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There is so much to do in Washington DC that most people end up visiting for a number of days. While DC is wonderful, the area around it is steeped in history and cultural sites. Even if you have just one day to spare on your Washington DC trip, make room for one of these day trips from Washington DC.
As many of you know, I’m an army brat, and we spent many years in Northern Virginia when my dad was stationed at the Pentagon. My parents and the majority of my siblings have settled in Northern Virginia, so Virginia is the closest thing I have to home. When I decided to write this post it was really easy because I have done all of these things with my kids over the past 18 years. If you want to know my very favorite, you will have to read through to find it!
I have grouped the day trips from closest to DC to farthest away and by direction from Washington DC. So if you don’t have a lot of time, you can pick the first on the lists, and pick the last ones if you have an entire day or a few days to spend.
Day Trips North of Washington DC
Annapolis
This seaport town is just a hop skip and a jump form Washington DC and is best known as the home of the US Naval Academy–and the US Naval Academy is the very first place you should visit. Free tours are available year round on the gorgeous campus. The tour takes a little over an hour and is heavy with naval memorabilia.
Visit downtown Annapolis by taking a trolley tour of the old town. This tour detailing the history of Annapolis focuses on the architecture of the town. Annapolis has the highest concentration of Georgian architecture in the United States.
Watch the weekly yacht races on Wednesday nights, or take a 2 hours cruise around the coast line on one of many daily cruises. If you want a shorter ride, you can take a water taxi just to get out and see Annapolis from the water.
Plan on 3-5 hours.
31 miles from Washington DC.
National Aquarium
The National Aquarium is also known as the Baltimore Aquarium and is world famous. It is unique because it has recreated very realistic habitats for the sea life. There is a coral reef, a tropical rain forest, and an open ocean display that has large sharks. The large dolphin habitat is one of the biggest exhibits at the aquarium and will delight your kids.
The price to visit the aquarium is steep ($39.99 for adults and $24.99 for children) but there are always ongoing discounts. My favorite is the half price Friday night discount that begins at 5 pm on Friday evenings. Check the website here for ongoing discounts, including Maryland residents discounts, military discounts and more.
Plan on 3-5 hours.
38 miles from Washington DC.
Public transportation is available to get there from DC.
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Gettysburg is the site of the most famous battle of the Civil War and the site of Abraham Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Address. The battle of Gettysburg was the turning point of the Civil War, where General George Meade was able to stop the South invasion of the North.
Start at the Visitors Center to get a good overview of the 3-day battle and the various battlefields. You can watch a movie and learn about what led to the Civil War, how the war was fought and what the aftermath was. This is a great introduction if you don’t have a lot of understanding of the Civil War or if you need a brush up.
The Gettysburg National Park is almost 5,000 acres and you can explore that by car or by bus. You can get a map at the Visitors Center so you can pick and choose the sites you want to see. I highly recommend this tour guide book. It will help you get more out of your visit to know exactly what happened when.
Tip: If you happen to be visiting on either July 1st, 2nd or 3rd you will be able to visit Gettysburg during their annual reenactment of the battle. It is a spectacular sight and one worth going to.
If you are a fan of United States history this is a must visit.
86 miles from Washington DC
Bus transportation available to Gettysburg from DC.
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Hershey park is an amusement park in Hershey, Pennsylvania, but it is so much more than just an amusement park. The town of Hershey was built by Milton Hershey who founded a chocolate empire in the United States. He brought workers from surrounding farm communities to work in his factory and create the famous Hershey chocolate we all know and love.
Today you can visit The Hershey Story museum and learn all about Milton Hershey and his vision for his brand. Or you can visit Hershey’s Chocolate World and do a taste test of different chocolates, go to a 4D movie, or make your own candy bar. You could even visit the Spa at the Hotel Hershey and get a cocoa massage!
If you just want to ride rides, there are plenty of those at Hershey Park. It is a must do for young kids. The kids area is simply charming and very large. Animated Hershey chocolates wave from rides and shops, and costumed staff seem to always be near. It is a magical destination for families.
