DC is such a great city to wander through and explore – see our favorite hidden gems in DC here. Despite the capital’s plethora of activities and of course, museums, it’s also a great central point for anyone wanting to escape for a weekend. We put together this list of drivable weekend trips from Washington DC for anyone in the DMV area.

     Charlottesville    

This historic town is a classic weekend escape. Enjoy the endless farms, fields, and greenery. A wine lover’s dream with a rewarding 30 local vineyards. And of course, dozens of trails through the picturesque Blue Ridge mountains.

Check out our favorite things to do in Charlottesville:

Start with touring the many historic landmarks in C-ville. Thomas Jefferson’s former home, Monticello is one of the most iconic buildings in the region. If you’re into history and architecture, don’t miss a quick walkthrough of the University of Virginia’s structures, amphitheater and beautiful lawn. Wander the pedestrianized Downtown Mall, catch a performance at the Paramount Theater, visit Heather Heyer’s memorial or enjoy the outdoor seating and street-performers. Treat yourself and plan your Monticello Wine Trail route. Our favorites are Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards, Knights Gambit Vineyard and Stinson Vineyards. Work it off by trekking one of the many incredible hikes in the Blue Ridge Parkway. Our absolute favorite hike was the Humpback Rocks; not the easiest trail and certainly quite inclined, but it’s short, and the endpoint is worth the sweat. Otherwise, opt to explore a flatter trail through Walnut Creek Park or enjoy The Gardens at Waterperry Farm. Finally, be sure to do a quick web search of The Garage, if there’s a show – go!

Where to eat: Corner Juice, The Whiskey Jar, Tavola, Petit Pois, and Bizou.

Where to stay in Charlottesville: Home2 Suites By Hilton, Graduate Charlottesville, or a luxury vineyard stay at the Inn at Sinton Vineyards.

     Baltimore    

Baltimore is such an underrated destination, and we can’t figure out why! With a ton of diverse neighborhoods, an eclectic food scene, a bustling arts scene and a hip harbor, you can’t go wrong. Of course, we had to add this gem to our list of weekend trips from Washington DC.

Here are the best things to do in Baltimore:

Start off by walking down The Avenue in the Hampden neighborhood; lined with hundreds of boutiques, specialty desserts and restaurants. While you’re in the area, stop by Papermoon Diner and marvel at their funky art and decorative, but creepy, mannequins. Make your way to the Inner Harbor, and tour the National Aquarium, then head straight up the Top of the World Observation Deck at Baltimore’s World Trade Center. Enjoy a stroll through the harbor and walk over to Fell’s Point. From there, hop on a landmark taxi boat ride or indulge in yet another scenic view of the harbor from Woody’s Cantina. Head over to Federal Hill Park for the best sunset views of the city. If you have time, make sure to stop by The American Visionary Art Museum. We’re keeping this section short because we wrote a detailed guide on what to do in Baltimore here!

Where to eat: R. House Fool Hall, Barcocina, Ida B’s Table, and Nick’s Fish House.

Where to stay in Baltimore: We always recommend staying in the Inner Harbor at the Hyatt Place or Staybridge Suites. If you prefer to stay in downtown, the SpringHill Suites are great.

     Lewes & Dewey    

A fun and bustling combo of the best beach towns off the Atlantic. Forget Ocean City and head over to Dewey for the best oceanside nightlife and Lewes for a tranquil retreat. The towns are only 20 minutes from each other and offer a diverse range of activities.

What to do in Lewes:

Visit the Oldest Town in the Oldest State. Lewes has been a longtime family vacation of ours. This coastal town is great for history lovers and beach seekers. Rent a bike to see more of the historic downtown area and the Marina. Make your way to The Zwaanendael Museum to learn about the history of Dutch settlers. You might have noticed our love for little parks and gardens, so we always recommend a quick stroll through the Mary Vessels Park. Drive over to Cape Henlopen State Park and spend an afternoon walking the five miles of shoreline where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. Few people realize that beneath the state park lie underground bunkers built in 1941 to protect the U.S. from German invasions. If you’d like a fun tour of paranormal happenings in town, brave the Lewes Legends Tour.

