Find photography destinations recommended by the NIHCC in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington DC and West Virginia
Delaware
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
Primary Subject(s): Birds, Nature & Gardens, Sunrise & sunset
2591 Whitehall Neck Road, Smyrna, DE 19977
(302) 653-6872
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/bombay_hook/
See the Wildlife Calendar for the best times to see flora and fauna.
Horseshoe Crabs on Delaware Bay Primary Subject(s): Nature & Wildlife
Peak Time: May – June
https://www.beach-net.com/whats-here/horseshoe-crabs.php
https://www.delmnh.org/shorebirds/
Near the full and new moons of May and early June, predominantly at night, hundreds of thousands of horseshoe crabs will make their way on to sandy beaches to spawn. This spawn also serves as fuel for the migration of shorebirds from Tierra del Fuego at the southern tip of South America to the Northern Arctic circle where these birds will nest. There is also some spawning activity on Maryland inland sandy beaches both in the Chesapeake Bay and along the coast if you don’t want to travel so far.
If you intend to observe the horseshoe crab spawning on the Delaware Beaches make sure you stick around until day time to observe the shorebirds which feed on the horseshoe crab eggs.
Nemours Mansion and Gardens
Primary Subject(s): Historic Location, Gardens, Water features in Pool
Peak Time: Spring-Fall
Patterned after Versailles, Dupont family mansion.
Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge
Primary Subject(s): Nature, Birds & Wildlife
11978 Turkle Pond Rd. Milton, DE, 302-684-8419
Maryland
Annapolis (downtown, Naval Academy)
Primary Subject(s): Historic, architecture, night and day shots
Assateague Island National Seashore
Primary Subject(s): Landscapes, waterscapes, wild ponies
B&O Train Museum – Baltimore
Primary Subject(s): Museum, trains
Baltimore Zoo
Primary Subject(s): Zoo
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
Primary Subject(s): Nature, Birds, Wildlife & Flowers
2145 Key Wallace Drive, Cambridge, MD 21613
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Blackwater/
Schedule of Wildlife
Brookside Gardens
Primary Subject(s): Nature, Flowers, Gardens & Butterflies
1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD 20902
301-962-1480
www.montgomeryparks.org/brookside/
May – Sept: “Wings of Fancy” Live Butterfly Exhibit in a large greenhouse
Best to visit weekday mornings after school is out.
There is a fee of $6.
NOTE: “Wings of Fancy” will close at 12 noon during the following National Weather Service conditions: Heat Advisory, Excessive Heat Warning, Code Red or Purple Air Quality Alert.
The exhibit may also close at other times during severe thunderstorms or other emergencies. Please call or check the website before your visit.
C&O Canal National Historical Park
Primary Subject(s): History, Nature & Architecture
State: DC, MD, WV
Georgetown Visitor Center, 1057 Thomas Jefferson Street, NW Washington, DC 20007 (202-653-5190 Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center, 11710 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac, MD 20854 (301-767-3714
Brunswick Visitor Center is located at 40 West Potomac Street Brunswick, MD 21716 (301-834-7100) Williamsport Visitor Center, Cushwa Basin, 205 W. Potomac St., Williamsport, MD 21795 (301-582-0813) Hancock Visitor Center, Bowles House near lock 52, 439 East Main Street, Hancock, MD 21750, (301- 678-5463)
Cumberland Visitor Center, Western Maryland Railway Station, Room 304, 13 Canal St., Cumberland, MD 21502 (301-722-8226)
The park is open during daylight hours. Some visitor centers operate on a seasonal schedule. Contact each current hours of operation. There is access to a limited area of the Potomac’s Great Falls from the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center
Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center
Primary Subject(s): Wildlife Preserve, on the bay
Concord Point Lighthouse
Primary Subject(s): Building, Architecture, Sunrise
www.concordpointlighthouse.org
Covered Bridges
Primary Subject(s): History & Architecture
State: MD, VA, PA
Maryland: http://www.mdcoveredbridges.com
Virginia: http://www.virginiadot.org/info/faq-covbridge.asp
Pennsylvania: http://pacoveredbridges.com/
Cunningham Falls
Primary Subject(s): Nature, Waterfalls, Flowing Water
Cunningham Falls State Park, Inc.
14039 Catoctin Hollow Road, Thurmont MD 21788
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/western/cunningham.aspx
Cunningham Falls – more water in the early spring. Also, of note: Historic Catoctin Iron Furnace, annual maple syrup program, numerous special events.
