Autumn Escape to Annapolis

Basically, a golf cart.

I was skeptical, and perhaps a little ambitious thinking I would rather walk from City Dock to West Street, but it’s actually a nice ride. And the pleasant fall weather makes it that more enjoyable.

Our driver picked us up at the Academy B&B, where we are enjoying the Autumn Escape to Annapolis package, a one-night getaway that includes our room, a welcome basket from Dhiel’s Produce, a gourmet breakfast, and passes for an Annapolis pub crawl.

But before we cozy up to the bar with a ghost or two, we’re stopping at WEST Kitchen & Tavern for dinner. WEST Kitchen opened in June at the newly remodeled Loews Annapolis hotel. It’s a scratch kitchen – all dishes are made from scratch – headed up by Chef Kevin Relf.

Since I have several dietary restrictions, Chef Kevin visits our table and explains how he can adjust the menu for me. We collaborate and decide on pulled duck sliders, minus the bread, and an entrée-sized Heirloom tomato salad topped with lump crab meat.

I can’t tell you how much I love the combination of tomato and mozzarella PLUS crab meat!

Bellies full, we hail another e-cruiser to Maryland Hall for the Hidden History Pub Crawl. We join a large group of, I assume, history buffs, grab a drink at the Drummer’s Lot Pub and settle in for a riveting tale of Annapolis’ early days, including a few tragic love stories.

We continue on pass the State House and Governor’s Mansion, both beautifully illuminated, to Harry Brownes. After another round of drinks and ghost stories, we finish our pub crawl at Federal House. It’s early – by bar-hopping standards – but we decide to call it a night.

Returning to the Academy B&B feels like coming home… only I don’t have to make breakfast in the morning.

To book your Autumn Escape to Annapolis, call 866-990-2330 or email academybandb@gmail.com. This package is available through November. More information is available online at www.academybedandbreakfast.com.

I received the Autumn Escape Package and dinner at WEST Kitchen complimentary for the purposes of review. The opinions expressed above are my own.