The best part of staying in Lewes, besides the beach, is being in close proximity to the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. That’s right, only an hour and a half ferry ride away is the beautiful town of Cape May – which makes for a wonderful day trip.

Where to eat: Nectar, Notting Hill Coffee Roastery, Agave Mexican Restaurant, Striper Bites, and Big Oyster Brewery.

Where to stay in Lewes: Savannah Inn, The Inn at Canal Square or this vacation home if you’re traveling with a group!

What to do in Dewey:

Dewey may not have as many attractions as Lewes, but it’s quite the busy town. Check out Lighthouse Cove or catch a Movie on the Sand. Spend an afternoon flying with our favorite parasail operator FlyDewey.

Dewey has a bustling nightlife scene, which we truly appreciate. Catch some great live bands at Bottle & Cork or mingle with locals at Rusty Rudder or The Starboard.

Where to eat: Vanderwende Farm Creamery, Woody’s Dewey Beach Bar & Grill, Crooked Hammock Brewery and Starboard.

Where to stay in Dewey: The Bay Resort, Beach House Dewey, or the Hyatt Place.

     Harper’s Ferry    

A charming historic getaway nestled in the Appalachia and overlooking the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. Known for its role in the Civil War, the town is filled with bits of history, impressive structures and trails through battlefields.

Here are the highlights of Harpers’ Ferry:

Perhaps we love Harper’s Ferry because it resembles many charming European cities. Regardless, we think you’ll enjoy exploring this tiny town right in the middle of the Appalachian Trail for many reasons. Be a tourist and check out The Point, an overlook of the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers as well as the only place you can look upon Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia at the same time. Just outside of lower town, is the Jefferson Rock where the former president supposedly declared that the view was worth a trip across the Atlantic. For a much better view, you have to strap up and hike the Maryland Heights trail. Although you will huff and puff your way up, it’s absolutely worth it. There are a ton of historic gems sprinkled around town like John Brown’s Fort and the St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church. But we especially enjoy a walk across the foot bridge.

Just outside of town, you can visit the Harpers Ferry and Antietam Battlefields where the bloodiest single-day battle in American history took place. Thankfully, it’s not as grim now and makes for a nice, easy hike. In addition to the rich history, there are plenty of adventurous outdoor activities nearby. We enjoy whitewater rafting with River Riders, but you can always go flat water tubing for a mellow ride down the river. There’s also a fun zip line right through the treetops in West Virginia. If you’ve got time, check out the neighboring town of Shepherdstown as well.

Where to eat/drink: Hamilton’s Tavern 1840, Kelley Farm Kitchen, and Harper’s Ferry Brewing.

Where to stay in Harper’s Ferry: Ledge House Bed & Breakfast, Light Horse Inn, and if those are booked, the Quality Inn has a great location.

     Lancaster    

Drive up to Pennsylvania’s Amish country, America’s oldest Amish settlement. It’s a real treat to learn about and experience the old-fashioned and simple lifestyle of the locals here.

How to enjoy a slow-paced trip to Lancaster:

Step back in time and get to know the Plain people and their lifestyle by touring an authentic Amish Farmhouse from 1840 at The Amish Village. You’ll quickly find out that there are countless farm tours, buggy rides, and Amish “experiences.” Having gone twice already, our favorites were Verdant View Farm and Aaron & Jessica’s Buggy Rides (you can find a coupon here). We also recommend hanging out with tiny horses at the Lil’ Country Miniature Horse farm. Visit a one-room schoolhouse and learn about the local traditions of learning. Take a ride on America’s oldest operating real steam railroad at Strasburg Rail Road. Expect a 45-minute ride through the tranquil countryside in addition to audio commentary and bits of history.

Appreciate a promenade through the authentic shops at Kitchen Kettle Village. Although the Amish Country is relatively small, we preferred exploring it with a knowledgeable local guide. We highly recommend this affordable tour here. Remember that many shops and places could be closed on Sunday; do your research and plan accordingly. Consider a unique Sunday experience at the nearby Wolf Sanctuary of PA.

