Overview
Bristol Township, Pennsylvania, and Woodlawn, Maryland offer quite a few scenic spots, attractions, and delicious restaurants that make for a perfect road trip. If you're looking to escape the city life, take a break and enjoy a serene drive, this route has something for everyone.
Halfway through the trip, you will reach Newark, Delaware, where you can check out their picturesque Main Street lined with eclectic shops and eateries.
Top Five Things to Do
Valley Forge National Historical Park
The Valley Forge National Historical Park in Valley Forge, PA, is a significant historical site that commemorates the harsh winter of 1777-78 and the revolutionary army that survived it. The park features trails, monuments, replicas, and reconstructed housing typical of that period. It's a site worth visiting for history buffs and families seeking a day outdoors.
Fun fact: Valley Forge National Historical Park houses 300-year-old trees, including tulip and oak trees, some of which date back to their colonial days.
Hershey's Chocolate World
Rightly coined as the "Sweetest Place on Earth," Hershey's Chocolate World cannot be missed. The destination in Hershey, PA, offers an interactive chocolate-making tour, Hershey's Kisses packing experience, and, of course, a rollercoaster ride! Not to forget, the chocolate shopping at Hershey's Chocolate World is unparalleled.
Fun fact: Hershey's Kisses chocolates were introduced in 1906 and got their name from the kissing sound the chocolate-making machines made.
Inner Harbor
Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland, is a multistory open-air shopping complex with scores of restaurants, stores, and entertainers. This place is perfect for anyone who loves seafood, as they have an impressive line-up of restaurants at the harbor. You can also take a tour of the site on a paddleboat and visit the nearby historic ships such as the USS Constellation and the USS Torsk.
Fun fact: The world's first dental school was made in Baltimore in 1840, and now the city hosts one of the largest international dental conventions.
National Aquarium
The National Aquarium in Baltimore is home to over 20,000 aquatic animals. The aquarium is organized by habitats and boasts a vast collection ranging from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean to the Amazon river and beyond. Not to mention, they hold a few aquatic shows, the schedule of which can be checked on their website.
Fun fact: The sharks and rays at National Aquarium have their personalized playlists! The aquarium staff tailors each animal's playlist to what they show interest in.
Fort McHenry
Fort McHenry in Baltimore, MD, played a pivotal role as a defense point during the War of 1812. It inspired Frances Scott Key to write the Star-Spangled Banner – the United States' national anthem. The fort features a museum, trails, and reconstructed areas that bring to life the history of the site.
Fun fact: The bodies of several veterans and their family members can be found buried near the fort. You can visit their final resting place, Fort McHenry National Cemetery, to pay your respects.
Conclusion
This road trip covers a distance of approx. 310 miles and can take up to six hours to complete, considering the stops mentioned above. The Valley Forge National Historical Park, Hershey's Chocolate World, Inner Harbor, National Aquarium, and Fort McHenry provide an experience of a lifetime. The route offers a perfect balance of history, entertainment, shopping, scenic beauty, and good food.