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.
Eden Center on a day trip from Washington DC is the Falls Church Vietnamese-American complex since 1984, the third-largest Vietnamese-diaspora retail hub in the United States with 120 shops.
Tip: Pho So 1 and Banh Mi DC Sandwich both run inside Eden Center; lunch on Wednesdays is the quietest visit.
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.