The Mid-Atlantic region is bursting with historic sites and natural beauty. Whether you’re looking to explore the trails of a state park or just enjoy a front-and-center view of the capital’s historic buildings, it’s all waiting for you right here.

 

Delaware is a goldmine of beautiful natural vistas from pristine shoreline and beaches to refreshing, tucked-away forest oases. With so many options, it’s nearly impossible to pick just one. Fortunately, the Delaware State Parks website offers an informative list of all the possibilities. For a quiet afternoon by the ocean, visit Fenwick Island State Park in Rehoboth Beach. With 344 acres of ocean and bay shoreline, you can kick back and relax to the soothing sounds of crashing waves. If you enjoy meandering through lush forest, head to White Clay Creek State Park where 37 miles of some of the best trails in the area offer hikers views of beautiful valleys and magnificent rock formations. Plan your scenic escape to a Delaware State park at www.destateparks.com/park/index.asp.

 

One of Maryland’s show stopping views is undoubtedly that of Chesapeake Bay. From Annapolis Harbor to the Bay Bridge and the U.S. Naval Academy, there is plenty to see. Thanks to Tangier Island Cruises, you can take a trip back in time to Tangier Island in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay. Not only will you enjoy a firsthand view of the bay’s beauty and the chain of islands that form Tangier Sound, you’ll also get a chance to explore a piece of history that has barely changed since its original settlement in 1686. To begin your adventure, visit the Tangier Island Cruises website at www.tangierislandcruises.com.

 

One enjoyable way to enjoy the views of Washington, D.C. with its historic streets and inspiring monuments along the Potomac River is with a delectable meal. Many of Washington’s restaurants pair five-star vistas with five-star cuisine. America DC, located at 50 Massachusetts Avenue, offers sweeping views of Capitol Hill while guests of The Lafayette, located within the Hay-Adams Hotel on Sixteenth Street, delight in incomparable sights of both the White House and Lafayette Square. Make your reservations today – at www.arkrestaurants.com/america.html and www.hayadams.com/lafayette-washington-dc.php – and savor the experience.

 

Just 15 miles from Washington, D.C., in McLean, Virginia, visitors can enjoy the combination of history and nature while taking in the beauty of Great Falls Park. Most of the park’s 800 acres are made up of forest, but there are also swamplands, meadows and streams. Three overlooks offer spectacular views of Great Falls. Keep your eyes open for some of the park’s wildlife, which includes deer, great blue herons, red-tailed hawks and turtles. You might even see signs of beaver activity on the River Trail. Plan your visit to Great Falls Park at www.nps.gov/grfa/index.htm.

 

Many of the region’s best views will only get better as the coming spring season blooms. Take some time to explore the amazing scenery in your area.