Top 3 Spring Day Trips from D.C.
By: Natalie Proctor of Team Happyly
Spring is something we all look forward to, and it is finally here, with all its cherry blossom glory! Things may look a little different this year, but that should not prevent you from enjoying a short trip to enjoy nature and our excellent local travel spots with your friends or family.
We all deserve a little escape this year!
Check out our COVID-conscious travel spots in the Washington D.C. area! If you aren’t planning on going somewhere far, you can still explore these great spots in the D.C. area for a day or extend your trip into a safe weekend or even an overnight stay with proper planning.
While the possibilities are endless, here are a few day trip ideas to get your wanderlust rolling. Be sure to check out the curated plans on the Happyly app for even more day and weekend road trip inspiration! And don’t forget to pack a few road-trip-friendly snacks and meals for your trip to a park or when those tummies start to rumble.
A Day Trip to Annapolis
Annapolis is a great option for a weekend day trip when the weather is nice! Start your day by letting the kids play at the Downtown Annapolis Playground. (The playground just happens to be adjacent to a parking lot that’s available for paid day use on the weekends!). Next, stop by Market House for a mid-morning snack on your way to the Naval Academy, or enjoy your lunch at the playground by bringing some MightyMeals salads and sandwich wraps along. Then, spend some time exploring the beautiful grounds at the Naval Academy before heading to Boatyard Bar & Grill for a late lunch! (We recommend driving to Boatyard, as the walk can be a little long!)
FOOD-ON-THE-GO TIP: Pasta salads travel well and make most picky eaters and hungry mouths happy! The bulk Bulk Orzo Salad from MightyMeals is a family favorite.
A Day Trip to Explore Harper’s Ferry
Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia is closer to the D.C. area than you might think! It’s also a wonderful escape that brings together history, nature and true family-friendly fun! For the perfect day trip, make your way to the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and take a morning hike on the Appalachian Trail before heading to town for lunch. Follow up by exploring Jefferson Rock and The Point and meandering along the Shenandoah before heading homebound, stopping on the way at Harpers Ferry Brewery to look at the town from above. Don’t hesitate to jump on White’s Ferry to add a little extra charm to your journey!
HEALTHY PROTEIN-PACKED SNACKS: Make sure everyone has all the energy they need by bringing along some protein-packed healthy snacks for your road trip or hike. MightyMeals Healthy Trail Mix, Berg Bites Clean Energy Snacks, or plant-based Mighty Bite by Berg Cookies are all great low sugar, high-energy snacks that are easy to pack that kids and adults love equally.
A Day Trip to Experience the Beauty of Thurmont, Maryland
Begin your day with a family hike to Cunningham Falls in Thurmont, Maryland. Relax at the sandy side of Hunting Creek Lake before heading over to the beautiful Catoctin Wildlife Preserve (now open!), which is just minutes away from Cunningham Falls. Finally, head back home, stopping en route at Rockwell Brewery in historic downtown Frederick for some food and drink (the outdoor beer garden is open for business) for an amazing and well-rounded adventure for the whole family!
One of our favorite ways to end a Spring or Summer night is by roasting marshmallows outside with City Bonfires. The kids love having their own “bonfire,” and we love the quality family time, looking up at the stars, relaxing, eating S’mores, and reflecting on the day!
Does your family have a favorite road trip destination? Tell Happyly all about it at share@happyly.com and tag your Spring Break road trip highlights on Instagram @gethappyly for a chance to be featured!Check out State By State Road Trip Travel: Virginia and explore the Happyly blog for even more inspiration such as Build a Summer Bucket List and Camping, Glamping, or RV Travel: What Suits Your Family? Take a few moments to check out Summer Road Trip Destinations in Maryland to make sure you’re ready to give summer all you’ve got!!
Be sure to download the free happyly app, the country’s only mobile-first family activity planning app, for fast access to 5-star family time.