Think this list is impressive? Check out our 2019 Day Trips feature story here.
By Tracey Meloni, Jennifer Pullinger and Renee Sklarew
We’ve all found ourselves with an unexpected weekend free from sporting events, errands and pre-scheduled fun, or maybe there is a weekend we just want to blow it all off and go explore. No matter the weekend, we’ve found 52 day trips to fill up the time. Go ahead, find an excuse to jump in the car and go.
Cady’s Alley
Georgetown
A Cinderella story—drab G’town stepsister magically transforms into the upscale, glitzy design shops that dreams are made of. Every accolade fits Cady’s: visionary, unique, creative. Muleh, Relish, Contemporaria, Janus et Cie, Babette, Intermix and more. Find furniture and fashion, plus accessories to die for. Trendy gastrofare and the over-the-top L-2 Lounge. Warning: Not for the faint of wallet. Think exquisite $2,500 Sakura teapot, Jimmy Choos, perfect loft-completing pieces. / cadysalley.com –TM
Fort Foote
Fort Washington, Md.
One of 68 forts encircling the Nation’s Capital, Fort Foote was a strategic seacoast fortification built to deter the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Union General William H. Seward, Jr., son of the Secretary of State in President Lincoln’s Cabinet, commanded the post. Both Seward Senior and President Lincoln visited the fort. After the Civil War, the fort became a prison. The remains sit on a bluff overlooking the Potomac River with the original cannons that were too heavy to move. / nps.gov/fofo –RS
DC Metro Food Tour
Washington, D.C.
DC Metro Food Tours features a variety of three-hour, small-group tours of D.C.’s diverse culinary neighborhoods—Dupont Circle, Capitol Hill, Georgetown, U Street and Alexandria. Tour guides describe the culture, architecture and history of the neighborhood, while stopping four to five times at local restaurants. At each, you’re treated to behind-the-scenes experience, and tastes of the restaurant’s most notable dishes. Tour guides explain how restaurants reflect the neighborhood culture. Distance is approximately one mile; perfect for all ages and tastes. / dcmetrofoodtour.com –RS
King Barn Dairy Mooseum
Gaithersburg, Md.
Take the family to King Barn, circa 1913, where kids can learn how to milk a cow, see a puppet show, and get a taste of life on a dairy farm. Check out the quirky collection of vintage bottles and life sized cow sculptures. The Mooseum is located inside the Germantown Recreation Park, which includes picnic grounds, playground and small water park. Open in summer. / mooseum.com –RS
Dinosaur Park
Laurel, Md.
Dinosaurs once roamed the Mid-Atlantic, and deposits of sediment and clay in Laurel, Md. have been the site of significant discoveries of prehistoric bones and plant life from the Early Cretaceous Period. This led to preservation of the area, and the creation of The Dinosaur Park—a place where families can see, touch and hunt for fossils. The park opens twice a month, providing interactive tours, education programs, along with the opportunity to sift through the dirt for treasures. / pgparks.com –RS
Brew Ridge Tour
Lovingston
The Brew Ridge Trail is a self-guided tour of the award-winning craft breweries in the Nelson County and Charlottesville area where “there are more breweries than stop lights.” Craft beer enthusiasts start the trail at any one of the six participating breweries—Blue Mountain, Devils Backbone, Wild Wolf, Blue Mountain Barrel House, Starr Hill or South Street. Arrange for limousine service, or proceed on your own. Meet the brewmasters with advance reservations. / brewridgetrail.com –RS
Mount Airy Plantation
Warsaw
The Tayloe family first settled on these lands in the mid-1600’s, and completed the Palladian mansion in 1758. Colonel John Tayloe III welcomed native son and “chum” George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette (with their wives) as guests. Ten generations of family have lived on the estate. Today, the descendants offer a personal tour of the house, stables and garden with afternoon tea. Francis Lightfoot Lee, a Signer of the Declaration of Independence, is buried here. / mountairyplantation.com –RS
Marian Koshland Science Center
Washington, D.C.
