Washington, DC has some great attractions, but sometimes it’s nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of big city life. If you want to explore smaller towns near Washington, D.C., check out these 20 places to visit.
The capital of the United States, Washington, DC offers visitors a wide variety of things to see and do. From museums and monuments to shopping and dining options, there’s something for everyone.
But if you want to experience the real charm of America’s heartland, consider visiting one of these small towns. They offer a unique blend of history and culture, plus plenty of outdoor activities.
1) Leesburg, Virginia
This town is about an hour north of Washington, D.C in Loudoun County. It’s best known as the home of Montpelier, the first White House built by Thomas Jefferson.
2) Waynesboro, Pennsylvania
In southern Franklin County, this town was once called “the Athens of the South.” Today, it’s best known for its annual Peach Festival.
3) Lexington, Kentucky
It may be hard to believe that such a historic town could grow into a bustling suburb of Louisville, but Fayetteville Street grew up around Fort Boonesborough, a French trading post on the Ohio River.
4) Staunton, Virginia
Staunton traces its roots back to the American Revolution with events like the Battle of Point Pleasant, Westmoreland Farm, and Dunbar’s Raid.
5) Strasburg, Virginia
Strasburg became famous when George Washington ordered his troops to halt here at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. The town is now a National Historic Landmark thanks to the efforts of Mary Ball Washington, who helped preserve the area.
6) Winchester, Virginia
Winchester is another town that played a key role during the Civil War. Here, Confederate General Robert E. Lee launched his Shenandoah Valley Campaign against Ulysses S. Grant.
7) Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
Harpers Ferry earned its fame as the place where John Brown attempted to start a slave rebellion. In 1859, he seized the US Arsenal and held several people, hostage, before being killed by a group of citizens.
8) Ripley, West Virginia
Ripley is most famous for having the highest concentration of Amish communities outside of Europe (over 200).
9) Bluefield, West Virginia
Bluefield is best known for two major industries: coal and chocolate.
10) Wellsboro, Pennsylvania
Wellsboro is home to the oldest operating water-powered gristmill in the country — well, technically it’s the oldest operating flour mill, but the waterwheel dates to 1787.
11) New Hope, Pennsylvania
New Hope is best known as the hometown of Rocky Balboa. But did you know that Sylvester Stallone owns the local boxing museum?
12) Orange, Virginia
Orange is home to the second-largest Amish community in the world.
13) Glen Echo, Maryland
Glen Echo is located just five miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.; however, it feels much further than that.
14) Hagerstown, Maryland
Hagerstown is a thriving city next to the beautiful Antietam Creek.
15) Frederick, Maryland
Frederick has a lot going for it. Not only does it have great shopping and restaurants, but also a fun public art scene and more than 300 days of sunshine!
16) Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is one of the most historical cities in America.
17) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is another huge city with tons of culture all around it.
18) Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie is the birthplace of the United States Navy.
19) Dayton, Ohio
Dayton is the capital of Ohio.
20) Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of Ohio and also an extremely important center of business and industry in the Midwest.
The Best Small Towns to Visit in
This list includes small towns near major cities where you can find a unique experience. Some of them may not be known for being touristy, but they offer something special.
1) Staunton, Virginia
2) Strasburg, Virginia – Located about 50 minutes from Washington, D.C., this town offers a variety of historic sites such as the Monticello Estate.
3) Harpers Ferry, WV – This town was once the site of a battle between slaves and their owners. It’s now known for its association with the abolitionists.
4) Ripley, West Virginia – Ripley is home to the highest concentration of Amish in North America. The Amish are very religious and conservative. They usually dress plain, speak little English, and drive horse-drawn buggies.
5) New Richmond, Wisconsin – Just 40 minutes away from Milwaukee, New Richmond is a smaller version of Madison. You will enjoy visiting the many antique shops if you visit.
6) Lowell, Vermont – A small town like no other. Lowell is home to artists, musicians, and creative individuals.
Best Day Trips Small Towns in Washington State
The best day trips from Seattle include Bellingham (home to Western Washington University), Olympia (the state capital), and Vancouver (a Pacific Northwest city). In addition, the town of Sequim is home to the largest concentration of bald eagles in North America.
1) Port Angeles, Washington – Located on the scenic Olympic Peninsula, Port Angeles is a quaint town with lots of charm. If you love the ocean, you will enjoy spending time at the beach.
2) Port Townsend, Washington – Located in Puget Sound, Port Townsend is a waterfront destination with plenty of things to do.
3) Victoria, British Columbia – Located in the Pacific Northwest, Victoria is a charming coastal city with lots of history.
4) Bellingham, Washington – Home to Western Washington University, Bellingham is a college town with lots of student life.
5) Mount Vernon, Washington – Located in the Cascade Mountains, Mount Vernon is a gorgeous town with lots of natural beauty.
6) Olympia, Washington – Olympia is the state capital and is located in the middle of the beautiful Olympia National Forest.
