Got wanderlust? Go local!

If you’re itching to get out of town but not ready to go far, explore the “day trip” articles right here on Greenbelt Online.This round-up contains 20 favorites.

(And if you’ve taken a day trip or even an overnighter you’d like to report on, we’d love to include it.  Just email editor@greenbeltonline.org.)

In DC

Last fall I posted “What’s New at the National Mall” where you’ll find info about the new Eisenhower Memorial, the Smithsonian’s Arts and Industries Building, the Hirshhorn Museum, Planet Word and Franklin Park. (Just skip the now-old info about holiday decorations at the U.S. Botanic Garden.)

Other Cities

Baltimore

Everyone loves the Visionary Art Museum.

Richmond

There’s SO so much to do and see in Richmond, it’s worth a weekend at least. Many sites and activities are included in this report from July of 2021.

New York City

I’ve reported here and here on taking the Bolt Bus from the Greenbelt Metro Station to Manhattan – so easy, so cheap!! But Bolt has gone belly-up but service from Greenbelt is now provided by Peter Pan, with two trips per day arriving at Port Authority, for $31-36 one way.

To explore options on Amtrak, try the best way to find cheap seats on Amtrak, or How-to Amtrak bus class. I see that Wanderu is also recommended as a “partner of Amtrak” that’s useful for passengers looking for cheap travel, including Amtrak tickets, as well as other train and bus providers.The calendar will display the cheapest ticket for each date of the month,

Beaches

Since the pandemic I’ve made maybe 20 trips to the Bay – just 45 minutes from us! Here are the beach reports, starting closest to home

North Beach has been reviewed as a place for taking kids to the beach, as an off-beach destination in summer (pre-covid), and with a video about North Beach as a “covid get-away.”

Sandy Point, Maryland, just this side of the Bay Bridge, is another short trip, with much more beach.

Kent Island and Kent Narrows are just across the Bay Bridge, with beaches, bike paths, restaurants and more reported on here.

Solomon’s Island is about an hour + 15 minutes away, but worth it! I always take my bike.

If you’re anywhere near Bethany Beach, the new and fabulous Delaware Botanic Garden is about 20 minutes inland from there and well worth a visit, especially later in the season. Here’s a report from October of 2021.

Wildwood, New Jersey, just north of Cape May, is a bit over 3 hours away. Besides the excellent beach, there are dozens of iconic Mid-Century Modern Motels, many of them well preserved (like the Aztec in the collage above.)

More Maryland Destinations

About 90 minutes from Greenbelt you’ll find two  sites honoring Harriet Tubman. Inspired to visit by the film “Harriet,” I was glad I went. For a longer visit, you can include the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, which borders the Tubman Visitors Center.

The Glenstone Museum in Potomac is fascinating in so many ways. This photo-packed report covers the art, the landscape, the environmental learning, the experience.

History buffs will love visiting Dr. Mudd’s House, just 45 minutes from Greenbelt. For my visit I was lucky to find Greenbelter Kathy Labukas giving a tour! See more in “Dr. Mudd’s House and the Greenbelt Connection.”

For history and gardens, too, visit the Historic London Town and Gardens.

For outdoor outings you could Ride the Tram at the Patuxent Refuge or take a Pontoon Tour of the Patuxent River.

Coming up later: The Maryland State Fair,  just an hour up the road in Timonium, will take place this year August 25 through September 11.