Winter might be coming but there are some places in DC where it will feel like summer all year long! The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is one of those places. One of their most popular exhibits is a perfect winter day trip if you are missing the bright colors of the summer. The Butterfly Pavilion in the museum is the best butterfly house in DC!
The Butterfly Pavilion is a regular exhibit located inside the Museum of Natural History. While the museum is free, the butterfly exhibit is not. You can purchase tickets online or at the door for just $6 for adults and $5 for children. Tickets are free on Tuesdays on a first come, first serve basis.
The Butterfly Conservatory is an incredibly unique way to experience these colorful creatures. The exhibit is open throughout the year. In the warmer months, you can visit the museum's Butterfly Garden, which is next to the museum. You can purchase tickets in advance online or at the door.
The Museum of Natural History and the Butterfly Pavilion are located at 10th St. & Constitution Avenue on the National Mall. They are open every day except for Christmas.
Washington DC has a lot to offer in terms of attractions, dining, and experiences. There’s always something to do there. However, sometimes you need to take a break from the city and escape the noise and traffic. Luckily, you’re not far from many other amazing locations. Skip the Netflix binging, save money on flights, and just jump in the car and check out one of these 15 adventures. They are definitely among the best unusual day trips in Washington DC and the surrounding area.
Get into nature and the mountains on this DC day trip! In north-central Maryland, Catoctin Mountain Park provides Washingtonians with a place to camp, fish, picnic, hike, and enjoy the majestic mountain scenery.
At Assateague Island, sandy beaches, wild ponies, horseback riding, water sports, and camping grounds all live in one wonderful place. This island, shared by both Virginia and Maryland, is one of the most unique things to do around Washington DC.
Get wild at one of the many amusement parks within a few hours of Washington DC. Head south towards Busch Gardens, or Kings Dominion, or Water Country USA in Virginia. Or head up to Hershey Park in Pennsylvania or Six Flags America in Maryland. No matter which one you choose, you'll be sure to have chosen one of the best places for fun!
A very little-known but beautiful day trip is to the Ladew Topiary Gardens. There are 15 themed "garden rooms" set on 22 acres of this Maryland property. You can also tour the old Manor House and Butterfly House. When searching for "getaway spots near me," this one will certainly appear toward the top of the list.
Rehoboth Beach is a little over a two-hour drive from Washington DC. Get your fill of boardwalks, mini golf, ocean waves, and arcades at this fun beach destination. The adventures here will make you agree that it is among the best day trips near Washington DC.
Actors in period costumes depict day-to-day Colonial life in Williamsburg. The town is a historic district with museums, restored stores and homes, live reenactments, and plenty of history. Searching for "day trips near me?" This one is a goodie!
Known for a variety of festivals, St. Michael's in Maryland is a historic town a few hours from Washington DC. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of Chesapeake Bay, a rich history, water sports, fine art galleries, and waterfront restaurants.
Northern Virginia’s Loudoun County Wineries are quickly growing in popularity. While here you can get in a bike ride, enjoy impressive views while sipping wine, relax and unwind at a spa, or do a little shopping.
Historic and trendy, Frederick has it all. This historic town has gorgeous views, a thriving Main Street, hiking trails, battlefields, and great bars and restaurants. Head there on a weekend and shop at one of their popular art fairs.
In Northern Maryland, Havre de Grace is a quiet little town along the Chesapeake Bay and Susquehanna River. It’s an excellent place to find antiques, see the wildlife, view the oldest lighthouse in Maryland, and enjoy delicious restaurants in the downtown area.
Harpers Ferry is a picturesque historic town in West Virginia. Visitors enjoy hiking trails, battlefields, historic museums, living history workshops, and a quaint downtown area. There is so much to see, making it one of the unique things to do around Washington DC.
If you’re looking for somewhere to play, Charles Town Races in West Virginia is your spot! You can find horse racing, a large casino with plenty of games, and first-class live entertainment just a few hours away from Washington DC.
If you’re looking for nature, adventure, and space, look no further than the Shenandoah Valley. Nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains, Shenandoah has hiking, biking, white water rafting, tubing, caverns to explore, and beautiful scenes. As far as looking for "getaway spots near me," the Shenandoah Valley has got it all!
Even if you’re not a Civil War buff, you’ll love visiting Gettysburg. Watch a demonstration on the famous field where the Battle of Gettysburg was fought, go on a ghost tour, or get in a round of golf, all while enjoying the quaint scenery.
An hour away from Washington lies charming Annapolis. Home of the United States Naval Academy, this seaside town off the Chesapeake Bay offers boating, sailing, historic sights, delicious restaurants, and plenty of seafood options.
Were we right? Aren't these wonderful gems among the best Washington DC day trips? Have you already been to any of them? We'd love to see your photos and hear about your experiences there.
One of the absolute best things about Washington DC is its close proximity to so many amazing cities and destinations. When you feel like you have explored and seen enough of DC, you can easily escape to another close-by destination. And if you really want a fun day of it, you can take the train! Hop on a train from Union Station, enjoy the beautiful scenery as you ride for a few hours, explore a new city, and then head home again, it's the perfect day! These are eight of the best easy day trips from Washington DC by train.
Philly is only an hour and half a way from DC by train. You can arrive at the beautiful 30th Street Station before exploring the historic and fun city. Grab a cheesesteak; see the Liberty Bell, and see the sights in this fun day trip. Read all about some of the best things to do in Philadelphia in our previous article.
You can get to New York City in less than three hours by train. New York offers a wonderful escape for those who want to see a Broadway show, do some shopping, or just experience the city before making their way back to the quieter DC. Take a peek at all the attractions in New York.
This 40-minute trip is a perfect day trip for Washingtonians. Explore the Inner Harbor; head to the Aquarium. or catch an Orioles game at Camden Yards before heading back to DC. Learn more about all there is to do in Baltimore in our previous article.
The train to Harpers Ferry is a gorgeous ride up through the wooded hills and past the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. Harpers Ferry is a 19th century village surrounded by a National Historical Park which offers tours, museums, hiking, and biking trails for visitors. Discover why Harpers Ferry makes the perfect day trip from Washington DC.
You can take the MARC train to Frederick, Maryland. Frederick is a charming little town known for eclectic artists and antique shops, craft fairs, and a thriving culinary scene. It’s a two-hour train ride from DC to Frederick and is a great quick getaway. Did you know that Frederick was named one of the coolest small towns in America?
The trip to Charlottesville is a pretty 2.5-hour trip by train. Charlottesville is well-known for their historic sights, such as Thomas Jefferson’s home at Monticello. They also have more than 20 vineyards and wineries on the Monticello Wine Trail. Did you know that Charlottesville is one of the best places to live in the United States?
It’s a three-hour trip down to Virginia’s capital. Richmond will give you plenty to do in a day trip. The thriving downtown scene is full of world-class restaurants and incredible breweries. If you head there in the warm months, you can kayak or swim and tube on the James River. Here are 15 reasons Richmond is the
You can do Williamsburg in a day from DC, but it will just be a long day. Williamsburg is about three and a half hours away by train. Once there, you can enjoy the historic colonial era town. Tour historic homes or see live reenactments. Read more about this inexpensive road trip destination in our previous article.
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What do you think, are these the best train trips in Washington DC? Let us know in the comments. Then plan to explore these 16 small towns near Washington DC!
