Susquehanna River north of Havre de Grace. Photo: Dan Sonnett
Located at the mouth of the Susquehanna River, this quiet city features the historic Concord Light House and the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum. Several waterside restaurants offer a sweeping view of the river, the passenger trains rumbling across a nearby bridge, and a seaplane hanger. From Interstate 95, take exit 89 to Route 155 south and follow the signs for the lighthouse located at the end of Lafayette Street.
Baltimore offers dozens of family-friendly ways to experience history and science. Marvel at the huge cannons and ramparts at historic Fort McHenry, located on East Fort Avenue. From Interstate 95, take exit 55 to Key Highway and follow the Fort McHenry signs. Inner Harbor, home of the Maryland Science Center, the National Aquarium and the battleship USS Constellation, is three miles northwest of the fort on Key Highway.
The USS Constellation in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Photo: Dan Sonnett
Maryland's State House in Annapolis. Photo: Dan Sonnett
The redbrick buildings and cozy streets of Maryland's capital harken back to the city's colonial past. River cruises and boat watching are favorite activities at the downtown harbor. From Route 50, take exit 24 to Rowe Boulevard, which leads to State Circle, site of the towering State House, and nearby Church Circle. From Church Circle, follow Main Street downhill to the waterfront.
The nation's capital is a top destination for family travelers. The museums of the Smithsonian Institution and at National Geographic headquarters, presidential monuments, and white-marbled buildings of the three branches of government are a delight for the eyes and mind (but tough on the feet). Washington, D.C. is accessible via the Capital Beltway, formed by Interstates 495 and 95. Interstate 66 leads east into the city from Virginia, and Route 50 is the main highway from the east. Metro, the public transportation system for the city, offers easy access to many sites.
The United States Capitol, Washington, DC. Photo: Dan Sonnett
George Washington's home at Mount Vernon. Photo: Dan Sonnett
George Washington's mansion and sprawling gardens, fields, and forests present a vivid picture of plantation life in the 1700s. Mount Vernon is located 16 miles (26 kilometers) south of Washington, D.C. at the southern end of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Bicyclists can reach Mount Vernon from Washington, D.C. via the 18-mile-long (29 kilometer) Mount Vernon trail. This paved trail follows the Potomac River's Virginia shoreline from Theodore Roosevelt Island to Mount Vernon.
