<p>Hello. I am new to posting but have been reading this board for some time. I have a question I think some of you can answer.</p>
<p>My son is a sophomore in high school and very interested in attending the Naval Academy. He and his dad are headed to Annapolis next weekend to visit. They are going to see the Navy-Army basketball game, and also plan on attending the admissions informational meeting, taking a tour and attending mass on Sunday.</p>
<p>Do you have any other ideas about what they can/should see while they are there? My son is really excited to see the campus and midshipmen.</p>
<p>They can pretty much walk the entire Yard, but not walk into any buildings (other than the Rotunda and Memorial Hall) or go out on the terraces on either side of Bancroft Hall.</p>
<p>They will want to check in at the Visitor's Center to see what guided tours are offered.</p>
<p>If your son plays a sport, have him call the coach (you'll probably get an assistant, but that's fine) of that sport and tell them he will be there. They were always good about getting you in to see the facilities and having somebody talk with you.</p>
<p>Chick and Ruth's is the breakfast place downtown. Also, don't forget to check out the Commodore Levy Center, which sometimes is offered on tours.</p>
<p>There also might be a mid on watch in the rotunda to answer your questions.</p>
<p>What Airport should I be going to? I was looking for plane tickets to Annapolis, MD. However, I could not find any. I'm guessing I gotta fly in to D.C. or Balitmore, then take a shuttle/bus/cab all the way to the Academy. What's the quickest/most efficicent and cheapest way to get to USNA?</p>
<p>BWI is the closest airport and normally has the lowest cost tickets. Reagan National is the second closest airport followed by Washington Dulles.</p>
<p>I'm only a highschool Junior, but I have been to the Academy every year since I was in 7th grade (thanks Dad.) The guided tour is pretty good, but if you know your way around at all, I recommend doing it yourself. That way you can spend more time where your interested. Start off by going to the visitor's center to watch the classic video 'To Lead and To Serve.' Gives a quick once over of academy life, and is a good introduction to you visit. Grab some water, a map, and anything else you see in the VC. I would then head out towards the main part of the yard towards T-Court. Check out Tecumseh, and get a good peek at Bancroft. From there, head down the main walk ( I forget it's name). I would then check out the chapel/crypt. They are both amazing. Here's where timing comes in. Make sure you get to an admissions briefing. You can ask any questions you have and can get a catalog and some other useful stuff. However, you really shouldn't miss noon lunch formation either, so check to see if there is a briefing at 10:45 or 1:15. After you've watched noon lunch formation (get there 10 min. early or so to ensure a decent view) I recommend going to the Dry Dock fro lunch. The Dry Dock is a public restaurant on the Yard. Good Food. It's also the site of the current Hockey rink. After that, if you havn't seen an admissions briefing, do that. If you have, go ahead and troll around the yard, check out the statues and monuments and all that stuff. You can head over to the museum, which is near the admissions building, I believe. Basketball arena and parade grounds are a little past the museum/admissions. you can then cut back around the academic buildings to walk along the Severn. If you follow the Severn from the basketball arena back towards annapolis you'll see the soccer fields, track, and most of the other athletic complexes. Pool is located across fom VC, tennis courts are down the road from the chapel and and a few buildings over from the Dry Dock. Football Stadium is off campus. following the severn around will lead you back to the VC where you can grab a souvenir or two. Then grab some food in annapolis. I reccomend Buddy's for breakfast and dinner...great entrees or all-you-can eat buffet. Then grab some gelato down the road near near the pier. </p>
<p>Great American is spot on. But check which fares are cheapest. </p>
<p>I would avoid Dulles, however, unless the fare is too good to pass up and you're going to rent a car anyway, its just too far away. National isn't too bad if you can get a good fare.</p>
<ol>
<li>There is no ice hockey rink in Dahlgren anymore.</li>
<li>Noon meal formations are usually inside on Friday and there are no noon meal formations on the weekends (and when there is no school, i.e. President's Day). If the temperature is less than 20*F, formations are usually inside.</li>
</ol>
<p>If you need to use the Shuttle/cab to get to Annapolis, then fly into BWI... Rental car then use any of the three airports if the price is right, I personally avoid Dullas as it is just too far.</p>
<p>Also, if you have never been on the yard before, then take the guided tour from the visitor center. You can always go back to anything that you want to spend time at. Taking the tour will give you a glimpse of all of the public area's that you can visit, the guides are knowledgable and can answer additional questions that you may have.</p>
<p>Wow! Thank you all so much. We already have the plane tickets (this was a Christmas present to our son). My husband and son are flying to BWI. All of this information is great. My son does play baseball, I did not think to have him contact the coach this early.</p>
<p>And my wife says, "Tell them about the GREAT QUILT SHOP!" :confused:</p>
<p>Sorry, fellas. She made me do it. :mad: It's out past that new baseball stadium. Exit that gate, turn left, go straight @ the next intersection. Can't miss it. Hold on to your plastic, men. :eek:</p>
<p>When my sons went to soccer camp this past summer, I wandered (on foot) all over the place (but as they say, not in any of the halls). It was beautiful and I especially liked the chapel. The smaller chapel beneath is lovely, too. There is so much to see and so. Outside the gate is very quaint. I'm still working on the pictures I took. Since I didn't have the digital (my husband wouldn't let it go) I took roll after roll. </p>
<p>The football stadium is really neat, too. </p>
<p>We flew into BWI, and that's about a 20 minute drive away.</p>
<p>And lest we forget, got to the Naval Museum in ???? Hall. Help me. THIS is really fascinating and can spend a lot of time learning about Naval history. It's between the Chapel and the Admissions Office.</p>
<p>And most of all, if you can get someone to take you to lunch in the Officers Club ...</p>