Interact with scientific issues in a thought-provoking setting. This small, state-of-the-art museum in the National Academy of Sciences Building is fascinating to adults and teens who enjoy interactive problem solving. Try simulation games, like aging from 3 to 75 years in three minutes, or memory challenges. The exhibits rotate, but topics include climate change; the worlds water supply, human aging, and a 3-D look inside the brain. The museum sponsors events, like science quiz nights and “Beespotters.” / koshland-science-museum.org –RS
Stratford Hall
Stratford
Generations of Virginia’s revered Lee family slept here, and Robert E. Lee was born at Stratford Hall in 1807. One of the South’s most majestic houses, Stratford Hall boasts perhaps the finest single room—the Great Hall—to have survived since Colonial days. Costumed guides, enthusiastic and knowledgeable, lead spellbinding 30-minute tours into the past. Savor the gardens! Check the events calendar for Virginia wine tastings, bird-watcher outings, festivals, exhibits and holiday celebrations. / stratfordhall.org –TM
Carytown
Richmond
The “Mile of Style” shopping district features locally owned boutiques and restaurants. Sample coffee and sweets, then hunt for treasure in vintage clothing stores. Carytown boasts the historic Byrd Theater with first-run movies, along with art and antique galleries, shops and showrooms, restaurants and floral markets. Schedule your visit around an annual event, like the Sidewalk Sale, 10K Run, Watermelon Festival or Chalk Up the Town, where people come together to cover the sidewalks with art. / carytownva.com –RS
National Children’s Museum
National Harbor, Md.
December 2012, the National Children’s Museum opened the doors to its new home base at National Harbor. Designed for kids ages 8 and under, its mission is to inspire children to learn about the world through play. Start with the two main exhibit areas and theatre, the latter featuring year-round interactive shows. Then follow up with a visit to the Center for Learning and Innovation, which carries the cultural themes in the exhibits and productions into the activity room. The museum includes a 3-and-under Sesame Street-themed section, with Cookie Monster and Big Bird there to interact with visitors at special times. / ccm.org –JP
Join the Marines at the National Museum of the Marine Corps
Triangle
Board a bus, prepare to be shorn, then brace yourself as a drill sergeant shouts commands—visitors experience boot camp and more at this museum; a lasting tribute to U.S. Marines past, present, and future. The interactive exhibits use innovative technology to surround visitors with artifacts from significant battles, and immerse them in the sights and sounds of the action. With displays representing American and world history (1700’s to current day), it appeals to more than just the military enthusiast. / usmcmuseum.com –RS
Walters Art Museum
Baltimore, Md.
Art and libations, you say? We’re there. On Constellation Thursday Nights, the Walters Art Museum stays open late so visitors can linger longer in the galleries, check out special exhibitions for free, and nosh at the new Q at the Walters café. It’s just one of many reasons to day-trip to Baltimore to experience the North Charles Street museum. In July, the Walters premieres a photo exhibition by contemporary artist Gregory Vershbow, in September, the works of painter Jacob Lawrence’s “Genesis Series,” and in October, an ancient Egyptian artifact exhibition featuring major sections of the illustrated papyrus, the Book of the Faiyum. / thewalters.org –JP
Union Market
Washington, D.C.
This authentic urban village is home to D.C.’s newest fresh food venue; offering a cornucopia of tastes, sounds and smells. Helping to revitalize this gritty neighborhood near Howard and Gallaudet Universities, Union Market showcases local artisanal vendors like Rappahannock Oysters, Red Apron Meats and Lyon Bakery. Union Market first opened in 1871. Since it’s renovation in 2012, it has become a popular destination, where customer’s sample treats, enjoy coffee or cocktails, and attend foodie events like celebrity chef demonstrations. / unionmarketdc.com –RS
Emmitsburg Antique Mall
Emmitsburg, Md.
