Beauty beyond the Beltway: favorite day trips from Washington, DC
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Loading... - Erin Moore
- 28 Apr 2022
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Luckily, the region around the US capital delivers day trips for every mood. Mountains, lakes, the Atlantic Ocean and countryside are within easy driving distance, while both adorable small towns and bustling cities in the region are filled with fascinating history, culture and (of course) food.
Here are our picks for the best day trips from Washington, DC.
Go wild in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Easy access to Shenandoah National Park is one of the best perks of living in DC. In these glorious mountains, hikes for every taste and fitness level await. For an easy stroll, there’s Dark Hollow Falls, leading to a pretty waterfall; more challenging is Hawksbill Mountain, featuring an uphill trudge that rewards with magnificent, nearly 360-degree views from the park’s highest peak. Wherever you are, you’ll enjoy waterfalls, mountain laurel, stunning vistas and – if you’re lucky – a black bear sighting.
How to get to Shenandoah National Park: The best option is to drive. Shenandoah National Park has three gated entrances: the North Entrance at Front Royal (off I-66), Thornton Gap east of Luray (via US-211) and the South Entrance at Rockfish Gap near Waynesboro. The closest one to DC is the North Entrance, about an hour’s drive west. The entrance fee is $25 per vehicle.
Visit a city on the move in Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore’s varied pleasures have long been a draw for Washingtonians. With its shops, restaurants, historic ships and famous aquarium, the popular Inner Harbor offers enough for a full day of fun. But Baltimore is a city on the move, and there’s no place that showcases this better than the up-and-coming neighborhood of Fells Point. This historic cobblestoned area is anchored by the luxurious Sagamore Pendry Baltimore, a pier-side hotel whose gorgeous interior garden courtyard merits at least a walk-through.
Founded by William Fell in 1730 and once a thriving shipbuilding center, Fells Point today is packed with locally owned boutiques, casual eateries and bench-dotted parks. Take a walking tour with Baltimore National Heritage Area or Baltimore Ghost Tours (this was the last place Edgar Allan Poe was seen alive, you know). Afterwards, find a table at The Point in Fells for local fare and glorious harbor views.
How to get to Baltimore: Baltimore is about an hour’s drive north of DC via I-95 (avoid rush hour if possible). You can also hop aboard a MARC or Amtrak train from Union Station, with numerous daily departures. You’ll need a cab or ride-share to reach Fells Point, a couple miles from Baltimore’s Penn Station.
Get crabby (in the best way) in Annapolis, Maryland
Maryland is all about its blue crabs, best enjoyed at a traditional crab shack along a bucolic waterway. One of the best is Jimmy Cantler’s Riverside Inn, tucked away on quiet Mill Creek beyond downtown Annapolis. You’ll sit at a community table covered with butcher paper and join in the fun as a huge bucket of boiled crabs, doused with Old Bay spice, is strewn across the table. The wait staff will then give you a lesson on how to crack and devour the tasty crustaceans. (You can also avoid the hard work and order a crab-cake sandwich.)
Walk off the meal in downtown Annapolis, where colonial-era buildings house art galleries, clothing stores and (if you’re still hungry) local eateries. Check out Ego Alley at the foot of Main Street (aka Annapolis City Dock), where million-dollar yachts strut their stuff. You can also walk around the US Naval Academy, with highlights including the chapel (burial place of John Paul Jones) and a visitor center spotlighting the Navy’s history and greatest moments.
How to get to Annapolis: Annapolis is located about a half-hour’s drive east of Washington, DC via US 50.
Slurp Chesapeake Bay oysters in Northern Neck, Virginia
While Maryland has blue crabs, Virginia has oysters. The Northern Neck is the place to discover how these succulent bivalves have influenced every aspect of local life. Rappahannock Oyster Company in Topping provides a lively overview of oyster harvesting. Perched on a scenic offshoot of the Chesapeake, this seemingly small operation daily dispatches fresh, luscious oysters as far away as Las Vegas. Walk out on the dock and see the sorting in action, then sample them at the on-site, waterside Merroir restaurant.
You’ll find oyster-related artwork at Allure Art Center in White Stone, oyster-inspired jewelry at Burke's Fine Jewelers, a historical overview of regional oystering at the Reedville Fishermen’s Museum, and oyster and wine pairings at Dog & Oyster Vineyard in Irvington. Consider staying overnight at Tides Inn, where you can sample the signature Angry Oyster (a local twist on buffalo wings) and take part in the inn’s Virginia Oyster Academy – or simply relax by the creek and do nothing at all.
How to get to the Northern Neck: The Northern Neck extends east of Fredericksburg, located south of DC off I-95, and requires a car to get around. It takes close to three hours to drive to Irvington, the heart of oyster country. Read More…
