I’ll be up in Annapolis this week (Monday night through Wednesday afternoon) for work and was wondering if there were any good places to swim? I have an injured foot, so I want to stay off running for a little while and I don’t think that I will have enough time away from work to get in any rides, so that is why I’m only asking about swimming. I am in the military, if that opens up any other options (I know the Academy is up there, but I don’t know if their facilities are open for any non-cadets). If not, I wouldn’t mind swimming with a master’s group or tri club if there are any in the area. I could also bring my wetsuit, but I am thinking the water temp may be too cold in the bay.
I’ll be staying at the Annapolis Marriot right on the water, so I’ll be right in the heart of downtown. Any recommended places to eat and drink or shops to visit?
You’ll not have a problem finding a place to eat and drink. You’re in a great location. Check with the folks at the natatorium at USNA, tell them your story and bet you have a great time. USNA '77
Unless you can get into one of the USNA pools, I’m not sure of another place right in town… I’d check there first, but the Arundel Olympic Swim Center is just out on Riva Rd., and military with ID can swim for $4.
Our favorite place to eat in town- not fancy, but good and fun atmosphere- is the Boatyard Bar & Grill in Eastport… just across the spa creek bridge and a short walk from the Waterfront Marriott. Have fun- it’s a great town!
Bring your wetsuit. Open water swim - South River, Rhode River, West River, or Chesapeake bay.
Ok, I’m not really familiar with the area, so are there any specific places to swim? Just not sure if there are places where swimming is frowned upon or not allowed. I also don’t want to get hit by a boat or something.
The Basics: **Arundel Olympic Swim Center ** Official Web site: http://www.aacounty.org/RecParks/swimcenters/arundelcenter/index.cfm 
If the link to the facility’s Web site didn’t work, please let us know by clicking HERE. (Opens an email message window.) Address: 2690 Riva Rd. , Annapolis , MD , UNITED STATES (Postal Code: 21401) Telephone: (410) 222-7933.
If the area/city code or telephone number above is incorrect, would you kindly send us a correction? Click HERE. E-mail: arundelolympicswimcenter@hotmail.com. Admission:
Visitors (adult): $6.00, SC(60) $4.00.
If the adult, single-visit admission price to swim here has changed and you know the new price, please click HERE and tell us. Facilities:
(Full-size, year-round) Pool: 50m x 25y, 22 (25y) lanes, indoors, 82°F (28°C). Diving equipment: 1m boards.
** The Basics: United States Naval Academy ** Address: No street address available , Annapolis , MD , UNITED STATES (Postal Code: 21402) Telephone: (410) See the team or club contact information below.
If the area/city code or telephone number above is incorrect, would you kindly send us a correction? Click HERE. Admission:
Visitors (adult): Single-swim admission is not available to the traveling general public. Facilities:
(Full-size, year-round) Pool: 50m x 25y, 8 - 10 lanes, uniform 8f depth, indoors, water temperature not reported. Diving equipment: Separate 15f - 17f depth diving well with two 1m and two 3m boards; 1m, 5m, 7.5m and 10m platforms.
Well I was headed out your way (Seattle) for a business trip just 6 weeks ago, and based on advice from another 'Twitcher (local to me…so don’t bother looking for the thread), almost left my wetsuit at home. No suitable places for open water swimming in Seattle. Glad I didn’t listen to him either. Left a meeting early one afternoon and did a little open water swimming in Lake Washington from a spot at the end of East Madison St along with a few other local triathletes who happened to be there. Finished the afternoon off at The Attic with something called “The Cluttered” and liter mug of the featured Octoberfest beer on tap.
Open water is where you find it. You swim at your own risk, both for conditions and local laws, if not familiar with them. If confronted, I just play dumb (I’m damn convincing as my wife can tell you), and that is that…I get my swims in.
Oh, and you can’t use the 6 level Courthouse parking garage for your winter biking hill intervals either. But I get my rides in nonetheless.
x2 on the Arundel swim center. I used to travel to Annapolis for work a lot and dropped in on that pool many times. Its a nice facility and they have a masters group weekday mornings. I think it starts at 6. Its about a 15 min drive from downtown depending on lights.
If the naval academy isn’t an option for you then the Arundel Olympic pool on Riva road is your best bet. They do have an early morning masters as well as a Tue/Thurs 8pm swim for tri people.
I’ll second boatyard for good eats (great oysters) and it just so happens the tri club is having their T3 (social night) there this Thursday.
Funny about the comment with open water swims here…there are many open water swims areas.
OH! And if you like Sushi…head to JOS, it’s halfway up mainstreet. You’ll also find good eats if you go up mainstreet through church circle and head down West Street.
Enjoy your stay and pop into Boatyard on Thursday night if you’re free.
What are you trying to say, that I don’t know anything about the Chesapeake Bay and Severn River because I live in Seattle? I went to “college” in Annapolis and can tell you with certainty that Lake Washington is in no way comparable to the open water in Annapolis. Even if you wanted to swim in that pea soup they call a bay, there is no access.
Well, I went to the Naval Academy for a swim in the smaller pool in McDonaugh Hall. It was a little crowded, but I got a good work out, so that’s all that matters.
I haven’t hit any of the recommended restaurants yet, but hope to get to Boatyard for lunch before going home.
You people that live here are lucky, it is a pretty sweet town.
-Nick
What are you trying to say, that I don’t know anything about the Chesapeake Bay and Severn River because I live in Seattle? I went to “college” in Annapolis and can tell you with certainty that Lake Washington is in no way comparable to the open water in Annapolis. Even if you wanted to swim in that pea soup they call a bay, there is no access.
My apologies, I stand corrected. I did NOT go for an open water swim from Cadle Creek out into the Rhode River on Monday morning, and I did NOT go for an open water swim in the West River last Saturday. Couldn’t have, there is no access. Besides, it isn’t even water anyway, Campbells Soup maybe, but certainly not water.