With the Chesapeake Bay and Severn River at its doorstep, Annapolis is the pleasure-boating capital of the eastern U.S. The city offers many opportunities to enjoy sailing and watersports, as well as other outdoor activities.

Biking

Though the streets are often too crowded for a leisurely excursion, just outside the city are several parks and paths for cycling. The Baltimore and Annapolis Trail (tel. 410/222-6244) is a smooth 13-mile asphalt route that runs from Annapolis north into the suburbs. Formerly a rail corridor, it's ideal for biking, walking, or meandering. It begins at Ritchie Highway, at the U.S. Route 50 interchange, and ends on Dorsey Road at Route 648 in Glen Burnie, where it connects with the 12.5-mile BWI Trail. The trail is open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Outside the city, on the South River and Harness Creek, Quiet Waters Park (tel. 410/222-1777) has 6 miles of biking/hiking trails with an overlook along the South River. A skating rink is set up in winter. The park is open Wednesday through Monday, 7am to dusk; you'll pay $5 per vehicle, $2 per handicapped vehicle.

Visitors who want to bike the Eastern Shore can cross the Chesapeake Bay using the Annapolis Transit system. Every Annapolis Transit bus, including the Kent Island commuter bus, has a bike rack. Buses leave Kent Island and Annapolis every weekday morning and return each evening. Fare is $1.50; the bike goes for free. Call tel. 410/263-7964 to be sure there's room on the bus and to confirm the return trip.

Sailing Schools & Sailing Trips

Learn to sail at the oldest sailing school in America: the Annapolis Sailing School, 601 Sixth St. (tel. 800/638-9192). With more than 50 boats and a huge support staff, this school offers a wide range of programs for novices and veterans, including KidShip for children 5 to 15. Options range from a weekend beginner course for $325 to a 5-day advanced course in preparation for bareboat (skipper-less) charters for $950 and up. Hotel packages are also available.

Womanship, 137 Conduit St. (tel. 800/342-9295), is a sailing program for women. Instruction levels range from "Chicken of the Sea" to advanced, in daytime or live-aboard settings. Learning cruises range from 2 to 7 days and from $495 to $2,275. There are courses for mothers and daughters, couples, families, and youths.

There are many other sailing schools in the area, so call around for one that best suits your needs. Try Annapolis Sailing School (tel. 800/638-9182), J World Annapolis (tel. 800/966-2038 or 410/280-2040), and Chesapeake Sailing School (tel. 800/966-0032 or 410/269-1594), which offers courses for families and teens on Back Creek.

The 74-foot schoonersWoodwind and Woodwind II, 80 Compromise St. (tel. 410/263-7837), depart from the Marriott side of the City Dock for 2-hour sailing trips several times daily, April through November. Departure times vary, so call or check the website. Sunset cruises have a different theme each day, such as a beer tasting or eco-tour. If you like sailboat racing, you can watch the Wednesday-night races aboard the Woodwind. Prices are $25 to $29 for adults, $23 to $27 for seniors, and $15 for children under 12. Special destination cruises, overnight trips, and bed-and-breakfast sails are also available.

Sea Kayaking

Amphibious Horizons (tel. 888/ILUV-SUN or 410/267-8742) offers 3-hour sunset kayak tours in the South River on Fridays at 6pm. The cost is $30 for adults, $20 for children 5 to 16. It also offers trips in creeks on both sides of the bay, as well as instruction and kayak rentals at Quiet Waters Park south of Annapolis. Preregistration is necessary for sunset paddles. Admission to Quiet Waters is $5 per vehicle; walk-ins and bike-ins are free.

Watersport Rentals & Charters

To charter a sailboat, contact one of the sailing schools or call Sunsail (tel. 800/327-2276). South River Boat Rentals (tel. 410/956-9729) rents both sail- and powerboats; it's south of Annapolis by the South River Bridge on Route 2.