Looking for easy day trips from Washington DC during your trip?? Read more on this blog about best Day trip ideas from DC along with local’s recommendations.
One of the the best things about living near Washington DC is that within 2-3 hours, you’ll reach the mountains, beaches, lakes, small towns, and some of the most famous cities in the world, like New York or Philadelphia.
I lived near Washington DC and whenever we drove outside the West Virginia, we were always greeted by scenic views. And I can tell you, DC is one of the best city to visit in the USA!
There is always something new to discover whenever you visit but there is so much to explore outside of the DC too! And the best part, there are plenty of options for day trips from Washington DC.
Here are my top recommendations for day trips, from my top picks, historic places to outdoor destinations. No matter when you visit, there are some many awesome day trips near DC.
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Best Day Trips From Washington DC : Top Places
Old Town Alexandria (25 Minutes)
How to Reach: You can easily reach via Metro from DC to Old Town Alexandria. Tickets costs $2 for one way ride. Alternatively, take scenic water taxi from the docks at the Wharf, Georgetown, or the National Mall.
One of my favorite day trip from Washington DC is walking through the Old Town Alexandria. If you’re history lover, explore the historic estate of George Washington- Mount Vernon. The property is located in the beautiful setting. Walk the grounds, and learn about the history of this place.
In the afternoon, stroll through Old Town’s King Street, lined with so many cafes, shops and restaurants set inside historic buildings. Enjoy the waterfront views and ride the free trolley. Read about the best things to do in Old Town Alexandria. If you’re in DC, must visit this colorful town.
Baltimore, Maryland (1 Hour)
How to Reach: Baltimore is easy to get to by train. Do not take the bus to Baltimore because the bus station is about a 20 minutes’ drive from the city.Also, It’s just 20-minutes drive from the city.
Things to Do: If you’re into art, Baltimore is a dream! Must visit the Walters Art Museum, which is a completely free museum with a great collection. The American Visionary Art Museum is a more contemporary but very interesting place to visit.
If you only have a day and aren’t interested in art, visit other popular museums like Museum of African-American History and Culture, Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum, B&O Railroad Museum, and the famous National Aquarium.
Don’t forget to grab some delicious food in Fells Point, Canton or Federal Hill before leaving. Fells Point has tons of good food, bars, and live music on weekends. It also has old cobblestone streets with great harbor views.
There’s a lot more to do in Baltimore but if you’re just coming for a day trip from Washington, DC, then this is a one of the best for a day trip.
Philadelphia City (2 Hours): Best City Day Trip from Washington DC
How to Reach: Take early morning Amtrak train from DC Union Station to Philadelphia William H. Gray 30th Street Station. It takes 2 hrs and you can start your day with exploring Museum of Art and Rocky Statue.
Things to Do : Philadelphia, often referred to as the “City of Brotherly Love,” is a city with a rich history, diverse culture, and food (Philly Steak). You may have known Philadelphia for its relation to Independence of the USA. Most of the main sites in Philadelphia are in the same area around Independence National Park.
When in the city, check out the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall (where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed), and other American Revolutionary sites. Grab a Philly cheesesteak at Reading Terminal Market before heading back to DC! Read more about One Day Philadelphia Itinerary here.
Virginia Wine County : Charlottesville (2-3 hours)
How to Reach: You can take the Amtrak train to Charlottesville and it’ll bring you near downtown. You’ll need to Uber to reach Monticello.
Things to Do: Virginia has rich history of wine and winemaking. With 300+ Wineries with outdoor spaces, you can grab a glass or a bottle to share, overlooking the rivers and rolling mountains. You can visit the wine county round the year, but fall and summer are best time to be outside.
The Most famous in the region is Charlottesville, a small college town famous for the University of Virginia, designed by Thomas Jefferson. It is also the home of Thomas Jefferson, Monticello. He owned a lot of lands and vineyards, with most famous Jefferson Vineyards. Consider taking a guided wine tour to learn more and visiting different vineyards in one day.
New York City
How to Reach: Take a Amtrak train to New York from Washington DC. With just a day, the drive would take so much longer it wouldn’t be worth it. Leave early to get the most of your day!