Cylburn
Primary Subject(s): Gardens, historic buildings
Fort Frederick State Park
Primary Subject(s): History
11100 Fort Frederick Road, Big Pool MD 21711, 301-842-2155
https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/western/fortfrederick.aspx
See calendar of special events
Fort McHenry National Monument
Primary Subject(s): History
2400 E Fort Ave, Baltimore, MD 21230
http://www.nps.gov/fomc/index.htm
See calendar of special events
Fort Washington State Park
Primary Subject(s): History
Peak Time: Apr – Oct
From I-95/495 take exit 3, Indian Head Higway South/MD 210.
Travel about 4 miles to Fort Washington Road, turn right. The park is located at the end of the road.
www.nps.gov/fowa/index.htm
See calendar of special events
Ledew Topiary Gardens
Primary Subject(s): Gardens – Topiary and flowers
Peak Time: Spring-Fall
Lily Pons
Primary Subject(s): Flowers (aquatic)
Peak Time: June (mid) – July (mid)
6800 Lily Pons Road, Adamstown, MD 21710,
800-999-5459
Lily Pons is a private dealer of aquatic plants and water gardening supplies. They allow public access to their extensive landscaped ponds.
Maryland Renaissance Festival
Primary Subject(s): Street Photography
Time: Last weekend in August, runs 9 weeks State: MD
McKee Besher Wildlife Management Area
Primary Subject(s): Nature, Wildlife, Birds & Flowers
Off River Road adjacent to C&O Canal National Park
https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/publiclands/central/mckeebeshers.aspx
The two sunflower fields are major attractions in July.
https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/publiclands/central/sunflowers.aspx
There are two fields. The first is located just off River Road at the first parking lot for Mc-Kee Beshers. Take a step ladder.
The second field is on Sycamore Landing Road, just south of River Road. You’ll need to park along the side of the road for the second field since there isn’t a convenient parking lot. Each field covers a few acres.
Montgomery County Agricultural Fair
Primary Subject(s): Fair, animals, rides, night shots
Peak Time: Mid August
Naval Academy
Primary Subject(s): Historic
Peak Time: All year
Park in downtown Annapolis and enter through Gate 1 with valid ID
Soleado Lavender Farm
Primary Subject(s): Flowers
Peak Time: June to July
23611 W Harris Rd, Dickerson, MD
Union Mills Homestead Civil War Encampment & Living History
Primary Subject(s): History & Civil War
Peak Time: July
Union Mills Homestead
3311 Littlestown Pike, Westminster, MD. 21158
410-848-2288
Pennsylvania
Bucks County
Primary Subject(s): Building, Architecture, Nature
Colonial Plantation
Primary Subject(s): History, Civil War & Architecture
Peak Time: Apr – Dec
Ridley Creek State Park, Media, PA 19063
(610) 566-1725
http://www.colonialplantation.org/index.html
There are several civil war reenactments and other events of historical significance.
Covered Bridges
Primary Subject(s): History & Architecture
State: MD, VA, PA
Maryland: http://www.mdcoveredbridges.com
Virginia: http://www.virginiadot.org/info/faq-covbridge.asp
Pennsylvania: http://pacoveredbridges.com/
Eastern Pennsylvania State Penitentiary
Primary Subject(s): Abandoned Property
Edgar J Kaufmann House (Fallingwater)
Primary Subject(s): Architecture
Peak Time: Apr – Nov
1478 Mill Run Road, Mill Run, PA 15464
724-329-8501
Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture, surrounded by deep forests.
Gettysburg Battle Reenactment
Primary Subject(s): History, Civil War
Peak Time: July
Gettysburg National Military Park, 1195 Baltimore Pike, Suite 100, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Civil War Re-enactments www.gettysburgaddress.com/HTMLS/Reenact.html
Longwood Gardens
Primary Subject(s): Gardens and Conservatory
Beautiful gardens, first founded by the Dupont family, lots of special events and different areas to explore! The mushroom soup is a must have.
Tripods allowed in Conservatory in the morning only, need permit. Book in advance for special events, especially during the Christmas lights display.
Virginia
Arlington National Cemetery
Primary Subject(s): Cemetery
Blue Ridge Nature Center
Primary Subject(s): Nature, Wildlife & Flowers
11661 Harpers Ferry Rd., Purcellville, VA 20132
540-668-7640
http://www.blueridgecenter.org/
“Our 894 acres are home to deep woods, streams, a working farm, wildflower meadows, historic farmsteads, apiaries, and wildlife.”
