D.C. is a few miles away.
Baltimore is about a 45-minute trip.
Bethesda is good for night-life and is about a 30-minute drive, or 45-minute Metro ride.
Silver Spring is about 20 minutes away and has a newly revitalized downtown.
Takoma Park and Langley Park have many ethnic eateries and crunchy shops.
Hyattsville and Mount Rainier Maryland are adjacent, hip areas on Route 1 towards D.C.
