Annapolis on a day trip from Washington DC is the Maryland capital on the Chesapeake Bay, a 45-minute drive east where Cantler's Riverside Inn and Boatyard Bar and Grill serve steamed blue crab.
Tip: Order steamed blue crabs by the half-bushel (a dozen) at Cantler's; ask for medium, which is the value size. Drive home before 17:00 to avoid traffic.
Baltimore on a day trip from Washington DC is the Maryland city north of DC where Lexington Market since 1782 holds Faidley's lump-meat crab cake counter, the canonical Mid-Atlantic crab cake.
Tip: Faidley's lump-meat crab cake is the editorial buy; the market has been operating in its current building since 1949.
Little Washington Virginia on a day trip from Washington DC is the village 1.5 hours west where Patrick O'Connell's Inn at Little Washington holds three Michelin stars and a Virginia-rural fine-dining destination.
Tip: The tasting menu runs $358 and books out months ahead; the Inn also has 24 rooms if you want to overnight.
Charlottesville on a day trip from Washington DC is the Virginia university town in the Monticello American Viticultural Area, with 30 wineries within 30 minutes including Barboursville and King Family.
Tip: Barboursville Vineyards runs the canonical Virginia tasting from 11:00; their Octagon Bordeaux blend is the cellar pick.
Loudoun County on a day trip from Washington DC is the Northern Virginia wine region 45 minutes west of the city, with 40 wineries marketed as DC's Wine Country and home to Stone Tower and Bluemont.
Tip: Bluemont Vineyard's terrace looks back at the Washington Monument 40 miles east; book the picnic tasting for the value pick.
Old Town Alexandria on a day trip from Washington DC is the cobblestone Federal-era riverfront 20 minutes south on Metro, where Hank's Oyster Bar and Restaurant Eve serve Chesapeake-leaning menus.
Tip: Walk King Street from the Metro to the waterfront; Gadsby's Tavern since 1785 (a Washington-Jefferson favourite) runs a colonial-era set menu.
The Shenandoah Valley on a day trip from Washington DC is the Virginia orchard region 1.5 hours west, with Bold Rock Cider, hard cider tastings and pick-your-own apple orchards in the autumn.
Tip: Bold Rock Hard Cider in Nellysford runs free tastings; autumn is the season for orchards, with peak in October.