Bull Run Regional Park
Primary Subject(s): Nature, Bluebells and Water
7700 Bull Run Drive Centreville, VA 20121
T: 703-631-0550
Early April: Bluebells Bloom
Free for locals, there is a fee of $7 for non-residents
Chincoteague Island, Wallop Island
Primary Subject(s): Water, birds, wild ponies, sunrise & sunset, shuttle launches
Covered Bridges
Primary Subject(s): History & Architecture
State: MD, VA, PA
Maryland: http://www.mdcoveredbridges.com
Virginia: http://www.virginiadot.org/info/faq-covbridge.asp
Pennsylvania: http://pacoveredbridges.com/
George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate
Primary Subject(s): Museum
Great Falls National Park
Primary Subject(s): Nature, Waterfalls, Flowing Water
9200 Old Dominion Dr., McLean, VA 22102
See C&O Canal for Maryland access.
$5.00 Vehicle Pass. Good for three consecutive days for one vehicle, including motorcycles, in Great Falls Park and C&O Canal National Historical Park in Maryland. $20.00 Annual Pass. Good for one year from the date of purchase in Great Falls Park and C&O Canal National Historical Park in Maryland.
Huntley Meadows
Primary Subject(s): Nature, Birds, Wildlife & Flowers
Huntley Meadows Park & Visitor Center
3701 Lockheed Blvd., Alexandria, 703-768-2525
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley/
1,425 acres Fairfax County’s Hybla Valley has 1⁄2 mile boardwalk wetland trail, wildlife observation platforms and a 2 mile interpretive trail system. Offers some of the best wildlife watching in the Washington metropolitan area with excellent views of beavers, frogs, dragonflies and herons. Huntley. Is well known as a prime birding spot, with over 200 species identified in the park. Visitors center closed Tuesdays, but the park is open. Hours vary; see web site.
Ida Lee Park
Primary Subject(s): Nature, Gardens & Architecture
Peak Time: June – August
60 Ida Lee Drive, NW, Leesburg, VA 20176
Near the heart of old town Leesburg, great day of shooting and lunch!
Lake Anna Winery – Renaissance Festival
Primary Subject(s): Festivals
Peak Time: May or June
5621 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania, VA 22553
540.895.5085
The winery has a Renaissance Festival on property, In addition, you have access to the lake (a bit more of a drive), but lots of opportunities for shooting in this area.
Long Branch Hot Air Balloon Festival
Primary Subject(s): Festival
Peak Time: October
830 Long Branch Lane, Millwood, VA 22646
877.868.1851
www.historiclongbranch.com/balloonfestival.htm
Manassas National Battlefield Park
Primary Subject(s): Battlefield, Nature, Boardwalk & Bluebells
6511 Sudley Road
Manassas, VA 20109
National Park: $3 per person, good for 3 days. National Park Pass accepted Bluebells bloom by the old bridge early April. www.nps.gov/mana/naturescience/bluebells.htm
Marby Mill
Primary Subject(s): Landscapes, watermill
About 25 miles south of Roanoke
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
Primary Subject(s): Gardens & Flowers
9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court Vienna, VA 22182
703-255-3631
www.nvrpa.org/park/meadowlark_botanical_gardens/
95 acre complex of large ornamental display gardens and unique native plant collections. Walking trails, lakes, more than twenty varieties of cherry trees, irises, peonies, an extensive shade garden, native wildflowers, gazebos, birds, butterflies, seasonal blooms and foliage.
Oatlands Plantation
Primary Subject(s): Gardens, Flowers & Architecture
Peak Time: April – December
20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg, VA 20175
703.777.3174
Oatlands is beautiful throughout the year. The facility is closed January through March.
Occoquan National Wildlife Refuge
Primary Subject(s): Nature & Birds
Peak Time: Mid April through Mid July State: VA
Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 13950 Dawson Beach Rd., Woodbridge, VA
www.fws.gov/occoquanbay/index.html
Excellent place to photograph Osprey
Riverbend Park
Primary Subject(s): Nature, Birds, Wildlife & Flowers
8700 Potomac Hills St., Great Falls, VA
703-759-9018
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend/
Shenandoah National Park
Primary Subject(s): Nature, Birds & Flowers
http://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm
Washington D.C.
