Summer Vacation near DC
 

Our daughter recently moved to DC. This summer we are going to visit her in DC. We are looking for a vacation spot outside of DC (2-3 hours drive). There will be 2 adults, 24 year old and 17 year old. Historic areas are great; but we also want a scenic place where we can kick back and relax. Any areas near water are also something we would be interested in.

Williamsburg is historic and about 2 hours south of DC.Busch Gardens is located here for a day of fun too. Virginia Beach is then one hour east of Williamsburg and you can relax on the beach there. If you like quieter beach areas, drive north on the eastern shore of VA in Chincoteauge(can't spell this one).

Annapolis would be great, historic, scenic, waterfront, lots to do - you could also go over to St. Michaels Island, or do the area around Solomons on the Bay. Baltimore is just north with a beautiful harbor-front area; or in a couple of hours time you could either head east to Ocean City or west to Cumberland area with its beautiful mountains, parks, and rivers.

St. Michaels/Oxford/Easton (3 small towns) are within 1.5 hrs. and have history and water and kick-back atmosphere. Go on weekdays. Don't get involved with the Bay Bridge on weekends.
Annapolis - only 1 hr has the same. This is on the way to the Bay Bridge, so go early on a Friday if it must be a weekend.
Chestertown is another place to check out for lunch and history.
Baltimore is great for ethnic food, the Star Spangled Banner and the inner harbor. I'd spend a day there, but no more.
If you want history, you can also go up to Frederick and Gettysburg, but no water!
Needless to say, Olde Towne Alexandria will have history as well. Also Williamsburg and Jamestown, etc. in Virginia.

lgc - you've asked this before and have some suggestions at
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34753250

Just click on your own name to find threads that you've posted to.