Best quick trips photo
(From Franciscan Monastery)

Best quick trips

Weekend staff | The Washington Post  |  Updated 07/18/2011

Here are seven of our favorite excursions. They are urban and suburban, in museums and on footpaths, kid-friendly and date-friendly.

 
 
 
 
 

University of Maryland Observatory

College Park, MD

The College Park observatory hosts free open houses twice a month during which visitors can listen to a half-hour lecture and then peer through telescopes that the staff has trained on extraterrestrial objects.

 
 
 
 
 

Edgar Allen Poe House and Museum

Baltimore, MD

While the writer lived in this brick home with green shutters, he penned "Berenice" and "Tales of the Folio Club."

 
 
 
 
 

Sidamo Coffee & Tea

Washington, DC

Want a shot of culture with your jolt of caffeine? This Ethiopian coffeehouse holds coffee ceremonies and roasts beans on site.

 
 
 
 
 

Franciscan Monastery

Washington, DC

With its arched walkways, 15 miniature outdoor chapels and well-kept garden, the monastery offers a meditative oasis in the city. Walking around the 44 acres quietly, you might feel as if you are in a foreign (and much more peaceful) land.

 
 
 
 
 

Library of Congress - James Madison Bldg.

Washington, DC

The Library of Congress is a bit of a misnomer. You don't need to be a member of Congress to check it out. And you don't have to be a literary giant to get a LOC library card in order to use any of the 22 reading rooms and access its 650 miles of bookshelves.

 
 
 
 
 

Workhouse Arts Center

Lorton, VA

The site of the former prison is now much like the Torpedo Factory: an the atmosphere meant to allow the community to talk to local artists and watch them work. In the pastoral surroundings, you can round out an afternoon with a picnic and walk among an outdoor exhibition of sculpture.

 

Go Out Lists
A fun way to save and share your favorites

These are Post writers' picks, but what are yours? Make your own list to show others what you recommend. Here's how to get started.

 
Create a Go Out List
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Friends' activity

Talk to Us

Use this form to submit questions and comments about washingtonpost.com's Going Out Guide.
Submit
Submit a Listing
We welcome community submissions, but are not able to publish all listings we receive. Filing out this form will have your listing considered for both the Washington Post newspaper and for GoingOutGuide.com.
Event
(e.g., concert, exhibit, festival, theater performance, happy hour, author talk)
Business Location
(e.g., restaurant, bar, club, theater space, museum/gallery)
 
Submit
Thank you for submitting a listing for Going Out Guide. We will review your submission for consideration.
OK
Close

Thank You

Your e-mail has been sent to the following recipient(s) :

Close
 
 
 
 
 
Close

Thank You

 
Close
 
 
 
 
 
 
What You've Recently Viewed On Going Out Guide
Close

E-mail This List to a Friend

Best quick trips

(Enter the e-mail address of the recipient(s), separated by commas. Please limit to 10 recipients. )

chars typed
 
Submit
 
 
 
 
Cancel
 
 
 
 
 
Close

Save to Go Out List

You must be signed in to complete this action. Sign In or Register