United States Naval Academy — Attraction in Annapolis

Have been there several times. Wonderful place, and steeped in tradition. Every Midshipman is an over-achiever who WANTS to be there, rather than some spoiled kid who got their parents to pay their way through college, and sleeps through class. Physical fitness is just important as academics, and it shows. After that first (Plebe) year, every Mid is in the best shape of their lives and they do better in class because of it. As some say "it's the worst place to be, but the best place to be FROM". The demands on Mids are greater than anywhere, so It is certainly not a place to go to school if you can't do it bigger, better, faster, and harder than everyone else. Over 17,000 students apply each year, for roughly 1,100 spots on Induction Day. That means this place is pretty hard to get into, but the graduation rate is over 85% (whereas it's 59% in the rest of the country) AND these graduates will be protecting our nation in The Fleet for at least 5 years after graduation. Through...

We took the tour yesterday, starting at 11:00. The feeling we left with was the tour contained way too much emphasis on the athletic aspects and not nearly enough on the midshipmen. We did get to see the noon formation as they filed in for the noon meal, but we had already expended an hour and had much more left to see. So much time was used up looking at the pool, diving and wrestling facility however that we left the tour after the formation and probably missed a great deal which may have been of interest.

Bottom line - if you have a few days to spend in Annapolis I recommend a visit to the USNA. However, if time is short and you have much more to see in the area you might want to reconsider this tour, unless you are a Go Navy Beat Army sports nut. The facilities are beautiful, the guides knowledgeable and very willing to answer any question asked. We just wished we had allocated more time...

Visiting the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis was a truly inspiring experience. The campus is absolutely stunning—historic buildings, immaculate grounds, and views of the Severn River that are hard to beat. Walking through the Yard, you get a real sense of tradition, honor, and service. The guided tour was excellent and gave great insight into the life of a midshipman, the Academy’s history, and its role in shaping Naval leaders. Highlights for me included the breathtaking chapel, the crypt of John Paul Jones, and the Naval Academy Museum with its incredible ship models and artifacts. I left with a deep appreciation for the commitment these young men and women make to serve our country. Annapolis itself is a great place to explore before or after your visit. Whether you're into history, military service, or just want to be inspired, the U.S. Naval Academy is absolutely...