4 Day Trips from D.C. for Couples
While living in D.C. provides plenty of opportunity for romance, the city's location near many romantic places makes life even better. Here are my favorite day trips from Washington, D.C. with my husband, and I hope you'll enjoy them too.
My Favorite Day Trips from DC in Maryland
I choose Maryland when I'm in the mood for coastal views or small town vibes.
Annapolis - 50 min from D.C.
This is one of my favorite places for a romantic day trip from D.C. because of art and architecture. A friend recently told us about the Annapolis Art Walk. You can visit local galleries that open their doors for an evening, which was my main reason for our visit last month.
But first, I recommend stopping by the Annapolis farmers market to pick up snacks, and then go on a romantic stroll through Historic Downtown Annapolis with colonial-era buildings. At HERE, I browsed tables of locally made jewelry and ceramics.
Later, we drove about 25 minutes to Historic London Town & Gardens where we loved the gardens (especially the “Sound & Sensory Garden”) and scenic river-front views.
We turned our day trip into an overnight stay last minute at the boutique 3-star Annapolis Waterfront Hotel (around $167/night).
What I loved best:
My highlight was an early dinner of American comfort food at Iron Rooster- Annapolis.
Ellicott City - 55 min from D.C.
I immediately thought that this was one of Maryland’s most beautiful historic towns when I moved to the East Coast and one of our favorite vacation ideas.
During five nights at the elegant 3-star Wayside Inn, we first strolled along Main Street, then stepped inside the B&O Railroad Museum: Ellicott City Station (the oldest surviving railroad station in the U.S.!).
After lunch, we admired the craftsmanship of the Thomas Isaac Log Cabin, a preserved 18th-century home. We later walked along the scenic Patapsco Valley State Park trails, giving us time to reconnect on our romantic trip.
Ending our evenings with live music and craft beer at The White Oak Tavern was my favorite highlight.
My Favorite Day Trips from DC in Virginia
I love these Northern Virginia places that don't require much travel for a quick change of scenery for a day.
Alexandria - 25 min from D.C.
Ready for a historic day trip super close to D.C.? We love Alexandria for a romantic day out. I recommend starting with a walk down King Street. You can see 18th- and 19th-century buildings which are now home to cafés and boutiques.
At the riverfront, check out the Torpedo Factory Art Center, a converted munitions plant that now houses working artists. Inside, we browsed open studios and exhibitions by members of The Art League. Personally, I think it's one of the region’s most vibrant arts organizations.
My visit this month also coincided with Art on the Avenue, which made everything extra exciting.
I was most happily surprised by Alexandria's culinary scene. There are over 200 restaurants in the Old Town area alone. Since we've been here so many times, we've had a chance to try many different flavors. You'll find historic establishments like Gadsby's Tavern, modern American at The Majestic, and waterfront dining at Ada's on the River. There is also a diverse range of international cuisines like Greek at Taverna Cretekou and Italian at Mia's Italian Kitchen.
Staying in a Balcony King guest room at 4-star Archer Hotel Old Town Alexandria for three days provided a comfortable base for exploring. I love that they offer hypo-allergenic bedding which helped with my seasonal allergies.
Local tip: I have to warn you that parking can be a challenge in Alexandria on weekends. Use the free King Street Trolley between the Metro station, King Street, and the waterfront without having to walk the whole way.
Arlington - 15 minutes from D.C.
We absolutely love Arlington, and have been many times because my brother-in-law lives here.
First, we spent time wandering through Clarendon and Crystal City. It definitely was an amazing way to experience the lively atmosphere.
Next, we visited Arlington National Cemetery, where we could feel the history and remembrance - Watching the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier left a lasting impression on us.
For me, Arlington is one of the best day trips from DC and one of the best places to visit in Virginia.
My personal highlight was watching the sunset from Gravelly Point Park. You'll also see planes from Reagan National Airport soar overhead here.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, we've found that buying the America the Beautiful Pass is cost effective.
