I work in Baltimore quite often, it's an easy 2 hour drive for me. I wouldn't go to Baltimore for any other reason than I am getting PAID to go there. Their waterfront is polluted and smells like gasoline. The aquarium is a bore. You can go to a Cheesecake Factory or Planet Hollywood or Barnes and Noble anywhere. In comparison to anything in SoWal, I think you would be sorely disappointed.
Alternatively, Washington DC is an awesome place to visit and a short drive away. Stay in Crystal City, the Metro runs underneath the hotels and you can get anywhere you want by just walking downstairs. There's also Olde Alexandria, which is quirky and quaint, we love it there, and it's also a Metro ride away from the Smithsonian and key points of interest.
I wish this meant more to me, being able to fly Southwest to Sowal, but not really....I need my SUV to transport my crockpot, boogie boards and dog.
***I am editing my post because I just checked fares from Baltimore...woooooo hoooo! -- We can now fly down for long weekends at $220 rountrip. And we have a free RT flight we were saving for Vegas...not anymore! I think I'm gonna ♥ this!