Spring is near and it’s time to start planning your next road trip. Take a look at these great destinations in the Mid-Atlantic states, and maybe something will spark your travel bug.
I live in the Mid-Atlantic and we have so many great places to explore. The best part is many are within driving distance of one another. Many of these destinations offer a great weekend getaway, just enough time for a little rest and rejuvenation without hurting the wallet. The Mid-Atlantic also offers unique roadside attractions that will entertain drivers along the highways and byways.
Mid-Atlantic Road Trip Ideas
Delaware
Travel the Brandywine National Scenic Byway and experience Greater Wilmington’s château country. The Byway, which encompasses Routes 52 and 100, winds through a gorgeous river valley, rolling hills, fabulous gardens, historic mills and magnificent mansions now home to some of the nation’s finest museums. Discover Hagley, Winterthur and Nemours Estates. Don’t forget to spend a day at Longwood Garden’s, as spring is such a beautiful display.
Maryland
- Anne Arundel County
Annapolis boasts a host of roadside and waterside attractions – from farmer’s markets to dockside restaurants with live entertainment. Watch the Harbor Queen, Woodwind Schooners, and other boats strut their stuff at Ego Alley.
- Baltimore
Baseball fans making the pilgrimage to Baltimore should not miss the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum. Explore the historic Baltimore row-home where fans can learn about his early years and the history of baseball.
- Cecil County
Travel to, Gilpin’s Falls Covered Bridge for some great photos. Make furry friends at Plumpton Park Zoo with tigers, bears, Jimmy the Giraffe, and more. Glimpse by-gone eras in at The Bee Hive complex with remains of a mill tavern, cooper, and worker’s house.
- Frederick County
It may come as a surprise to visitors that Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo got its start as a small roadside attraction. Today this 100-acre habitat gives visitors a chance to get up-close and personal with the animals, either on foot or by taking a safari ride through the property.
- Harford County (I am partial to this destination, it’s where I live)
Hike to King & Queen Seat, once a ceremonial gathering place for the Susquehannock Indians. Stroll 22 acres with over 100 life-size topiary sculptures at Ladew Gardens which was established in the 1930s. Built in 1827, the Concord Point Lighthouse is the second-oldest tower lighthouse on the Chesapeake Bay.
- Wicomico County
Explore the world’s largest decoy collection at the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, located conveniently off of Route 50 in Salisbury. Featuring a collection of wildfowl art, from antique working decoys to contemporary carving, sculpture and painting.
Pennsylvania
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pull over and check out Pennsylvania’s quirky roadside attractions you’ll have to see to believe! Wave hello to Strasburg’s 15-foot-tall Giant Amish Man, stop at Ringing Rocks Park where the scenery actually sings, or marvel at a home-built inside of a humongous stucco boot along the Lincoln Highway.
- Butler County
Butler County is home to some out-of-this-world roadside attractions that draw a wide range of visitors. From the futuristic look of Playthings Etc.’s metallic spacecraft building where its toys match its extravagant theme, to a UFO that seems to have crash landed in the town of Mars.
- Chester County
Herr’s Snack Factory Tour is a must-see and a might taste! Herr’s Factory is located off Old Baltimore Pike in Nottingham. The tour demonstrates how these delicious snacks are made. Sample warm chips straight from the production line and visit the gift shop for a tasty souvenir.
- Huntingdon County
The roadside attractions in the Raystown Lake Region hold interesting history to explore, The Isett Heritage Museum features 40,000 items organized by era. Along Pennsylvania’s Route 22, travelers visit Lincoln Caverns (discovered 85+ years ago when the road was built) and Swigart Antique Automobile Museum.
- Lackawanna County
Explore Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands on the Lincoln Highway, the first cross-country highway. Along the way pass giant kitschy sculptures; Fort Ligonier where George Washington began his military career; and the Storybook Forest at Idlewild Park. Experience with exhibits on quirky architecture including the Ship Hotel and Coffee Pot.
- Lancaster
Enjoy the world-famous shoo-fly pie at Dutch Haven bakery in Ronks. Still made from its original 1946 recipe, this yummy dessert and many other goodies, plus a variety of Amish hand-made goods and souvenirs, are all housed inside a unique, windmill-shaped structure along the famed Lincoln Highway.
- Lehigh Valley
Add a detour packed with stunning scenery to your itinerary on your next drive through Pennsylvania. The Lehigh Valley Covered Bridge Tour provides a glimpse at the seven bridges throughout the region, all offering beautiful photo opportunities and charming picnic locations while you take a break from the busy highways.
- Pocono Mountains
From a giant gorilla statue and all sorts of oddities at Country Junction, to the haunted Old Jail Museum in Jim Thorpe, and even an ice sculpture factory and museum at Sculpted Ice Works in Lakeville, the Pocono Mountains is full of roadside attractions sure to wow the passerby.
- York County
Built by a flamboyant shoe salesman in 1948, the Haines Shoe House in York County started as an advertising gimmick. The owner even allowed elderly couples to stay in the shoe for vacation. Now, it’s a unique roadside attraction off U.S. Route 30, featuring ice cream and seasonal tours. You can also go on FREE factory tours in York County including the Harley Davidson Factory.
Virginia
- Hampton
An eye-catching outdoor museum, Air Power Park pays tribute to Hampton’s legacy in early space exploration and aircraft testing. Using the provided brochure, guests can conduct their own self-guided tour of the park which features jets, missiles, and rockets. Air Power Park is located on Mercury Blvd., north of I-64.
- Harrisonburg
Come enjoy a taste of the past at the Shenandoah Heritage Market in Harrisonburg. Sample some old-fashioned valley goodness at the area’s largest country market. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of water gardens and park benches while you wander through 20+ locally-owned and operated shops.
- Shenandoah County
Originally built-in 1894, Meems Bottom Covered Bridge is the longest publicly-accessible covered bridge in Virginia. This 204-foot-single-span Burr arch truss bridge spans the North Fork of the Shenandoah River near Mount Jackson. Although burned by vandals on Halloween 1976, the bridge was reconstructed after salvaging the original timbers.
- Virginia’s Blue Ridge
A true roadside attraction below ground directly off Interstate 81 is Dixie Caverns. Rather than descending into the caverns, you ascend. Above ground is the Roanoke Star, a 100-foot neon star that has 2,000 feet of neon tubing and can be seen from 60 miles away as it shines nightly.
- Winchester-Frederick County
Dinosaur Land, just outside of Winchester, has been a favorite family road trip stop for over 50 years. But don’t forget the numerous orchards and family-owned farm stands, such as Marker-Miller Orchard, Richard’s Fruit Market, and Virginia Farm Market, which have lured travelers off the highway for generations.
No matter if you combine these destinations, or enjoy one area at a time you are sure to have a memorable trip in the Mid-Atlantic.