Day Trips from DC for Family Fun

Is the weather forecast looking good this weekend?  Want to take your family on a day trip from DC and escape the daily routines?  At Pirate Adventures we meet families who are experiencing Annapolis for the first time and they often comment “we can’t believe it’s taken us this long to get here.”  Plan a day trip from DC and experience all our awesome region has to offer.  We have put together list of day trips from DC for family fun that your family will want to come back to often once discovered.  Find out what to see, where to eat, and where to play with our top pics for day trips from DC.

History and Adventure in Annapolis, MD

Hunt for sunken treasure in the Annapolis Harbor at Pirate Adventures on the Chesapeake

Join us with the family in Annapolis, MD and soak up some history, grab some lunch, hit one of our many ice cream shops and of course take a Pirate Adventure!  Mom and Dad can enjoy views of the Naval Academy, City Dock, and the expensive yachts from the water while the kids haul up sunken treasure and fire our famous water cannons.  Pirate Adventures is listed as the #1 Attraction in Annapolis on Tripadvisor so make your reservations early.

Drive Time from DC: 45 minutes

What to see:  City Dock is the heart of historical Annapolis.  Visit the Alex Haley Statue and feed the ducks.   Walk up and down Main Street to get your shopping fix.

Where to Eat:  Dive into a Crab Pretzel at Davis’ Pub or Pirate Pasta at the Family Friendly Boatyard Bar and Grill.  Our post Family Friendly Restaurants in Annapolis lists plenty of options for dining out with the kids in Annapolis.

Family Friendly Attractions:  Plan your Pirate Adventure and a trip nearby beaches and playgrounds with this post What to Do with Kids in Annapolis.

Find out More: A Treasure Chest of Fun on the Chesapeake Bay – NY Times

Bayside Views in Chesapeake Beach and North Beach

Take the family fishing on the Chesapeake Beach charter fleet

The towns of Chesapeake Beach and North Beach are situated directly on the Chesapeake Bay and provide plenty of options for family fun on the water.  Bring your bikes and ride along the North Beach boardwalk, hit the old time candy store, and spend time at Bayfront Park on the beach.  Leave time for the Chesapeake Beach Water Park when the weather is warm.

Drive time from DC: 1 hour

What to see:  Take in the expansive cheap valtrex online views of the Bay from the pier in North Beach.  Walk along the fishing dock in Chesapeake Beach and check out the days catch.

Where to Eat: Get your hands dirty and order up some steamed crabs at Abner’s Crab House on the water.  Order up some Margaritas  and quesadillas for the kids on the outside patio at Plaza Mexico in North Beach.

Family Friendly Attractions:  Chesapeake Beach Water Park is a can’t miss during the summer months.  Float in a tube on the lazy river and enjoy the water slides for everyone in the family from toddlers to teenagers.  Check out the pirate playground on the beach in North Beach and the idyllic beach at Bay Front Park.

Find out More: Travel To Calvert County, MD for the leisure trip of a bygone era – The Washington Times

Solomon’s Island Escape

Fairies at Annmarie Sculpture Gardens. Photo courtesy Annmarie Sculpture Gardens.

Bring the family to Solomon’s Island where things slow down, it is an “island” after all.  Take in the boardwalk and the Calvert Marine Museum in this former fishing village and take the time to eat some fresh seafood.  Don’t miss the enchanting AnnMarie Sculpture Garden on the way to Solomon’s, a great place to take the kids.

Drive time from DC: 1.5 hours

What to See:  Stroll along the Patuxent River Walk and watch the recreational and fishing boats come and go.  Check out the original Drum Point Light, one for the few remaining screwpile lighthouses on exhibit.

Where to Eat: Stoney’s Seafood House offers the option of sit down dining in a family friendly atmosphere on the pier or you can carry out eat at the picnic tables next to the River Walk.  Grab dessert at Kim’s Key Lime Pies.

Family Friendly Attractions:  AnnMarie Sculpture Garden is a special place for kids complete with fairy houses hidden in the woods.  Bring the family here and you will feel you have discovered on off the beaten path treat.  Read more about AnnMarie Sculpture Garden in the post 5 Daytrips the Celebrate Imagination.

Find out More: America’s Happiest Seaside Towns – Coastal Living

Shenandoah Hikes and Scenic Drive

Mountain vistas on Skyline Drive

Take in the breathtaking views from Skyline Drive and nearby attractions in Front Royal Virginia at the entrance of Shenandoah Park closest to Washington DC.  There are underground caverns to explore, roadside attractions and hiking trails along with the views from the overlooks on Skyline Drive.

Drive time from DC: 1.5 hours

What to See: Dark forests and waterfalls with one of these great hikes for families.  Stop at Stony Man Overlook for a view of the profile of Stony Man embedded in the mountain.

Where to Eat: Huge burgers and old school milkshakes can be found at Spelunkers Frozen Custard and Cavern Burgers in Front Royal.  Visit the impressive Big Meadows Lodge in the park for a hearty meal and incredible views from the rocking chairs in this lodge where time seems to have stood still.

Family Friendly Attractions: Dinosaur Land is an offbeat family attraction that the kids on your family will wholly appreciate.  See over 50 plaster models of life-size dinosaurs at this classic American roadside attraction.  The cost of admission is very reasonable at $5 for kids and $6 for adults.  Take a tour underground at Skyline Caverns and check out the miniature train ride and mirror maze for more family fun.

Find Out More: Shenandoah National Park, Virgina: Discover this Scenic Appalachian Region – Travel Channel

Get out there!

We hope we’ve inspired you to visit someplace different with the family this weekend and we hope to see you on the water at Pirate Adventures this spring, summer or fall!  Follow along as we find more fun places for kids with us on our blog, the Scuttlebutt.