Tip:
Christmas at Hersheypark is a festive experience. If you want to visit check out my post on Christmas Candylane at Hersheypark.
Plan on 7-9+ hours.
133 miles from Washington DC.
Philadephia
The “City of Brotherly Love” is a mere 2 and half hours from Washington DC and offers almost as much history and excitement. If you are planning a trip to DC why not take a day trip up to see where the quest for Independence began.
Start at Independence Hall and visit the site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Then find your way to the Liberty Bell and visit another icon of American liberty. Or visit Betsy Ross’ house and learn more about the woman who made the first US flag.
Make sure to grab a bite to eat at Reading Terminal market. I recommend the apple dumpling and pecan tarts. And you can’t miss an authentic cheesesteak at Pat’s or Geno’s.
Plan on an entire day!
142 miles from Washington DC.
Public transportation available from DC.
Day Trips East of Washington DC.
National Harbor
National Harbor in Maryland is a waterfront resort/convention spot along the Potomac River. It is a fabulous place to take kids to spend a day. Plus an MGM casino is coming soon, so it will be a great place for a night out.
There are lots of shops, restaurants, movie theaters and attractions to keep you busy. Plus there are a good number of fun things for families.
Visit the beach and climb on the sculpture “The Awakening”. This sculpture of a man rising from the earth was moved to National Harbor in 2008. It’s a sculpture of an enormous man beginning to emerge from the sand–the likes of which I have never before seen!
Take a ride on the carousel again and again! For $7 you can take as many rides as you can handle in one day. Or take a ride on the large ferris wheel and have a spectacular view of the whole harbor.
If you want to stay overnight, I can’t recommend the Gaylord Hotel enough. It is a little town, complete with colonial buildings, restaurants, and gardens, inside a hotel. It is really breathtaking. Even if you don’t stay, it is a great place to walk around and enjoy. The Gaylord also offers various events through the year, including ICE! an indoor ice sculpture park.
Plan on 3-5 hours.
12 miles from Washington DC.
Day Trips West of Washington DC.
Udvar Hazy National Space Museum
This museum with a very strange name is part of the the National Air and Space Museum. This spot in Chantilly Virginia allows the Smithsonian to have room to display entire airplanes and spaceships. It feels like a large hangar with some of the most well known aircraft ever.
You can see the space shuttle Discovery up close and personal or see the Enola Gay that brought about the end of World War 2. In addition to the actual aircraft there are many displays about new inventions in air travel and space. A recent addition to the museum is the Concorde jet that was the fastest commercial jet in the world.
Your kids can try flying a plane in the flight simulator, learn what astronauts eat in space, and search for items on a scavenger hunt. If you have airplane lovers in your life then this is a not-to-be-missed experience.
The admission is free as it is part of the Smithsonian, but parking is $15.
Tip:
This is a great place to visit if you are flying to DC from Dulles airport. It is 6 miles from Dulles and there is luggage storage at the museum. Make a stop on your way to or from DC and Dulles.
30 miles from Washington DC.
Sully Plantation
If you spent any of your youth in Northern Virginia, odds are you have been on a field trip to Sully Plantation. The home of Richard Bland Lee (the uncle of Robert E Lee) was built in 1799 in modern day Chantilly, VA. It is one of Northern Virginia’s few remaining plantations and is a great spot to visit.
Tours operate daily and include a visit to the house and gardens. The home is furnished with time-appropriate furniture and is a great example of a smaller plantation home. The gardens are beautiful with something nearly always in bloom.
But Sully really shines when it comes to activities for kids! Check out their calendar of events to find out what hands-on activities are upcoming. My kids have enjoyed making butter, picking fruit from the gardens, and eating homemade ice cream.
Plan on 1-2 hours.
Tip: If you are visiting during December you will find Sully bedecked in Christmas finery and offering Christmas tours.
30 miles from Washington DC.
Public transportation available from DC.
Great Falls Park
If you love the great outdoors there is a fabulous park not far from Washington DC. This National Park that runs along the Potomac has great hiking trails, waterfalls, bike trails, birdwatching and more. The park is divided between Virginia and Maryland (the Potomac is the dividing line between the states), but the most beautiful views are on the Virginia side.
