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More than 100,000 people from all over the world come to Annapolis to visit USNA every year. However, only about 4,400 people are here to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. They are the Brigade of Midshipmen, the women and men who have proven themselves fit for one of the most selective colleges in the country, which has an impressive eight percent acceptance rate. They are preparing to become some of the top Navy and Marine Corps leaders in the U.S. as they start their journey here at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Are you preparing to be one of them? Would you like to serve our country at the highest levels of naval leadership and carry on the proud traditions of a fighting force that is unfailingly dedicated to excellence? Or do you know someone who fits this description?
Then come see us! The best way to get the full U.S. Naval Academy experience is to step on the soil of the Yard, soak up its unique waterfront atmosphere, watch the midshipmen in their daily routines, take the informative Naval Academy tour and even participate in the programs that prepare you for entry.
When you visit USNA, here are some of the most important places to see on the Yard:
1. Visit USNA Behind the Scenes with an Admissions Tour
Among its selection of fascinating Naval Academy Tours, the U.S. Naval Academy offers a comprehensive USNA Admissions Tour that’s available to the public for groups of less than 15 with no advance reservations required. You can purchase tickets in person on the day of your tour at the Information Desk inside the Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center.
If you’d like to learn about the educational, leadership and career development opportunities offered at the Naval Academy, this 90-minute tour is the perfect introduction. It includes a one hour brief with critical information on how to apply and how to get into apply for the U.S. Naval Academy. Take advantage of this time to ask our knowledgeable tour guides all of your questions about daily life, and enjoy getting a behind the scenes look at one of the most historic and history-making campuses in the country. The USNA Admissions sessions run from Monday - Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. with the 90-minute tour following at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., respectively (except for federal holidays).
Explore Some More
After your tour, you can spend more time getting to know the nooks and crannies of the Yard on your own. Some of the most important places are the ones where the midshipmen spend most of their time:
2. See Mother B
Just a quick walk from the Visitor Center, you can return to Bancroft Hall (known affectionately as “Mother B”) to soak up any details you missed during the tour. Take your time with the paintings, busts and other important memorabilia in Memorial Hall and revisit the midshipmen sample dorm room. Take in the awe-inspiring Rotunda dome and its equally beautiful 1.5” thick floor, made with four types of marble. One of the largest dorms in the world with 4.8 miles of corridors, Bancroft Hall is the home for all 4,400+ midshipmen during their four years here. With a post office, barber shop, dentist, bank, dining hall, uniform store, Midshipmen Store and more, it has everything the midshipmen need for their daily lives. To really get a feel for life at the Naval Academy, it’s important to spend some time here.
3. Walk the Yard Like the Midshipmen Do
From Bancroft Hall, you can take Stribling Walk to experience the Quadrangle, the main open space between the Yard buildings. You’ll see the USNA Chapel on your left, across from the famous Zimmerman Band Stand. You can stroll straight ahead along Chauvenet Walk where so many U.S. Navy and U.S. Naval Academy treasures await at the USNA Museum inside Preble Hall. Heading right, you’ll pass a trio of academic buildings including Sampson and Mahan Halls, one of the places midshipmen learn their lessons in maritime excellence, naval history, naval engineering and more. Make time for lunch at the Naval Academy Club’s The Alley, one of the historically favorite hangouts for midshipmen and faculty and open to non-members for lunch Monday-Friday. Or enjoy a more informal cafeteria style meal at the Drydock Restaurant in nearby Dahlgren Hall, which has its own treasures to admire. You can also grab some fresh food and beverages at the two 1845 Coffee locations on the Yard.
4. Walk the Seawall
No tour is complete without a walk along the seawall alongside Rip Miller and Farrugut fields to see where Spa Creek meets the Severn River before they head out to the wide Chesapeake Bay. Head to the intriguing Triton Light that marks the place where our sailors return home.
5. Tour the Athletic Buildings
There is so much to see on the Yard. If you have time, you can explore the beautiful newly built Ron Terwilliger Center for Student Athletes and the fascinating Wesley A. Brown Field House with its banked track. You can feel the devotion the midshipmen pour into the physical mission, considered a pillar of their time here.
Click this USNA Map for a larger version of the map.
Other Important USNA Introductions
For those who want to understand the rigors of the Naval Academy even better, we offer the Student Leadership Program, which welcomes 13-15 year olds to the Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center to spend half a day learning about the Naval Academy. Students hear directly from Navy and Marine Corps officers, purchase official USNA apparel, take a private guided tour of the Yard, and more. The Student Leadership Program is usually offered for two dates (one in July and one in August), and registrations need to be received one week prior to the program date.
For those serious about studying at the Academy, the Candidate Book 4th Edition is another great place to start preparing. You can pick up a copy at the USNA Gift Shop when you’re in town, or grab one prior on Navyonline.com.
Stay A Spell in Annapolis!
Don’t forget to build in some time to explore Downtown Annapolis (DTA for the midshipmen). The flavors of the Chesapeake permeate this historic seaside city, and it is full of charming shops, mouth-watering restaurants and amazing historical roots. We’ve put together a comprehensive fall guide that can help you plan.
When you visit the Yard, you are supporting the midshipmen that support our freedom. Every bit you spend gives back to the Brigade, so come visit today. Whether you spend a day, four years or a lifetime, it’s a special place to be. Come be a part of history—and for those who may come here someday as midshipmen, welcome aboard!