Located in historic Emmitsburg is a 36,000-square-foot shopping destination. This expansive antique complex boasts 120 shops and is overflowing with treasures—glassware, furniture, linens, quilts, primitives, jewelry, coins and toys. They have every antique and collectible you’ve ever coveted, and sell them for very competitive prices. The dealer booths are abound with everything from Victorian to Shabby Chic. Downtown Emmitsburg has eclectic restaurants and the new Fire & Rescue Museum. / emmitsburgantiquemall.com –RS
Eastern Shore Hang Gliding Center
Weirwood
Let’s say you’re looking at 40 and seeking a knockout celebration, or your second-grader wants a unique show-and-tell. “Soar the Shore” is for you. Think hang gliding means jumping off a mountain? Think again! Safely harnessed behind your instructor, you’ll be Aerotowed aloft by a special aircraft (“aerotug”). Then the wonder begins: fly and float silently as a bird, over some breathtaking Eastern Shore scenery. Farms, vineyards and the rugged coastline dazzle. / soartheshore.com –TM
Peabody Institute
Baltimore, Md.
The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University on East Mount Vernon Place is home to one of the nation’s premiere musical conservatories. From the music school that counts among its alumni composer Philip Glass and Grammy-winning opera singer James Morris (and at one time, Tori Amos before she was asked to leave at age 11), plan your day-trip around a diverse, jam-packed calendar of events featuring must-hear-and-see live concerts, recitals and performances from jazz to classical to contemporary. / peabody.jhu.edu –JP
Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum
Baltimore, Md.
For the sports-minded, Baltimore is synonymous with the Orioles and another famous baseballer, Babe Ruth, who made his professional debut with the then minor league team in 1914. Plan your baseball-themed day-trip around the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum, which honors the life and legacy of the sports legend through exhibits and events. The museum is located in Ruth’s actual birthplace at 216 Emory Street, just down the street from Oriole Park at Camden Yards. / baberuthmuseum.com –JP
Ladew Topiary Gardens
Monkton, Md.
About an hour and a half to the north you will find the whimsical Ladew Topiary Gardens in Monkton, Md. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the grounds are a feast for the eyes and imagination. In addition to the botanically-themed “garden rooms,” more than 100 topiaries fill the landscape, including those dog- and fox-shaped in the “Hunt Scene“ garden. The estate is a tribute to the vision of the man who created them, the deep-pocketed, well-traveled socialite, foxhunter and gardener extraordinaire, the late Harvey S. Ladew. / ladewgardens.com –JP
Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute
Baltimore, Md.
The Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center makes the preservation of the local musical, visual and performing arts scene a top priority. Named for the famed African American Broadway composer, songwriter and ragtime musician born in Baltimore in 1887, the Institute showcases a regular cycle of cultural events, including monthly jam sessions, poetry readings, art exhibits and a film series highlighting African American jazz musicians. Recent exhibitions and performances have showcased a “Women in Jazz” panel discussion, “MAKE HERstory: A Work in Progress,” a one-woman show from local actress and writer Alisa L. Brock, and a screening of “The International Sweethearts of Rhythm Documentary.” / eubieblake.org –JP
Spy City Tours on Gray Line Bus
Washington, D.C.
This 2.5-hour bus tour departs from Union Station weekly to view 25 notorious espionage sites in DC. Visitors see a different side of the city, as a tour guide points out restaurants, hotels and office buildings linked to intelligence activities. It’s an interactive experience, since guests are asked to crack the codes of secret messages and learn trade secrets from former spies via video (including CIA’s Tony Mendez who inspired the movie ARGO). The tour concludes with a visit to the Spy Museum. / spymuseum.org –RS
Pea Patch Island
Delaware City, Del.
A half-mile ferry ride travels back to 1864 and forward into wildlife conservation. Pea Patch Island, supposedly named when a ship carrying peas ran aground, is home to two wonders: Ft. Delaware State Park and Pea Patch Island Nature Preserve. Period-costumed interpreters bring the fortress to life, from its days housing Confederate POWs to the modern “Escape From Ft. Delaware” event. The Nature Preserve is one of the largest wading bird nest areas in the East. / ecodelaware.com –TM
The Edge
Manassas
Part of George Mason University’s experiential education program, The Edge is an outdoor adventure park most often used for team building. Individuals and groups develop strength and coordination on their challenging ropes course, and rappel from the top of the daunting 50-foot vertical Alpine Tower. This outdoor classroom lies in the midst of meadows and wetlands, where nature gets up close and personal. The Edge hosts monthly open climbs for guests seeking panoramic views of the Piedmont Trail. / theedgeatmason.com –RS
Brookside Garden
Wheaton Md.
