🍦36 hours in Annapolis

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Annapolis. Tinder just announced a height filter so if you’re married or dating, be thankful. And stay strong, short kings 👑

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

• Floating concerts

• Severna Park's new ice cream shop

• World Bicycle Day

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, Duffy Perkins, & Ryan Sneddon

SPONSORED BY RAM CONSTRUCTION

Anyone can follow blueprints

Every home has a soul. Whether it’s already built or a piece of land. At RAM Construction, we tap into this feeling for every project so homeowners and their guests are at ease before they even step inside of what we build. Take our largest build in Bay Ridge.

That intuition guided us through the complete transformation of a modest home into one of the most elegant in all of the neighborhood. With stunning lines, elevated ceilings, and long-range Bay views, the finished product honored the homeowners vision and what the property was always capable of becoming.

Every detail from start to finish was chosen with intention. Not to impress, but to be natural, as if it had always been that way.

At RAM Construction, we don’t just build homes. We build what belongs. Because true craftsmanship isn’t about materials or skill, it’s about listening.

THE DIGEST

NYT spends 36 hours in Annapolis ⏱️ ⚓️

They didn’t ask, but we’re giving the New York Times our approval. Their “NYT 36 hours” segment recently featured a local’s guide to our city’s most delicious, adventurous, and must-see experiences. Charles Babington was the perfect writer for the piece, given he’s lived, worked, and sailed in the Annapolis area for 30 years. Usually we think these guides are cheesy and miss the good spots, but Charles, our hat’s off to you. It’s helpful for out-of-towners but also, if you live here but haven’t explored much, try living out the itinerary one weekend this summer. Could be fun. . .

World Bicycle Day 🚲

We hope you haven’t been resting on those kickstands too much since Bike to Work Week last month, because today is World Bicycle Day. In honor of that, we’re writing all about biking in Anne Arundel County.

We’ve got the local bike shops to hook you up, options for road and trail cycling, and even groups for connecting with fellow bikers and advocating more bikeable spaces. Be sure to check out Bike Maryland and Bicycle Advocates for Annapolis and Anne Arundel County (aka Bike AAA) if you’re interested in that last part.

As for bike shops, it doesn’t matter which part of the greater Annapolis area you’re in. There’s a bike shop that’s (probably) within biking distance:

🚴 Pedal Pushers — Severna Park
🚴‍♀️ Annapolis Velo — Annapolis
🚴‍♂️ Parvilla Cycles — Edgewater
🚴 Bike Doctor — Arnold, Annapolis, and Crofton

And if you’re wondering where to bike . . . well, the bigger question is what do you want your bike outing to look like? Do you prefer a secluded park, or do you like hustle and bustle? Pavement or dirt? Are you doing loops, or do you want to go places? Here are our favorites:

🚂 B&A Trail — 13-mile paved trail from Annapolis to Glen Burnie
✈️ BWI Trail — connects to the B&A Trail and circles the airport. Perfect for planespotting while cycling
🌳 Waterworks Park — 600 acres of open space perfect for off-road biking
🦆 Quiet Waters Park — miles of mixed paved and unpaved trails with beautiful water views
🌲 Bacon Ridge Natural Area — more than 20 miles of natural surface trails including a skills park
🚧 Broadneck Trail — a work in progress that’s getting closer to completion, ultimately running from AACC to Sandy Point

And if you’ve got a little one who’s looking to lose the training wheels, you’ve got professional help at your service. Pedal Power Kids is a local business that specializes in programs for all ages and abilities to help youth improve their cycling.

One last note: Don’t forget your helmets! (No, seriously — Maryland law requires everyone under 16 to wear a helmet when they’re on a bike. But everyone over 16, you should definitely wear one too.)

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LOCAL BUSINESS

A Solid Purchase 🧱

Plans have firmed up for Solid Paving & Concrete to move into a new space in Annapolis. Although the company is based in Riva and works all over Maryland, DC, and Virginia, they see their purchase of 2901 Riva Trace Parkway in Annapolis as an expansion that will help them better serve customers across the region. You might say they’re paving the way to a better future.

💸 According to public property records, it looks like they scooped the 5,600 square foot building up for $2.1 million.

Greetings from Naptown Pop-Up Market 🛍️

You say, “Pop-up.” We say, “When?!” This Saturday (June 7), HERE. a pop-up shop and Stronger Together Collaborative will host the Greetings from Naptown Pop-Up Market. Annapolis Town Center is the place to be from 10 AM to 3 PM. Wander a vibrant marketplace of small business vendors. Whether you’re after unique finds, crave-worthy treats, or simply soaking up the community vibes, there’s something for everyone. A portion of proceeds will benefit Annapolis + Crofton Pride.

☔️ RAIN DATE: June 8, 10 AM—3 PM

Always Ice Cream Opening New Shop in Severna Park 🍦

If you’re like us, you’ve peeked in Always Ice Cream’s new spot at 600 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd., Suite 110 — just off the B&A Trail in Severna Park. The wait for scoops is almost over! Their Community Soft Opening is June 13 at 12 PM, with a Grand Opening on June 14 at 12 PM. We can almost taste the Peanut Butter Oreo or Salted Caramel. 🤤

A deeper scoop via Severna Park Voice: Brothers Mark and Adam Cohen turned a childhood dream into Always Ice Cream Company, a family-run business. Since buying Annapolis Ice Cream Company in 2019, the Cohens have expanded to six locations and food truck with more locations on the way. Severna Park will be their 7th. Known for bold flavors and real ingredients, they rotate 125+ handcrafted flavors.

