Baltimore and DC Spring Break Getaway

We are in peak Spring Break season! As a travel agent, I love the opportunity to plan warm getaways full of vitamin D for families while their hometown weather flip-flops between sun and snow. But a local road trip is a great solution for families who don’t get a full week off or who might be saving for a bigger vacation later in the year.

This year, I planned a trip for my own family from our hometown in Central Pennsylvania to Baltimore and Washington, DC. It was just what we needed to get away from our routines, explore, and connect. 

We kicked things off at Great Wolf Lodge in Perryville, MD. I wanted to start the trip with some excitement for the kids, and they were offering a great spring break deal. For the very best rates, stay over on a Monday or Tuesday night! We stayed one night on a Monday in a Kid Cabin Suite and enjoyed two full days at the waterpark, climbing the ropes course, and threatening our tweens to take pictures with Wiley Wolf and Brinley Bear. 

Next, we made our way to Baltimore, MD to visit family and explore the city. Since we were staying with family, we spent three nights and took our time enjoying their favorite spots as well as the typical day at the National Aquarium in Baltimore Harbor. 

If you haven’t been to the National Aquarium, it is worth the trip. We spent time watching and learning about dolphins, we touched jellyfish (you can do that?), and we met a sloth! Unfortunately the fourth floor was under renovation, and I think that’s where the sweet puffins live, so we’ll just need to visit again soon.

Next, we explored Fells Point, a beautiful, historic neighborhood and home of Edgar Allen Poe’s favorite tavern, “The Horse You Came In On Saloon.” They say you can see his ghost at his favorite table. We hopped on the water taxi and took a ride across the river with views of the Domino Sugar Refinery, the gorgeous Sagamore Pendry Hotel, and enjoying the sunny day. Since we were spending time with family, we took it easy hanging out at Patterson Park, their favorite ice cream spot, Baltimore Licks, and cafe Ovenbird Bakery. 

There is SO much more to explore in Baltimore, and next time I will plan more to see such as Fort McHenry, Port Discovery Children’s Museum, and more Edgar Allen Poe experiences!

We were off to our next city, Washington, DC! Since it is a short drive from Baltimore, we chose to drive to DC in the morning and we stayed just one night at the Residence Inn Washington DC Downtown. 

For our first day, we parked near the National Mall and started our tour at the Air and Space Museum. All of the Smithsonian museums have free entry, but some require an online reservation and Air and Space is one of them. Be sure to do some research beforehand to make sure you can get in to your must-see museums. Keeping in line with my relaxed itinerary for this trip, we stuck with Air and Space and the American History Museum with specific plans to see Dorothy’s ruby slippers for my Wicked fan! 

If you have never been to DC before, be warned that you will be walking a LOT. We parked close to Capitol Hill on the east end and walked over 2 miles to the Lincoln Memorial on the west end and back again. All over DC, you will find e-scooters and e-bikes to rent from Lime, Spin, and Capitol Bike Share. Lime seems to be the most prominent, and you can easily download their app and hop on a scooter to save your feet. My girls were grateful for a fun ride partway back to our car after checking out the Lincoln Memorial. 

The next morning, we met up with our cousin who works at the National Children’s Museum! Here you will need to purchase tickets, but it is well worth it if you have little ones who could use some fun just for them after loads of historical tours and museums in the capitol. When you enter, you will see an “aesthetic” (according to my tweens) white climbing area with a huge slide. As you explore further into the museum, there are hands-on educational and entertaining exhibits including some featuring Paw Patrol and Sponge Bob.

After lunch at District Taco, we hopped in the car to go to the National Zoo for the rest of the day. We were excited to see the pandas, who were unfortunately napping when we got to them! The Africa Trail, where you can find cheetahs (our favorite), is currently closed for refurbishment. So, clearly, we will be back to try visiting them again! Even so, it was well worth spending the day at the zoo. We probably could have stayed in the Small Mammal house all day visiting adorable tamarins, the fennec fox, naked mole rats, meerkats, and another sloth! 

Entry to the National Zoo is free, but it is another Smithsonian institution that requires an online reservation. Parking on site costs $30, so keep an eye out for street parking in nearby neighborhoods, or reserve a spot using the SpotHero app. 

After the zoo, we hopped in our car and hit the road back home which is about a four-hour drive from DC. In total, we traveled from Monday to Saturday

If you want to plan a mini road trip for your family but don’t know where to start, reach out to your Traveling Fairies! We can help book tours, hotels, or even home rentals and come up with an itinerary to fit your family’s travel style, no matter where the road takes you! 

Your Bibbidi Bobbidi Bestie,

Becky