Nothing signals the arrival of spring more than flowers, and Brookside Garden, naturally, has them in abundance. The 50-acre public display garden at Wheaton Regional Park is a veritable horticultural haven for plant enthusiasts, featuring several niche-gardens, including an Aquatic Garden, Azalea Garden, Children’s Garden, and many more. In May, make a point of strolling through the Trail Garden, where more than 10,000 flowering bulbs spring forth. You could spend all day tip-toeing through the tulips. Best of all, admission is free. / montgomeryparks.org –JP
Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum
St. Leonard, Md.
One of the best ways to experience history first-hand is through a visit to an archeological dig. The Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum in Calvert County has over 70 on site, while the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory, also on site, features a collection of more than 8 million artifacts. Not to be missed is the museum’s Exhibit Barn, now featuring a “Farmers, Patriots, and Traitors” exhibit highlighting Maryland’s post-revolution history. Plan to tour Point Farm, the 1930’s era Colonial Revival brick house and gardens once owned by the museum benefactors, and wrap up your day walking the interpretive trails or bald eagle-watching by kayak along the Patunxent River from the park’s launch point. / jefpat.org –JP
Catoctin Mountains
Thurmont. Md.
While many get antsy for the beach at the first sign of warmer temps, a better alternative would be to head to the mountains for expansive vistas of the waves of spring and summer colors. Catoctin Mountain provides those scenic views of the earth coming to life, whether by foot via 25 miles of hiking trails or by car along the leafy roads. If you extend your stay overnight, camp out in the Adirondack Shelters the perfect getaway for suburban dwellers who want a taste of roughing it. In the winter, spend the day cross country trail skiing and take in the bracing solitude. The President makes his retreat at the Catoctin too at Camp David. / nps.gov/cato –JP
Mount Vernon Cultural District
Baltimore, Md.
The Washington Monument—no, not the one on the National Mall —is the focal point of one of the most vibrant urban villages in Baltimore, the Mount Vernon Cultural District north of downtown. Surrounding the monument are four charming, landscaped parks and loads of cultural attractions, including the Walters Art Museum, Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and the Basilica Cathedral. Add to your day-trip itinerary a visit to Antique Row on Howard Street, the oldest antique district in the country, and finish up at George’s at the Peabody Court Hotel for a well-earned steak and cake. / mvcd.org –JP
Skipjack Nathan
Cambridge, Md.
Thanks to our proximity to water, there are plenty of places to go boating around the region. Cambridge, Maryland on the Eastern Shore is one of them. Hop aboard one of the few remaining authentic skipjacks in the U.S., the Nathan of Dorchester, which offers day-trippers a unique way to experience the Chesapeake. Skipjacks are traditionally designed for oyster dredging, but the Nathan is now primarily a passenger vessel offering demonstration dredging on its two-hour Saturday sails. The public sailing season runs May to October, or you can charter the Nathan for your own private party. / skipjack-nathan.org –JP
Fair Hills Scottish Games
Fair Hill, Md.
What DO Scotsmen wear under those kilts? And did you know that “colly” is Gaelic for “sheep?” Watch the clansmen whirl as they lead into the Hammer Throw and gear up for the Caber Toss—marvel at the border collies silently herding their flocks. The Sheep to Shawl contest takes sheared wool to finished garment before your eyes. Find your own clan tartan and sample Scottish fare. Barleyjuice, The Hooligans, Burning Bridget Cleary and Charlie Zahn perform, all happening May 18. / fairhillscottishgames.org –TM
National Museum of Health and Medicine
Silver Spring, Md.