7) Vancouver, Washington – Vancouver is a charming Pacific Northwest city that is full of arts and culture.
+ Amazing Small Towns in North Carolina For Your Next Road Trip or Home
The best way to explore small towns is by car. If you don’t have a vehicle, we recommend renting one through Airbnb. This will give you access to all the local attractions and allow you to meet locals who can show you around.
1) Weaverville, NC – Located in western North Carolina, Weaverville is a mountain community that has been named “Weaverville College Town USA”.
2) Waynesville, NC – Waynesville is a mountain town that is famous for being the filming location of the movie Deliverance.
3) Sylva, NC – Located near the Blue Ridge Parkway, Sylva is a mountain town that has a lot to offer visitors and locals alike.
4) Banner Elk, NC – Banner Elk is a mountain community that offers visitors an abundance of outdoor activities.
5) Lake Lure, NC – Lake Lure is a mountain town that sits along the southern border of North Carolina.
6) Asheville, NC – Asheville is a vibrant city that offers so much more than just great food.
7) Hot Springs, NC – Hot Springs is a mountain town that offers visitors beautiful scenery and cooling springs.
8) Brevard, NC – Brevard is a mountain town that lies within the Pisgah National Forest. It was once a mining town that became abandoned after the gold played out. Today, it serves as a tourist attraction because of its rich history.
See also
Great Small Towns Near Washington DC
The best small towns near Washington, D.C., according to WalletHub, are:
• Alexandria, Virginia
• Falls Church, Virginia
• Herndon, Virginia
• Leesburg, Virginia
• McLean, Virginia
• Reston, Virginia
• Springfield, Virginia
• Tysons Corner, Virginia
• Vienna, Virginia
• Woodbridge, Virginia
• Woodstock, Maryland
• Annapolis, Maryland
• Baltimore, Maryland
• Ellicott City, Maryland
• Frederick, Maryland
• Gaithersburg, Maryland
• Germantown, Maryland
• Greenbelt, Maryland
• Hyattsville, Maryland
• Kensington, Maryland
• Laurel, Maryland
• Rockville, Maryland
• Silver Spring, Maryland
• Takoma Park, Maryland
• Upper Marlboro, Maryland
• Washington, D.C
• Washington Grove, Pennsylvania
• Washington Highlands, New Jersey
• Washington Highlands, Pennsylvania
• Washington Heights, New York
• Washington Heights, Pennsylvania
• Washington Square West, New York
• The Bronx, New York
• Yonkers, New York
• Woodside, New York
• Yaphank, New York
• Eastchester, New York
• Harrison, New York
• Kings Point, New York
• Port Chester, New York
Where to Find the Most Colorful Street Murals in Washington DC
The District has some of the most colorful street murals in the country, but they’re scattered throughout the city. Some of the best ones are found in Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, Logan Circle, U Street Corridor, and Columbia Heights. Here are the top 10 most colorful street murals.
1. Adams Morgan (Columbia Heights)
2. Dupont Circle (Dupont Circle)
3. Logan Circle (Logan Circle)
4. U Street Corridor (U Street Corridor)
5. Columbia Heights (Adams Morgan)
6. Chinatown (Chinatown)
7. Capitol Hill (Capitol Hill)
8. Mount Pleasant (Mount Pleasant)
9. Georgetown (Georgetown)
Where to Ice Skate in Washington DC
The District has several options for ice skating, including the National Mall, which has two large ice rinks (one indoors and one outdoors), and the United States Capitol building, where you can skate around the Senate chamber. Other areas include the Smithsonian museums, Union Station, and the White House.
1. National Mall (National Mall)
2. United States Capitol (United States Capitol)
3. Air & Space Museum (Air & Space Museum)
4. Jefferson Memorial (Jefferson Memorial)
5. Lincoln Memorial (Lincoln Memorial)
6. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial (Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial)
7. World War II Memorial (World War II Memorial)
Boiling spring
Unique Things to Do in North Carolina Boiling Springs Gardner Webb University calls Boiling Springs home and students and parents have a beautiful campus to explore. The town is located just outside of Asheville, NC, and offers visitors many unique things to do. From hiking trails to waterfalls, there’s plenty to see and do in this charming mountain community.
Best Places to Visit in North Carolina Boiling Spring
1. Biltmore Estate (Biltmore Estate)
2. Blue Ridge Parkway (Blue Ridge Parkway)
3. Cataloochee Valley (Cataloochee Valley)
4. Chimney Rock State Park (Chimney Rock State Park)
5. Craggy Gardens (Craggy Gardens)
6. Fontana Dam (Fontana Dam)
7. Linville Falls (Linville Falls)
8. Nantahala Outdoor Center (Nantahala Outdoor Center)
9. Pisgah National Forest (Pisgah National Forest)
10. Smoky Mountains National Park (Smoky Mountains National Park)
11. Table Rock Lake (Table Rock Lake)
