14 Small Towns Near Washington D.C. You’ll Love Visiting

Vacationers who’ve by no means visited Washington, D.C. might imagine that its quite a few monuments and neoclassical buildings are the one points of interest value exploring. Nonetheless, there are such a lot of extra awesome things to discover in DC than that. The capital really boasts greater than individuals might imagine, starting from top-notch eating places to colourful outlets to unimaginable museums and lots of different enjoyable issues to see and do.

The realm across the metropolis is brimming with quite a few charming small cities with distinctive options, together with historical and popular US landmarks cultural points of interest, outside journey, leisure, procuring, and extra. These are small cities close to Washington D.C. that vacationers will love visiting.

UPDATE: 2023/04/09 14:40 EST BY JAIMEE TERESE

Uncover much more of the very best small cities close to Washington DC

As if the nation’s capital did not have sufficient to supply, there are a lot of cute cities close to Washington D.C. which might be effectively value a go to too. This listing has been up to date with 4 extra locations to discover within the Washington D.C. countryside only a brief drive from town. Try these 14 small cities close to DC on that subsequent journey!

14 Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Gettysburg is greatest identified for its energetic participation as a battlefield within the Civil Battle, which vacationers can go to from Washington D.C. The Gettysburg Battlefield allows visitors to travel back in time and experience the accomplishments made during the Civil War.

The Nationwide Park Service has helped protect the historic buildings which have stood for all. There are self-guided excursions that vacationers can use to have the scene delivered to life by one of many guides. Other than the monuments, Gettysburg is a quaint city close to DC with vintage outlets, implausible eating places, artwork galleries, and countryside.

• Distance from Washington D.C.:
  About 86 miles

13 Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

With a tiny inhabitants of some hundred residents, Harpers Ferry is without doubt one of the most charming cities vacationers can go to from Washington D.C. It boasts quite a few historic buildings, landmarks, monuments, and a fascinating downtown space with a number of issues to discover, making it one of many small historic cities close to Washington DC good for these searching for one thing much less touristy.

Situated on the assembly level off Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, the charming town got its name from an 18th-century ferry that transported individuals and cargo throughout the river. A number of the prime locations to discover embrace the Harpers Ferry Nationwide Historic Park and the Appalachian Conservatory. This place is stuffed with enjoyable actions for outside lovers too.

• Distance from Washington D.C.:
  About 68 miles

12 St. Michaels, Maryland

St. Michaels is understood for being one of many prime vacationer locations for bicycling, crusing, and consuming oysters. Throughout the city, vacationers can discover its wineries, get pleasure from fishing, go to a number of the greatest historic landmarks, and peruse its colourful outlets.

One also can get pleasure from seeing a number of the most spectacular artwork items from the Chesapeake Bay on the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. The museum gives superb displays and academic applications concerning the space’s tradition and historical past.

• Distance from Washington, D.C.:
  About 79 miles

Vacationers who love oysters ought to positively add Charleston in South Carolina to their itinerary, as it is a haven for this specific seafood. Uncover when and where to eat oysters in Charleston earlier than heading to this prime US metropolis!

11 Cambridge, Maryland

Situated in Dorchester County, Cambridge traces its first settlement to 1684, making it considered one of Maryland’s oldest cities. The city performed a vital function through the Civil Battle, because it was one of many main cease places.

Its fundamental road, which is Maryland Fundamental Road, is brimming with unimaginable eating spots, lovely outlets, and a number of the metropolis’s most iconic points of interest. Vacationers in search of unforgettable outside adventures can head to the close by Blackwater Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, an exquisite house to migrating birds in the Chesapeake Bay (which may be becoming a US National Park!).

• Distance from Washington D.C.:
  About 86 miles

10 Annapolis, Maryland

Relationship again to 1695, Annapolis is the capital of Maryland however does not have a big-city vibe. As a substitute, it has a small-town really feel, with loads of enjoyable actions to expertise. The city’s eating scene is without doubt one of the greatest, and consuming some scrumptious Maryland Blue Crabs is a must-do.

Spend a while exploring its native eateries, outlets, and galleries, after which make the most of the outside alternatives. Boasting among the best waterfronts in america, Annapolis has at all times been known as one of many prettiest cities within the US, so it is no shock that it is among the many cute cities close to DC attracting discerning vacationers.

• Distance from Washington D.C.:
  About 39 miles

Associated: Visit Annapolis: A Picturesque Town Teeming With History

9 Berlin, Maryland

Situated a couple of miles west of Maryland’s Ocean City (which also offers plenty to do), Berlin is called one of many coolest small cities in america. Other than being positioned nearest to Assateague Island Nationwide Seashore, Berlin’s Fundamental Road options beautiful artwork galleries, lovely eating places, distinctive outlets, and a number of the most spectacular historic websites, 47 of that are listed within the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations.

Horseracing lovers should not go away the city with out visiting the Calvin B. Taylor Home Museum, the place they’ll discover an attention-grabbing exhibit about well-known horses from Berlin.

• Distance from Washington, D.C.:
  About 135 miles

8 Fredericksburg, Virginia

Situated about an hour south of Washington, D.C., Fredericksburg, Virginia is an enthralling small city, and is a big a part of American historical past. It turned one of many places for Civil Battle battles and residential to a significant port from the colonial interval, George Washington.

