If you’re looking to get out of the city, there are lots of day trips from Baltimore to go on. Whether you want to visit another city, go someplace smaller, or escape to nature, here’s a list of places I’ve been to that make an easy day trip from Baltimore.

I’ll be adding more as I explore new places – particularly looking at southern Pennsylvania.

How do you Day Trip from Baltimore?

Baltimore has a few bus stops for intercity buses, including one in White Marsh which is several miles outside the city. If you want to leave from White Marsh, plan to take a city bus out there accordingly. Sites I use to book bus travel are Flixbus and Megabus. You can also do trip planning on Omio.

It’s also home to Penn Station which connects Baltimore to other cities with Amtrak. It’s our only option for trains so you should book via their website.

Of course, driving is always an option. It’s not so bad in Baltimore as it is in Washington, DC but the interstates and highways can get congested at peak hours.

City Escapes

Washington, DC

Time to Get There: About 1 hour

Public Transport: Washington, DC is easy to get to by the MARC train.

Things to Do: My hometown deserves a bit more than a day trip, but if that’s all the time you have, I definitely recommend checking out the Smithsonian museums. My personal favorites are the Natural History Museum, National Gallery, African American History and Culture Museum, and American Indian Museum but they’re all great. You should also see the monuments and head to a neighbourhood like Chinatown, DuPont Circle, or Georgetown for something to eat before heading back.

Read my travel guide on Washington, DC here.

Philadelphia, PA

Time to Get There: 2-3 hours driving

Public Transport: Philadelphia is easy to get to by train or bus

Things to Do: As America’s original capital city, Philadelphia has a lot to offer especially for history lovers. You can learn a lot about the birth of modern America at the Museum of the American Revolution, National Constitution Centre, and Independence Hall, where you can see the Liberty Bell. Some other popular destinations include Eastern State Penitentiary, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Franklin Institute – a personal recommendation for children.

New York City, NY

Time to Get There: 3-4 hours driving

Public Transport: New York City is easy to get to via train or bus

Things to Do: There’s a ton to do in NYC, as well. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is my favorite place in NYC, and can take a whole day. There’s also the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Central Park and Broadway. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. I also love eating from the city’s great restaurants and trying new food.

Smaller Towns & Cities

Annapolis, MD

Time to Get There: About 1 hour

Public Transport: Driving is the best way to get to Annapolis from Baltimore. You can get up early and take the 215 bus if you don’t have a car, but it’s a commuter bus with limited frequency.

Things to Do: Annapolis is known for the Naval Academy, but it also has a lot of historic houses to view like the Hammond-Harwood House and the William Paca House. But if you have a day in Annapolis, I’d recommend just walking around and trying out a delicious local restaurant. Annapolis is very chill and nice to walk around.

A lot of people skip Annapolis just because they haven’t heard of it, but I’d say it’s probably one of the best day trips from Baltimore in general. It’s a very cute town that’s big enough to fall in love with and appreciate, but small enough to see in a day.

Read my full post on Annapolis, MD here.

Frederick, MD

Time to Get There: About 1 hour

Things to Do: Even though Frederick’s a lot smaller than Baltimore, I feel it’s a comparable place – old, cute, and local. There isn’t too much to “do” here – though Frederick does host a small selection of museums. The appeal is in looking around this historic town, popping into one of its many antique stores, and trying one of Frederick’s many restaurants. If you stick around in the evening, you can catch a ghost tour, as Frederick is said to be Maryland’s most haunted city.

Gettysburg, PA

Time to Get There: 1.5 hours

Things to Do: Gettysburg is a haven for history buffs. You can see the battlefield where the course of the Civil War turned, and the Gettysburg Visitor Center is an excellent place to learn all about the history of the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg. The town is also very cute, retaining its old charms while catering to its college-age residents.

Read my full post on Gettysburg here.

Harpers Ferry, WV

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Time to Get There: 1.5 hours

Public Transport: You can take an Amtrak from Washington, DC. The best way to get there from Baltimore is via car.

Things to Do: Harpers Ferry is a charming old town with a few historical museums talking about the pre-Civil War raid on the town. But if you’re not going to eat or shop then you’re probably going to do the Harpers Ferry hike, which has stunning views over the town. It takes a few hours to get to the top and back so be sure to bring snacks and lots of water.

Read my full post on Harpers Ferry here.

Maryland’s Eastern Shore

Time to Get There: About 1.5-3 hours

Things to Do: There are lots of cute places to visit on Marlyland’s Eastern Shore. Best done with a road trip, you can see some quaint towns like Oxford, Easton, and St Michaels. Go antique shopping and just enjoy the slow life.

Read my blog post on the Eastern shore here.

Beach Escapes

Ocean City, MD

Time to Get There: 3 hours driving

Public Transport: According to Omio, you can take a bus from BWI to Ocean City.

Things to Do: Some call it overrated but I like Ocean City. There’s a tonne of beach and boardwalk, and you can also go to several Jolly Roger Amusement Parks, which I find very fun. Best of all, the beach is completely free, so it’s one of the best day trips from Baltimore for those hot summer days. The bordering town of Fenwick Island, DE is also a nice choice if you want some beach without as much rush.

Rehoboth Beach, DE

Time to Get There: 3 hours driving

Things to Do: Rehoboth Beach is a less popular alternative to Ocean City but it’s actually a bit more charming. It also has some nice beaches and Funland, a small amusement park. It’s a lot like Ocean City but on a smaller scale, and I personally prefer it to Ocean City.

Chincoteague, VA

Time to Get There: 3-4 hours

Things to Do: Chincoteague is the furthest day trip from Baltimore on this list, but it’s also a very nice place to go. The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is home to many wild ponies of the unique breed named for the area: Chincoteague ponies. There’s also a plethora of beautiful beach along the Atlantic ocean and lots of other wildlife – particularly birds – to be seen. If you don’t see any ponies out in the wild, you can head to the Chincoteague Pony Center to see them.

Read my blog post on Chincoteague here.

Honorable Mention: Gunpowder Falls State Park

It’s not far enough to be considered a “day trip” but if you’re looking for a beach close to Baltimore, head to Gunpowder Falls. It’s $5 entry per vehicle and you can drive right up to the beach. The water is on the bay, not the ocean, and it’s very grassy instead of sandy, but it’s a great option if you’re just looking to get out and swim on a hot day.

That’s all for now!

There are lots of great day trips from Baltimore but I’ve chosen some clear-cut, easy places to visit. I still have a few places I’d like to see in southern Pennsylvania and if I like them, I will add them to the list!

What’s your favourite day trip to take from DC?

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