The park is centered around the waterfall of Great Falls where the Potomac River drops almost 80 feet in a mile. The falls are beautiful with craggy rocks slicing into the whitewater. There are a number of places to overlook the falls in the Virginia side of the park.
On the Maryland side of the park there are often river rafters and kayakers launching into the river. There are a number of places to rent kayaks and take white water rides as well.
18 miles from Washington DC
Manassas Battlefield
This is another battlefield to visit close to Washington DC. This is also know as the site of the 1st and 2nd Battles of Bull Run. The 1st battle was the first of the Civil War, and townspeople came out to watch it thinking it would be over quickly with few casualties. The 2nd battle was fought years later on the exact same site and was a much bigger battle with many casualties.
Today you can walk the park-like grounds, go to the Visitors Center to learn more about the battles, and look at the cannon that were used in battle. Be sure to visit the home of William McClean who finally left his home after the second battle was over.
32 miles from Washington DC.
Bus and train transportation available from DC.
Old Town Leesburg
Leesburg was the capital of the United States for a short while during the war of 1812! The Declaration of Independence and the US constitution were moved here for safe keeping when the British invaded Washington DC. It is a great example of an old Virginian town with charming homes lining cobblestoned sidewalks.
Visit Oatlands Plantation, one of the few remaining in Northern Virginia, and learn about how a plantation was run in the 1800s.
Grab a bite to eat at Blue Ridge Grill or Tuscarora Grill. Get the crab cake sandwich and the smoked salmon at Blue Ridge Grill. It’s my standard order when I visit my parents. (I promise you won’t be disappointed.)
A must for people who want to see an historic Virginia town.
40 miles from Washington DC
Bus transportation available from DC.
Harpers Ferry
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, is a charming town that happens to have a fascinating history. In 1859, John Brown (a famous abolitionist) led a raid on a National Armory. He intended to incite a rebellion to free the local enslaved population. However, he was overpowered by the US Marines led by Robert E Lee. He was captured and put to death for his crimes. This event is one that directly led to the Civil War that began 2 years later.
You can visit the John Brown museum in Harpers Ferry as well as other local museums. In addition, you can hike part of the Appalachian Trail that goes through the town.
For more information read my post about Harpers Ferry here.
Plan on 2-4 hours.
64 miles from Washington DC.
Tubing on the Potomac
There are a number of different locations that you can tube the Potomac! My favorite is in Harpers Ferry. Harpers Ferry Adventure Center has been in operation since I was young, and it focuses on the whitewater parts of the Potomac. It makes for a more exciting ride.
If you want a calmer ride I would visit River Riders and do their flat water tubing. This is a great option for anxious kids or parents!
Most of the tubing takes place in West Virginia near Harpers Ferry, but there are tubing locations all over the DC metro area. For more locations check out this list.
Plan on 3-5 hours to get ready, tube and grab a bite to eat!
Day Trips South of Washington DC.
Old Town Alexandria
This Virginia city is only 8 miles away from downtown Washington DC. It is one of the oldest towns in the area, settled in 1695, and has become a destination for people wanting some history, a great dinner, and no small bit of charm.
Alexandria is home to some really fun shopping. Antique stores, restaurants and boutiques line the cobblestoned streets. Whether you are window shopping or actually shopping, you will have a wonderful time strolling past elaborately designed shop windows. The streets that are known as “Captains Row” are especially beautiful to walk down.
Visit the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, and get see how ailments were treated before the advancement of modern medicine. Or take a tour of the Carlyle house and see a great example of Georgian architecture.
There are many types of tours you can take to explore Old Town Alexandria. Scavenger hunts, carriage tours, ghost tours, and, my favorite, the pirate tour. Your kids can be pirates for the day while looking for bad guys while protecting the nation’s capitol. There are water canon battles and faceprinting. Don’t miss this if you have young kids!
Plan on an afternoon at least.
8 miles from Washington DC.