Sushi Sekai coming soon 🍣

Chinese cuisine is giving way to Japanese cuisine at 11 Ridgely Avenue. You probably know the space as the location of the former Canton Chinese Restaurant, which closed in summer 2023 when the owners retired. Two years later, the space is reportedly undergoing renovations to become Sushi Sekai. Right now, details have yet to be un-rolled, but you can still see what they’re going to offer via the online ordering menu. We could be looking at the maki-ng of a new favorite dining spot. ($)

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

This week’s featured event. . .

Cold drinks, BBQ, and one heck of a view. Rock the Dock is back for its 14th year this Thursday. Every ticket helps the Anne Arundel County Literacy Council teach adults and out-of-school kids the vital skill of reading.

Theater Talk Tuesday 🎭

🌈 Muppet Babes: Rainbow Connection Saturday 7 PM. An outrageous puppet show for adults as part of Annapolis Pride week.

🎵 The Sounds of Summer with Maryland Opera Sunday 3 PM. Renowned professional vocalists in the picturesque Paca Garden.

⚗️ The Imaginary Invalid Tuesdays through August @ 7:30 PM. Classic Theatre of Maryland performs in the outdoor courtyard at Reynold’s Tavern.

🚢 Disaster! Thurs–Sun through June 14 @ 8:30 PM. Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre’s opening show of the season follows a wacky cast of characters besieged by disaster after disaster.

And looking ahead to shows opening soon. . .

👠 Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Opening June 26. The Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre season continues with this bawdy but wholesome crowdpleaser. Don’t be intimidated by the name.

🪦 The Addams Family Opening July 11. Teens ages 14–18 perform a musical adaptation of everyone’s favorite kooky and spooky family.

🎩 Auditions: An Ideal Husband June 15–16. Colonial Players holds open auditions for this witty Oscar Wilde comedy to open its upcoming season.

💕 Auditions: Pride and Prejudice Through June 27. Submit a video monologue to be considered for Compass Rose Theater’s adaptation of this Jane Austen classic.

“Tunesday” Floating Concerts 🌊 🎶

Just when we think our town can’t get any cooler . . . Tunesday hits the scene for the second summer. Held every Tuesday through August 26 from 6–8:30 PM, this unique concert series is hosted on a 40+ foot catamaran “floating stage” on the Back Creek in Eastport. All are welcome to the free concerts, thanks to Chronic Sailing, which also offers sailing charters, lessons, and captain services. Catch Skribe — a garage folk band — tonight. And here’s the rest of this summer’s lineup including Nate Finn and Luke Borchelt.

Annapolis Blues Women back in action ⚽️💙

The Annapolis Blues Women’s team is living up to our high hopes. They’re 3-0 in the USL W League, including their home opener which drew a record crowd of 7,289. Whether you’ve hopped on the Blues bandwagon with season tickets or never seen a game, grab your tickets for tomorrow night’s 7 PM match at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. They’ll face Charlottesville Blues FC. Obviously, we know which Blues we’re cheering for. 📣💙

License-Free Fishing Days Across MD

No fishing license? No problem! Maryland’s Free Fishing Days are the perfect chance to cast away without a license. Reel in the fun on June 7, June 14, and July 4 — no angler’s license, Chesapeake Bay sportfishing license, or fishing stamp needed to catch finfish in tidal or nontidal waters.

Prefer to scale back on paperwork year-round? Check out designated License-Free Fishing Areas (just be sure to register online). And remember: kids under 16 can always hook some memories license-free.

🎣 Don't let these opportunities be the ones that got away — tackle them while you can!

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

WEATHER

Tuesday

78 🌡️ 63 | ☀️ | 3% | 💨 S 7 mph (6 knots)

Wednesday

82 🌡️ 66 | ☀️ | 3% | S 12 mph (10 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 66ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Tuesday

49 West | Unified Jazz Ensemble | 7–9:30 PM
Brian Boru | PJ and Neal | 6–9 PM
The Point | Kavoossi | 5–8 PM
Pirates Cove | Bridgette Michaels | 6–9 PM
Rams Head Roadhouse | Ray Weaver | 7 PM

Wednesday

49 West | Dave Chappell & Friends | 5–7 PM
49 West | The Geckos | 7:30–10 PM
Brian Boru | Nikki Stacy | 6–9 PM
Dinner Under The Stars | Spirit of Jazz w/ Geno Marriott | 6–9 PM
Galway Bay | Irish Trad Music Session | 8 PM
Killarney House | Jason Bishop | 6–10 PM
Pirates Cove | Loose Change | 6–9 PM
The Point | Dan Haas | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Ted Vigil | 8 PM | Tickets
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | The Bards | 9 PM

THANKS!

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with Charles Babington.