Experience Washington, DC Day Trips & Sightseeing Tours

Marvelous Ideas For Day Trips From DC

Washington DC holds many treasures for visitors to explore. From fine dining to intriguing, family-friendly museums, there is definitely something here for everyone. What makes DC extra special, however, is its close proximity to so many other wonderful attractions. So, if you are in the nation’s capital, why not add a few day trips from Washington DC to your itinerary?

Where your day trip takes you is entirely up to you. Day trips from DC can keep you near the city or let you venture out far and wide – and convenient tour packages include visits to one or more locations in a single day. These packages often offer hotel pick-up and drop-off at no extra cost. There are times when your Washington DC holiday package will also bundle in the cost of admission to attractions into the fees.

Many vacation packages offer day trips from DC for families to locations where there is something special for each member of the family to enjoy, learn and explore. Fantastic ideas for day trips near DC include Gettysburg, Mount Vernon and Monticello tours where children and adults can learn about their history first-hand.
• Gettysburg – Travel in the comfort of a modern well-equipped sightseeing tour bus to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Visit the Shiver Museum to discover what life was like at the time of the Battle of Gettysburg. Learn all about Little and Big Round Top, the Devil's Den, Peach Orchard, Wheat Field and more from award winning tour guides.
• Arlington – Over 400,000 active service members and veterans of the US military have their final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery. The tour is a solemn reminder of their selflessness and a journey through the country’s military history.
• Mount Vernon – It takes just about half an hour to travel the 17 miles from DC to Mount Vernon in Virginia. Once there you can spend some time touring George Washington’s beautiful estate, farm and yard. A great idea is to combine your Mount Vernon trip with a stop in Old Town Alexandria. Take pictures at Christ Church and enjoy views of the Jefferson Memorial, Washington Monument and Pentagon.
• Monticello – Pass through picturesque Charlottesville on your way to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello in Virginia. There is a hands-on discovery room, entertaining and informative exhibitions as well as an introductory film for visitors. The lasting legacies of this great president are evident in the rich history on display in his former home.
• The Natural Bridge - This National Historic Landmark is an amazing natural arch that stands 215 feet high, spans a distance of 90 feet and leaves millions of visitors in complete awe! Thomas Jefferson is noted as referring to Virginia’s Natural Bridge as “the most sublime of nature’s works.”

If you're looking for something unique, then day trips from Washington DC to Amish country is right up your alley. Located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the Amish Village offers insights into the intriguing way of life of the Amish. You will get to see a real Amish schoolhouse and learn about traditional Amish lifestyle from a real Amish school teacher! As an added treat for youngsters (and the young at heart), a stop at the Hersey Chocolate Factory is usually bundled in.

A splendid idea is to book one of the delightful day trips from DC to New York. You head north, making your way through Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey before arriving in The Big Apple. You won’t have to worry about planning which of the iconic attractions to see – it’s all expertly done for you. What you can be sure of, is that your day will be filled with many memorable and photo-worthy activities.