Mount Vernon
The home of George and Martha Washington is one of my very favorite historic sites around Washington DC. The Visitors Center underwent a huge renovation around 10 years ago and made a great site even more fabulous.
When you visit start in the Ford Orientation Center and enjoy a movie about the life of George Washington and the Revolutionary War. My kids were riveted by the movie, which is quite unusual for them. Then continue to the main house.
The house that George and Martha Washington lived in was enormous! It is also the best preserved home of its time that I have even visited. The tour isn’t very long. My little guy was squirmy before we began the tour but managed to make it through only to be rewarded with plenty of running and tumbling on the lawn as soon as it was over.
Also included in your admission price is the farm, kitchens, stables, blacksmith, gardens and more. There is so much to do here that you could spend the whole day and still not do everything!
Tips:
- There are many different programs and activities going on at Mount Vernon. Check the website to find out.
- If you are looking for my very favorite day trip, you just found it. I have been many times and they just keep improving the experience.
Plan on 4-7 hours.
17 miles from Washington DC.
Fredericksburg
George Washington Birthplace National MonumentFredericksburg is the childhood home of George Washington. You can tour an apothecary, his mother’s home in her later years, and the tavern owned by his brother. The tours are operated by the Washington Heritage Museums and are all included in one price.
For those of you interested in battlefields, the Fredricksburg and Spotsylvania Military Park is in Fredericksburg. You can learn all about the various Civil War battles of the area and how the town was affected by the battles.
Plan on 5-8 hours.
53 miles from Washington DC.
Public transportation available from DC.
Skyline Drive
Skyline Drive is a scenic drive through Shenandoah National Park. It begins in the town of Front Royal, Virginia, and winds 105 miles to Waynesboro. It connects with the Blue Ridge Parkway near Waynesboro. Skyline drive is beautiful at any time of year, but it really shines in the fall.
The 105-mile stretch has dozens of lookout points to stop and enjoy the view so there are plenty of picture-taking opportunities. The entire drive takes anywhere from 3-5 hours due to a speed limit of 35 miles per hour. The speed limit is so low due to the curvy roads. There is an entrance fee to drive Skyline drive, which helps pay for the maintenance of Shenandoah National Park. The fee at the time of publishing is $25 for a 7-day pass.
Plan on 3-5 hours.
70 miles from Washington DC.
Lake Anna
Lake Anna is the largest freshwater lake in Virginia and is a popular place to swim, kayak and boat.
The lake itself is fabulous for spending a day in the sun. It is nice and shallow near the beach so you won’t worry about your little ones. There are lifeguards during the summer months as well. There are many freshwater fish that make their home in Lake Anna so grab a pole and while away the day fishing.
If you are feeling lucky you might want to take some time panning for gold. This area of Virginia was known for its own mini gold rush. You can pan for gold yourself (if you have the know-how) or join one of the weekly sessions here.
Plan on 5-6 hours.
72 miles from Washington DC.
King’s Dominion
This amusement park is what summer is to every kid who has grown up in the DC area. Your kids will love it, but it also has some great rides and attractions for adults.
Your kids will love the Scooby Doo Ghoster Coaster and the entire kids area dedicated to HannaBarbera characters. You will love the Dominator, a floor-less roller coaster that will keep you screaming the entire time.
Tips:
- There is a large waterpark that you can visit with your admission, so pack a suit!
- Most admissions include all you can drink Coca Cola products.
86 miles from Washington DC.
Bus transportation available from DC
Luray Caverns
Luray Caverns is a fabulous visit for any budding geologists or any cave lovers. It is the largest system of caves in the Eastern United States. It was discovered in the late 1800s and was a hit with tourists from the very beginning. Today more than half a million people visit the caverns. Luray Caverns is a fabulous family outing.
The tour begins at the Visitors Center, and small groups are led through the caves by a guide. The path is paved and lit so it is easily accessible for even tiny kids. Plus the ceiling of the cave is 10 feet high, so the claustrophobic will be ok too!
Guides take you around the cave and point out interesting formations. Our guide was really into anime so everything he pointed out looked like a cartoon character! There are some really large stalactites that reflect back through a lake so that you don’t know which way is up.
