Best Day Trips From DC For People Who Like To Have Fun

Address: 3655 US-211, Luray, VA 22835
Time from DC: ~2 hours
More Info: Shenandoah National Park

Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains offer a scenic drive into the National Park, making this one of the best day trips from DC. Iconic Skyline Drive weaves over 100 miles through the park, so while you may not have time to see everything in one day, there are a few highlights to squeeze into a day. Get out on the trail, with over 500 miles of trekking around the park, including about 100 miles of the famed Appalachian Trail. Old Rag, Hawksbill and Stony Mountain are all challenging but rewarding hikes to get some stunning views of the rolling valleys below.  

If you’re a fan of autumnal leaf change, be sure to visit Shenandoah in the fall. The foliage is an impressive display and this northern Virginia scenic drive alone is worth a trip in October. 

Stop in Luray for some lunch and a beer, then marvel at all of the quirky tourist attractions with your post hike beer buzz.

Swing by the Shenandoah Heritage Village to peek back into American history. This village is a re-creation of a small 19th century colonial town. Think: American Civil War era.

When your buzz wears off, head back to Washington DC for more beers and historical sights.

Address: 6511 Sudley Rd, Manassas, VA 20109
Time from DC: 40 minutes
More Info: Manassas National Battlefield Park

This was where not one, but two battles took place during the American Civil War, creatively called the First and Second Battles of Bull Run (didn’t ever want to confuse which one came first).

For history buffs, you can follow these self-guided walking tours. Be sure to not miss a bit of the conflict here between the Union and Confederate soldiers. Don’t worry, it’s not all battlefields and history.

A quick drive to Bull Run Regional Park and you have over 1,500 acres of historic land now available for hiking, going for a picnic or enjoying some outdoors activities.   

And if you’re really looking to get your blood pumping? Join us for a ½ day survival challenge or zipline and wine in Middleburg, 30 minutes up the road. We like to wrap things up with pedicures and a massage at Salamander Resort and Spa. 😉

Address: C&O Canal Lock 20, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath, Potomac, MD 20854
Time from DC: 40 minutes
More Info: Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Hugging the Potomac River, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is a scenic byway that boasts over 200 miles of hiking and biking trails along a historical walkway through the C&O Canal towpaths. With locks, mills and boathouses offering mile markers, you can spend a day seeing how the waterways connect Washington DC all the way to Cumberland Maryland. Feeling adventurous?

Address: Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Maryland
Time from DC: ~2 hours
More Info: Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

Just about 100 miles from DC is one of the best day trips to experience finding wildlife in nature. With nearly 30,000 acres this refuge is home to over one thousand species. This is the place to spend a day if you’re interested in bird watching. There are recreational and educational tours available for the public. In addition to observing wildlife, there are trails for hiking and biking, most popular are Marsh Edge, Key Wallace or the Tubman trails. When visiting during warm sunny days, you can kayak or canoe within the waterways of the park.

Address: Gunpowder Falls State Park Hammerman Area
Time from DC: ~1.5 hours
More Info: Gunpowder Falls State Park

Just over an hour away in Maryland, this state park makes for a convenient day trip from DC. The park consists of 6 areas. Be sure to hike the rail trail, Sweet Air area is best for horseback riding in addition to hiking. The Central area is the oldest part of the park and Hammerman area has a great beach spot for swimming in the warmer months. With the Gunpowder River and both Little and Big Gunpowder Falls within the park, kayaking, canoeing, tubing and swimming is an absolute must. A visit to the Historic Jerusalem Mill Village is a perfect stop to embrace the ways of living in small-town early America.

Explorer Chick Guide Kat McKittens recommends this little gem as well. “Super fun tubing in the warmer months and a cute café at the end. Plenty of places to rent tubes if you don’t have your own.”

Sounds like exactly the kinds of SHE-nanigans we’re after 😎