Leave the DMV Without Traveling Too Far This Summer—These Fun Destinations Will Impress and Are Easy to Access

by Corcoran McEnearney

Looking for a DMV area summer getaway? You don’t need to travel far to enjoy some incredible culture, shopping, and dining—check out the below destinations and plan a day- or weekend-long trip that is sure to impress.

Frederick, MD

[smartslider3 slider=”116″]

Spend a day strolling around and antiquing in the cute town of Frederick, Maryland, located just an hour outside of DC. You won’t want to miss out on the expansive Emporium Antiques, a gigantic warehouse full of incredible vintage treasures ranging from small decorative items to furnishings to books and more. E. Patrick Street is filled with other incredible shops boasting vintage clothing, homewares, and more, so be sure to carve out time to leisurely stroll around. Then, grab a drink and something to eat at JoJo’s Restaurant, Cafe Nola, or the Tasting Room. Finish things off by picking up a sweet treat to go at Candy Kitchen.

Easton, MD

[smartslider3 slider=”118″]

This charming Eastern Shore locale is simultaneously full of small town charm and sophistication. Spend some time sitting outside sipping a coffee and munching on a freshly baked pastry at the Weather Gage, then walk over to Flying Cloud Booksellers to pick up your latest read, stopping by Flying Cloud Fine Art Posters to check out their latest offerings for your walls. Those who are drawn to the finer things in life won’t want to miss out on Benjamin, a shop that sells stunning European glass and porcelain. For dinner, Bas Rouge is calling your name; the fine dining restaurant is stylishly decorated with a menu that is sure to impress the fanciest of guests.

Charlottesville, VA

[smartslider3 slider=”117″]

Bring on the wine tasting! Charlottesville, home to the University of Virginia, also offers an incredible range of more than 40 wineries that are part of the Monticello Wine Trail. Indulge yourself in some tastings (pick up sandwiches from Take It Away to bring with you!) and then enjoy an afternoon of shopping on the Downtown Mall before your dinner reservation at Keswick Hall’s Marigold, a Jean Georges restaurant that will certainly appeal to your sophisticated palette. Looking to really treat yourself? Be sure to order the hash brown appetizer, which comes adorned with caviar.

Wilmington, Delaware

[smartslider3 slider=”115″]

Wilmington is an ideal getaway for the arts and culture enthusiast, given that it’s home to sites including the Delaware Art Museum (home to 200 years of American art!), Longwood Gardens, Nemours Estate (it contains 77 rooms, so you have your exploring cut out for you), and more. After a day spent soaking up these local spots, head over to dinner at Le Cavalier in the historic Dupont Hotel, a restaurant influenced by North Africa and Provençe.

Sarah Lyon is a New York City-based freelance writer, originally from Bethesda, MD. She contributes to a number of national design and lifestyle publications like Architectural Digest, Apartment Therapy, MyDomaine, the Washington Post, and more. Sarah also works with designers to help them style spaces for photo shoots. Find more shelfies on her Instagram page, @sarahlyon9