There’s a lot to expertise on this historic city close to DC, together with battlefields, museums, youngsters’s actions, and outside adventures, together with mountaineering trails and water sports activities.

• Distance from Washington D.C.:
  About 53 miles

7 Winchester, Virginia

Situated within the beautiful hills of Shenandoah Valley, Winchester has an extended lovely historical past linked to the Civil Battle, and landmarks and buildings are courting to the period. A number of the prime locations to be taught this fascinating historical past are town’s Outdated City, the Museum of Shenandoah Valley, and Glen Burnie Home. There are many enjoyable actions for nature lovers, due to the encompassing countryside and mountains. One can go horseback using, discover the lakes, or go to one of many lovely farms.

Head to the pedestrian mall within the coronary heart of Winchester’s historic downtown to discover a thriving procuring and eating scene. Go to in Could for the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Competition, when this small city close to Washington DC actually involves life

• Distance from Washington D.C.:
  About 75 miles

6 Leesburg, Virginia

Leesburg is the county seat of Loudoun County and was as soon as the area’s business hub. It has turn out to be one of many prime locations and has one thing for everybody.

From procuring on the Leesburg Nook Premium Retailers to a implausible culinary scene to quite a few leisure actions. There are a number of wineries close by, and thrilling occasions are held there once in a while. Its historic District is listed within the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations and is taken into account considered one of Virginia’s best-preserved and most spectacular downtowns.

• Distance from Washington D.C.:
  About 41 miles

Associated: The Forbidden Forest Comes To Life For Harry Potter Fans In Leesburg, Virginia

5 Chestertown, Maryland

Relating to scenic cities close to Washington DC, this one is tough to beat. Situated alongside the gorgeous banks of the Chester River on the Jap Shore of Maryland, Chestertown was established in 1706 and is without doubt one of the most charming faculty cities within the state.

The city’s Historic District boasts unimaginable colonial residences and lots of beautiful spots that take vacationers again in time. It’s the county seat of Kent County and has quite a lot of lovely eating places, outlets, church buildings, and a number of the greatest family-friendly occasions, such because the Chestertown Tea Occasion Competition.

• Distance from Washington D.C.:
  About 75 miles

4 Middleburg, Virginia

From the primary second one steps foot in this charming Virginia town, it is going to be instantly apparent why Middleburg is known as ‘the Nation’s Hunt and Horse Capital’. The equestrian affect abounds round each nook, from enterprise names to the jodphur-clad patrons inside. Horse lovers ought to go to the Nationwide Sporting Library and Museum, which offers superb perception into the city’s equine historical past.

Stroll across the postcard-perfect downtown and luxuriate in implausible procuring and eating. Situated within the coronary heart of Virginia wine nation, Middleburg can be surrounded by an array of fantastic wineries and vineyards. Keep on the highly-acclaimed Salamander Resort for an opulent weekend escape from Washington D.C.

• Distance from Washington D.C.
  : Roughly 45 miles

3 Little Washington, Virginia

The Inn at Little Washington

With a inhabitants of lower than 150 residents, Little Washington is a small city with an enormous character. House to a number of mattress and breakfasts, the five-star Inn at Little Washington has been luring guests to the world since opening its doorways in 1978. It now boasts three Michelin stars, which is the best quantity a restaurant can obtain.

Stroll via downtown and uncover some nice boutiques, galleries, antiques, and wineries. Tucked into the foothills of the ultra-special Blue Ridge Mountains, the countryside has loads to supply for nature lovers as effectively. Prime-notch mountaineering surrounds the city, particularly Outdated Rag Mountain.

• Distance from Washington D.C
  .: Roughly 18 miles

2 Vienna, Virginia

Cherry blossom timber blooming in spring in Meadowlark Park in Vienna, Virginia

A close-by suburb of Washington D.C, visiting Vienna is a breeze due to its metro entry. There are three great parks in Vienna, together with the spectacular Meadowlark Botanical Backyard. Right here guests will discover the one Korean Bell Backyard within the Jap United States, in addition to an enchanted Winter Stroll of Lights over the vacation season.

Wolf Entice, the one National Park for the Performing Arts, attracts an unimaginable number of musical acts in its a number of outside amphitheaters from Could – September. The park’s pure areas are open year-round for guests to get pleasure from. After working up an urge for food, head downtown and select from the numerous ingesting and eating choices on supply.

• Distance from Washington D.C
  .: Roughly 17 miles

1 The Plains, Virginia

Equestrians enjoying a recreation of polo on the sphere

One other horse-centric city positioned about an hour from Washington D.C., The Plains is understood for polo, particularly its twilight sequence that runs all summer time lengthy. The full of life atmosphere is enjoyable for all ages, with tailgating, music, meals & drinks, and youngsters’ actions accompanying the thrill of the polo matches. Test it out each Saturday evening from Could – September in Nice Meadows.

Polo apart, this quaint nation city gives a calming escape from the hustle and bustle of metropolis life. Strolling via the one-stoplight downtown, guests will really feel like they’ve traveled again to a bygone period. Benefit from the gradual tempo of life with an prolonged brunch or hire a motorcycle and discover the encompassing countryside.

• Distance from Washington D.C.
  : Roughly 52 miles