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10 D.C. area towns worth visiting for fun day trips

Itching to get out of the city? Visit these charming towns

By Michelle Goldchain Updated
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By Michelle Goldchain Updated
3 comments / new

Sometimes, you just need to get away from it all: the city, the nightlife, even the people. But where to go? We’ve identified 10 quaint towns—all within driving distance of the District—for when you want to take a breather.

Seeking a shopping spot? Head over to Old Town Alexandria or Downtown Fredericksburg. Hoping to chow down at some unfamiliar restaurants? Check out Shirlington. These towns and others are just some of the D.C. area’s geographic gems.

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Harpers Ferry

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Located at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, this historic town in Jefferson County, West Virginia, features a National Historic Park and stunning natural beauty. Among its charms are scenic overlooks, picnic spots, and historic reenactments. An "Adventure Center" offers river tubing.

West Virginia 25425
A historic town with red and orange buildings. It is located along a river and hills. Shutterstock

Shirlington

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Just a stone's throw away from D.C., this upscale urban area offers tons of options for shopping, eating, and entertainment. It’s home to the Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre as well as an AMC theater for the film-inclined. Don’t miss the seasonal events and concerts in its public spaces.

Arlington, VA 22206
A modern theater building surrounded by trees and benches. The Washington Post via Getty Im

Del Ray

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This neighborhood in Alexandria, Virginia, is known for its holistic health businesses, eclectic shops, and artsy events. During the summer, the neighborhood hosts a recurring outdoor street festival with live music and activities for children. Del Ray also has the legendary Birchmere Music Hall, which hosts acts ranging from jazz and country to R&B and bluegrass.

Alexandria, VA 22301
A pink house along a main road in a historic town. The Washington Post via Getty Im

Old Town Alexandria

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Old Town Alexandria has it all: exceptional restaurants, quirky shops, a cool ambiance, and an artsy museum. A walkable neighborhood, it also hosts annual evens like the Sidewalk Sale and Restaurant Week. You can even get here by Metro.

Alexandria, VA 22314
A historic town along a river. It features Colonial homes and a church spire. Getty Images

Historic Occoquan

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Roughly 45 minutes from the District, this little-known gem dates to 1804. Occoquan hosts a variety of restaurants, shops, art galleries, and events, including an arts-and-crafts show in the fall, a Christmas tree lighting in the winter, and a boat parade in the spring.

Virginia 22125
A boat dock, with buildings in the background, under blue skies. Getty Images/iStockphoto

St. Michaels

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Along the Chesapeake Bay, St. Michaels offers kayaking, golfing, sailing, and bicycling. This picturesque coastal town dates to the mid-1600s and has boutique shops and events like Skipjack races and musical concerts.

Maryland 21663
A boardwalk near a boat dock. Shutterstock

Solomons Island

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In southern Maryland, this major boating center is home to the Calvert Marine Museum and Annmarie Garden Sculpture Park. Throughout the year, there are events like Fourth of July fireworks and a food festival. Expect lots of fresh seafood and waterfront views.

Maryland
A lighthouse on a bay. Shutterstock

Downtown Fredericksburg

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This Virginia town is perfect for shopping and enjoying historic architecture from the 18th century. There are more than 100 boutique shops, art galleries, and studios. A few historic activities include visiting the 80-acre grounds where George Washington's home once was and Civil War sites like the Chancellorsville Battlefield.

Virginia 22401
A Colonial-era town along a river lined with trees. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Annapolis

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Did somebody say crabs? Head up to Annapolis to enjoy a day on the waterfront. Check out the boats and cute boutiques. You may even see some sailors from the Naval Academy.

Annapolis, MD
A waterfront town with boutique shops. Shutterstock

Front Royal

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Known as the northern gateway to the Shenandoah Valley and Shenandoah National Park, this town is the perfect retreat for those wishing to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Visitors can camp in the national park and, for those who like to wet their whistles, patronize a variety of wineries nearby.

Front Royal, VA 22630
A town in a valley seen from above. There are plains and hills surrounding the town. Shutterstock

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Harpers Ferry

West Virginia 25425

Located at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, this historic town in Jefferson County, West Virginia, features a National Historic Park and stunning natural beauty. Among its charms are scenic overlooks, picnic spots, and historic reenactments. An "Adventure Center" offers river tubing.

West Virginia 25425
A historic town with red and orange buildings. It is located along a river and hills. Shutterstock

Shirlington

Arlington, VA 22206

Just a stone's throw away from D.C., this upscale urban area offers tons of options for shopping, eating, and entertainment. It’s home to the Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre as well as an AMC theater for the film-inclined. Don’t miss the seasonal events and concerts in its public spaces.

Arlington, VA 22206
A modern theater building surrounded by trees and benches. The Washington Post via Getty Im

Del Ray

Alexandria, VA 22301

This neighborhood in Alexandria, Virginia, is known for its holistic health businesses, eclectic shops, and artsy events. During the summer, the neighborhood hosts a recurring outdoor street festival with live music and activities for children. Del Ray also has the legendary Birchmere Music Hall, which hosts acts ranging from jazz and country to R&B and bluegrass.

Alexandria, VA 22301
A pink house along a main road in a historic town. The Washington Post via Getty Im

Old Town Alexandria

Alexandria, VA 22314

Old Town Alexandria has it all: exceptional restaurants, quirky shops, a cool ambiance, and an artsy museum. A walkable neighborhood, it also hosts annual evens like the Sidewalk Sale and Restaurant Week. You can even get here by Metro.

Alexandria, VA 22314
A historic town along a river. It features Colonial homes and a church spire. Getty Images

Historic Occoquan

Virginia 22125

Roughly 45 minutes from the District, this little-known gem dates to 1804. Occoquan hosts a variety of restaurants, shops, art galleries, and events, including an arts-and-crafts show in the fall, a Christmas tree lighting in the winter, and a boat parade in the spring.

Virginia 22125
A boat dock, with buildings in the background, under blue skies. Getty Images/iStockphoto

St. Michaels

Maryland 21663

Along the Chesapeake Bay, St. Michaels offers kayaking, golfing, sailing, and bicycling. This picturesque coastal town dates to the mid-1600s and has boutique shops and events like Skipjack races and musical concerts.

Maryland 21663
A boardwalk near a boat dock. Shutterstock

Solomons Island

Maryland

In southern Maryland, this major boating center is home to the Calvert Marine Museum and Annmarie Garden Sculpture Park. Throughout the year, there are events like Fourth of July fireworks and a food festival. Expect lots of fresh seafood and waterfront views.

Maryland
A lighthouse on a bay. Shutterstock

Downtown Fredericksburg

Virginia 22401

This Virginia town is perfect for shopping and enjoying historic architecture from the 18th century. There are more than 100 boutique shops, art galleries, and studios. A few historic activities include visiting the 80-acre grounds where George Washington's home once was and Civil War sites like the Chancellorsville Battlefield.

Virginia 22401
A Colonial-era town along a river lined with trees. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Annapolis

Annapolis, MD

Did somebody say crabs? Head up to Annapolis to enjoy a day on the waterfront. Check out the boats and cute boutiques. You may even see some sailors from the Naval Academy.

Annapolis, MD
A waterfront town with boutique shops. Shutterstock

Front Royal

Front Royal, VA 22630

Known as the northern gateway to the Shenandoah Valley and Shenandoah National Park, this town is the perfect retreat for those wishing to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Visitors can camp in the national park and, for those who like to wet their whistles, patronize a variety of wineries nearby.

Front Royal, VA 22630
A town in a valley seen from above. There are plains and hills surrounding the town. Shutterstock