Washington, DC is packed with incredible museums, and while everyone knows the big-name federal stops like the White House, U.S. Capitol, Supreme Court, National Archives, and Library of Congress, there’s a whole world of lesser-known federal museums and visitor experiences hiding in plain sight across DC, Northern Virginia, and nearby…
Tucked right across from Union Station, the Smithsonian National Postal Museum is one of DC’s most underrated gems, a place dedicated to telling America’s story through the mail we send, the stamps we collect, and the journeys letters make along the way. As the museum describes it, “through the preservation…
Atlas Obscura is still one of my favorite tools for planning our travels. If you’re new to it, imagine a global guidebook filled with the strange, fascinating, and wonderfully odd, written by both everyday explorers and curious editors. You can track places you’ve visited, save future must-sees, and build your…
If you’re looking for a unique (and free!) museum to visit in Maryland, the National Cryptologic Museum near Fort Meade is a hidden gem. Located just outside Washington, D.C., this fascinating museum shares the secret history of American codebreaking, espionage, and national defense. From World War II Enigma machines to…
During our month in the Washington DC area, we stayed at two campgrounds: Cosca Regional Park on the Maryland side of DC and Lake Fairfax Park on the Virginia side. Camping at Lake Fairfax Park is a great way to enjoy nature while staying close to all the attractions of…
Washington, D.C., is packed with famous landmarks, but one of its most beautiful spots often flies under the radar- the U.S. National Arboretum. This massive, 446-acre green space is home to stunning gardens, scenic walking trails, and one of the most unusual photo ops in the city: the Capitol Columns,…
Louise F. Cosca Regional Park, located in Clinton, Maryland, spans over 690 acres and offers a variety of recreational activities and camping facilities. Situated in Prince George’s County, this park features scenic trails, a fishing lake, picnic areas, and even an indoor nature center. Its peaceful, wooded setting makes it…
Spending two weeks in Northern Virginia while exploring the DC metro area was such a fun and busy adventure! We packed in so much during our stay—history, museums, parks, and even a few surprises along the way. It’s one of those places where there’s always something to do, and we…
Atlas Obscura has long been one of my go-to resources for travel planning. If you’re not familiar with it, the site is a treasure trove of weird and unusual places to explore. Both users and editors contribute entries, and you can create lists of places you’ve visited, plan to visit,…
We spent about a month in the Washington DC metro area. Our first two weeks were spent on the Maryland side of things. We visited DC itself a few times, as well as saw some Maryland historic sites. One of our main reasons for being in this area is that…