Fredericksburg, Va.

( Jerry Jackson, Baltimore Sun / July 15, 2000 )

Distance from Baltimore: 100 miles, less than a two-hour drive

Why it's worth the gas: It's the boyhood home of George Washington. Antiques shops, modern galleries, venerable old houses turned into B&Bs all compete for your attention with museums, Civil War battlefields and historic churches.

Don't miss: Goolrick's Pharmacy (901 Caroline St., 540-373-9878). Said to be the oldest continuously operating drugstore soda fountain in the country, it offers real malted milks from hand-dipped ice cream, and lunch counter sandwiches.

Information: Fredericksburg Visitor Center, visitfred.com