Best road trips to take from Washington DC

While Washington DC is a great city in which to live, the pressures of working there makes taking the occasional break from your job necessary if you want to maintain your sanity over the long run.

Fortunately, there are many amazing destinations that people like Robert Bassam get away to whenever their schedule allows.

If you are new to The District, make time to visit any one of the following places on a weekend in the near future.

1) Annapolis, MD

If you are looking for a quick getaway to kill a lazy Sunday, then taking a short jaunt to Annapolis will do the trick.

A picturesque town that presently serves as Maryland’s capital and was the former home of the Continental Congress during the Revolutionary War, there is much here that will occupy you over a full afternoon of sightseeing.

Attractions include the State House, a number of museums, centuries-old architecture, and in the fall, Navy football games.

2) Rehoboth Beach, DE

When the summer heat becomes unbearable in DC, many flee eastward to the beautiful beaches of coastal Delaware.

If you are looking for one that has a variety of tourist services, Rehoboth Beach is the best of the lot, as it offers a mile long boardwalk that boasts a variety of eateries, bars, and shops.

Those with families will love the fact that this town employs a sizable contingent of lifeguards that monitor the waters vigilantly for signs of trouble, as it makes this resort a safe place to go if you have young children.

3) Virginia Beach, VA 

If Rehoboth doesn’t have a big enough scene for you, then heading down I-95 and then making an eastward turn onto I-64 in Richmond will eventually get you to the sandy shores of Virginia Beach.

Boasting a beach that is 300 feet wide from the boardwalk to the high tide line, and a boardwalk that is three miles long from end to end, sun lovers, swimmers, and shoppers will all find something to love about this classic American destination.

Situated at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, fishers will also love this place, as the meeting of these waters with the Atlantic makes this area a prime feeding ground for multiple species of fish.

4) Charlottesville, VA

If the mountains are calling but you don’t have a lot of time, a trip to Charlottesville will satisfy your wanderlust.

While there are plenty of outdoor activities that can be done within a short drive of its downtown, Charlottesville is a notable destination in its own right.

Home to the University of Virginia and to former U.S. President Thomas Jefferson, there are plenty of spectacular buildings to see. Additionally, fans of music will love the indie scene here, as it has been responsible for launching acts such as the Dave Matthews Band in the past.

5) Great Smoky Mountains National Park

If you have time to do an overnight trip, we strongly recommend heading deeper into the Appalachian Mountains until you drive through the gates of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

With plenty of opportunities for hiking, fishing, horseback riding and camping, outdoorspeople that feel deprived of their natural habitat from having to live and work in Washington DC will relish the chance to get away to oasis of nature on the US Eastern Seaboard.