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Washington DC is one of the most dynamic duty station areas in the country. Whether you're at the Pentagon, Joint Base Andrews, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Fort Belvoir, Fort Meade, Marine Corps Base Quantico, or Walter Reed / NNMC Bethesda, you're positioned at the crossroads of the Mid-Atlantic.
You're within two to three hours of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Atlantic coast, the Chesapeake Bay, and several of the most historically significant cities in America. Traffic is the enemy — but on a Friday evening when the weekend opens up, the options are excellent.
Here's where military families stationed near DC should put on their travel list.
75 miles west · about 1.5 hours
Why go: When the pace of DC gets to be too much, Shenandoah is your release valve. Skyline Drive runs the entire length of the park along the Blue Ridge ridge line — you can drive every mile of it in a day, or stop and hike to waterfall after waterfall. It's one of the most accessible national parks on the East Coast.
Must-dos:
Military tip: Active duty military and their dependents get free entry to all national parks including Shenandoah with the America the Beautiful Military Pass. Pick yours up at any park entrance or order online through the USGS. Old Rag requires a separate timed-entry reservation even with a pass — check recreation.gov in advance.
35 miles east · about 45 minutes
Why go: Annapolis punches well above its weight. It's Maryland's capital, home to the US Naval Academy, and one of the most charming colonial waterfronts in the country. It's also genuinely easy to reach from most DC-area installations.
Must-dos:
Military tip: The US Naval Academy Museum is free and open to the public. If you have DoD ID access to USNA grounds, you can also take advantage of the academy's marina and recreation facilities during your visit.
200 miles southeast · about 3 hours
Why go: Virginia Beach is the closest Atlantic Ocean beach to the DC area and one of the most military-saturated communities in America. NAS Oceana, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek–Fort Story, and Naval Station Norfolk are all nearby. The Beach is a full resort city with 35 miles of coastline, a lively boardwalk, and a deep culture of respect for the military.
Must-dos:
Military tip: Virginia Beach is exceptionally military-friendly. Many boardwalk restaurants and local businesses offer active duty discounts — just ask. If you have base access at Naval Station Norfolk or NAS Oceana, those installations have recreation facilities and beach access passes worth checking out before your trip.
175 miles west · about 3 hours
Why go: Deep Creek Lake is Maryland's largest freshwater lake, tucked into the Appalachian Mountains in Garrett County. It's a four-season destination — wakeboarding and kayaking in summer, leaf-peeping in fall, and some of the best skiing in the Mid-Atlantic in winter at Wisp Resort. It's the kind of place military families come back to every year.
Must-dos:
Military tip: Wisp Resort offers military discounts on lift tickets and ski rentals — check their website before your trip and bring your military ID. Deep Creek Lake is a popular vacation rental destination; booking a lakefront house through Crewdogs means the whole family (and the dog) gets the full lake experience.
110 miles south · about 2 hours
Why go: Richmond is one of the most underrated cities on the East Coast. It's a compact, walkable city on the James River with a serious food and craft beer scene, one of the most significant Civil War histories in America, and an outdoor culture built around Class III rapids running right through the middle of town.
Must-dos:
Military tip: The American Civil War Museum offers military discounts on admission. Richmond National Battlefield Park is free to all with the America the Beautiful Military Pass. And nearly every brewery in Scott's Addition runs a military discount — ask when you order.
| Destination | Distance from DC | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Shenandoah NP | ~75 mi / 1.5 hrs | Hiking, scenic drives, Blue Ridge beauty |
| Annapolis | ~35 mi / 45 min | Naval heritage, waterfront dining, sailing |
| Virginia Beach | ~200 mi / 3 hrs | Atlantic beaches, family R&R, naval community |
| Deep Creek Lake | ~175 mi / 3 hrs | Lakeside adventure, skiing, mountain escape |
| Richmond | ~110 mi / 2 hrs | Civil War history, craft beer, James River |
Wherever you go, book your accommodations through Crewdogs, the only vacation rental platform built exclusively for the military community. Every stay comes with:
Search military-verified vacation rentals near DC:
Shenandoah ·
Virginia Beach ·
Deep Creek Lake ·
Richmond ·
Washington DC
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