Everyone has their go-to spots for showing off their town — places that might not make the travel guides but capture the true spirit of the area. We’ve gathered some of our favorites that are perfect for day trips, weekend escapes, or spur-of-the-moment adventures. Let FreedomCar take you to the best our region has to offer.
Baltimore
WHERE TO EAT
- Ampersea
- Attman’s Delicatessen – Jewish Deli
- Atwaters – Bread, soup, sandwiches, salads
- Blue Moon Café – Breakfast
- The Bygone – Fine Dining
- Cosima – Italian
- Crafty Crab Restaurant – Seafood
- Crave – Dessert
- Jimmy’s Famous Seafood – Seafood
- Johnny’s – Seafood & American
- Lenny’s Delicatessen – Sandwiches
- Magdalena – American
- Monarque – French
- Mother’s Grille – American
- Papermoon Diner – Comfort Food
- Papi Cuisin – Afro-Latin Fusion
- Philips – Seafood
- Prigel Family Creamery – Cheese, charcuterie, & ice cream
- Restaurante Tio Pepe – Spanish
- Sabatinos – Italian
- Zavino Italian Marketplace – Italian
WHERE TO STAY
WHAT TO DO
Music:
Museums:
- American Visionary Art Museum – A unique Baltimore museum showcasing outsider and folk art through imaginative, thought-provoking exhibits and interactive installations.
- President Street Station – Formerly the Baltimore Civil War Museum, President Street Station was an eyewitness to key events in our nation’s history.
- Reginald F. Lewis Museum – Maryland’s largest African American history museum, showcasing exhibitions, programs, and collections that explore African American culture and heritage.
Unique Experiences:
- Baltimore Water Taxi – A scenic and convenient way to explore Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and waterfront neighborhoods, with hop-on, hop-off service to popular attractions.
- Boordy Vineyards – A historic Maryland winery producing award-winning wines, offering tastings, tours, and seasonal events in a scenic countryside setting just outside Baltimore.
- Druid Hill Park – One of the oldest landscaped public parks in the U.S., offering scenic trails, lakes, gardens, and cultural attractions in the heart of Baltimore.
- Federal Hill – A historic Baltimore neighborhood known for its vibrant restaurants and shops, lively nightlife, and a park with panoramic views of the Inner Harbor.
- Fells Point Waterfront – A historic Baltimore neighborhood along the harbor, known for its cobblestone streets, lively pubs, waterfront dining, and maritime charm.
- Lake Roland – Walk trails, kayak in the lake, or picnic lakeside—you’re choice.
- National Aquarium – A renowned waterfront attraction in Baltimore featuring thousands of aquatic animals, immersive habitats, and conservation-focused exhibits.
- Orioles MLB Game at Camden Yards
- Power Plant Live! – An entertainment district in downtown Baltimore featuring restaurants, bars, live music, and events just steps from the Inner Harbor.
- Ravens NFL Game
- Slate Farm Brewery – A farm brewery in rural Maryland specializing in craft beers brewed on-site, with a spacious outdoor setting, live music, and family-friendly events.
- The Sound Garden – Home to the largest selection of used vinyl on the East Coast.
- Stoneleigh Lanes – A vintage 16-lane bowling alley in Baltimore offering duckpin bowling, arcade games, and a retro atmosphere for all ages.
Events:
May
- Preakness Stakes – An annual renowned horse racing at Pimlico Race Course.
- Artscape – The largest free arts festival in the U.S.
July
August
- Charm City Live – A music and cultural festival featuring local and national artists.
- AFRAM – One of the largest African American cultural festivals on the East Coast, celebrating heritage with music, food, and cultural activities.
September
- Baltimore Comic-Con – This popular event for comic book enthusiasts usually takes place in the fall at the Baltimore Convention Center.
October
- Fells Point Fun Festival – One of Baltimore’s biggest street festivals with live music, food, and shopping.
- Field of Screams – Haunted attractions outside of Baltimore.
December
- Miracle on 34th Street Lights (Hampden, Baltimore) – Skip the parking hassle and take a cozy ride to see Baltimore’s most famous holiday lights.
Washington D.C.
WHERE TO EAT
WHERE TO STAY
WHAT TO DO
Museums:
- Dumbarton Oaks Museum and Gardens – A historic estate in Washington, D.C., featuring an art museum, rare manuscripts, and beautifully landscaped gardens specializing in Byzantine and Pre-Columbian art.
- International Spy Museum – A unique Washington, D.C. museum dedicated to the history, tradecraft, and stories of espionage, featuring interactive exhibits and authentic artifacts.
- National Gallery of Art – A premier art museum in Washington, D.C., housing an extensive collection of European and American masterpieces, sculpture gardens, and special exhibitions.
