Want to get away but still sleep in your own bed at night? Here is a list of great day trips you can take, all near home in Annapolis.
Historic
Gettysburg, PA
Distance from Annapolis: 80 Miles
Head up to Gettysburg to explore the historic battlefield by foot, horseback or even segway. Visit 1,400 monuments, marks and memorials that commemorate the battle. If you’re feeling brave, stay until it gets dark for a ghost tour.
Antietam National Battlefield
Distance from Annapolis: 90 Miles
Visit the site of the bloodiest single day battle in American History. Drive, bike, or walk through the battlefield to see weapons, memorials and graves. At the Visitor Center, learn about the battle from exhibits, an observation room, a theater and a museum store.
Amusement Parks
Six Flags America
Distance from Annapolis: 22 Miles
A great amusement park just 30 minutes away, with 10 roller coasters including one of the tallest roller coasters on the East Coast: SUPERMAN:Ride of Steel. There are also plenty of rides for kids, a water park and shows.
Hershey Park
Distance from Annapolis: 123 Miles
Originally a leisure park for the employees of the Hershey Chocolate Company, the park has grown to include 13 roller coasters, 20 kid rides and a water park. Visitors can also visit Hershey’s Chocolate World, where a ride will take them through the process of making Hershey’s chocolate, ending with a free sample.
Kings Dominion
Distance from Annapolis: 113 Miles
Head south to Virginia to visit King’s Dominion’s 17 thrill rides, 14 family rides and a water park. The kids will love Planet Snoopy: a section of the park filled with 18 family rides and the lovable Peanuts characters.
Dutch Wonderland
Distance from Annapolis: 115 Miles
This amusement park, in Lancaster, PA, is specifically geared toward families with young kids, with over 30 kid-friendly rides, a water park and live shows.
Adventure
Great Falls Park
Distance from Annapolis: 50 Miles
On the Potomac River, this 800-acre park offers plenty of opportunity to explore nature. Go hiking, whitewater kayaking or rock climbing.
Go Ape
Distance from Annapolis: 48 Miles
Fly high above the trees of Rock Creek Park in Rockville, MD. Go Ape’s tree top adventure sends participants through 6 zip lines, numerous rope ladders, 44 crossings and 2 tarzan swings. Learn more here.
Nearby Cities
Downtown Baltimore
Distance from Annapolis: 30 Miles
Walk around the Inner Harbor and visit the Maryland Science Center and the National Aquarium. Art lovers can explore the American Visionary Art Museum and the Baltimore Museum of Art, while sports lovers can check out the Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards and the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum.
St. Michaels, MD
Distance from Annapolis: 52 Miles
Explore the “Hamptons of the Chesapeake” by taking a walking tour, going boating and visiting the downtown area’s many shops and seafood restaurants. Don’t forget to stop by the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, where you’ll find exhibits, demonstrations, boat rides on the Miles River and a huge floating fleet of historic Chesapeake Bay watercrafts.
Downtown Washington D.C.
Distance from Annapolis: 33 Miles
Walk around the National Mall, visit the monuments, see the animals at the National Zoo or explore a museum. With plenty of options around the nation’s capital (most of which are free!) you’ll be sure to find entertainment for the day.
York, PA
Distance from Annapolis: 85 Miles
In the Factory Tour Capital of the World, you can take factory tours at Harley-Davidson, Snyder’s Pretzels, Bluett Bros Violins and more. Get more info here.