6 Easy Day Trips From Baltimore

If you’re planning to book a hotel in Baltimore, Maryland, and you have some extra time, you’ll find it worthwhile to explore the surrounding area. Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia offer historic Main Streets, amusement parks, animal farms and national monuments within a short train ride or drive. Here are six day trips from Baltimore worth taking.

Enjoy hiking and history in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Find your own scenic spot among the many beautiful hikes in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.

The dramatic scenery in Harpers Ferry, one of the top day trips from Baltimore, is best admired from the top of the Maryland Heights Trail of the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. After a steep climb, hikers are rewarded with a bird’s-eye view of the 19th-century town, which is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and flanked by the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. After the hike, treat yourself to lunch at one of the restaurants in town; then catch the view at The Point, a scenic spot where the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers meet. From here, you can see Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia.

Breeze through farm country by land or air in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Take a trip to Pennsylvania Dutch Country and get a flavor of Amish farming culture.

If you’re looking for family-friendly day trips from Baltimore, one option to consider is Lancaster, Pennsylvania, which offers a glimpse of Amish life. Enjoy a leisurely buggy ride through farm country, stopping at an Amish village, farm stands and barns to get up close with cows, horses and other animals. The more adventurous can head to Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park or take a hot air balloon ride over the scenic landscape.

Tour monuments and museums in Washington, D.C.

The marble memorial of the country’s 16th president is justone of the stops you can make during a day trip to the nation’s capital.

From the Lincoln Memorial to Theodore Roosevelt Island, our nation’s capital offers no shortage of activities for history buffs. Take a tour of the White House or the U.S. Capitol—or explore one of the 17 free museums and galleries that are part of the Smithsonian Institution. Try one of D.C.'s popular tours, like a neighborhood walking tour or a sightseeing trolley that lets you hop on or off at your convenience.

Peruse Ellicott City, Maryland’s historic downtown

Walk the quaint streets of a former mill town when you visitMaryland’s Ellicott City.

Although recent floods affected some Ellicott City businesses, the historic downtown Main Street has reopened. Founded in 1772, the former mill town’s centuries-old buildings, nestled in a valley, make it a scenic spot for a leisurely stroll. Pop in one of the eclectic, independent boutiques selling everything from home goods to clothing and one-of-a-kind art. Then try homemade pastries and ice cream at one of the town’s cafes. Outside of the historic area, enjoy hiking, mountain biking, fishing or a picnic at the 16,000-acre Patapsco Valley State Park.

Explore a thriving Main Street and Civil War history in Frederick, Maryland

History comes to vivid life at the Monocacy National Battlefield near Frederick, Maryland.

One of Maryland’s liveliest Main Street districts, downtown Frederick, is also one of the most worthwhile day trips from Baltimore. Parks, historic attractions, art galleries, boutiques and bustling restaurants stretch across 50 blocks. The town is home to some of the state’s best-known dining establishments, including steak and seafood spot Dutch’s Daughter and celebrity chef Bryan Voltaggio’s Volt (if you’re looking to splurge!). The town is also a prime spot for Civil War history buffs, with the National Museum of Civil War Medicine located downtown and the Monocacy National Battlefield just a 10-minute drive away.

Discover a world of delights in Hershey, Pennsylvania

Chocolate lovers around the world know the Hershey’s brand, and this town is where it all started. Of all the Baltimore day trips, this one is just right for anyone with a sweet tooth! Learn how chocolate is made, indulge in a variety of desserts and enjoy a 4D movie, Chocolate Mystery, at Hershey’s Chocolate World. Thrill-seekers can also experience more than 50 rides and attractions at Hersheypark.