Yes, you can still visit Annapolis City Dock. Dock Street businesses remain open, but the City Dock Resilience and Revitalization Project is changing streets, parking, waterfront access and marina services by construction phase. Plan for detours, use posted wayfinding, allow extra time and verify conditions shortly before you travel.
Upper Dock Street still supports customer pickup and drop-off, and the City is directing visitors toward alternative parking and free local transportation. Ego Alley, Susan Campbell Park and some boat slips have restrictions that may change as work progresses.
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What is open, and what is affected
City Dock remains a visitor destination during construction. Waterfront restaurants, shops, harbor viewing, events and water-tour activities continue to be options, although each operator controls its own hours and departures. Visit Annapolis describes City Dock as open during construction and directs visitors to the official project information for current conditions.
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Access is not static. Lower Dock Street is closed between Craig Street and Susan Campbell Park for heavy infrastructure work, while upper Dock Street has a partial closure between Craig and Randall streets. The construction page lists these restrictions through May 2027. Follow temporary signs rather than assuming a familiar route, curb space or waterfront entrance is still available.
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The project page says pedestrian access is being provided to the Ego Alley boardwalk and Watermark Cruises, but that does not mean every section is open or convenient at every stage. Susan Campbell Park and the Ego Alley area may have limited access until later milestones.
Projected reopening dates: useful for planning, not guarantees
The City’s August 25, 2026 announcement gives projected milestones. They are targets, not confirmed opening dates, and the City’s construction page uses a slightly different description of the next phase. Treat both as planning guidance and check for updates near your visit.
| Milestone | City projection | What it means for visitors |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Naval Academy Barry Gate | December 2026 | A planned reopening that may improve access from the academy side; confirm the gate’s status before relying on it. |
| Ego Alley boardwalk | March 2027 | Pedestrians are projected to regain the boardwalk, subject to construction progress and safety controls. |
| City Dock Park and Maritime Welcome Center | July 2027 | Both are projected to open after construction and related site work. |
| Phase Two work | Summer 2027 to spring 2028 in the August release; May 2027 to March 2028 on the construction page | Expect continuing, more limited closures around Upper Dock Street, the top of Ego Alley and Compromise Street. |
The project page lists construction of City Dock Park, rehabilitation of the historic Burtis House and construction of the Maritime Welcome Center from February 2026 through July 2027. A date in a schedule should not be read as a promise that a particular entrance, park area or boardwalk segment will be open that morning.
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteThe City says the project is intended to address flooding at historic City Dock. In the August 25 announcement, Mayor Jared Littmann said, “From the beginning, this project has been planned and executed to provide solutions to flooding on historic City Dock.” You can read the announcement and its schedule at annapolis.gov.
How to get to City Dock while streets are changing
Drive to Mills Hillman Garage
The City reports that Mills Hillman Garage gained 165 spaces and is about a three-minute walk from Dock Street. The figure is the City’s 2026 reported addition, not an independently audited count. The garage is therefore a practical starting point when curb parking near the water is unavailable, but check current signs, rates and capacity information before setting out.
Use the promoted free shuttles and carts
City support information describes the free Magenta Shuttle as serving Dock Street and Prince George’s Street near Barry Gate. It also describes a free weekend GEM cart connecting Mills Hillman Garage and Dock Street. The cited update does not publish a guaranteed day-of timetable or promise that every service will run on every visit. Confirm operating details through current City information before making a shuttle your only plan.
Expect less curb parking and changed traffic flow
The City’s August 2026 business-support update says approximately 99 spaces were removed on upper and lower Dock Street while traffic flow, remaining parking and loading zones were adjusted. That is a City estimate for the project period, not a permanent citywide parking count. Do not circle the closed blocks expecting a space to appear; go directly to an available garage or follow the signed approach.
Plan pickup and drop-off deliberately
Customer pickup and drop-off remain available along Upper Dock Street, according to the construction update. Use only the signed or designated area, keep the vehicle moving when possible and allow for pedestrians, equipment and narrowed lanes. A pickup arrangement that worked before construction may no longer be legal or safe.
The City’s business-support information is available at annapolis.gov. It is a useful description of the intended access plan, not a live traffic feed.
Walking from parking to the waterfront
- Check the latest project notice before leaving and identify the day’s recommended approach.
- Park at a confirmed open facility, such as Mills Hillman Garage, rather than relying on a removed Dock Street space.
- Follow temporary wayfinding from the garage or shuttle stop. The City says wayfinding is provided, but signs and pedestrian paths can move as work advances.
- Stay outside fenced work areas, obey crossing instructions and allow extra time for detours.
