Arlington, Virginia.[Photo provided to China Daily]

"The greatness about oysters in Virginia is the many flavors," says Virginia Tourism Corp's international marketing director, Heidi Johannesen.

"The initial saltiness is mellowed into a taste of creamy and sweet at the finish. Tourists can also pair our good wines with the delicious oysters."

Its eight production regions offer mollusks with flavors unique to their respective locations.

The annual Urbanna Oyster Festival will stage such activities as oyster-shucking contests, live music and parades on Nov 3 and 4.

Virginia Beach's gorgeous coastlines, four hours' drive from DC, host oyster farms where visitors can see how the creatures grow and are harvested.

Guided kayak tours offer dolphin sightings in which paddlers hear the creatures breathing before they see them. April to October is the best time to view the marine mammals.

Arlington and Fairfax are also popular destinations closer to DC.

Arlington county is located across the Potomac River from DC and is close to many popular attractions. It hosts 44 hotels and over 500 restaurants. The CEB Tower at Central Place will be the highest public point in the metro area when it opens, probably next year.