It is not a shocking revelation that Washington Dc in itself is quite an amazing place to delve into. But, often times if you are on the lookout for some other place which you can visit within the day itself, the options are endless. Day trips from Washington DC are abundant and if you are interested in the charming destinations located a few minutes or a few hours away from the city, we have got you covered. When it comes to the day trips from Washington DC, you can actually get a little bit for every single person.
10 Places To Explore On Day Trips From Washington DC
Just in case you get confused seeing the wide range, here is a long list of places where you can visit on weekend trips from Washington DC along with your family and friends.
1. Brookside Gardens
The Brookside Gardens is located inside the Wheaton Regional Park and is spread across an area of over 50 acres. This public display garden is located around 35 minutes away from the main city of Washington DC and is one of the most popular public garden displays around. Some of the most popular parts of the garden include the butterfly garden, rose garden, Japanese style garden etc.
Apart from the normal garden around, it also has two different conservatories on site. It helps you witness the beauty of the natural gardens the entire year around. If you wish to learn more about the horticultural aspects, there is a library too.
Location: 1800 Glenallan Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20902
Suggested Read: 10 Best Things To Do In Washington DC For Witnessing The True Glory Of The Capital City
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2. Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
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Next on the list for the day trips from Washington dc for families include the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Built back in 1961, this establishment was mainly done to preserve the remains of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. During the mid-1800s, this specific canal was used as a model of trade and transport.
In today’s date, the park is spread across 184.5 miles and offers a towpath that is meant for hiking, biking and other forms of activities. You can indulge in camping or even end up taking a stroll around the park.
Location: 1850 Dual Hwy #100, Hagerstown, MD 21740
3. Shenandoah National Park
If nature is something you are seeking around Washington DC, a quick visit to the Shenandoah National Park can actually be the answer to that. This park is located around 75 minutes away from the main city of Washington DC. The Shenandoah National Park is nothing but a narrow part of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The park is beautifully encompassed by the Virginia Piedmont and the Shenandoah River.
When it comes to sightseeing and things to do, the possibilities are endless. You can indulge in camping, biking, hiking or even just sit by and witness the beautiful waterfalls that the places are known for. Make sure to visit the Skyline drive too.
Location: Virginia, USA
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4. Antietam National Battlefield
Located just 1 hour 20 mins away in Antietam, the Antietam National Battlefield is yet another amazing place for historical day trips from Washington DC. This is home to one of the most rigorous battlefields which were held during the American Civil War in 1862. The main site of attraction in the place is the on-site visitor center which is open the entire year around. The museum showcases some of the most important exhibits from back in the days.
The place is also known for the sessions of interpretive talks that are often held throughout the year. Other places to visit around include the Antietam National Cemetery, Dunker Church etc.
Location: 302 E Main St, Sharpsburg, MD 21782
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5. Blue Ridge Parkway
Known as the longest National Parkway in the entirety of the United States, the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most beautiful places around. The main reason behind the building of the road was to connect Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It has around 14 different visitor centers.
You can make some quick stops along the way and witness the places around. Some of the most important places to visit around include Humpback rocks, Linville Falls and even the Craggy Gardens.
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6. Maryland State House
Built back in 1779, the Maryland State House is the oldest state capitol. The state house remains open from 09 AM to 5 PM every single day for public visiting. Only the Christmas and New Year ’s Day is when the building remains closed. If the visitors wish to encounter an easy self-guided tour, they can get all the necessary information from the Office of Interpretation.
The place is completely free of charge and won’t charge you any kind of extra fee for entrance. They do accept donations so if you are willing to make one, go ahead.
Location: 100 State Cir, Annapolis, MD 21401
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7. University of Virginia Historical Tours
The University of Virginia was the very first college in the United States which was designated as a UNESCO heritage site. If you are wondering why you would want to visit day trips from Washington DC by train, there are student guides who give around free trips around the campus on a daily basis. Every single tour is different and the same depends on the guide you are given.
Every single one of the tours lasts around an hour or so and will cover the majority of the important places around the campus.
Location: Pavilion VIII, The Lawn, Charlottesville, VA 22903
8. Gunpowder Falls State Park
Next on the list is one of the largest state parks located in Maryland. Spread across a total area of over 18,000 acres, the entire place is subdivided into 6 different ranges like that of tidal wetlands, open land and so on and so forth.
Apart from that, there is also a complete 120 miles of multi-use trails. These trails are perfect for indulging in horsing and hiking both. Some of the other activities one can find around the park include swimming beaches, archery spots, and even an amusement park. Campsites are available as well depending on how fast you can grab one.
Location: 7200 Graces Quarters Rd, Middle River, MD 21220
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9. Ocean City Beach
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Yet another one of the amazing day trips that you can take from Washington DC is to that of the Ocean City Beach. Spread across 10 miles of sand, this is one of the most picturesque during the sunrise and sunset. Apart from the common activities of swimming and sunbathing, one can even indulge in surfing too.
A specific portion of the beach is kept separate for surfing only. There is also a boardwalk nearby which offers amazing options for shopping, dining, and even lodging.
Location: Ocean City Beach, Ocean City, MD 21842
10. Rocks State Park
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Last but not on the least of the amazing day trips from Washington DC is the Rocks State Park. Spread across 855 acres of land, the park gets its name from the large boulders that surround the park. Some of the popular activities around the place include hunting, fishing and even tubing on the Deer Creek.
Location: 3318 Rocks Chrome Hill Rd, Jarrettsville, MD 21084
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Exploring new places and trying out new food cuisines are two things that bring Seema all the happiness. Travel freak and a die-hard foodie are the synonyms that define her the best. Popular on social media by the name of ‘PandaReviewz’, lazing around the beaches, exploiting the sunset points, visiting the farthermost villages, exploring the renowned cities, trying out new food cuisines, and blogging about them are few things that keep Seema occupied, and happy!
