CHECK OUT MORE FROM OUR '7 DAYS OF SUBURBS' WEEK

If you’re tired of the same old city activities consider heading out to D.C.’s suburbs in Maryland and Virginia for something a little different. We’ve included seven incredibly different — and in some cases, totally strange — day trip destinations for when you need to get away. Can’t pick just one? Take a week off from work, and hit a different spot each day.

NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center - Lanham, Maryland

Courtesy of Nasa

The Goddard Space Flight Center in Lanham is a fully operational outpost of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Located just 30 minutes from the District, you can visit the center for free and check out the visitors center or take a walk around the rocket garden. You might get lucky and catch an interesting panel or a model rocket launch. 

The Ghost Fleet of Mallows Bay - Nanjemoy, Maryland

Courtesy of WTOP

Every so often I find a hidden gem I never could’ve imagined would be sitting in my backyard. The Ghost Fleet of Mallows Bay is the largest ship graveyard in the Western Hemisphere. Located near the Potomac River in Nanjemoy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration named this area a National Marine Sanctuary. Head over and sneak a peek of the sinking ships from shore, or book a kayak tour to get up close.  

The Enchanted Forest - Ellicott City, Maryland

Photo by Medwords / CC BY-SA

The Enchanted Forest was a hugely popular theme park that opened in Ellicott City, Maryland in 1955. As so many of them go, the park closed in 1990 and became abandoned. Starting in 2004, the folks at Clark's Elioak Farm began moving some of the old attractions to their land. They’ve moved and restored a number of items since then, coming to a head with the acquisition and restoration of the white entrance castle. Visitors can swing by the farm to check out the attractions from March through November.

Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park - Fredericksburg / Spotsylvania, Virginia

Chatham Manor in National Military Park

One thing states within close proximity of the Mason-Dixon Line don’t lack are Civil War battlefields. Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania have history pouring across miles of land, lined with sunken-in old roads and dotted with cannons. You can take a tour of the battlefields, cemeteries, and historic homes, or simply drive around and take in the scenery. 

Great Falls National Park - McLean, Virginia

Great Falls National Park

One of the closest spots on this list is Great Falls in McLean, Virginia. This 800-acre national park sits along the Potomac River where the water builds and pours over jagged rocks. Bring a picnic, enjoy a hike, or — if you’re skilled enough — take your chances in a kayak and ride down the falls.  

Shenandoah Valley and Luray Caverns - Luray, Virginia

Dream Lake in Luray Caverns

The Shenandoah Valley in Luray is one of the most beautiful landscapes Virginia has to offer. In the Autumn, the trees turn into a tie-dye of colors over the mountains, and sunsets leave people in awe. However, a hidden gem in the Valley are the Luray Caverns, a system of tunnels deep below the earth’s surface. These caverns have more stalagmites and stalactites than any one person can count, reflecting pools, and massive columns. It’s something that really needs to be seen to grasp the sheer enormity of it.

Loudoun Wine Country - Loudoun, Virginia

Courtesy of Visit Loudon

If you thought you had to head to California for the good stuff, you would be wrong. Loudoun County, Virginia has been dubbed “D.C.’s wine country”, and with good reason. Snag the LoCo Wine Pass to get discounts, free tastings, and more at 22 vineyards and wineries in the area. If wine isn’t your thing, Loudoun now has an “ale trail” featuring 23 breweries.