“Summertime and the livin’ is easy” …if you know how to escape the sweltering city at a moment’s notice, that is.

This summer, take advantage of the District’s location — just an hour-ish drive east to fantastic public beaches and waterways (thank you, Chesapeake Bay) and about an hour in the other direction to the rolling foothills of Shenandoah National Park — and treat each day like a mini-vacation.

Whether you’re looking for a beach (minus the crowds) or a peaceful walk in the woods, this list has you covered for exciting and spur-of-the-moment day trips all summer long. Whether you have a preference for oysters, whiskey, antiques, or all of the above, we’ll also tell you where to stop along the way for the best shopping and dining the region has to offer.

Waterways

Tilghman Island

Tilghman Island, Maryland
Drive time: 1.5 hours

With a population of 831 people, this historic Maryland fishing and oyster village makes for the perfect island escape from the bustling city. And, with enough planning, its location in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay means you can enjoy sunrise and sunset on the same day.

It’s home to The Wylder, a waterfront inn with an on-site restaurant, Tickler’s Crab Shack, with summer specials featuring steamed crabs, local oysters served on the half shell, and Maryland’s signature cocktail — the Orange Crush.

You can rent a kayak ($25 for two hours) at Knapps Marina or explore some local history at the Watermen’s Museum. No visit is complete without a stop at Black Walnut Point. This tiny peninsula offers stunning, 360 degree views of the water and a spot to cast a line and catch some seafood of your own.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

Eastern Shore, Maryland
Drive time: 2 hours

While many Washingtonians cruise straight past Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge on their way to the Maryland shore, they’re missing out on one of the summer’s best locations for birdwatching, biking, and water sports.

This federal land was established as a waterfowl sanctuary in 1933 to protect birds migrating along the Atlantic Flyway, an essential route for many species each season. That fact that it’s a flat marshland with calm water and limited car traffic makes it an excellent destination for stand-up paddle boarding and biking.

Blackwater Adventures offers daily bike and paddle board tours. After working up an appetite on the water, head to Old Salty’s Restaurant on Hoopers Island, where you can gorge yourself on peel-and-eat shrimp and crab imperial inside a historic building that used to be a schoolhouse.

Broadkill Beach

Broadkill Beach, Delaware
Drive time: 3 hours

If you’re sick of the Delmarva Shore’s overcrowded beaches you should head north to Broadkill Beach — and don’t let the name scare you. Just north of Dewey, Rehoboth, and Lewes, Broadkill has similar natural beauty without the hordes of vacationers.

The lightly trafficked town is located along a peaceful stretch of the Delaware Bay and has a ‘come-as-you-are’ vibe.

Nothing says summertime like finding a sandy stretch all to yourself to catch up on beach reading. Swing by Dogfish Head Brewery or Crooked Hammock Brewery on the drive over to pick up cans or growlers of Delaware’s finest craft beers. The Broadkill Store is a one-stop shop next to the main public access beach that serves breakfast and lunch to-go options like freshly made donuts, subs and cold-cut sandwiches, rustic pizzas, and ice creams.

Greenbrier State Park

Boonsboro, Maryland
Drive time: 1 hour

To skip Bay Bridge traffic altogether, head about an hour northwest to Greenbrier State Park near Frederick, Maryland. It offers 42-acres of open space and a lake with white sandy beaches for swimming, canoeing, and fishing.

It’s also an excellent spot for overnight camping, with 164 tent sites tucked into the surrounding forests. The park has two pet-friendly camping areas and dedicated space for both RV and tent camping. Nearby Harpers Ferry, West Virginia and the surrounding areas offer an abundance of hiking, wineries, breweries, and restaurants.

Parks & Hikes

Huntley Meadows Park

Alexandria, Virginia
Drive time: 20 minutes

The largest park in Fairfax County is an easy day trip with Metro accessibility for those looking for a nature-escape just outside the Beltway. Fuel up at Grounded Coffee Shop before your hike, where locals go for morning bagels and coffee.

Stroll a mile-long boardwalk through the majestic wetland or explore more than 10-miles of kid-friendly and accessible trails where you might spot turtles, frogs, beavers, butterflies, and herons.