Founded in 1862, this new 20,000-foot facility re-opened last year showcasing one of the world’s largest collections of microscopes, medical instruments, anatomical specimens and medical artifacts. Because some exhibits are graphic (wax surgical models, amputated body parts—like Union General Dan Sickles’ leg—and preserved organs) the museum is best for teenagers and the non-squeamish. The presidential display has the bullet that killed Abraham Lincoln, pieces of his skull and plaster molds of his head and hands. / medicalmuseum.mil –RS
Lillypons Water Gardens
Adamstown, Md.
Lilypons boasts more than 50 ponds filled with colorful water plants, lilies and bogs. This gardening and landscape center attracts an abundance of wildlife including seabirds, water snakes, frogs and snapping turtles. Birders and photographers, as well as families enjoy touring the gardens and feeding the insatiable koi fish. Thursday morning visitors may join guided walks with a bird expert. Wear boots for walking in mud and marshes. / lilypons.com –RS
Flag Ponds Nature Park
Lusby, Md.
Calvert County’s Flag Ponds Nature Park is a nature lover’s hot spot, featuring a 500-acre natural preserve on the Chesapeake. The county touts how much the shoreline evolves daily with each low and high tide, as well as how much it has evolved through the centuries. Millions of years ago whales, sharks and crocs lived within these waters, and today eagle-eyed beachcombers can spot sharks teeth and other fossils washed up along the park’s shore. Later, walk the trail to the beach for a day of swimming or meander through the forested nature trails towards the ponds and get an overview of local wildlife via the observation platforms. / calvertparks.org –JP
Snowflex Center
Lynchburg
Snow skiing in July? Snow boarding on summer vacation? All that and snowtubing, too. The Liberty Mountain Snowflex Center offers year-round “winter” fun for all levels, from beginner to Olympic-class performer. Snowflex is a synthetic, designed to maximize speed and edge control. It provides ultra-cushioning for falls. If you do fall, there’s a cool Lodge for bragging and sympathy. Only one big rule: Regardless of season, hot or cold, long pants and long sleeves are required. / liberty.edu/snowflex –TM
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
Cambridge, Md.
Just south of Cambridge, Md. lies Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, a 27,000-acre Eastern Shore haven for waterfowl and a magnet for bird watchers and other wildlife admirers. Come to this expanse of tidal marshland to see snow geese, Canada Geese and tundra swan as well as bald eagles, great blue herons and blue-winged teals. If you’re lucky, you might also spot a Delmarva fox squirrel; the largest natural population of this species can be found here. / fws.gov/blackwater –JP
Lincoln Movie Tour
Richmond
“Where Hollywood Meets History,” and what an edifying collision it is! Location, location, location holds true here: Learn how the filmmakers followed in Lincoln’s footprints during his final post-Civil-War days in Richmond. Hear behind-the-scenes tales about 53 days of lights-camera-action. See how the State Capitol doubled for the U.S. Capitol. Sit in the theater used in the film and discuss how the scene was created. Shop, eat and drink where the stars lingered. / virginiafilmtours.com –TM
Mosby Museum
Warrenton
“The Gray Ghost Legend Lives On!” This newly opened museum in Warrenton celebrates the life and times of John Singleton Mosby, one of America’s most colorful Civil War figures. The Gray Ghost of the Confederacy was renowned for his lightening-like raids on the enemy and is known as the father of guerilla warfare. Brentmoor, a fully restored Italianate villa where Mosby made his home after the Civil War, is the centerpiece of the museum complex. / mosbymusem.org –TM
Freer and Sackler Museums of Fine Art
Washington, D.C.
