Did you know that within under an hour’s drive you can enjoy some of the best day trips in Washington DC? Well, you can! As much as we love the city, we also love being able to get out and experience something different every once in a while. DC is so perfectly located that you can find plenty of adventures that make for a great day trip! So without further ado, here are 12 of the best of the best!

  1. Spend the day splashing at Great Waves.

Facebook/Great Waves Waterpark/Cameron Run Regional Park Bet you didn’t know there’s a secret waterpark just outside of DC? Great Waves Waterpark features a wave pool, slides and a fun splash pad! Great Waves Waterpark, 4001 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304, USA

  1. Take a chance at a haunted beach.

Max E/Google Maps Point Lookout State Park in Maryland is a beautiful beach and campground that is an absolutely beautiful place to visit. It’s also a historic site that has known to be the place of many hauntings. Point Lookout State Park, 11175 Point Lookout Rd, Scotland, MD 20687, USA

  1. Take a train ride through the mountains.

Facebook/Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad The Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad is a fantastic train ride through the West Virginia mountains. You’ll enjoy charming towns, beautiful scenery and you might even spot some bald eagles. If you’re looking for “great getaway spots near me,” a ride on the rails is definitely one for your summer bucket list! Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad, 149 Eagle Dr, Romney, WV 26757, USA

  1. Slide down this epic natural waterslide.

YouTube/Rowen Perry Have an adventure with thrills and nature at this amazing natural waterslide called Cedar Run Falls. Located in the Shenandoah Valley, it is one of the most unique things to do around Washington DC (its just two hours outside of the city). The perfect reward after a long hike is to slide into the cool water on a natural waterslide. Cedar Run Falls, Virginia 22743, USA

  1. Relax in a natural spring-fed pool.

TripAdvisor/Nina K. One of the best day trips in Washington DC, Jefferson Pools have attracted visitors from all over the country for centuries. It’s a charming natural mountain spa with crystal clear waters will leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed!

  1. Hike an amazing trail in Catoctin Mountain Park.

Flickr/MudlfapDC Hiking the extended loop trail in Catoctin Mountain Park will give you an incredible experience. On the trail, you’ll see wildlife, beautiful vistas and amazing views of the surrounding area. It’s an amazing hike everyone in DC should try! Catoctin Mountain Highway, Catoctin Mountain Hwy, Frederick, MD, USA

  1. Take a swim in the gorgeous sapphire lake.

Facebook/Deep Creek Lake Area Deep Creek Lake is a stunning lake in Garrett County, Maryland which is three hours away from DC. It is one of the prettiest lakes in the entire area and visitors can relax on the beach, swim in the clear waters, rent kayaks, boat, tube and explore the surrounding wildlife. Yep, you guessed it…another one of the best day trips in Washington DC! Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, USA

  1. Float your worries away on the most amazing lazy river.

Facebook/River Riders The Shenandoah River is the ideal place to escape the heat and humidity in DC. There are multiple tubing companies where you can rent tubes and float down the Shenandoah. Bring a picnic and your friends for an amazing trip. Shenandoah River, United States

  1. Enjoy amazing animals at the National Zoo!

Facebook/Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute The National Zoo is one of the best free activities in DC! Explore acres of land where some 1,800 animals from 300 different species reside. There are lions, tigers, panda bears, and many more exotic animals. The best thing is, it’s free! And that alone makes it one of the best day trips in Washington DC! National Zoo Drive Northwest, National Zoo Dr NW, Washington, DC, USA

  1. Visit this gorgeous beach with the prettiest sand.

Flickr/Jukie Bot Cape Henlopen State Park is a beautiful quiet beach on the Delaware coast. You can swim in the ocean, rent a kayak or a bike or simply just lay out on the gorgeous white sand that makes up the beach. Cape Henlopen State Park Public Beach, 15009 Cape Henlopen Dr, Lewes, DE 19958, USA

  1. Paddle out to this delicious aquatic food truck.

Nauti Foods Facebook Page Nauti Foods is the Potomac River’s only and best floating food truck. Spend a day on the water and whether you boat, kayak or paddle board, you can get a great snack at Nauti Foods! They serve local favorites like bagels, coffees, ice cream, Nauti Dogs, and even local brews! Betcha never thought a search for “day trips near me” would lead to a floating food truck! Potomac River, United States

  1. Experience history and adventure in Williamsburg.

Facebook/Visit Williamsburg Williamsburg is an ideal day trip for Washingtonians! There’s history with historical reenactments and famous historic sights. You can bike and hike around the area, paddle board or boat and visit Busch Gardens or Water Country USA to really round out your day! Williamsburg, VA, USA

Which day trip will you be enjoying this summer? And if you want to explore farther outside of DC, then hop on a train!  Here are some great easy train trips you can take from Washington DC!

