Washington, DC Travel Tips – What To Do OUTSIDE the District

Pin to Pinterest

When you go on vacation to a place that’s full of exciting things to see and learn, you may not realize that a little further out there’s just as much to explore! Venturing out is also a great way to instill in your children to look for an adventure and go ‘off the beaten path’. So, now that you’ve spent some time visiting Washington, D.C. and getting to know the Nation’s Capital, you may be looking for things to do outside the district. I absolutely love the fact that we live in an area in which there is so much to do and see, and that includes areas of the District, Virginia and Maryland. I feel as though the beauty is never-ending and the list of activities is awesome, too comprehensive to include in this list of the Top 10. Don’t forget our 10 Free Things to Do in Washington DC, 10 Things to Do with the Kids and our list of Outdoor Activities in DC.

Check out some of these things you can do outside of the District. Have fun spreading your wings a little bit with these places!

1.) Visit the National Aquarium in Baltimore: Our family is a huge fan of the Aquarium. It’s always neat to see creatures and animals that live far below the surface of the water. The Aquarium has tons of experiences like Australia (Wild Extreme) or the Dolphin Discovery. This is a place where any family could spend hours. Consider buying tickets online as they have windows of time you can go. This is good, as well, if you want to spend part of the day instead of investing in a full day. When you are done, it’s a great time to visit the Inner Harbor and grab a bite to eat!

2.) Port Discovery Children’s Museum in Baltimore: If you love discovery and have children, the Children’s Museum is a great hands-on place to visit. WPort Discovery is so unique; they offer tons of things that any kid would love. Take a look at their KidWorks (and Urban Climbing Treehouse for kids and adults alike) and Miss Perceptions Mystery House for some uncovering and problem solving skills mastery.

3.) Shenandoah: An awesome place called Shenandoah National Park, it’s located 75 miles outside of Washington DC is an ideal place to visit outside of the district. You can take a hike, walk along Skyline Drive, and maybe even take a picnic. There is truly so much to do and see. This is the location of many wedding and photographs. Discover old barns, take a look at breathtaking Fall foliage, and see another side of Virginia – the countryside!

4.) Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland: I love the Naval Academy for so many reasons, it gives our kids a chance to see something historical up close and personal. You can take a guided walking tour of the Academy and soak up the history and beauty! Located on the Severn River, it’s a beautiful spot to catch a sunset. I also suggest going into the city of Annapolis for some amazing dive spots and crab! We really like Boatyard Bar & Grill.

5.) Hike the Potomac Heritage Trail:The Potomac Heritage Trail is more than just a place of beauty, these are paths explored by George Washington himself. You are literally walking down history lane. You can explore the various landscaping and bask in its gloriousness. If you are up for more hiking, make sure you check out the Great Falls Trail, here you’ll get an up close and personal view of the Potomac River as well as some beautiful falls!

6.) Huntley Meadow Park: Do yourself a favor right now and Google “Huntley Meadow Park” on Google Images. You’ll get an up close look at its natural beauty. This park has been around for 40 years, is over 1500 acres, and is majestic in its beauty. You can expect to see wildlife, wildflowers, and get in touch with nature all over again. It’s a great place to get out of the concrete and urban.

7.) Tysons Corner: When talking about DC and the Mall, often one things of monuments and Smithsonians. Get outside of DC, to Virginia to get some serious shopping a Retail Mall. Without a car? Arrive by the Metro and have an awesome day of shopping. There are dozens of retailers awaiting your arrival, you can even grab a bite to eat at any of the many dining locations.

8.) Air and Space Museums: The Air and Space Museums are a must see. There are two of them, one is in the District (at the National Mall) and a larger one is located outside the district at Dulles. The Air and Space Museums focus on exploring space, seeing various exhibitions, and even seeing what researches are currently doing. Admission is free, parking is not. During your visit, take a look at the Concorde, the space shuttle Discovery and we like visiting the Air Traffic Control Tower located right beside Dulles International Airport.

9.) Sandy Spring Adventure Park: There are tons of parks in Washington DC and outside of the District, but this one is remarkable! There are so many features of this park, such as a series of platforms in the trees- all connected by cable, rope, wood, and even zip-lines. You can even climb by night under the glow of the stars and lights, definitely a must-try!

10.) Visit Mount Vernon: One of our favorites is Mount Vernon, you get to check out George Washington’s home. The first president of the USA was certainly an amazing person, you can get an inside look at his home and what his life was like. The grounds are beautiful and much lager than you think. Take a look at that back yard and view of the Potomac River. Be prepared to take some time in the museum as there is a lot to uncover.

If visiting in Winter, around Christmas, take a look at Christmas at the Potomac and ICE! at the Gaylord and National Harbor.

As you can see, there is so much to do outside of the District. I’m anxious to visit our next place on this list. Have you ever visited any place on this list? Tell me about it in the comments.

Take a look at the list of these Top 10 Restaurants in Washington, D.C. Pin to Pinterest.

Don’t forget the List of 10 Free Things to Do in Washington DC. Pin to Pinterest.

Also check out the 10 Things to Do in Washington DC with the Kids – Pin to Pinterest.

Looking to take it outside? This list of Outdoor Activities in DC is perfect for adventures. Pin to Pinterest.

WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.

Outdoor Activities in Washington DC

Pin to Pinterest

The Nation’s Capital is an amazing place to live and a great place to visit. You have probably heard me talk about the museums, monuments, kids activities and free things to do in DC. Well friends, there’s lots more to do than you ever imagined. And in just case you needed more options, you’ll want to check out these 10+ things to do outdoors in Washington DC.