Things to Do: With a mid-morning arrival, I’d recommend starting your day with a visit to Brooklyn Bridge. Cross the bridge visit the One World Observatory, 9/11 Memorial, Charging bull etc. Be prepared for lots of walking for your one day in New York.
Spend your afternoon around 5th Avenue. There is so much to do in NYC but with a day trip from DC, consider visit to New York Public Library, Empire State Building and Central Park. End your day at Times Square. You can read about One Day New York Itinerary in this Post.
Book this One Day Trip to New York from DC to plan a hassle free trip!
Day Trips from Washington DC: Historic Destinations
Annapolis, Maryland (1 Hour)
How to Reach: Options are limited via Public Transportation but Flix Bus has busses that leave DC each morning and return from Annapolis each afternoon.
Things to Do: Annapolis is the Capital of the Maryland State and located right on the water just like Washington DC. Beautiful cobblestone streets, riverfront, and amazing food options make it one of the best day trips near DC.
The harbor area is also very charming. The city is known as the “Sailing Capital of the USA” and home to USA Naval Academy, which has a museum you can visit. But it also has a lot of historic houses to view like the Hammond-Harwood House, and more. But with just one day in Annapolis, I recommend just walking around and trying a delicious local restaurant. Annapolis is very pretty to just wander around the streets!
A lot of people skip Annapolis just because they haven’t heard of it, but I’d say it’s probably one of the best day trips from Washington, DC in general. It’s a very cute town, and you’ll surely fall in love with!
Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia (2 Hours)
I love this beautiful small town. Despite living just 30 minutes from this town, I couldn’t visit. But after moving to Georgia, during my trip to Washington DC Cherry Blossoms, I ticked off this place from my list! This is a great year round spot and offers so many things!
How to Reach: Take Commuter MARC Brunswick Line Commuter Train from DC Union Station to Harper’s Ferry Station in Lower Town. It takes 1.5 hours, and you’ll be right across the trail head. If you arrive by car, just park your car at NPS Visitor Center and take free shuttle to the downtown.
Things to Do: Harper’s Ferry is known for its civil war history but it also offers adventure and, hiking activities. Explore John Brown Fort, see the views from St Peter’s Church, or explore the downtown. The town is super cute in every season! If you love fall foliage, this place will not disappoint you!
One of the best things to do in Harper’s Ferry is to hike Maryland’s Height’s trail. The trail is 4.5 Miles RT and takes 4 hours. The sunset and Sunrise are great from here. The views from the top are worth your time and energy! There is also a historical center in the town that tells the area’s history from the Civil War. In summer, you can go tubing down the Potomac, which is must do!
There are also many shops and restaurants in this historic downtown to grab some food. But I recommend having a Picnic by the river and relax after your hike or walking through the historic center.
Fredrick, Maryland (1 Hours)
How to Reach: Best to arrive by Car here. Public transport can take longer time. But If you are in Baltimore, you can take a Bus to reach Fredrick,MD.
Things to Do: Frederick is mostly ignored when taking day trips from Washington, DC. But Fredrick is one of Maryland’s most charming towns. The town is surrounded by mountains, wineries and rich with civil war history.
Visit the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, Rose Hill Park Manor, walk around the this historic town, popping into one of its many antique stores, and relax in Carroll Creek Park. Try some Pubs and restaurants around Market Street.
If you love hiking, visit Gambrill State Park, and Cunningham state Park or go for wine testings at Hidden Hills Farm and Vineyard or Celebration Cellars.
Williamsburg, Virginia (3-4 Hours)
How to Reach: Amtrak has trains to Williamsburg.
Things to Do: Williamsburg is one of the earliest colonial settlements you can visit in the USA. It’s a very charming area and they still celebrate their pre-revolutionary history there with lots of events and parades that are colonial-themed. So, the town also known as Colonial Williamsburg.
Known as the world’s largest living history museum, You can still see and touch the city once it was in 18th century! Visit the Governor’s Palace, take a tour of the village, or just spend a day wandering around Colonial Williamsburg. Fall and Halloween are perfect time to visit this city! Its very picturesque time to be here.
Richmond, Virginia (2-3 Hours)
How to Reach: Richmond is easy to get to by train or bus.
Things to Do: Another cute city of Virginia, known for its art, history and gardens. Must visit the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, that features collections from Europe, the Far East, and America. You can also get to know Edgar Allan Poe more with the Poe Museum. American Civil War Museum explain a big part of the city’s history.