My very favorite part of the tour is the Great Stalacpipe Organ. It makes music by small mallets tapping stalactites of different sizes to produce a musical scale. It actually sounds very good! You will get to hear it toward the end of your tour.
94 miles from Washington DC.
Richmond
The capital of Virginia was once the capitol of the Confederation during the Civil War and as such has history oozing out of every corner.
First on your list should be the Virginia Capitol building. It was designed by Thomas Jefferson and looks similar to buildings on the UVA campus. The 1 hour tour of the Capitol is free and really interesting.
The Edgar Allen Poe museum is housed in the oldest building in Richmond and takes a close look at the unusual writer. This is the largest collection of his writings with many funny and spooktacular finds.
You can also visit St. John’s Church, the site of Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech. If you visit in the summer you can find reenactments of the famous speech and costumed guides will lead you through the historic scene.
Plan on 4-6 hours.
109 miles from Washington DC.
Public transportation available from DC.
Charlottesville
The University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia at night.Charlottesville is best known as the home of the University of Virginia, and taking a tour of the college is one of the best things to do while you are here. One of the oldest cities in Virginia, Charlottesville is the home of not one but three different Presidents of the United States. Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe and James Madison. You can tour each one of their homes while visiting the area.
The University of Virginia was Thomas Jefferson’s design and he oversaw the building of the college. It was his proudest achievement and one he had written on his tombstone. (Being President was not mentioned.) The simplicity and beauty of the campus makes UVA a great place to tour. On your free tour you can visit the dormitory of Edgar Allan Poe and see where he began writing his haunting stories.
Plan on 3-4 hours to visit UVA and walk around Charlottesville. Longer for tours of presidential homes.
116 miles from Washington DC.
Monticello
The home of Thomas Jefferson in VirginiaMonitcello is the home of Thomas Jefferson just outside of Charlottesville, Virginia. You could combine it with your day trip to Charlottesville, but there is enough to see and do to make Monticello its own destination.
Thomas Jefferson was a true renaissance man. His interest ran from gardening to astronomy, from writing to music and from architect to teacher. He was a man that had so many interests and talents without enough lifetimes to do them all. He is known primarily as the author of the Declaration of Independence and as the 3rd president of the United States.
His plantation tells a lot about the man he was. His large library is an example of his myriad interest, his small inventions can be seen throughout the main house, and his ledgers show what plants were doing best on his plantation.
I have been to Monticello a number of times, but my most recent visit was my favorite. Instead of shying away from the topic of Monticello’s enslaved population, the tour now celebrates their lives.
The tour includes entrance to the main house as well as various out buildings and the gorgeous garden. For those of you who are looking, this is my favorite day trip from Washington DC.
Plan on 3-4 hours.
98 miles from Washington DC.
Appomattox Courthouse
Front view of McLean House where the surrender of Southern Army under General Robert E Lee to Ulysses S Grant took place in Appomattox, Virginia, USAIf you have looked through this list and thought that there are so many battlefields to see, here is a new one for you. Appomattox Courthouse is where the Civil War ended. The war ended in the home of William McClean and there is a story there. McClean owned the home that was on the battlefield in the battles of Manassas. He retired to Appomattox Courthouse to escape the war and found himself thrust back in. McClean is credited with saying, “The war began in my front yard and ended in my front parlor.”
Today you can visit that parlor along with other buildings that were standing at the time of surrender. The last battlefield of the Civil War is nearby as well. Costumed docents will guide you through the historic site.
Plan on 1-2 hours.
196 miles from Washington DC.
Staunton
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and MuseumStaunton (pronounced Stan-ton) is a small historic town in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. The charming downtown looks like a movie set for an historic film. Make sure to walk down Beverly street to enjoy this historic part of town.
Your first stop should be the Frontier Culture Museum, an open air museum featuring the homes of American settlers throughout the settling of the US Frontier. The original homes (that have been transported from their original sites) tell the story of early American settlers, and the docents in each home will fill in any missing pieces. This is a fabulous stop for kids and adults, which I highly recommend.
