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This enticing city on the Chesapeake Bay is one of the great sailing centers on the East Coast as well as being home to the US Naval Academy. It has a bustling business district and numerous historic houses, such as the home of William Paca, the governor who signed the Declaration of Independence.

Before the Civil War, John Brown carried out his famous raid against government troops here, protesting the legality of slavery in the United States. The picturesque little town around the old Potomac waterfront has been preserved and is filled with exhibits about the history of this important industrial, shipping, and military center. This is a fine place to hike, and picnics on the riverfront are popular.

This delightful winding road passes 107 miles (170 km) through the mountain and valley scenery of Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park. Numerous hiking trails to isolated peaks, waterfalls, and rare forest environments begin from the main highway.

Called “Charm City” by its residents and promoters, Baltimore offers museums of art, industry, baseball, science, railroads, and marine trade along with historic sites from every American period. Its phenomenal National Aquarium is among the finest in the world. The historic Lexington Market, established in 1782, is still going strong with over 140 food vendors.

Assateague Island is famed for its wild ponies. The pony swim and auction, held on the last Wednesday and Thursday of July, is a major attraction. The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is paradise for bird-watchers and nature buffs. The local seafood is first-rate, and the ice cream made here is justifiably famous.

In the heart of Virginia hunt country, Middleburg is a captivating little town. Its seasonal farmers market, local horse races, and its antique shops, galleries, and fine restaurants draw visitors from all over.

This city on the Rappahannock River offers colonial homes, moving Civil War sites, and a downtown filled with shops and restaurants. A marked walking tour lays out milestones in the city’s history.

Noted for its bridges, Frederick is a city steeped in the memory of 19th-century life and the Civil War. In addition, it has an exceptional artistic and cultural life.

This Civil War battlefield is where Confederate and Union soldiers fell by the thousands fighting for conflicting visions of the nation’s future. Manassas experienced two pitched battles, the first an opening confrontation of untested troops, the second a bloodbath. Guided tours are available.

The three-day battle of Gettysburg in 1863 was the bloodiest of the Civil War, killing over 51,000. Lincoln’s famous address dedicating the cemetery here expressed determination to persevere in maintaining the Union and began to put the great conflict in perspective. The Gettysburg National Military Park is among the most visited sites on the East Coast.