MVB Travel Series - Day Trips Near Maryland

September 13, 2022

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To wrap up the MVB Travel Series, we have highlighted some day trips near Maryland, broken down by state. We’ll start in Pennsylvania, then move on to Virginia and West Virginia, and finish up in Delaware.

Starting in western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh is known as the “City of Bridges,” with more bridges than any other city in the world. This is largely due to the three rivers that run through the city – the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio. One of the best ways to view the city is by taking the Duquesne Incline up to the Mount Washington neighborhood. If you want to take in a museum, the Andy Warhol Museum and Carnegie Museum of Art will not disappoint. Another popular spot is the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, where you can see beautiful greenery just a few miles from downtown. If you are traveling with young ones, be sure to visit the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. For the sports fans, catch a Penguins, Pirates, or Steelers game. While you are still in the western part of the state, you will also want to see the Flight 93 National Memorial and Fallingwater, the famous home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Gettysburg is located in southcentral PA and is the site of the Battle of Gettysburg. The Gettysburg National Military Park includes the battlefield and landmarks such as Little Round Top and Devil’s Den, as well as the location where President Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. While you are there, check out the quaint downtown shops and museums. Our next stop is Hershey, home to Hersheypark and all the attractions associated with it, such as ZooAmerica, the Hershey Store Museum, Hersheypark Stadium, the Giant Center, where you can catch a concert or a Hershey Bears game, and Hershey Gardens, home to 23 acres of natural beauty. Lancaster is only 40 minutes from Hershey and offers visitors a one-of-a-kind experience. Learn more about the local Amish communities and their histories at the Amish Farm and House. Then, head into town to browse the Lancaster Central Market, the oldest continuously running farmers market in the U.S. Kids will enjoy the family-focused amusement park, Dutch Wonderland, in addition to seeing the wolves at the Wolf Sanctuary of PA, located in nearby Lititz. Round out the trip with a ride on the Strasburg Rail Road, which offers several themed rides in the countryside.

Our final stop is Philadelphia, home to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were signed. The museums along Benjamin Franklin Parkway are well worth the visit, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where you can see the Rocky statue and climb the famous steps. Other popular destinations include the Reading Terminal Market, one of the oldest public markets in the U.S., and the Eastern State Penitentiary, once one of the most famous and expensive prisons in the world. Sports fans can round out the trip by catching an Eagles, Flyers, Phillies, or Sixers game.

We will navigate Virginia roughly from west to east as well, starting at Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. This scenic drive spans for 105 miles through the Blue Ridge Mountains. To the east is Charlottesville, home to University of Virginia and Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. Mount Vernon, the estate of George Washington, is also located in Virginia, about 17 miles south of Washington, D.C. The capital of the state, Richmond, is rich in history and attractions. Maymont is one of the most charming spots in the city, with a historic mansion and buildings, gardens, walking trails, a farm, nature center, and several different types of animals. If you would like to see more gardens and animals, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and the Metro Richmond Zoo are also top destinations in the area. If you would rather spend time at a museum, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts has an expansive collection of art and the Science Museum of Virginia has several exhibitions and live demonstrations. Williamsburg is another popular destination in the state. Step back in time at Colonial Williamsburg and the Jamestown Settlement. Then, take the kids to Busch Gardens and Water Country USA, one of the largest water parks on the east coast. Finish out your trip to Virginia on the relaxing island of Chincoteague, where you can spot wild ponies roaming along Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

West Virginia is often overlooked as a tourist destination, but there are many things to see in the state. Harpers Ferry is a quaint historical town where the Potomac River and Shenandoah River meet. Many flock to the area to kayak or canoe and to see the stunning views of the town on the Maryland Heights hike. Blackwater Falls State Park is located right below the westernmost part of Maryland and houses a lodge, camping spots, hiking trails, the longest sled run on the East Coast in the wintertime, and countless outdoor activities. Snowshoe Mountain offers things to do year-round. Go in the wintertime to enjoy skiing and snowboarding, snowmobiling, and even take a sleigh ride. In the summertime, enjoy the lake, golf course, horseback riding, or the hiking and biking trails. Greenbrier State Forest has recreational options such as hiking, biking, fishing, and swimming, and is located close to The Greenbrier, a beautiful and historic resort with a golf course, spa, casino, fine dining options, and many outdoor activities.

Delaware is famous for its beaches. Fenwick Island is located right above Ocean City, MD and offers the advantages of Ocean City with a laid-back feel. While you are there, check out the boardwalk, DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum, Fenwick Island Lighthouse, and Viking Golf and Thunder Lagoon Water Park. Many people flock to family-friendly Rehoboth Beach for the boardwalk, the scenic hiking and biking trail along Gordons Pond, Jungle Jim’s waterpark, and to shop at Tanger Outlets Rehoboth Beach. Lewes is a ferry ride away from Cape May, NJ and is home to Fort Miles Historical Area within Cape Henlopen State Park, where you can see watchtowers along the beach built prior to World War II. Bethany Beach, just north of Fenwick Island, and Dewey Beach, just south of Rehoboth Beach are also popular beach towns in Delaware that are worth a visit.

That wraps up the MVB Travel Series! We hope you feel inspired to check out some new places and to return to others you may not have enjoyed to the fullest. Happy traveling.

Places to Visit in Pennsylvania

Western PA

• Duquesne Incline
• Andy Warhol Museum
• Carnegie Museum of Art
• Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
• Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
• Catch a Game: Penguins, Pirates, Steelers
• Flight 93 National Memorial
• Fallingwater

Central PA

• Gettysburg National Military Park
• Hersheypark
• Hershey Bears
• Hershey Gardens
• Amish Farm and House
• Lancaster Central Market
• Dutch Wonderland
• Wolf Sanctuary of PA
• Strasburg Rail Road

Eastern PA

• Liberty Bell
• Independence Hall
• Philadelphia Museum of Art
• Reading Terminal Market
• Eastern State Penitentiary
• Catch a Game: Eagles, Flyers, Phillies, Sixers

Places to Visit in Virginia

• Skyline Drive
• Monticello
• Mount Vernon
• Maymont
• Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
• Metro Richmond Zoo
• Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
• Science Museum of Virginia
• Colonial Williamsburg
• Jamestown Settlement
• Busch Gardens
• Water Country USA
• Chincoteague

Places to Visit in West Virginia

• Harpers Ferry
• Blackwater Falls State Park
• Snowshoe Mountain
• Greenbrier State Forest
• The Greenbrier

Places to Visit in Delaware

• Fenwick Island
• Rehoboth Beach
• Lewes