For a Half Day
Arlington National Cemetery: Just across the Memorial Bridge from the Lincoln Memorial is America's largest national cemetery. Over 260,000 US soldiers, who fought in wars from the American Revolution onwards, are buried here, together with President John F Kennedy and the world champion boxer Joe Louis. Arlington (tel: (703) 607 8000; website: www.arlingtoncemetery.org) is open every day 1 Apr-30 Sep 0800-1900 (until 1700 Sep-Apr) and admission is free. The nearest Metro station is Arlington National Cemetery. Tourmobile Sightseeing Trams (tel: (202) 554 5100 or 1 888 868 7707; website: www.tourmobile.com) operates a narrated tour of the cemetery daily starting at the Arlington Cemetery Visitors Center.

For a Whole Day
George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Garden: Located in Virginia around 26km (16 miles) from the city, the delightful home of George and Martha Washington covers 200 hectares (500 acres) and includes his mansion, tomb, Slave Memorial, gardens and restaurants. The estate and gardens (tel: (703) 780 2000; website: www.mountvernon.org) are open 0800-1700 Apr-Aug, 0900-1700 in Mar, Sep and Oct and 0900-1700, Nov-Feb. A pleasant way to travel is to take the Spirit Cruise Line (tel: (202) 484 2320 or 1 866 302 2469; website: www.spiritcruises.com), which leaves Pier 4 at Sixth and Water Streets, SW, at 0900 for the 90-minute journey and returns from Mount Vernon at 1300. Cruises run from Mar to Oct. The fare includes admission to the estate and gardens. Gray Line of Washington (tel: (301) 386 8300 or 1 800 862 1400; website: www.graylinedc.com) also runs tours, which can include Alexandria.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania: Just 90 minutes from Washington, Abraham Lincoln made a two-minute speech to dedicate the new cemetery to the Civil War dead. His famous Gettysburg Address at Cemetery Ridge reminded the nation of the true purpose of the sacrifice the people had made. Gettysburg is also the site of the largest battle ever fought on American soil when, in July 1863, the Union Army under General George C Meade defeated the Confederate forces under General Robert E Lee. There are numerous places of interest in the town, including houses that featured significantly in the fighting, now open to the public. Information can be obtained from the Gettysburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, 89 Steinwehr Avenue (tel: (717) 334 2100; website: www.gettysburg.com). The tour bus company Gray Line of Washington (tel: (301) 386 8300 or 1 800 862 1400; website: www.graylinedc.com) runs tours to Gettysburg lasting 10 hours.

Baltimore, Maryland: Though Baltimore is often overlooked as a day trip destination, it offers a lot to see and do. Located 56km (35 miles) from DC, its multitude of interesting museums, ethnic neighbourhoods, the boardwalk and shopping at the Inner Harbor and Fort McHenry (where Frances Scott wrote the country's national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner) are just a few of its interesting attractions. Foodies will love Lexington Market, with its huge variety of cuisines and the best crab cakes on the planet. Information is available at the Baltimore Area Convention & Visitors Centre, 401 Light Street, 12th Floor Inner Harbor (tel: (410) 659 7300 or 1 800 343 3468 or 1 877 225 8466/BALTIMORE; website: www.baltimore.org), or check out the Columbus Baltimore City Guide.