Washington, D.C. is a compact, walkable capital with world-class (often free) museums, diverse dining, lively neighborhoods, extensive parks and river trails, and a steady calendar of cultural and professional events—ideal for multi-week assignments where evenings and weekends stay interesting.
Within 75 miles you’ve got Baltimore (≈40 miles) for a bustling Inner Harbor, arts and craft beer scenes, and nearby Arlington/Alexandria across the river for vibrant nightlife, historic streets and extra outdoor recreation.