There never is a terrible time to visit DC. Summer is pretty crowded with tourist. In winter, you could find yourself stranded in a foot of snow. While every season holds excitement, you will find a smaller crowded and amazing outdoor atmosphere in both Spring and Fall. In Spring, enjoy the city painted in Cherry Blossoms. In Fall, enjoy the touch of cool air and a city brushed in golds, oranges, and reds.

You’ll notice the opportunities in DC are amazing. You can do so much in such a short period of time. If I could give you advice, it would be to try everything on this list at least once.

1.) Biking the Capital – To be honest, our family loves to bike. Biking is one of the best ways to get around the Nation’s Capital. There’s an awesome Bike Share Program, it’s a program in which you sign up, take any available bike, ride when you want, and return the bike at any station. It’s a great service and stations are located all over the city. If you would rather rather have a Bike Tour, then there are companies, like Capital Bike Tours, that will take you around the district.

2.) Segway Tours – Another option for getting around DC, is by a Segway Tour. This appears to be the most popular around the mall (area of DC where the monuments and museums are located) and they get you around quick! You probably see Segway’s in the news and kind of laugh, but they are a real thing and all the range in big cities as an alternative for a city tour.

3.) Smithsonian National Zoo – If you follow my Instagram account and see DC activities, you know this is a favorite of ours. We love seeing the animals and getting to see them on a weekly or monthly basis. One of my favorite parts of the National Zoo is that it is at no cost to the consumer. Win. You can read more about the National Zoo in our list of 10 Things to Do in Washington DC with the Kids.

4.) Hike Great Falls Park – If you’re looking for a great way to exercise and see DC, then consider hiking Great Falls Park or Theodore Roosevelt Island. Both are great options for someone who loves to see natural beauty. We have hiked both and the falls are beautiful. You can also take a long trail from the falls that navigates all the way to Georgetown and into the city. We have snuck away from the kids enjoyed a Potomac River hike on Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. This trial has a path, but isn’t often taken as many do not know about it! I love when I enjoy what I am doing and am burning calories at the same time – two birds, one stone!

5.) DC Duck Tours – This is an incredible way to view DC by water. You can actually take a tour of DC in and out of the water. That’s right, this bus turns into a boat! We have not done this in Washington, but we did enjoy this Tour in San Francisco and it was one of the kids’ highlights.

6.) Visit the National Arboretum – If you have never seen the National Arboretum, then you need to head to Google and search “National Arboretum” and take in its natural beauty under images. The government webpage does not do this place justice and it’s a must see. There are tons of plants and various national beauty in all forms. A lot of wedding and family photos take place here. For the beauty and love of nature, I definitely encourage you to check it out.

7.) Visit Eastern Market – Is a must experience market in Washington DC for crafts, produce, clothing, pottery, jewelry, art and more. We love to take advantage of the many great outdoor cafes to grab breakfast or lunch. There are cute and quaint cafes. What can we say, we love food and you can’t go wrong YELPing the reviews of local stops.

8.) Visit the United States Botanical Gardens – This is a great place to visit in DC just for its natural beauty. My kids love seeing all of the beautiful flowers and plants at the USBG. Established by Congress in 1820, the United States Botanic Garden is the oldest botanic garden in North America. This is another spot to search the Google images before you visit – the grounds are beautiful!

9.) Take a Boat Tour – While on the boat tour, visit Mount Vernon, Alexandria, or even George Town. A boat tour can take you places you would never be able to experience by land. We’ve taken this tour and had a great time. If leaving from Alexandria, take a look at the Torpedo Factory before you leave. You might find yourself with a souvenir of art from a local artist.

10.) Visit Mount Vernon – While there is no metro stop at Mount Vernon, you can take a taxi, drive or even use UBER (your first UBER ride is FREE!) Mount Vernon is where the first POTUS (President of the United Sates), George Washington and his wife, Martha lived.  It’s a beautiful home located on an amazing plot of land – be sure to visit that view of the river. If going out to the plantation, give your visit some time. The museum is larger than you would think and very interesting. Mount Vernon is located about 15 miles south of Washington DC.

11.) Watch planes take off from Reagan National Airport – You can do this from Gravelly Point along George Washington Memorial Parkway. Head on over to Google Images to get a great insight to the true experience of how close you are to the airplanes as they take off. They take off along the river too, so it is pretty cool to see. This is a great price to utilize the Bike Share Program we shared with you above. Also grab a picnic lunch (bring it, there is not place to buy) or bring a football for a quick game of toss.

12.) Arlington National Cemetery – This is a great place to visit when the weather is great. Such a neat way to show your children all who have sacrificed for this great country. The Cemetery spans 624 acres, which is roughly the size of 472 football fields. The Cemetery is the resting place of more than 400,000 service members. See more detail about Arlington under 10 Free Things to Do in Washington DC.

Exploring DC isn’t just another city, it’s our Nation’s Capital. So many awesome things from history have occurred here. I love taking my kids to visit these places and they thoroughly enjoy it as well. I’d encourage you to get out there and explore Washington DC, it’s well worth it.

Take a look at the list of Washington, DC Travel Tips – What To Do OUTSIDE the District. Pin to Pinterest.

Don’t forget the List of 10 Free Things to Do in Washington DC. Pin to Pinterest.

Also check out the 10 Things to Do in Washington DC with the Kids – Pin to Pinterest.

Looking to eat well? Take a look at this list ofTop 10 Restaurants in Washington, D.C. Pin to Pinterest.

 

WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.