Wilmington, Del.

( Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau Photo / December 7, 2012 )

Distance from Baltimore: 70 miles, about an hour-and-a-half drive

Why it's cool: If you love art it's definitely worth making the short drive north on I-95 to Wilmington. On Friday nights the city offers Art on the Town, a free tour of local art galleries, studios and museums. You can choose to use the Art Loop Shuttle bus, or take a self-guided tour through the local art galleries. For art on a bigger scale, visit the Delaware Art Museum. The museum recently marked the 100th anniversary of the museum that houses great artists like Howard Pyle and Winslow Homer. For a bit of the outdoors, visit Rockford Park. The 100-year-old Rockford Tower, above, is the centerpiece of this park. The historic stone water tower is located amid rolling hills and vistas offering beautiful views of the city.

Don't miss: When you're ready to dive into the historic side of Wilmington, settle in at the Hotel du Pont, a 99-year-old hotel that features classic ballrooms, elegant cuisine and luxurious hotel suites.

Information: Go to visitwilmingtonde.com or destateparks.com