Cunningham Falls State Park

Thurmont, Maryland
Drive time: 1.5 hours

Cunningham Falls State Park sits near the Maryland-Pennsylvania border in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. With a trail system that varies from flat hikes to steep and rocky ascents, as well as distances ranging from a half-mile to 7.5 miles, there’s a route for any type of hiker here.

The best part of the park, however, are the swimming options. The park is home to Cunningham Falls, one of the largest cascading waterfalls in the state, where you can cool off in the freshwater pools on a hot summer day. You can also end your hike at Cunningham’s man-made lake which has a beach with a lifeguard and boat rentals.

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary

Lothian, Maryland
Drive time: 1 hour

Maryland’s Patuxent River is home to this scenic sanctuary, which boasts 1,700 acres of woodlands, wetlands, and meadows, as well as 15 miles of walking trails.

Stroll through the sanctuary’s Butterfly Garden at the Glendening Preserve’s Plummer House, home to hundreds of butterflies and native pollinators. On the way back, stop at one of several wineries, including Fridays Creek Winery, Robin Hill Farm & Vineyard, and Janemark Wine and Vineyard, all of which have weekend tasting hours.

Food Destinations

Sperryville

Sperryville, Virginia
Drive time: 1.5 hours

In Rappahannock County, near the entrance to Shenandoah National Park and the Old Rag trailhead, is a country-style town that’s grown dramatically in recent years as a result of the rise of fine dining in the area. Credit goes to restaurants like Three Black Smiths, Blue Rock, and the Inn at Little Washington (the only restaurant in the region with three Michelin stars).

Sperryville is also home to phenomenal farm-to-table restaurants like Sumac, Hopkins Ordinary, and Off The Grid. If you’d prefer to drink the day away, you won’t regret your time imbibing at the farm-style brewery Pen Druid or sipping the craft whiskey at Copper Fox Distillery.

Easton

Easton, Maryland
Drive time: 1.5 hours

For many Washingtonians, this city is a pitstop on the well-trafficked thoroughfare to Ocean City, but its top notch dining makes it a destination in its own right.

Bluepoint Hospitality is a mini-restaurant empire running several European-style eateries, from a Roman pizza parlor (Alla Pala) to a refined bistro and wine bar specializing in French and Spanish bottles (The Wardroom), there’s even a Scotch bar (The Stewart) that will transport you to the Scottish Highlands.

The showstopper, however, is Bas Rouge, which serves a German and Austrian-style tasting menu from Chef Harley Peet. His menu sources locally to deliver decadent bites in a small and intimate setting. Think of this as a quick trip to Europe — minus the jet lag.

Middleburg

Middleburg, Virginia
Drive time: 1 hour

Middleburg’s main street conjures quaint, English countryside just an hour’s drive west of D.C.

The city is filled with destination dining, including craft cocktails and small plates from Chef Jarad Slipp at Tremolo Bar and freshly shucked oysters at King Street Oyster Bar. Two luxury hotel properties, Salamander Resort & Spa and Goodstone Inn & Restaurant, have outstanding food programs and a place to rest your head if a food coma sets in.

Shopping

Lucketts

Lucketts, Virginia
Drive time: 1 hour

Looking to redecorate this summer? Luckily, there’s Lucketts — a small town in Loudon County with several shops peddling farmhouse-style furniture and antiques.

Start your excursion at The Old Lucketts Store, where you’ll find more than a century of history. This old general store and family home was brought back to life in 1996 by owners Suzanne and Pat Eblen and today the shop features more than three dozen dealers specializing in antiques, vintage finds, and shabby chic design.

Other essential shopping includes The Cottage, FOUNDRY, Rust & Feathers, and, further south on Route 17, The Hummingbird’s Nest.

Havre de Grace

Havre de Grace, Maryland
Drive time: 2 hours

Havre de Grace’s brick-lined streets, historic lighthouse, and waterfront views look like the summer set of a Hallmark movie. It’s also the decoy capital of the world — as in, the carved wooden ducks traditionally used for waterfowl hunting, which have become popular (and pricey) collector’s items.

This historic city on the Northwest side of the Chesapeake Bay is an antiquing paradise with several shops in town, including Brookbend, Found Vintage Co., JoRetro, and the Seneca Cannery Antique Mall where you can wander in search of hidden treasures for hours.

And for ducks, there’s one shop in town that attracts collectors from near and far. Charles Jobes Decoys can fetch prices that may result in sticker shock, but these are truly one of a kind carvings.