Also worth visiting is Woodrow Wilson’s birthplace. Woodrow Wilson was the 28th president of the United States, born in the small town of Staunton, and raised by his Presbyterian Minister father and his devout mother. It focuses on his religious upbringing and the quiet town of Staunton. The tour takes 45 minutes and is small but very well done.
If you love Shakespeare plan on seeing a comedy or tragedy at Blackfriars Playhouse, also known as the American Shakespeare Center. It is an exact replica of Shakespeares original indoor theater. There are plays available to see every day of the year! For tickets click here.
Tip:
If you are fortunate enough to be visiting Staunton in August, you may be be able to attend the Staunton Music Festival. There are 30-40 different concerts featuring all kinds of music genres.
Plan on 5-8 hours.
157 miles from Washington DC.
The Historic Triangle
This triangle of three towns offers a nice way to see the progression of the American Experiment from the first settlement in Jamestown to the budding colony of Virginia and its first whispers of Revolution, to the end of the Revolutionary War in Yorktown and the beginning of a new nation.
Colonial Williamsburg
Gardens of Colonial Williamsburg in front of Bruton Parish Church in spring. The restored town is a major attraction for tourists and meetings of world leaders.I will warn you from the start that this is an ambitious day trip. It can be done in a day but you would probably enjoy staying over at least one night to make the most Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg is a living history museum that teaches visitors about life in colonial America.
It is the single largest historical project in the nation and totally worth visiting. You will spend your day walking through the colonial town interacting with costumed guides and artisans. You can visit the blacksmith shop, potter, bakery, and more. There are also many homes to tour to see how people lived in Colonial Williamsburg.
My favorite is the reenactments that occur throughout the day. You can watch a court case, a militia recruitment, march with the soldiers, see a baking demonstration, and more.
Plan on 6 hours at the very minimum.
153 miles from Washington DC.
Yorktown, Virginia
We have listed tons of battlefields and historic Civil War locations to visit, so how about a change of pace? Yorktown was the site of the last battle of the Revolutionary War. It is part of the historic triangle including Jamestown and Williamsburg in Virginia.
Yorktown has a fabulous new Visitors Center that tells the story of the days leading up to Yorktown, the battle and the aftermath of the battle. There is a 4D movie that your kids will love, and it will keep them interested in the history while they hear gunshots in surround sound and see the smoke fill the room.
Then you will take a tour of the battlefield complete with costumed guides. There is also a colonial farmhouse to explore.
Plan on 1-2 hours.
164 miles to Washington DC.
Jamestown
The settlement of Jamestown was the established in 1607, and was the first English settlement in the New World. It was also a colossal failure. Settlers were plagued by disease, and at one point the populations of Jamestown was only 38 people. Despite the arrival of more and more adventurers from England, the starvation and disease continued to ravage the town. But ships kept arriving as the fable of gold and wealth drew people to the shores of modern day Virginia, and little by little the town began to prosper.
Today you can visit Jamestown Settlement an open air history museum. Much like nearby Williamsburg it shows you what life was like for the people living here in the 1600s. There are artisans shops, homes to tour and daily programs that are interactive for visitors. Make sure to visit the Native American section of Jamestown and do some traditional crafts like basket weaving.
If you want to see the original site of Jamestown visit Historic Jamestowne. This is much more of an archeological site and won’t be quite as exciting for young kids. But if you are a history buff and want to learn more about Jamestown this is the place to do it.
Plan on 3-4 hours.
159 miles from Washington DC
Virginia Beach
Sunrise at Virginia Beach, USAIf it’s sun and sand you are craving, you might want to pack your spf and head to Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach is a city not an individual beach, but there are plenty of beaches in town. Head to The Boardwalk for the largest and most popular beach or make your way to the North End and enjoy a quieter calmer beach. Life guards are on duty during the peak summer months.
Your kids will love the Virginia aquarium. It features sea life from the surrounding areas and they have tons of programming to allow you to get up close and personal with the creatures.
209 miles from Washington DC.
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