The 5 Best Day Trips From Washington, DC

Washington, DC is the pulsing hub of the federal government, what with emblematic landmarks such as the White House and Supreme Court taking center stage. Named after America’s first president and founding father, the capital city has a current of political and historical energy flowing throughout its streets that draws over 20 million visitors annually. If you’re looking to escape the crowds for the day, you can easily do so with the seaside and sun-dappled wine country located just a matter of hours away by car.

Jutting out into the mouth of the Severn River, Annapolis has a rich maritime history. Its thriving shipping industry attracted many wealthy merchants who lay down roots with grand mansions – and many of these 18th-century structures still stand today. The Maryland capital is peppered with prestigious sites, including the red-brick Maryland State House, Romanesque St Anne’s Church and Beaux-Arts Naval Academy that sits on the waterfront.

Known as Charm City to some and the birthplace of the Star-Spangled Banner to others, enchanting Baltimore is a patchwork of diverse neighborhoods. Many famous figures have called the city home, including master of the macabre Edgar Allen Poe, and jazz icon Billie Holiday. The city’s jaw-shaped coastline bites into the Patapsco River, lined with the fashion boutiques of Fells Point (as seen in Sleepless in Seattle) and the aquarium, planetarium and buzzing bars of the Inner Harbor.

In fictional terms, the Chesapeake region has a less than savory reputation – being the setting of the famous Hannibal book, film and TV series. In reality, however, the coastal region is better known for its mix of busy ports, dense forests and native wildlife and flora. Most notable among these are the blue crabs and oysters that have transformed it into a hub of the seafood industry.

The striking skyline of Frederick looks like the zig-zag of a heart monitor, set with the pointed spires of its historic churches. The city is filled with fragments of its Civil War past – immortalizing the conflict with sites such as the Monocacy National Battlefield and National Museum of Civil War Medicine. Go for a rummage in the old-world treasure trove of the city’s 200 antique stores to find grand mementos, including grandfather clocks and authentic armoires.

Named after the sprawling estate of George Washington, Mount Vernon is one of Baltimore’s oldest neighborhoods and a designated National Historic Landmark District. Its towering centerpiece is the original Washington Monument, set among manicured Beaux Arts parks lined with stately homes. The area offsets an affluent suburban culture with historical institutions such as the Neo-Renaissance Peabody Library and a vibrant LGTBQ nightlife scene.