Annapolis Boat Show....lesson learned, now question

[Lin Pardey]

I have attended and taken part in the Annapolis Saibloat show seven times over the past several years. Plan to be there again this year as speaker and with a booth. Always have been able to book rooms for my friends quite close to the date of the show and at fair prices as others have described. As for parking - if you get up a bit early you can get free street parking just across Spa Creek, a ten minute walk to the show. We have always found spaces easily at 7:30 each day, had breakfast in one of the little cafes nearby and were ready to go when the show opened. The local school also earns some money for their sports teams by charging $20 a day for parking or you can park at the free stadium parking lot about three miles from the show and take a free bus. All and all for a boatshow that is held right in the heart of a small town, I think parking options are really good.

[Awilson275]

You are over thinking this. I live in Annapolis. There are places to park. Sometimes you have to walk but this is a beautiful town. Ease and convenience puts you at BWI 35 min away. I would stay in the Solomons 1 hr away but a beautiful place on the water. There is a Holiday Inn. Many cute B & B's. Good luck

[UNCIVILIZED]

It's kinda' obvious, but a lot of "adults" forget this. And that's that getting around town via a bicycle is about the best method there is. You can get across town with little enough effort, on your own sked. Regardless of traffic. And "park" (your bike) somewhere right downtown/near the show.
Also, not that I'm suggesting this, persay. But I'm less hesitant to get on my bike after a couple of cocktails, than I am to drive a car. Use your own judgement.

The other half of this, & another common sense part of attending the show, is for everyone to have a day pack with; a jacket, hat, sunscreen, water, & snacks. Plus a camera if you like, & a tablet, pad & pen, business cards, etc. And of course your phone, for audio & visual notes on everything of interest that you see.

Plus, wear comfortable, boat friendly shoes. Which give your feet good support for long days, with lots of walking. But that are easy to slip on & off, for boarding Gucci type boats.

[UNCIVILIZED]

EDIT: For those who aren't aware of this, it's relatively simple to fly with bicycles. Provided you know how to do basic maintenance on them. So that you can partially disassemble, & reassemble them at your destination.

[FutureStories]

Feel free to contact me closer to the time of the show for discounted tickets if you decide to come.

[danielamartindm]

Be willing to drive a bit from your hotel to the show, and the choice of hotels is great. What's a half hour drive? What it costs you in gas will be more than compensated by cheaper hotel/motel costs; and unless you stay right downtown near the pier, you're going to have to drive to the parking areas and take a shuttle to the waterfront anyway.