- Smithsonian Institution – The world’s largest museum complex in Washington, D.C., featuring diverse museums, galleries, and research centers dedicated to art, history, science, and culture.
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum – A national museum in Washington, D.C., dedicated to documenting, studying, and interpreting the history of the Holocaust through powerful exhibits and survivor testimonies.
Unique Experiences:
- Arlington National Cemetery – A solemn military cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, honoring the service and sacrifice of U.S. veterans with iconic memorials and ceremonial events.
- Capitol Hill – A historic neighborhood in Washington, D.C., home to the U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court, and charming rowhouses, blending political significance with vibrant community life.
Events:
March
- National Cherry Blossom Festival – Celebrating the blooming of cherry blossoms, this festival spans several weeks in March and April, attracting numerous visitors to various events around the city.
May
- DC Funk Parade – Uplifting, diverse event celebrating D.C.’s music and culture.
June
- Capital Pride Parade and Festival – This event celebrates the LGBTQ+ community with a parade and festival in downtown D.C.
- Smithsonian Folklife Festival – This festival celebrates cultural traditions from around the world.
August
- Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage Summer Series – Free performances throughout the month.
September
- DC Jazz Festival – Over five days of concerts in more than 20venues across the District, the 2025 DC JazzFest celebrates all things jazz.
New York City
WHERE TO EAT
- Domodomo – Sushi
- Koi Restaurant – Sushi
- Serendipity 3 – American & Dessert
- Spark’s Steak House – Steak
- Virgil’s Real Barbeque – BBQ
WHERE TO STAY
WHAT TO DO
Museums:
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum – A poignant site in New York City honoring the victims of the September 11 attacks through reflective memorial pools and powerful exhibits documenting the events and aftermath.
Unique Experiences:
- Broadway Show – Live theatrical performances held in New York City’s Theater District, featuring a range of musicals and plays in historic venues.
- Central Park – An 843-acre urban park in the heart of Manhattan, offering walking trails, lakes, playgrounds, cultural landmarks, and year-round recreational activities.
- Ellis Island – A historic immigration station in New York Harbor that processed over 12 million immigrants between 1892 and 1954, now home to the National Immigration Museum.
- The High Line – An elevated freight rail line transformed into a public park on Manhattan’s West Side.
- Marie’s Crisis Café – A historic West Village piano bar known for nightly sing-alongs of Broadway show tunes, attracting theater lovers and performers alike.
- Rockefeller Center – An iconic Art Deco complex in Midtown Manhattan, home to Top of the Rock, NBC Studios, the famous ice-skating rink, and the annual Christmas tree lighting.
- Times Square – A major commercial and entertainment hub in Midtown Manhattan, known for its bright billboards, Broadway theaters, and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Events:
September
- New York Fashion Week – A biannual fashion event held in New York City, showcasing collections from international designers.
November
- NYC Thanksgiving Parade (Macy’s) – One of New York City’s most famous events and the kickoff to the holiday season.
Philadelphia
WHERE TO EAT
- Geno’s Steaks – Cheesesteaks
- Ishkabibbles – Cheesesteaks
- Jim’s South St – Cheesesteaks
- Pat’s King of Steaks – Cheesesteaks
WHAT TO DO
Museums:
- Philadelphia Museum of Art – One of the largest art museums in the country, known for its world-class collections, iconic “Rocky Steps,” and stunning views of the city skyline.
Unique Experiences:
- Boathouse Row – A historic site along Philadelphia’s Schuylkill River featuring 19th-century boathouses, home to rowing clubs and illuminated nightly with iconic lights.
- Dave & Buster’s – A restaurant and entertainment venue offering arcade games, sports viewing, and casual dining in a lively atmosphere.
- Independence Hall – A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Philadelphia where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were debated and signed.
- Old City – Philadelphia’s historic district where cobblestone streets, colonial-era buildings, and landmarks like the Liberty Bell and Betsy Ross House tell the story of America’s founding.
- Rittenhouse Square – A picturesque park surrounded by upscale shops, restaurants, and historic townhomes, serving as a vibrant gathering spot in one of Philadelphia’s most elegant neighborhoods.
- Rocky Statue and Steps – An iconic Philadelphia landmark where visitors can pose with the bronze Rocky Balboa statue and ascend the 72 steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, emulating the famous training scene from the 1976 film.
Events:
March
- Philadelphia Flower Show –The nation’s largest and longest-running horticultural event.
September
- Philly Fringe Festival – For one month, artists of all disciplines fill public and private spaces across the city with nonstop, wild creativity.
November
- Philly Christmas Village – Visit an authentic European holiday market with 120 rustic wooden cottages trimmed in festive lights and housing vendors of every variety.