Getting tired of the traffic, crowds, and metro?
Give yourself a break from the madness and gain some peace and quiet by traveling an hour outside of the city. One thing I love about Virginia is its diversity. There are mountains (albeit small, but still), lakes, the ocean, ski resorts, hiking, big cities, and quaint towns. When DC starts to wear you down, you can go for a hike, head to the water, walk old cobble stoned streets, or enjoy a winery, all close to home. Below you’ll find 7 day trips you can take from the city:
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Head to a vineyard or winery.
I have an extensive spreadsheet with every winery I’ve been to (or want to go to) in Virginia or Maryland, but I’ll leave that for another post. Some of my favorites are Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard in Maryland, where you can hike and then treat yourself to wine; Barrel Oak Winery in Virginia for its plethora of cute dogs and outdoor seating, although it’s started to get pretty crowded; and Chrysalis Vineyard in Virginia, for it’s delicious wine and pretty ambiance.
Barrel Oak Winery
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Go for a hike.
The Billy Goat Trail (the Maryland side is better than Virginia side) at Great Falls Park is a really fun hike with a good view of the falls. There’s some good hiking at Harpers Ferry Historical National Park and Shenandoah National Park to name a few.
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Pick a smaller town and grab some dinner at a historic restaurant.
Frederick, Maryland; Winchester, Virginia; Gettysburg, Pennsylvania – just to name a few – are towns full of American history and charm. Read up on the background a little bit before you go to appreciate the trip a little more. Knowing that Fredericksburg is the childhood home to George Washington, or Ellicot City houses the oldest Railroad stations in the country, can make it more exciting.
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Enjoy the water and seafood in Annapolis.
The home to the United States Naval Academy is also extremely beautiful with amazing Maryland crab and other seafood. I’ve taken my parents to Annapolis a few times to walk along the boardwalk downtown and feast on seafood at any of the delicious restaurants, such as Pussers and McGarveys.
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Go tubing in Front Royal or Harpers Ferry.
What’s better than lazy river tubing with a bunch of friends and a cooler of beer on a hot summer day? It’s only about $20 at my favorite spot, an hour outside the city, and helps you cool off and unplug with some of your favorite people. Pro tip – slather on the sunscreen – especially on your shins…just take it from me.
Tubing in Front Royal, VA
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Get your theme park fix.
Kings Dominion is close to Richmond, a little bit of a hike from DC, but worth it if you’re a roller coaster fanatic. There’s a certain roller coaster here, the Intimidator 305, that I literally greyed-out (my vision seemed blacked out for a brief second due to the G-forces) during, it was insane!
Six Flags is about half an hour east of the city, and has some great rides, including the Batman where you hang upside down, and the Superman, a coaster with tall and stomach-churning drops.
My favorite is definitely Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA. It’s about two and a half hours south of the city, but so clean, pleasant, and has super fun roller coasters. It’s European themed, and each section of the park represents a different country. Leave your stomach in the air at the drop tower in Germany, then treat yourself to a bratwurst. Find the lochness monster in this twisty coaster in Ireland. Watch a show and take a ride on Apollo’s Chariot in Italy!
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Sick of DC but still want to be in a city?
Head to Baltimore for a change of pace and scenery. Catch a concert at Rams Head Live, grab a drink in Fells Point, watch a game at Camden Yards, or check out the National Aquarium and experience Charm City.
Do you have a favorite day trip you’ve taken from DC? Comment below!