DAY 1 NATIONAL AQUARIUM, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND Transport yourself to the underwater wonders of the world at the National Aquarium. Ranked as one the nation’s top three aquariums, the aquarium offers awe-inspiring exhibits that are sure to wow you. Located in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, you’ll find thousands of species in award-winning habitats. From colorful aquatic characters like sharks, dolphins, exotic fish to diverse collections of plants and animals like crocodiles, birds and reptiles, the National Aquarium delivers a memorable experience for people of any age. aqua.org AMERICAN VISIONARY ART MUSEUM, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND Leave your traditional perceptions of museums behind and visit the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM), a must-see Baltimore landmark dedicated to fresh thought, humor, and creative intuition. Featuring the work of self-taught artists—including farmers, mathematicians, prison inmates, and people with mental illness— AVAM challenges the notions of what it means to be an artist. If you like walking to the beat of your own drum, you’ll love this inclusive space for “outsider” art. avam.org BANNEKER DOUGLASS MUSEUM, ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND The Banneker-Douglass Museum, named for Benjamin Banneker and Frederick Douglass, is dedicated to preserving Maryland’s African American heritage and serves as the state’s official repository of African American material culture. The original museum was housed within the former Mount Moriah African Methodist Episcopal Church in the heart of historic Annapolis– constructed in 1874 by a congregation of free African Americans whose roots go back to 1799. bdmuseum.maryland.gov US NAVAL ACADEMY, ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND No visit to Annapolis is complete without a visit to the US Naval Academy. Tours depart from the Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center daily. If you’re 18 or older, you’ll need your passport. When the formal tour is through, check out the Naval Academy Museum, home of the famous Gallery of Ships. usna.edu DINNER ALONG THE WATERFRONT IN ANNAPOLIS Maryland’s capital city is the gateway to North America’s largest estuary, the Chesapeake Bay, and is known as America’s Sailing Capital. Take in the water views and the bounty of the Chesapeake with a seafood dinner along the waterfront. visitannapolis.org/restaurants/on-the-water DRIVE TO VA/OVERNIGHT IN ARLINGTON Travel about an hour from Annapolis to Arlington, Virginia, your home for the night. Located directly across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., and just minutes from the area’s major attractions, Arlington offers an ideal combination of convenience and value for your stay in the heart of the Capital Region. stayarlington.com/hotels DAY 2 HISTORIC TOUR OF ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY OR MOUNT VERNON Spend the morning exploring some of Virginia’s top historic attractions. Arlington National Cemetery is the tranquil resting place for more than 400,000 active duty service members, veterans and their families. There are many notable memorials and grave sites including the Tomb of the Unknown Solider, the Challenger Space Shuttle Memorial, and the grave sites of John F. and Robert Kennedy. Mount Vernon offers a glimpse into 18th-century plantation life through beautiful grounds, intriguing museum exhibits, and immersive programs honouring George Washington’s legacy. arlingtoncemetery.mil mountvernon.org SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK Drive to the Front Royal, Virginia entrance to Shenandoah National Park, where you can pick up Skyline Drive, which spans the length of the park along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Roll down your window and feel the breeze as you look for wildlife and views around every curve. The parks offers 500+ miles of trails including 101-miles of the renowned Appalachian National Scenic Trail. nps.gov/shen LOUDOUN COUNTY, VIRGINIA Known as “DC’s Wine Country” for its concentration of wineries, near the nation’s capital, Loudoun County is the perfect place to end your Virginia tour. Head to Leesburg for discounted shopping at Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets or sample the local wines at Stone Tower Winery which offers spectacular views of the countryside. visitloudoun.org/towns-and-places/leesburg BANNEKER DOUGLASS MUSEUM DINING IN ANNAPOLIS ITINERARY
