Suggestions About Places to Visit
Make the most of your time in the United States. We encourage all of our students to travel during their time in the U.S. We notice that our students thrive through use of their English as they explore the U.S. We hope you can visit many of these destinations during your time here!
Some of our favorite places to visit in the Mid-Atlantic region are listed below. Our team voted and selected these as our favorite destinations to recommend to students. We even named our classrooms after these cities, states, and natural areas! The photos you see below were taken outside of our classrooms. We invite you to visit our school to see our wonderful learning environment!
We have prepared information for students about the following destinations. Click on the links below or come and visit us to learn more!
Alexandria, established in 1695, is a beautiful colonial-era city in the state of Virginia. It is only about 7 miles (11km) south of Washington, D.C., so it is a wonderful place to visit to take a break from the fast-paced atmosphere of the capital. From its beautiful old-town to George Washington's home at Mount Vernon, Alexandria is an excellent tourist destination. More about Alexandria
Annapolis is a beautiful city located on the Chesapeake Bay. It is Maryland’s capital and is also known by many as the sailing capital of the world. Annapolis is home to some of the best museums, historic sites, and restaurants in Maryland. It also has many lovely parks, gardens, and mansions. If you like watersports, it’s a great place to visit during the summer. More about Annapolis
Baltimore is the largest city in Maryland. It is known as "a city of neighborhoods" because there are hundreds of identified districts to explore. Many of these, such as Fell’s Point, Federal Hill, and Mount Vernon Place, are famous historic districts. Baltimore is also the city with the most public monuments in the entire country. More about Baltimore
Charlottesville is a small city located approximately two hours from Bethesda. It is best known for its historic sites, such as Thomas Jefferson's home at Monticello, as well as the university he created, the beautiful University of Virginia. Take a walk among the classically Virginian architecture of the university and see a great example of an American "college town." Nearby, you can also do a walking tour of downtown Charlottesville and visit other early-American historic sites. More about Charlottesville
The Chesapeake Bay is 200 miles long and is bordered by both Maryland and Virginia. The bay has enormous ecological, economic, historic, and cultural significance for the United States. If you enjoy fishing, boating, hiking, water sports, picnicking, bird-watching, or relaxation, the Chesapeake Bay is a great place to visit. You will also find hundreds of historic sites, museums, and parks to visit along the bay. There are many worthwhile Chesapeake Bay locations that are an easy drive from the Washington, D.C. area. Many of the following destinations are even accessible for a well-planned day trip away. More about the Chesapeake Bay
Experience the rich history and culture of the United States right here in Washington, D.C.! There are many, many special places to visit here, and we have developed a list of our favorite places to see in our nation’s capital. Our Friday Outings (see calendar here) often visit these destinations, and most offer tours that you can join with friends or family. Also, see websites for tours offered in languages other than English, and contact us for information about Special Outings to destinations that are harder to visit alone. Download additional information here. More about Washington D.C.
New York City is America's largest city and one of the world's most vibrant megacities. With a metropolitan area population of approximately 20 million, New York is a city of extremes of wealth and poverty. Most Americans would say that New York is also a city of intense images, smells, sounds, ideas, feelings, and emotions. You really should experience it during your time in the United States! More about NYC
Pennsylvania is not far from Bethesda and offers many destinations that are rich in history and culture. Some of our favorite places there include the Lancaster County area where many Amish people live, the famous Gettysburg battlefield, and the city of Philadelphia, which is surprisingly close to Washington, D.C., Much of the state is an easy drive from the Washington, D.C. area. Many of the following destinations are even accessible for a well-planned day trip away. More about Pennsylvania
The Shenandoah region of Virginia is a beautiful area with great nature, scenic views, and some of the best hiking/walking trails on the East Coast. Located only about 90 minutes from Bethesda, Shenahdoah is the closest of America’s national parks to Washington, D.C. It is a "must see" for international residents of the area. We encourage you to explore Shenandoah and experience its natural beauty and outdoor activities! More about Shenandoah
In addition, we provide some information about a few very special places outside the Mid-Atlantic region, including some favorite destinations for international visitors to the United States such as Yellowstone National Park. See below.
A Few of the Most Special Destinations Outside the Mid-Atlantic
There are so many places to see in the United States. We always encourage students to travel to experience the beauty of our nature and the diversity of American society. The following destinations are some of our favorites, with more to come.
Yellowstone National Park is a great destination if you’d like to explore America’s natural beauty in a vast, unsettled area. Located in the states of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, Yellowstone was the first National Park in the U.S. and is famous for its spectacular views, wildlife, and many geothermal features. More about Yellowstone
Upstate New York is not very far from the Washington, D.C. area--an easy day's drive--but offers international visitors the natural beauty of the Adirondacks and Finger Lakes, the experience of small towns and small cities, and plenty of history. New York is more than just New York City! More about Upstate New York
Information about more destinations is forthcoming. We know that many students like to visit cities such as Boston, California, Chicago, and Florida! Please let us know if you have any questions about other places to visit while you are in the U.S.!