Only in America—in 1906, Charles Lang Freer, a Detroit railroad car manufacturer and self-taught art lover, suggested to Teddy Roosevelt that he give his 8,000-piece oriental art collection to America. In 1979 the Japanese Prime Minister proposed $1 million for an annex devoted to Asian art. And in 1982, Arthur Sackler donated his $50 million collection and $4 million for construction of the gallery bearing his name. Together, the Freer and Sackler galleries house America’s premier Asian art collection. / asia.si.edu –TM
BBQ Jamboree
Fredericksburg
No worries about buying a pig in a poke—the 3rd annual jamboree (May 11) promises BBQ heaven. Serious teams compete in the KCBS-sanctioned cook-off, with $10,000 in prizes at stake. Best part: You taste a sample from each People’s Choice contestant—and then vote! Sample the grape at the wine tasting, with a jamboree souvenir wineglass. Game for the rib-eating contest? Home Depot Kids’ Workshop and other events fill the kid-cool zone. / bbqjamboree.com –TM
Virginia Safari Park
Natural Bridge considers this two zoos in one: Virginia’s only drive-through zoo, and a walk-through petting zoo, with an “interactive habitat” for more aggressive beasts. Feed llamas, camels, zebras, deer. Gentle giraffes eat out of your hand. Meet yaks, kangaroos, even tigers. Animals may be friendly, but they ARE wild. They get frisky around food and may climb on your car. Warning: The camels are crafty—they seem to prefer the buckets to the feed in them. / virginiasafaripark.com –TM
Festival of Spring
Luray
The scenery is worth the trip: surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains at the edge of Shenandoah National Park, just a skip away from Luray Caverns. Luray welcomes with warm spring in a smile. The famous toy duck race waddles through the center of town. Relax in the Beer Garden, sample Virginia vintages, and cheer on your favorite dog Frisbee contestant. Live music entertains, and the Bounce House pleases kids. The Festival (May 11) coincides with Appalachian Trail community designation award. / downtownluray.com –TM
Heritage Farm Museum
Sterling
Keeping them down on the farm, especially kids, is not too difficult here. Loudoun County’s museum of agriculture, preserving the heritage of farm life, has a new, fresh spin for kids—and their parents. “Mr. Knick Knack,” a favorite kids’ entertainer in Northern Virginia, keeps them smiling (check calendar). And don’t miss the Princess for a Day Ice Cream Social, what girl wouldn’t like sweets and tiaras? Enjoy a night out while your kids get mesmerized by Kids’ Night at the Museum. Check out Farmin’ Fun Summer Camp. / heritagefarmmuseum.org –TM
Go Ape Tree Top Adventure
Rockville, Md.
No need to travel to a tropical rainforest to experience highflying adventure. Go Ape Tree Top Adventure in Rock Creek Park has six zip-lines, with rope ladders, crossings and Tarzan-style swings. Before you start monkeying around, a guide will provide 30 minutes of safety information and instruction, then you’re free to swing through the trees for two to three hours. Get a full-body workout while you explore the expansive park from soaring trees. / Goape.com –RS
Watermelon Park
Berryville
Like tubing? Laze the day away with a float down the Shenandoah in this hidden gem tucked into the Blue Ridge foothills. Canoe and Kayak outings are available for the more adventurous. Day trips range from three to seven hours, some by reservation. The “Rt. 50 Bridge,” a 12-mile float featuring Class I and II rapids (easily manageable), is a favorite. June 14 – 16 is the bluegrass music-loving Shenandoah Riverside Festival. / watermelonpark.com –TM
Chincoteague Seafood Festival at Tom’s Cove Park
Chincoteague
Since 1968, the first Saturday in May has galvanized seafood lovers. Rain or shine, folks flock to Virginia’s Eastern shore for an all-you-can-eat feast. Signature dishes from local restaurants celebrate shore bounty: “Little Necks,” oysters, fresh fish, crab, accompanied by traditional side. Purists dig into unadorned shellfish fare. This year, Island Boy Band entertains. Beer available for purchase. Expect this bash (May 4) to be a sellout. / chincoteaguechamber.com –TM
Dumbarton Oaks
Washington, D.C.
An oasis of serenity in the heart of Georgetown, this early 19th-century mansion appeals to scholars, art lovers and romantics. Now owned by Harvard and important as a research center, Dumbarton Oaks was the home of Diplomat Robert Woods Bliss and his wife, who filled it with art they began collecting in Paris. The remarkable collection of pre-Columbian, Byzantine and European art often pales beside the lavish gardens. Not to be missed: the Renaissance-style music room—and Lovers’ Lane. / doaks.org –TM
Phillips Wharf Environmental Center
Tilghman Island, Md.
