The ocean, sightseeing and D.C.?

I%26#39;ve never been to Maryland before, so please excuse my ignorance... I%26#39;m thinking about trying to put together a vacation there, probably in June, somewhere on a coast where I can go to a beach, eat some crab, maybe take in some sights, and also go into D.C. for a couple of days (I%26#39;ve never been there, either, and would like to see all of the monuments, the White House, etc.). Where should I base myself, in your opinion, and do you have any tips for can%26#39;t-miss attractions/restaurants/etc.? Thanks in advance.

The ocean, sightseeing and D.C.?

This is very easy to do if you are willing to move your base for the DC part of the trip. However, DC is about 2.5 to 3 hours to the Ocean and traffic is not always friendly.

There are some decent crabhouses at the beach and plenty on the Eastern Shore. If I were you and wanted to get a good feel for the area, I%26#39;d stay a few nights at one of the four major Maryland/Delaware ocean beaches (Rehoboth, Bethany, Fenwick, Ocean City) and then spend a night or two at a B%26amp;B at a Chesapeake Bay town (St. Michaels, Oxford, Chestertown, Rock Hall all on the Eastern Shore or even Annapolis on the Western shore) and then get a room in DC for the the last couple of days. Annapolis is also close enough to DC to combine the two.

The ocean, sightseeing and D.C.?

AAA says that Wash. D.C. has the 2nd worst traffic of any metropolitan area in the U.S. If you%26#39;re sightseeing there (at least on a weekday), get lodgings in the city itself (or somewhere inside the beltway) and don%26#39;t try commute in.

Annapolis is a very scenic colonial city with narrow streets and many shops, galleries, and a nautical ambience, that you would enjoy. Tour the Naval Academy there. St. Michaels and Chestertown are tso other charming historic waterfront towns to explore (but they do not have beaches).