr. David Kahn Collection to the public, nearly doubling the museum library’s cryptologic holdings. The collection includes more than 2,800 books and more than 1,300 pages of notes from interviews with foreign and American cryptologic and intelligence professionals, as well as photocopies of intelligence documents and dozens of rare books. 301-688-5849, www.nsa.gov/about/cryptologic_heritage/museum
• re:Source: Previously known as Mixed Greens, the business moved to 162 Main Street in Annapolis in February. The store features exclusively Earth friendly, recycled, repurposed, sustainable and Fair Trade items. 410-216-9830, info@shopresourcestore.com
• Westfield Annapolis: The shopping center launched its Westfield iPhone App, which electronically maps Westfield Annapolis’s physical layout, store directory and detailed retailer information, offers and promotions, and special events and Facebook page. It’s downloadable for free from Apple’s iTunes App Store or via its web site. 410-266-5432, www.westfield.com/annapolis
• Wheat: The Scandinavian-based children’s organic clothing retailer opened its U.S. flagship store at 201 Main Street in Annapolis in spring 2011. 410-626-1508, www.wheat-usa.com
• Zachary’s Jewelers: Zachary’s new second location on Ritchie Highway in Severna Park hosts monthly events, including its “little rocks” club that features sing-alongs and storytellers for the kids the first Wednesday of every month. 410-544-4005, www.zacharysjewelers.com
Restaurant News
• Annapolis Plugged In: This weekly concert series supports homegrown artists. Performances begin at 8:30 p.m., Tuesdays at O’Brien’s and Wednesdays at Middleton Tavern. The event is complemented with rotating weekly drink and food specials. Middleton: 410-263-3323, www.middletontavern.com; O’Brien’s: 410-268-6288, www.obriensoysterbar.com
• Galway Bay: Galway Bay introduced online ordering in February 2011. Individuals can plan ahead by visiting http://galwaybaymd.com and selecting the time that they want their meal prepared, the meal(s) they would like to order and any special instructions. 410-263-8333, www.galwaybayannapolis.com
• O’Brycki’s Restaurant: In March 2011, Frommer’s travel web site and guide named O’Brycki’s restaurant at BWI Marshall Airport one of the Top Ten Restaurants at U.S. Airports. Frommer’s singled out O’Brycki’s for its crab cake sliders. The owners plan to open another O’Brycki’s at Arundel Mills’ Maryland Live. 410-732-6399, www.obryckis.com
• Red Red Wine Bar: The Red Red Wine Bar, co-owned by Washington, D.C., news anchor Brian Bolter and his wife Lisa, at 189B Main Street in Annapolis, features a large wine list with 60 available by the glass. It also offers a large artisan cheese board and a menu featuring gourmet paninis, pizzas and salads. The retail component of the venue features 140 bottles of an ever-evolving list of wines. www.redredwinebar.com
• VIN 909 Winecafe: Vin 909 is located at 909 Bay Ridge Avenue in Eastport, at the former site of the Wild Orchid restaurant. It features Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and sources many ingredients from local, organic providers. 443-949-7952, http://vin909.com/oureats.html
Significant Anniversaries
• Anne Arundel Community College: The college will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2011. On Sept. 18, 1961, AACC opened with 270 students who were taking late-afternoon and evening classes in temporary quarters at Severna Park High School. The 50th Anniversary Gala will be held in October. 410-777-2222, www.aacc.edu
• Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa: Begun in 1946 as the Rod ‘N’ Reel Restaurant and Marina, Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa is celebrating it 65th anniversary in 2011. Over the years, the original restaurant and marina have grown to include a luxury hotel and full-service spa located on the Chesapeake Bay, a second marina, two additional waterfront restaurants, meeting rooms and waterfront ballrooms. The resort plans to celebrate its anniversary with new restaurant menus and specials, hotel and marina anniversary rates, and featured activities that are open to the public. 410-257-2735, ext. 109; www.cbresortspa.com
• Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and Refuge: Throughout 2011, the facility will be celebrating its 75 years of wildlife conservation research. In addition to lectures and activities throughout the year, Patuxent will host a two-day workshop on its history presented by a number of scientists and conservationists on Oct. 13 and 14. Its Oct. 15 annual Wildlife Festival will include live animals, kids’ crafts, tram tours and behind-the-scenes research tours of the center, where endangered whooping cranes and sea ducks are rasied and studied. 301-497-5766, www.pwrc.usgs.gov. http://patuxent.fws.gov.