Where to eat: Coffee Co., Miller’s Smorgasbord, Bird in Hand Bakery & Cafe, Oregon Dairy Restaurant.

Where to stay in Lancaster: Fulton Steamboat Inn, After Eight Bed and Breakfast or the Hershey Farm Inn.

     Cape Charles    

A bayside hidden gem in the Eastern Shore that we’ve only discovered recently. Cape Charles is like a live museum of the glory of the 1880s, best explored via golf cart. Yes, the best way to discover the treasures in Cape Charles is by renting a golf cart from the friendly neighborhood Eastern Shore Custom Carts shop. This is the perfect place to appreciate history, ride a cart wildly, but safely, and sink your feet in the sand.

Best things to do in Cape Charles:

Separated from mainland Virginia by the Chesapeake Bay, Cape Charles offers stunning views of the bay and plenty of un-crowded beach space. Nonetheless, it’s still a very small town, so we recommend starting off your trip by driving to the town of Chincoteague. There you can explore the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island. If you’re lucky you’ll get to witness all kinds of wildlife in their natural habitat, including the famous wild ponies. You’ll see plenty of advertisements for boat tours around the refuge. From our experience, they aren’t worth it. If you prefer to spend the night, we loved our stay at the Anchor Inn. Grab breakfast at Amarin Coffee and a bayside dinner at The Ropewalk.

Once you wrap up your visit to Chincoteague, head over to the cape to enjoy the relaxing beach.  The water is so calm, and you can literally walk dozens of yards and still be waist deep. It’s great for kayaking, paddle boarding and other water activities – a great rental place is SouthEast Expeditions. The beauty of Cape Charles lies within its historic downtown. Be sure to take some time walking through the neighborhoods and appreciate the historic Victorian-styled homes and their fascinating colors and architecture. If you’d like a more nature-centered walk, head over to Cape Charles Natural Area Preserve. They’re famous for their long-shaded boardwalk through the woods. While you’re at it, visit the Cape Charles Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in Virginia.

Where to eat: The Shanty, DeadRise Pies, Ambrogia Caffe & Enoteca, Coastal Baking Co., Brown Dog Ice Cream and Cape Charles Brewing Company.

Where to stay in Cape Charles: We loved our Safari Tent at the Kampgrounds of America, but we know this isn’t for everyone. A nearby option is the Sunset Beach Resort, about 10 minutes from the downtown area. An alternative is Hotel Cape Charles which is smackdown in the center!

     St. Michaels    

The Heart & Soul of the Chesapeake Bay, St. Michael’s, is another small waterfront town in the Eastern Shore. Located in a long and narrow slice of land along the Miles River, this village was once the hometown of Frederick Douglass. It’s also where the movie Wedding Crashers was filmed! Today, it’s home to 1,000 residents and thousands of tourists.

How to enjoy a visit to St. Michaels:

A small picturesque harbor that’s completely walkable! Linger on the only road through town, Talbot Street, where all the shops and restaurants are located. Check out the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and the surrounding area to learn about 400 years of bay history. Walk the Honeymoon Bridge over to the 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse, where you can catch an upper-deck view of the harbor. If you’re a car buff, you’ll enjoy the Classic Motor Museum. Sign up to cruise the Chesapeake on a two-hour day sail with Sail Selina II. Tour the Lyon Rum Distillery & Tasting Room. We also love to explore the waterfront Inn at Perry Cabin and strolling around the marina. Before you head out, drive over to the secluded Tilghman’s Island and catch the sunset from Character’s Bridge Restaurant.

Where to eat: Agave Arts & Juicing Co, T at the General Store and Awful Arthur’s Seafood.

Where to stay in St. Michaels: Wylder Hotel – Tilghman Island, The Inn at Perry Cabin, or the St. Michaels Inn.

We hope enjoyed this list of the best weekend trips from Washington DC – comment if you have any more local favorites for us to check out!

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