getting out of the district these days can be a challenge if your resources are limited. money, time off from work and travel companions all weigh into the planning process. recently, i needed a break. searching the map much like prince akeem in coming to america, i scoured quick getaways that would not empty the bank. annapolis, maryland made the cut. why annapolis is one of those places that are close to downtown washington (30 miles), quaint in architecture and enough history to keep your mind racing for a quick weekend trip. two days away was all i needed and on this saturday morning, i packed up the car for an overnight trek to annapolis. the best way to get a full visual of a city for me is to take a broad tour of the scene, which is why discover annapolis tours came in handy. they offer a trolley tour that takes you around the town to see everything from the william paca house and garden, home of the declaration of independence signer, to the banneker-douglass museum. annapolis is small so this hour-long tour will give you just the overview you will need to explore the area independently. talking about annapolis without talking about the naval academy is like talking about washington and not acknowledging the capitol, you cannot do one without the other. i learned this early on during my visit, the u.s. naval academy is the towns pride and joy. rightfully so, the naval academy is a site for sore eyes: bancroft hall’s pristine rotunda, the midshipmen in uniform and a wall of fame that makes you wonder why army comes back every year for such a beating. the deep history of preparing young men and women for the u.s. naval officer and marine corps is embedded in each and every corner of this campus. the school prides itself on excellence and exudes it through the numerous accolades that could take you days and weeks to learn all of it. bancroft hall at the u.s. naval academy has its own zip code. after a day of taking