10 Non-Government-y Things to do in the Washington, D.C. Area

Prior to moving to San Francisco, and now London, I went to grad school in the D.M.V.—Delaware/Maryland/Virginia area. Whilst living in Maryland, I fell in love with the Mid-Atlantic region and all it has to offer.

Living twenty minutes from the capital certainly included plenty of government-related opportunities for our weekends like the myriad of free Smithsonian museums and walking around the National Mall. But some of our favorite weekend activities ended up being completely outside of the downtown Washington area.

1. Take a day trip to Annapolis. Although the entire D.C. area is full of historic significance, Maryland's capital is my favorite city due—in large part—to its old-world charm. Whether you just walk around Old Town and soak in the cobblestoned streets, idyllic 17th-century row-houses, catch a bite at the historic Reynolds Tavern, or rent a sailboat to head out onto the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis is a great place to spend a relaxing day.
2. Make a splash at the National Aquarium in Baltimore