10 of the Best Beaches Around Washington DC To Visit This Summer
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Maura
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The one thing Washington DC is missing is a good beach. Luckily it’s not a far drive from some incredible beaches. You can find party towns, quiet towns, shopping havens, nature preserves and enough miles of beautiful beaches to satisfy your ocean craving this summer. Here are 10 of the best beaches around Washington DC to add to your summer bucket list.
If you need to get to the beach ASAP, Sandy Point State Park is the closest beach to Washington DC in Anne Arundel County on the west side of the Chesapeake. At Sandy Point, you can go swimming, picnicking, fishing, crabbing, boating and hiking.
Not far from Rehoboth, Bethany is the destination for those looking for a quieter beach vacation. In addition to its beach, Bethany offers state parks, museums, gardens and plenty of tax-free shopping.
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Lewes Beach in Delaware is a quiet coast town with history, gorgeous views, nature trails and a quiet respite from the noisier surrounding beach towns.
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One square mile of pure fun, Rehoboth is so popular in Washington DC that its known as the "Nation’s Summer Capital." Stroll their charming main street, play on their beautiful beaches and check out the live music on the band stand.
If you want a beach that has something for everyone and is only a couple of hours away from Washington, DC, then head to Ocean City, Maryland. Miles of beach, a boardwalk with rides, shops and bars, along with golf courses and fishing spots, Ocean City will delight the night life lovers, families and children, and everyone in between!
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Party goers love Dewey Beach. After you finish swimming, boating or jet skiing along the sunny beach in Delaware, you’ll discover bars, live music venues, and night clubs for late night revelry.
The Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean at Virginia Beach where you’ll find three beaches in one vacation. This family-friendly destination is a hot spot for vacationers with its a large boardwalk, festivals and live events, restaurants and hotels.
No traffic jams, boardwalks or hotels, Chincoteague Island is an island of itself. Relaxation is in full force in this natural oasis with beautiful sunsets, adventure sports, wildlife refuges and the gateway to Assateague Island.
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If you really want to escape the Washington crowd, Ocean City in New Jersey is just a few hours north of the city and provides a family-friendly resort area with beaches, a large boardwalk with amusement parks, shopping and restaurants and a quiet bay side that offers fishing and boating. Don’t look for bars though as Ocean City is a "dry town" that doesn’t sell alcohol.
If you’re looking for more than a beach in your beach vacation, Atlantic City is your ticket. Known for its casinos and infamous boardwalk, Atlantic City is the place for gambling, live music and big parties.
No matter what type of beach vacation you are looking for, you can find it around Washington, DC. If you can’t take a whole vacation, then make a day trip to one of these 15 unique day trips near Washington DC.
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