Basillica – National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Primary Subject(s): Church, Cathedral
C&O Canal National Historical Park
Primary Subject(s): History, Nature & Architecture
State: DC, MD, WV
Georgetown Visitor Center, 1057 Thomas Jefferson Street, NW Washington, DC 20007 (202-653-5190 Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center, 11710 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac, MD 20854 (301-767-3714
Brunswick Visitor Center is located at 40 West Potomac Street Brunswick, MD 21716 (301-834-7100) Williamsport Visitor Center, Cushwa Basin, 205 W. Potomac St., Williamsport, MD 21795 (301-582-0813) Hancock Visitor Center, Bowles House near lock 52, 439 East Main Street, Hancock, MD 21750, (301- 678-5463)
Cumberland Visitor Center, Western Maryland Railway Station, Room 304, 13 Canal St., Cumberland, MD 21502 (301-722-8226)
The park is open during daylight hours. Some visitor centers operate on a seasonal schedule. Contact each current hours of operation. There is access to a limited area of the Potomac’s Great Falls from the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center
Cherry Blossoms
Primary Subject(s): Flowers
Peak Time: March – April
The Tidal Basin, Washington, DC
www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/
Schedule varies year to year; be sure to check newspapers or web site.
Dunbarton Oaks
Primary Subject(s): Flowers & Gardens
1703 32nd Street, NW, DC 20007 (located in Georgetown)
202-339-6400
Flowers bloom through the year, (see blooming times). Gardens are closed during inclement weather, federal holidays and on Christmas Eve. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children and seniors.
Commercial photography is not allowed. No tripods or monopods.
National Arboretum
Primary Subject(s): Nature, Gardens & Flowers
There are two entrances: 3501 New York Avenue, NE, DC 20002 24th & R Streets, NE, off of Bladensburg Road. (best)
National Cathedral
Primary Subject(s): Church, Cathedral
National Mall
Primary Subject(s): History, Gardens, Flowers, Statues & Architecture
Lots of photogenic monuments, memorials, museums and small secluded gardens. Don’t forget about the Vernal Equinox (March) when there is alignment of full moon with monuments. Can also be viewed from Arlington, VA
Rock Creek Cemetery
Primary Subject(s): Cemetery, Stained Glass & Sculpture
St. Paul’s Rock Creek Episcopal Parish
Rock Creek Church Road & Webster St., NW, Washington, DC 20011
https://www.rockcreekcemetery.org
Open daily 8:00 am until 6:00 pm
Dates to 1719 and contains may sculptures and monuments. It is of note because of the several mausoleums with stained glass. There are also many notables in residence,
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Primary Subject(s): Historic
Smithsonian National Zoo
Primary Subject(s): Zoo
US Botanic Gardens
Primary Subject(s): Gardens & Flowers
100 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20001
Use of tripod requires a permit; call (202) 226-4145
West Virginia
Blackwater Falls
Primary Subject(s): Nature, Waterfalls
P.O. Drawer 490, Davis, WV 26260, (304) 259-5216
Named for the falls of the Blackwater River whose amber-colored waters plunge five stories then twist and tumble through an eight-mile long gorge. More water in early spring. Lots of special events.
C&O Canal National Historical Park
Primary Subject(s): History, Nature & Architecture
State: DC, MD, WV
Georgetown Visitor Center, 1057 Thomas Jefferson Street, NW Washington, DC 20007 (202-653-5190 Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center, 11710 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac, MD 20854 (301-767-3714
Brunswick Visitor Center is located at 40 West Potomac Street Brunswick, MD 21716 (301-834-7100) Williamsport Visitor Center, Cushwa Basin, 205 W. Potomac St., Williamsport, MD 21795 (301-582-0813) Hancock Visitor Center, Bowles House near lock 52, 439 East Main Street, Hancock, MD 21750, (301- 678-5463)
Cumberland Visitor Center, Western Maryland Railway Station, Room 304, 13 Canal St., Cumberland, MD 21502 (301-722-8226)
The park is open during daylight hours. Some visitor centers operate on a seasonal schedule. Contact each current hours of operation. There is access to a limited area of the Potomac’s Great Falls from the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center
Harpers Ferry, WV
Primary Subject(s): History & Festivals
There is Harpers Ferry Historical Park, which includes much of the oldest part of the town.
Park Visitor Center is at 171 Shoreline Drive, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
And there is the town of Harpers Ferry, which is very quaint with many old buildings and is host numerous festivals and craft/art fairs. www.historicharpersferry.com/