The United States Naval Academy is a heritage-listed campus where officers for commission into the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps have been trained and educated since 1845. The academy campus is deemed a National Historic Landmark and features several historically significant buildings as well as monuments dedicated to important events in naval history. Take a tour around the campus grounds and discover the academy’s rich history, beautiful architecture and state-of-the-art facilities.
Gain a behind-the-scenes insight into the U.S. Naval Academy with a visit to the academy’s Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center. This informative visitor center is the first stop on your trip to the U.S. Naval Academy. Watch the center’s fascinating short film, The Call to Serve, before beginning your walking tour with a helpful guide.
Your tour will take you around the beautifully landscaped grounds of the academy and past campus buildings with interesting architecture. One such building is the richly decorated Bancroft Hall, a sprawling dormitory fronted by the grand Tecumseh Court. Beneath the ornate Main Chapel, with its pretty copper dome, visit the crypt of John Paul Jones, who is said to be the father of the U.S. Navy. See the home of the academy’s Superintendent at the beaux-arts-style Buchanan House.
Stop by Preble Hall to visit the U.S. Naval Academy Museum. The first floor outlines the history of the academy and the federal service with intriguing artifacts and exhibits, while the second floor houses a collection of antique ship models. Pick up souvenirs and specialty books at the gift shop located within the Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center.
The U.S. Naval Academy is located in Annapolis harbor at the confluence of the Severn River and Chesapeake Bay. The Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center is situated inside USNA Gate 1, the only point of access for the general public. Access to the rest of the campus is limited and visitors over the age of 18 must carry photo identification. Visits are free but there is a small cost for guided tours. Tours run daily except for on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Thanksgiving. Parking is available at City Dock and nearby lots.
