5 Must-See Site Around Washington, D.C

Are you planning a trip to Washington, D.C.? Here are 5 noteworthy sites in the surrounding area, including Pennsylvania.

1. Arlington National Cemetery.

Located just outside Washington, D.C. in Arlington, Virginia, a visit to Arlington National Cemetery is a must if you are going to be in the Washington, D.C. area. There you can visit the Tomb of the Unknown Solider, the graves of President Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis, various graves of important military figures, as well as Arlington House, Robert E. Lee's former residence.

2. Crystal City.

A suburb of Washington, D.C. and Arlington, Virginia, Crystal City is an interconnected urban village that consists of high-rise apartments, shops, restaurants, and more. It is located near the Pentagon and can be reached by the Washington, D.C. metro. Its biggest attraction is its network of underground shops and restaurants. It is not officially a part of Washington, D.C. and isn't well known. It offers great shopping!

3. Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

A couple hours north east of Washington, D.C., Lancaster County, Pennsylvania is known nationwide as Amish country. Here you will find wonderful handmade furniture, food, home décor items. You will also be able to get a first hand look at Amish life. It is worth the trip and approximately half an hour from the next item on the list - Gettysburg and the Eisenhower National Historic Site (Farm).

4. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and Eisenhower National Historic Site (Farm).

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is located approximately 70 miles northeast of Washington, D.C. Visiting the historic battlefield is a sobering experience to say the least, but it is a must-see for all American History buffs. Quite frankly, you can't even begin to discuss the Civil War without discussing Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and President Abraham Lincoln's famous Gettysburg address. You might be surprised at how much you learn.

Adjacent to the battlefield, but relatively unknown, is the Eisenhower National Historic site. This site includes the home of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, along with his farm. The interior of his home is preserved in its 1950s décor and provides insight to his life once he life the Presidency. It is quite interesting and adds even more incentive to make the drive to Pennsylvania from Washington, D.C.

5. Mount Vernon.

One of the first historic preservation projects in the United States, Mount Vernon, founding father President George Washington's Estate, has a lot to offer. Only 16 miles down the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., Mount Vernon not only offers a tour of an 18th century mansion, it provides a glimpse of a working 18th century estate as well. Viewing the grounds is as interesting as visiting the main home and takes even more time. It should be included on every Washington, D.C. itinerary.

With a little planning, you can turn any trip to Washington, D.C. into something truly special. There is a lot more to the area that just what is in the city. While some of the sites that I included are well known, others are not. If you are traveling to Washington, D.C. from the north (such as Michigan), the sites mentioned in Pennsylvania are very easy to include.