Facebook/Great Waves Waterpark/Cameron Run Regional Park

Bet you didn’t know there’s a secret waterpark just outside of DC? Great Waves Waterpark features a wave pool, slides and a fun splash pad!

Great Waves Waterpark, 4001 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304, USA

Max E/Google Maps

Point Lookout State Park in Maryland is a beautiful beach and campground that is an absolutely beautiful place to visit. It’s also a historic site that has known to be the place of many hauntings.

Point Lookout State Park, 11175 Point Lookout Rd, Scotland, MD 20687, USA

Facebook/Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad

The Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad is a fantastic train ride through the West Virginia mountains. You’ll enjoy charming towns, beautiful scenery and you might even spot some bald eagles. If you’re looking for “great getaway spots near me,” a ride on the rails is definitely one for your summer bucket list!

Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad, 149 Eagle Dr, Romney, WV 26757, USA

YouTube/Rowen Perry

Have an adventure with thrills and nature at this amazing natural waterslide called Cedar Run Falls. Located in the Shenandoah Valley, it is one of the most unique things to do around Washington DC (its just two hours outside of the city). The perfect reward after a long hike is to slide into the cool water on a natural waterslide.

Cedar Run Falls, Virginia 22743, USA

TripAdvisor/Nina K.

One of the best day trips in Washington DC, Jefferson Pools have attracted visitors from all over the country for centuries. It’s a charming natural mountain spa with crystal clear waters will leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed!

Flickr/MudlfapDC

Hiking the extended loop trail in Catoctin Mountain Park will give you an incredible experience. On the trail, you’ll see wildlife, beautiful vistas and amazing views of the surrounding area. It’s an amazing hike everyone in DC should try!

Catoctin Mountain Highway, Catoctin Mountain Hwy, Frederick, MD, USA

Facebook/Deep Creek Lake Area

Deep Creek Lake is a stunning lake in Garrett County, Maryland which is three hours away from DC. It is one of the prettiest lakes in the entire area and visitors can relax on the beach, swim in the clear waters, rent kayaks, boat, tube and explore the surrounding wildlife. Yep, you guessed it…another one of the best day trips in Washington DC!

Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, USA

Facebook/River Riders

The Shenandoah River is the ideal place to escape the heat and humidity in DC. There are multiple tubing companies where you can rent tubes and float down the Shenandoah. Bring a picnic and your friends for an amazing trip.

Shenandoah River, United States

Facebook/Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

The National Zoo is one of the best free activities in DC! Explore acres of land where some 1,800 animals from 300 different species reside. There are lions, tigers, panda bears, and many more exotic animals. The best thing is, it’s free! And that alone makes it one of the best day trips in Washington DC!

National Zoo Drive Northwest, National Zoo Dr NW, Washington, DC, USA

Flickr/Jukie Bot

Cape Henlopen State Park is a beautiful quiet beach on the Delaware coast. You can swim in the ocean, rent a kayak or a bike or simply just lay out on the gorgeous white sand that makes up the beach.

Cape Henlopen State Park Public Beach, 15009 Cape Henlopen Dr, Lewes, DE 19958, USA

Nauti Foods Facebook Page

Nauti Foods is the Potomac River’s only and best floating food truck. Spend a day on the water and whether you boat, kayak or paddle board, you can get a great snack at Nauti Foods! They serve local favorites like bagels, coffees, ice cream, Nauti Dogs, and even local brews! Betcha never thought a search for “day trips near me” would lead to a floating food truck!

Potomac River, United States

Facebook/Visit Williamsburg

Williamsburg is an ideal day trip for Washingtonians! There’s history with historical reenactments and famous historic sights. You can bike and hike around the area, paddle board or boat and visit Busch Gardens or Water Country USA to really round out your day!

