10 Best Road Trips Near Washington DC

The Chesapeake Bay city of Annapolis is known for its seafood, historical sites, beautiful waterfront areas, and the U.S. Naval Academy. Annapolis is Maryland’s capital and is about an hour from Washington, D.C. For blue crab the old-school Maryland way, try Cantler’s Riverside Inn. For higher-end steak and seafood, visit Lewnes’ Steakhouse. Take a self-guided tour of the Maryland Statehouse – the oldest state capitol in continuous use in the nation – or a guided tour of the Naval Academy.

Visit the Annapolis arts district and during certain months of the year experience the seasonal First Sunday Arts Festival. Downtown is a district for shops, cocktail bars, and brewpubs featuring local beers.

Harpers Ferry is a picturesque town about an hour from D.C. Its history dates to 1800 as a manufacturing and transportation hub, a strategic location in the Civil War, and the site of a clash over slavery. It’s near many remarkable trails and scenic hikes. Harpers Ferry National Historic Park includes the historic Lower Town with museums and exhibits. At John Brown’s Fort, see a key site in an abolitionist’s attempt to start a slave uprising – for which he was hanged.

Elsewhere in the park, take one of the numerous scenic hikes, one of which leads to the midpoint of the Appalachian Trail. At a location called the Point, view 3 states from the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers.

Sandy Point State Park is a 786-acre facility known for beaches on the scenic Chesapeake Bay as well as boating and fishing. It’s near Annapolis, Maryland, about an hour from the nation’s capital. One of the main attractions is swimming on a shoreline with views of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent, and restrooms and showers are provided.

Bring your own food for a picnic, visit the concession stand to get what you need, or set up a grill. Fish or crab from designated beach areas or the jetty. The marina has 22 spaces to launch boats as well as day-use piers.

Middleburg has long been a getaway spot from D.C. known for its beautiful surroundings, celebrity residents, large estates, shops, restaurants, wineries, and horse culture. About an hour from D.C., it’s the self-proclaimed “Nation’s Horse and Hunt Capital,” with numerous horse shows and outdoor racing events each year. Visit the National Sporting Library & Museum, which educates on fox hunts, steeplechases, polo, and other pursuits.

Downtown has boutiques, clothing stores, art galleries, and restaurants. Chrysalis Vineyards, located on a hilltop outside town, is one of several wineries in the area – it specializes in varietals of the Norton grape (said to be the oldest cultivated in the U.S.) as well as local cheeses and jams.

Shenandoah National Park encompasses more than 300 square miles through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Skyline Drive runs more than 100 miles, mostly along the ridgeline. To the west is the Shenandoah Valley, and to the east are the hills of the Virginia Piedmont. The park’s northeastern starting point is about 75 miles from D.C. near the town of Front Royal.

The park has more than 500 miles of hiking trails, including part of the Appalachian Trail, as well as dramatic summit viewpoints, waterfalls, and mountain streams. A 1.7-mile roundtrip hike takes you to the highest point at Hawksbill Summit, about an hour from Front Royal. Camping, fishing, biking, wildlife viewing, and nature exhibits are also available.

Fredericksburg is a city that dates to U.S. colonial times and was the site of many Civil War battles. It was also the childhood home of George Washington and is just over an hour away from D.C. Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park commemorating 4 major Civil War battles in and around the city. The Washington Heritage Museums manage several properties commemorating the nation’s first president and his family, including Mary Washington House, St. James House, and Hugh Mercer Apothecary.

Fredericksburg’s historic downtown is home to numerous shops, art galleries, and restaurants. For steak and seafood with a view of the Rappahannock, try Brock’s Riverside Grill. Book a complimentary tour and tasting at A. Smith Bowman Distillery.

Gettysburg is the site of an 1863 battle which is considered to be a turning point in the Civil War, and the place where President Abraham Lincoln gave one of the most important speeches in U.S. history. It’s located about 90 minutes from the nation’s capital. The battle that ended Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s second invasion of the North is commemorated in Gettysburg National Military Park. Tours by multiple means are available.

Visit the site of Lincoln’s Gettysburg address at Gettysburg National Cemetery. See more than 4,000 artifacts at the Gettysburg Museum of History. Experience casual or fine dining at the Dobbin House Tavern, established in 1776.

Gunpowder Falls State Park offers multiple outdoor recreation options for a getaway. Located northeast of Baltimore, about 90 minutes from Washington, D.C., it includes some 18,000 acres divided into 6 areas. For hiking, fishing, and kayaking, visit the Hereford Area. Here you’ll find the Panther Trail to Sandy Lane Trail, a 3.5-mile loop that has riverbank access and is a good mix of climbs and flat stretches.

The Central Area is known for mountain biking and horseback riding. Dundee Creek Marina offers boat launching, a marina store, and fishing areas. For picnics, playgrounds, and a swimming beach, visit the Hammerman Area. Bring your own tube – or rent one from Monkton Bike Rental – and float down the slow, lazy Gunpowder River.

Monticello is the home of Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and the third U.S. president. It’s located outside Charlottesville, about 2.5 hours from Washington. It includes the house designed by Jefferson himself as well as the surrounding plantation. Several tours and exhibits are devoted to slavery and its role at Monticello.

Tour the house, learn about the architecture, and see furnishings and other appointments. See the impressive botanical variety that makes up the gardens and farm in flowers, vegetables, and fruits. Take a guided or self-guided tour that explores life at Monticello through the experience of the enslaved people who worked there.

Ocean City is an Atlantic coast resort town that exists for tourists and beach getaways. It’s about 3 hours from Washington, D.C., but it’s worth the drive. A main attraction is the Ocean City Boardwalk, a wooden strip built in 1910 nearly 3 miles long and lined with food stands (Thrasher’s French Fries), candy shops (Dolle’s Candyland), and amusement parks (Trimper Rides).

Ocean City has 10 miles of white-sand beach. You can rent kayaks or paddleboards, charter a boat for some ocean fishing, or take in the views – and a free concert during summer – at Sunset Park. Get your fill of blue crab at the likes of the Crabcake Factory or BLU Crabhouse and Raw Bar.