- At the waterfront, ask staff about the current route to Ego Alley, Susan Campbell Park or a tour boarding point; do not cross a closure because a map shows the old path.
Construction work generally runs Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to dusk. Exceptions can occur with Department of Public Works approval and prior notice. Those hours are when visitors are most likely to encounter active equipment, noise, flaggers and temporary crossings.
What you can do at City Dock
Dining and shopping
Dock Street businesses remain open, and customers should be able to reach them during the project. Restaurant patios, entrances and delivery arrangements can be affected by a nearby closure, so check directly with the business for hours, accessibility details and the best entrance on your date.
Harbor viewing and events
Waterfront views and events remain part of the City Dock experience, but the available sightlines and gathering areas may change while park and bulkhead work continues. If a particular event matters to your trip, confirm its location and access instructions with the organizer.
Water tours
Visit Annapolis lists water tours among City Dock activities. The construction information specifically references pedestrian access to Watermark Cruises. Neither source establishes a universal departure schedule during construction. Verify the operator’s departure point, check-in time and cancellation policy before traveling.
Naval Academy access
Barry Gate is projected to reopen in December 2026. Until the reopening is confirmed, do not assume the gate provides a usable shortcut to City Dock. Check current Naval Academy and City directions if your itinerary depends on that entrance.
Boaters need a separate status check
Marine access is more restricted than a normal sightseeing visit. The Harbormaster notice, updated January 12, 2026, says the project suspended some services and closed many slips. It identifies limited remaining Ego Alley bulkhead space, reports that on-site laundry is unavailable, and lists restrooms and showers as available May through November.
That notice predates the City’s August 2026 construction update, and slip conditions can change with construction and marine operations. Contact the Harbormaster before reserving a trip, approaching the bulkhead or promising guests a particular service. The current notice is posted at annapolis.gov/165/Harbormaster.
- Ask whether a slip or Ego Alley bulkhead space is available for your vessel and dates.
- Confirm which shore-power, restroom, shower, laundry and fuel-related services are operating; do not infer availability from a previous visit.
- Confirm the pedestrian route from the landing to Dock Street, because work zones can change the safest path.
- Build weather and construction delays into your schedule.
Choose a plan for your type of visit
| Visitor | Best preparation | Decision to make before leaving |
|---|---|---|
| Short meal or shopping stop | Use a confirmed garage or current curb instructions; allow walking time. | Is pickup/drop-off or garage parking more reliable for your group? |
| Family or mobility-sensitive group | Call the destination about the current entrance and pedestrian surface; avoid assuming the shortest map route is usable. | Which route has the fewest temporary crossings and stairs on the visit date? |
| Water-tour passenger | Verify the operator’s departure point and arrive early for wayfinding. | Can the operator confirm that the advertised boarding location is operating? |
| Event attendee | Check the event organizer’s access notice and allow for Saturday construction activity. | Where is the current entrance, and what is the backup if a block closes? |
| Boater | Contact the Harbormaster directly about slips and services. | Are the required berth and shore facilities actually available? |
A practical pre-visit checklist
- Review the latest construction updates close to departure.
- Check the official project FAQ for current business and access guidance.
- Confirm parking, shuttle or GEM-cart operation rather than relying on an old timetable.
- Save the address and phone number of your restaurant, shop, tour operator or event organizer.
- Allow additional walking time from Mills Hillman Garage or a shuttle stop.
- Wear shoes suitable for uneven or rerouted pedestrian paths and expect construction noise during working hours.
- Keep a flexible route: closures, fencing and loading zones can move between visits.
Common mistakes to avoid
Assuming “open” means unchanged
Open businesses do not guarantee open curb lanes, the same park entrance or uninterrupted waterfront circulation. Separate the question “Can I visit?” from “Can I use my old route?”
Treating projected dates as firm appointments
December 2026, March 2027 and July 2027 are projections. Check the current notice before advertising a reopening to a group or booking a nonrefundable itinerary around it.
Using an old marina assumption
Slip closures and suspended services mean a previous boating experience is not a reliable guide. Get a current Harbormaster answer.
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Digital maps may show the permanent street layout while construction fencing controls the actual route. Posted wayfinding and on-site instructions take priority.
Where to verify conditions
Use the City’s August 25, 2026 schedule announcement for projected milestones, the construction updates page for closures, work hours and pedestrian guidance, and the project FAQ for visitor-impact information. Visit Annapolis is useful for identifying district activities, while the Harbormaster page is the appropriate source for boating status. Check these sources as close to the visit as practical because construction and marine access are changeable.
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