Williamsburg, VA, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Best day trips in Washington DC July 25, 2022 Lysa Allman-Baldwin Are there any swimming holes around Washington DC? There are actually several refreshing swimming holes around Washington DC. One of the most popular is called Beaver Dam Swimming Club. Only about a 90-minute drive outside of the city in the town of Cockeysville, Maryland, the swimming hole has lots of fun stuff. This includes a high platform and a rope swing. Look out below ‘cause folks are coming in! Can you suggest a great burger restaurant in Washington DC? It would be hard NOT to suggest a great burger restaurant in DC because most of them are sooooo good! But one of the most well-known places, among locales and visitors alike, is called Ollie’s Trolley. If you like nostalgia, you’ll definitely find it here. The burger recipe has remained the same since the first in the chain of restaurants opened in the 1930s, expanding over the years to encompass more menu items. The restaurant also feels more like a museum with all of the vintage decor and memorabilia, which is part of its charm and appeal. Where is the International Spy Museum? It’s kind of fitting that the International Spy Museum would be located in Washington DC, so close to the CIA, FBI, and Pentagon offices. But it’s awesome! You can find it at the L’Enfant Plaza, which is a new, larger location where it moved about 3 years ago. Fun for the entire family, the museum is absolutely fascinating. You’ll find numerous gallery spaces chock full of memorabilia including equipment, photographs, articles, interactive exhibits, and more all surrounding espionage but in the U.S. and further afield.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best day trips in Washington DC

July 25, 2022

Lysa Allman-Baldwin

Are there any swimming holes around Washington DC? There are actually several refreshing swimming holes around Washington DC. One of the most popular is called Beaver Dam Swimming Club. Only about a 90-minute drive outside of the city in the town of Cockeysville, Maryland, the swimming hole has lots of fun stuff. This includes a high platform and a rope swing. Look out below ‘cause folks are coming in! Can you suggest a great burger restaurant in Washington DC? It would be hard NOT to suggest a great burger restaurant in DC because most of them are sooooo good! But one of the most well-known places, among locales and visitors alike, is called Ollie’s Trolley. If you like nostalgia, you’ll definitely find it here. The burger recipe has remained the same since the first in the chain of restaurants opened in the 1930s, expanding over the years to encompass more menu items. The restaurant also feels more like a museum with all of the vintage decor and memorabilia, which is part of its charm and appeal. Where is the International Spy Museum? It’s kind of fitting that the International Spy Museum would be located in Washington DC, so close to the CIA, FBI, and Pentagon offices. But it’s awesome! You can find it at the L’Enfant Plaza, which is a new, larger location where it moved about 3 years ago. Fun for the entire family, the museum is absolutely fascinating. You’ll find numerous gallery spaces chock full of memorabilia including equipment, photographs, articles, interactive exhibits, and more all surrounding espionage but in the U.S. and further afield.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

There are actually several refreshing swimming holes around Washington DC. One of the most popular is called Beaver Dam Swimming Club. Only about a 90-minute drive outside of the city in the town of Cockeysville, Maryland, the swimming hole has lots of fun stuff. This includes a high platform and a rope swing. Look out below ‘cause folks are coming in!

Can you suggest a great burger restaurant in Washington DC?

It would be hard NOT to suggest a great burger restaurant in DC because most of them are sooooo good! But one of the most well-known places, among locales and visitors alike, is called Ollie’s Trolley. If you like nostalgia, you’ll definitely find it here. The burger recipe has remained the same since the first in the chain of restaurants opened in the 1930s, expanding over the years to encompass more menu items. The restaurant also feels more like a museum with all of the vintage decor and memorabilia, which is part of its charm and appeal.

Where is the International Spy Museum?

It’s kind of fitting that the International Spy Museum would be located in Washington DC, so close to the CIA, FBI, and Pentagon offices. But it’s awesome! You can find it at the L’Enfant Plaza, which is a new, larger location where it moved about 3 years ago. Fun for the entire family, the museum is absolutely fascinating. You’ll find numerous gallery spaces chock full of memorabilia including equipment, photographs, articles, interactive exhibits, and more all surrounding espionage but in the U.S. and further afield.