Off route 50/301, heading south to Easton, and following route 33 leads you to Tilghman Island, home of the Phillips Wharf Environmental Center. It’s easy to take advantage of the Chesapeake, so a visit here will readjust your perspective with opportunities to see and touch the native plants and wildlife (think horseshoe crabs and diamondback terrapins) that live within the largest estuary in the U.S. A day spent on a breezy island getting hands-on ecology education and learning how to better appreciate the bay’s waters is a day-trip well spent. The PWEC is open to the public Thursday through Sunday from mid-April to mid-October. / pwec.org –JP
Annmarie Garden Sculpture Park and Arts Center
Solomons, Md.
At the mouth of the Patuxent River where it opens into the Chesapeake sits the small fishing village of Solomons, Md. Here you will find the Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center, where visitors can experience works of art, including those on loan from the Smithsonian Institution and the National Gallery of Art, in the context of an al fresco Chesapeake Bay setting. Rotating exhibits and annual festivals, like Artsfest and the Fairy & Gnome Home Festival and Tour, also make a day-trip here a unique experience. / annmariegarden.org –JP
Fell’s Point
Baltimore, Md.
Whether you head to Slainte Irish Pub, The Wharf Rat or the Blarney Stone, know that you are in “Norm!” territory, and a Guinness or perhaps a “Natty Boh” is within reach. Fell’s Point, located on the downtown Baltimore waterfront, is noted for having the highest density of bars per square mile in the U.S. But there’s more to this amiable historic district than brews, such as its eclectic mix of shops, eateries, cafes and historical landmarks, like Broadway Market, established in 1786. From the popular annual Fell’s Point Fun Festival in October and Privateer Festival in April, Fell’s Point’s cobblestone streets are always full and festive. / fellspoint.us –JP
Of Ale and History Microbrew and Imported Beer Tasting Festival
Middleton
Middleton Microbrew aficionados, unite and become charter tasters! This new tasting festival (May 11) on the grounds of beautiful Belle Grove Plantation celebrates Belle Grove’s English and German history, offering a vast array of brews from the New and Old world. Local eateries rustle up suds-worthy gastro-pub grub. Live music entertains and unique shopping opportunities tempt. The 1797 Manor House is open for touring, a treat in itself. Designated drivers encouraged—and admitted cheap. / visitwinchester.com –TM
Hampden’s Honfest
Baltimore, Md.
An annual celebration of “Hons“ (short for “Honeys“), a.k.a. the local working women of Baltimore, the HonFest is one of the city’s most popular yet quirky festivals. “Hon,” a Bawlmerese term of endearment popularized in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s, is today honored by the hundreds of attendees who get dolled up in their finest leopard print garb, beehive hair-dos and retro glasses to take part in the four-city-block festival along Hampden’s 36th Street. This year’s fest occurs on June 8 and 9. / honfest.net –JP
Lincoln Assassination Tour with DC By Foot Tours
Washington, D.C.
This two-hour tour starts at Andrew Jackson Statue by the White House, and is an easy stroll by historical sights that played a role in Lincoln’s Presidency—the Willard Hotel, Fords Theater, William Seward’s home, U.S. Treasury Building, Star Saloon, etc. It’s informative, and best of all, free! Tour guides make the story come alive. Recommended for people of all ages, not just Lincoln-maniacs or history-buffs. Best enjoyed in a small group, so avoid busy tourist season. / freetoursbyfoot.com –RS
Passport Embassy Tours
Washington, D.C.
Leave the U.S. without leaving D.C. by participating in Passport DC. This month-long celebration every May offers visitors a rare, behind-the-scenes look at 60 embassies and their diplomatic corps. Participating embassies take turns showcasing their country’s music, dance and authentic foods. Guests sample authentic culture by attending classes, film screenings and martial arts demonstrations. The National Museum of Women in the Arts hosts the Global Market Place where international women artists sell their work. / culturaltourismdc.com –RS
(May 2013)