The City is known for best international craft beer destination and check out the Richmond Beer trail. If you love outdoors, just Rent a bike or hike the James River Park System, Pocahontas State Park trails or our downtown island retreat, Belle Isle. Or take a scooter tour of street art and the river. Absolutely, Richmond will not disappoint you at all for a day trip from Washington DC.
Fredericksburg, Virginia (1.5 – 2 Hours)
How to Reach: Fredericksburg is a short train ride from Washington DC and the train will drop you near downtown.
Things to Do: Fredericksburg is much like Annapolis, a colonial-era town. It is well known for George Washington’s home town that still has a lot to see in the ways of historic houses.
If you are in the city, visit the Kenmore House, Mary Washington House and Chatham Manor. Fredericksburg is also full of little shops, restaurants and interesting Civil War history. It is also very nice to walk, look at antiques, and eat delicious local food during your day trip.
Gettysburg, PA
How to Reach: 2 hours
Things to Do: Gettysburg is a haven for history buffs. You can see the battlefield where the course of the Civil War turned, and the Gettysburg Visitor Center is an excellent place to learn all about the history of the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg.
The town is also very cute, retaining its old charms, with so many shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants lining the streets of downtown, leading right up to historic Lincoln Square.
Day Trips Washington from DC : Nature & Outdoor
If you’re looking for outdoor and adventurous trips from Washington DC, I recommend hiring a rental car. These locations requires a bit of driving and best explored with a car. You can check the prices of Rental Cars here.
Shenandoah National Park (1.5 Hours)
My first National Park Visit, and most famous for its fall foliage drive, Shenandoah National Park is must day trips from Washington DC. While the Park can be visited at any time of year with its gorgeous views and hikes along the Appalachian Trail, it will not disappoint you!
Apart from hiking, you can take a dip in some waterfalls. Plus, it’s right near a lot of wineries and breweries, which makes it a great place to hike for a bit and then relax with a drink! This is perfect place to spend an outdoorsy day! Read One Day Shenandoah One Day Itinerary here.
Norfolk, Virginia (3- 4 Hours)
Things to Do: At the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay lies the coastal Virginia town of Norfolk. With a 300-year history, this area is a hot spot for naval history buffs, this city is known for being the largest naval base in the world.
Visit the Nauticus Museum, and learn about the history of the USS Wisconsin, a World War II battleship, in several exhibits. If you are art lover, stop at Chrysler Museum of Art. But if this doesn’t excite you, visit the ocean view beach park and botanical garden.
Virginia Beach: Popular Beach Day Trip from Washington DC
Not far from the Norfolk town, where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll find the vibrant and bustling coastal city of Virginia Beach. Summer is most popular time to visit this beach town when people flock to the oceanfront.
Take a 3- mile boardwalk, explore the restaurants, and entertainment options all with beautiful ocean views. For a more laid-back beach experience, head a short drive South of the Oceanfront to Sand bridge. You’ll find a secluded beach with much less hustle and bustle of the city allowing you to truly relax from daily life.
You can also experience all the incredible artwork at VIBE Art district or visit the Virginia Art Museum after spending a day at the beach.
Ocean City, Maryland (3 Hours)
One of the quintessential Beach town of the USA, Ocean City offers long 9-miles stretch of Atlantic Ocean beach, known as cleanest beaches in the USA. Walk, jog or take a bike ride along the Ocean City boardwalk, which extends up the seaside for 3 miles. There are some amazing entertainment options here for kids.
Stop by the Life-Saving Station Museum and learn about brave rescue efforts in storms and shipwrecks off the Maryland coast over the past 200 years. Relax on the beach or go for fun adventure. There is never a dull moment here!
Shenandoah River State Park, VA
on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River along 5.2 miles of shoreline, the park offers scenic views of Massanutten Mountain to the west and Shenandoah National Park to the east. There are so many amazing hikes in this area along the river.
Just walk along the river, visit Everette colors overlook (best at sunset), take a hike or bike along one of the few trails. One of the easiest is blue bell trail. Enjoy the Picnic at the Picnic area or stay overnight at one of the campgrounds.
