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Kid Friendly Spots
Fun outing but get res in advance
Great fall outing but weekends can be insane, need tix
Super worth the trip! By Dulles and amazing.
Very fun daytime spot for kiddos - good playground
Can't go wrong with this outing for young kids - nice playgrounds nearby too
Fun playground if you're in the area
Brunch
The doughnuts & bread basket are to die for, and probably my favorite brunch atmosphere. Non-pastry food is good but not super special.
My go to "fancy brunch" spot. Classic dishes executed well. Can almost always get a res last minute on OpenTable.
Classic DC brunch.
Great pastries
Dining
High on my to-try list.
Nice atmosphere and great food - best for sharing.
Dying to go here - one of my friend's #1 DC recs.
Haven't been yet but heard great things!
Delicious & interesting! Available on Resy exactly one month out I believe.
Walking
Best when roads closed to traffic - for MDers, I like parking at Beech drive and walking from there.
Crowded on weekends and not all parts are scenic (e.g., you'll walk past a Safeway and a few main roads), but you can't beat the convenience in downtown Bethesda and/or Georgetown, and the length gives lots of options.
Such a DMV area treasure! As Marylanders, we like starting by the Great Falls on the MD side and walking south - beautiful and not too crowded (and the falls are worth seeing). The Billy Goat trail right along the water (vs. the main trail) is intere...
Hiking
Haven't been yet, but recommended for close-in DMV hikes by a few lists.
Near Camp David - haven't been yet, but it was recommended by a few lists.
Great daytrip / hike with beautiful bucolic VA views! The historic house some times has various fairs / BBQs that add to a nice day.
Low-key hike - more like a walk. Both VA and MD sides are interesting; VA probably prettier but much more crowded.
Museums
Need advance tickets.
Unbelievable - need advance tickets, but can usually get day of if you go online right when box office opens (6AM?).
Great museum + IMAX!
Summer jazz in the garden is super fun.
Super worth the trip! By Dulles and amazing.
Haven't been yet but hoping to do an open self-guided tour!
Super underrated DC attraction - worth a visit, and even possible to do a moonlight tour (check the schedule).
Day Trips
Low-key Day Trip to a scenic VA town. We've stayed at the Goodstone Inn and loved it; Salamander Resort has a great spa but is overrated for the price. Dinner & Red Fox Tavern is excellent.
Worth seeing, but likely more of an overnight trip than day trip given distance. Great wineries and historic sites (e.g., Thomas Jefferson estate) nearby.
Fun daytrip for a cute city (main street is touristy, surrounding streets nice), and crabs on the water! Ideal in better weather.
Would love to go but haven't made the trip yet.
Low-key Day Trip - haven't been yet, but on our list.
Overnight Trips
High on my list for a special occasion dinner & overnight.
Beautiful hotel on the water in a cute town - with beautiful nearby towns of Easton & Oxford to explore. Where wedding crashers was filmed!
Hidden gem in Delaware, and there's lots to explore in the DE/PA Brandywine Valley!
Super beautiful, especially in the fall - recommend Sperryville area if you can make it that far!
Haven't been, but saw on a few lists for good nearby overnight trips.