Come and Feast at the 4 Best Diners in D.C.

Looking for a few road trip ideas to take friends and family on an adventure during springtime? Think of Maryland with its bright blooming flowers, water sparkling with sunlight, and clear blue skies. These three options are all based on a great destination that either aren't available or just aren't the same outside of the spring. St. Michaels Harbor Couples who love charming waterfront restaurants will get a great evening or weekend trip out of their drive to St. Michaels Harbor, along Route 50. Once you arrive, you can check out the great sights bearing the same name as the harbor. For instance, consider combining your trip with a stay at St. Michaels Harbor Inn, Marina and Spa. This 19th century manor-turned-hotel offers elegant suites and al-fresco dining. Enjoy watching the boats pass along the bay. The hotel, among others, schedules boat cruises and sailing lessons, or kept it simple and explore the historic streets, reminiscent of the state's Victorian-style New England roots. For brief visits and a more casual experience, try the local favorite restaurant, Carpenter Street Saloon, for a few drinks and the famed crab soup. more Baltimore's Food and Art Scenes Spring is a good time to try new experiences, and this path takes you to two fascinating museums, followed by a tour of the tastes in Charm City. To see it all, we recommend booking a hotel at the highly rated Inn at The Black Olive, only a half-mile from the second museum. The Baltimore Museum of Art 's sculpture garden is lovely in the spring, and all the exhibits are free. American Visionary Art Museum is next, dedicated to self-taught creators. This is where it gets weird, and you can see a giant wind-powered sculpture, structures made of toothpicks, and more. In-between your driving and museum visits, check out McCormick World of Flavors, a great shop for those with a culinary eye. Artifact Coffee is a good spot for a pick-me-up, and Pabu is a modern Japanese restaurant inside the Four Seasons Hotel with a twist on its offerings to reflect Maryland's culture. Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea and the Arts Pair your road trip with a walking tour of an historic mansion, and time your visit with the festival, to get herbs, teas, and various farmed or hand-crafted goods. The festival includes educational classes on gardening, herbal beauty products, and medicinal herbs, and everything takes place on the beautiful Montpelier Mansion, which also features a huge boxwood maze to explore. Coming from Suitland, Routes 295 or 495 will take you north for most of the journey. If you're staying the night (or two), Red Roof Inn-Laurel is the closest hotel to the mansion. Maryland is full of beautiful things to see and do, but if you're going to choose one time of year to have a road trip, why not go for the sunny, temperate days after the winter season? We hope you love whatever trips you choose, and come back with some great stories. Photo By wavebreakmedia | Royalty-free stock photo ID

Maryland's mountains, forests, and fields are all terrific fodder for a scenic journey through the state, but coastal drives have a charm all their own, and these are the three best ones for anyone living in Maryland. Chesapeake Country National Scenic Byway The first ever nationally designated scenic byway in Maryland, this 85-mile path takes about two to three hours to drive, but for a full experience of the eastern side of the Chesapeake Bay, we recommend planning a weekend with a few hotel stops in the cities that interest you most. The basic path begins in Stevensville, makes a backwards C route to Rock Hall, and then back a ways and north all the way to Chesapeake City. First, you may want to check out the serene beaches of Terrapin Nature Park before you leave Kent Island. Stop by the visitor venter as you leave Stevenson, if you want more ideas of where to stop. The drive on MD 18 and MD 213 will take you to Kent Narrows, and then Church Hill, known for its beautiful vineyards. Moving along 213, you'll cross Chester River Bridge and reach Chestertown, eventually Georgetown, and finally Chesapeake City, home to historic districts, calm canals, and horse-drawn carriage tours. more Cape to Cape Cape to Cape is a 120-mile north to south three state drive, starting in Cape Henlopen in Delaware, cutting down along the Atlantic coast of Maryland, and ending in Chincoteague at the easternmost part of Virginia. Along the journey, you'll see Photo by jcantroot | Licensed under cc BY 2.0

Clear skies and open roads practically beg you to hop into your car and head out of town. Maryland offers no shortage of diverting parks that make a day trip or weekend getaway well worth the drive. Natural wonders, historic adventures, cultural fun, and day hikes await, all within the Maryland state lines. Natural Wonders Journey to Assateague Island, whose mystical and untouched beauty draws visitors here to admire the untouched shores of this barrier island. Daily the wind whips across its sandy dunes, marshes, and the waves which crash against its shores. Yet, visitors come here to catch a glimpse of Assateague Island's famed wild horses. As a National Seashore, the park's rangers offer guided tours of its natural wonders. Pitch a tent and stay overnight in one of several campgrounds on the island. more Historic Adventures The national anthem traces its origins to the bombs bursting over the ramparts of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. Francis Scott Key penned this notable song as an ode to the American's heroic defense against the British and the enduring spirit of America. Come and tour this famous star-shaped battlement. This notable National Monument and Historic Shrine lies near the Inner Harbor of Baltimore. Cultural Fun If you're looking for culture, head straight to Glen Echo Park. This site was launched as a National Chautauqua Photo by swallowedtail | Licensed under cc0 1.0