Great Falls, Maryland (45 Minutes)
Great Falls is very easy day trip from DC and worth the visit! There are tow sides to visit in Great Falls, but I highly recommend the Maryland side because of the hiking available. Billy Goat Trail is the main hike here and is a challenging but fun hike. You can do this one year-round and enjoy an awesome view.
But if you don’t want to do a hike, there is a walking path all the way to the waterfall. Also, you can view the falls from vantage points across the Park.
Rocks State Park, Maryland (1.5 Hours)
If you love waterfalls, visit the Rocks State Park. The main attraction in the Park includes Kilgore Falls and the King and Queen Seat. You’ll see the signs for trail head as you enter the park.
It is mostly visited by locals and very fun in the summer, you can jump off the rock into the waterfall. It also offers 3.5-miles of hiking trails and access to Deer Creek, which is ideal for fishing, and tubing.
Sky Meadows State Park, VA
Located deep in Virginia wine and horse country, Sky Meadows State Park is one of Northern Virginia’s loveliest parks and offers up superb mountain vistas, diverse geology and terrain. The park consists of meadows, interesting historic buildings and sites, scenic overlooks, streams and rocky terrain.
With 25-miles of mostly interconnecting trails, you can opt for easy or challenging hike in the Park for the scenic views. Most of the hiking trails are accessed from the Mount Bleak Historic Area on the west side of route 17. One of the most scenic hike you should opt is Piedmont overlook (4-mile loop trail).
If you are looking for post hike drink, there are plenty of wineries and vineyards in the area, the closest being Fox Meadow Winery, or Naked Mountain Winery. If you want drinks with views, head to Dirt Farm Brewing or Bluemont winery. Sky Meadows is perfect for a day trip to enjoy a scenic drive, a fun hike, and beautiful views.
Unusual Day Trips from Washington DC
Luray Caverns, VA
One of the most amazing day trip from Washinhgton DC is visit to Luray Caverns. It is the largest caverns in east America and USA natural landmark.
You’ll walk along well lighted paved walkways that lead you through cathedral-sized rooms with ceilings 10 stories high, towering stone formations, and natural wonders at every turn.
Read More here : Best things to do in Luray, Virginia.
Hershey, PA
Another fun day trips from Washington DC is Hershey in Pennsylvania. It is renowned for Hershey Chocolate World. From crafting your own chocolates to indulging in decadent milkshakes, it’s a chocoholic’s paradise sure to sweeten your day. Visit the live factory, and get to know more about the world famous Hershey Chocolates.
Also, visit the Hershey Story Museum that offers an immersive look into Milton S. Hershey’s life, chocolate empire, and philanthropic legacy.
Just beside the factory, visit the Hershey Amusement Park. With 15 exhilarating roller coasters, a vast water park, and holiday-themed events, Hershey park Happy is year round destination.It is perfect day adventure with family and kids.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Home to Amish County, Lancaster is one of the best day trips from Washington DC to indulge in cultural activities. If you haven’t heard about it, let me give you some brief! Amish People and traditions have remained largely unchanged since their settlement in Lancaster County nearly 300 years ago!!
Despite the developed world with high technology around them, you’ll find NO Electricity here in their houses! They are separate from the modern culture. Visit the Amish Village, take a tour around and see how Amish people lives in their day to day life. Visit the roadside stands that sells the fresh produces, go for drive and see horse and buggy traveling slowly down the road! You can read more about it here.
Flower Fields in Virginia
Flower fields in Maryland and Virginia are truly one of the prettiest day trips from the city. In the spring and summer there are plenty of flower fields to be found. Even many farms offer Pick your own and more.
Some of my favorite flower fields are below. They are all about an hour from DC.
- McKee Besher Wildife Management Area (sunflowers and other wildflowers in late summer)
- Burnside Farms (tulips in spring, sunflowers during summer, pumpkins in the fall)
- Butler’s Orchard (festivals happen throughout the year!)
Final Thoughts on Day Trips from Washington DC
Now that I’ve shared some of the best day trips from Washington DC, I hope you can have an awesome time exploring around DC! Whether you’re looking for hiking, history, beaches, or fun activities, there are so many options to choose from!
I hope this post helps you to plan your Best Day Trips from Washington DC. Save this Post to refer later.
