Trimper’s Rides has something for everyone, including a historic
carousel, bumper cars, and a haunted house.
At the southern end of the island, Ocean City Life-Saving Station
Museum examines the history of the U.S. Life-Saving Service, which
preceded the U.S. Coast Guard. The museum provides a look at how
the station’s crew lived and worked, spotting ships in distress and
rescuing crew from shipwrecks. Families enjoy its aquariums with
native wildlife such as seahorses, crabs, and eels.
Just 15 minutes south of Ocean City is Assateague Island, famous
for its wild horses and stunning scenery. Divided between Maryland
and Virginia, the island is ecologically diverse, with sandy beaches,
marshes, bays, forests, and an abundance of wildlife. Visitors can
swim, kayak, bike, or simply walk, taking in the natural beauty of this
windswept island.
POTOMAC, MARYLAND - 13 miles from D.C.
Named for the Potomac River, this upscale D.C. suburb holds many
attractions rooted in nature.
One of its most remarkable landmarks is the elegant Glenstone Museum,
a contemporary art museum designed to blend art, architecture, and
Great Falls Park
Credit: National Park Service
nature. The minimalist architecture complements the surrounding
landscape, with clean lines and natural materials such as zinc, granite,
stainless steel, and teak. Inside the museum, exhibits include post–World
War II works from artists such as Cy Twombly and Brice Marden. Visitors
are encouraged to explore the paths, trails, meadows, streams, and
forests on the museum’s grounds.
One of the most affluent D.C. suburbs, Potomac is home to many
business executives, politicians, and diplomats. As a result, the town’s
dining scene is sophisticated, with a variety of restaurants that are
refined yet approachable. Renato’s at River Falls serves traditional
Italian dishes such as handmade gnocchi and ravioli “Mamma
Carmela,” with veal and mozzarella in a creamy tomato sauce. The
Grilled Oyster Company specializes in seafood, serving dishes like
Maryland crab cakes, po’ boys, and cioppino fish stew with locally
caught ingredients.
A trip to Potomac wouldn’t be complete without getting a glimpse of its
namesake river. Hikers can enjoy sweeping views from Billy Goat Trail —
part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park — which
has three sections of varying difficulty, though all can be challenging. On
the Virginia side of the river is Great Falls Park, where you can see the
Potomac cascade over craggy rocks and through the Mather Gorge.
United States Marine Corps War Memorial
Credit: Jake McGuire
SPRING 2020 61 FLYWASHINGTON.COM