The four squares that surround the historic Washington Monument together form Mount Vernon Place. These four squares were created after the monument was built in order to create a spectacular setting for it. Although the monument is the crowning jewel of the park, by itself too the park is a sight to behold. Verdant trees, grass and shrubs, paved walkways, and beautiful statues and fountains dot the park, making it one of the finest urban landscapes in the world. Mount Vernon Place also has plenty of benches and dining options and is surrounded by houses that have still retained their old-world charm, making it a great spot for spending a peaceful day. Located nearby are the Lexington Market, the Hippodrome Theater, and the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall.
Towering above Mount Vernon Place is Baltimore's Washington Monument. The marble Doric column towers 178 feet (54.25 meters) with a statue of George Washington at its crown. The reward for climbing the steep, winding 228 steps is a breathtaking, bird's-eye view of Baltimore. The base contains a small museum with exhibits chronicling the architecture and development of the monument, which took nearly 15 years to build (1815-1829).
Dating back to 1911, the Emerson Bromo Seltzer tower is credited to Captain Isaac Emerson. A 15 storey structure, it was stylistically inspired by Florence's Palazzo Vecchio tower and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Until 1936, a 51-foot replica of the famed blue bottle revolved on top of the building, illuminated by 596 lights. Today, a blue glow emanates from the tower's cupola and the structure's four clock faces are illuminated at all times, allowing passersby to see the Bromo Seltzer letters that mark the time. The tower is also houses to an arts facility, showcasing exhibitions by resident as well as other artists.
Dating back as far as 1772, Maryland State House is touted to be one of the oldest state houses in the country. Maryland State House is the only state capitol that has also served as the nation's capitol, between 1783 to 1784, as the meeting place for the Congress of the Confederation. Behind the courtly Georgian facade of this edifice is where history has been created and iconic tales have been told. The state house resides on lush green lawns, its rotunda housing the revered Maryland Federalist ship. Upheld by Corinthian columns and elegant arches, the state house shelters ornate rooms and chambers, owning the largest wooden dome constructed without using nails in the United States, and is the oldest capitol building in continuous political use. With guided tours being a regular feature, this National Historic Landmark is a true crown jewel of Annapolis.
Constructed in 1763, William Paca House & Garden is a beautiful Georgian mansion that is recognized for being the signatory of the Declaration of Independence. It is also visited for its idyllic garden, colossal interiors and memorabilia. Built by the founder, William Paca, who also served as Governor of Maryland, this historic landmark showcases stunning architecture. Recognized as a National Historic Landmark since 1971, the house features a distinctive five-part design, including a central block flanked by symmetrical pavilions connected by hyphens. The original woodwork and impressive Chinese Chippendale balustrade are truly worth admiring. A must-visit for those who are passionate about history.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge is often called just Bay Bridge though its official name is Gov. William Preston Lane, Jr. Memorial Bridge. Crossing Chesapeake Bay for a distance of 4.3 miles (6.9 kilometers), it connects Anne Arundel County to Queen Anne's County in Maryland. It is the longest continuous steel structure over water in the world. The minimalist and modern architecture of this bridge delights tourists as does the panoramic view it offers. As part of U.S. Routes 301 and 50, the Bay Bridge sees heavy holiday-time and peak hour traffic. To control this traffic, the bridge has five lanes and the authorities levy a toll. The toll rate varies from the lowest for two-axle vehicles to the highest for six-axle ones.