When you’re serious about shopping for a home in Washington, DC or contemplating renting an condominium, you’re most likely conversant in the treasure trove of iconic landmarks and cultural points of interest town provides. Nonetheless, the fixed hustle and bustle of this vibrant metropolis can depart even essentially the most energetic individual feeling drained. That’s when a weekend getaway from DC turns into the right antidote. Fortunately, dwelling in Washington, DC permits for a world of journey only a brief drive away.
Escape to the charming cities of Virginia and Maryland, the place historical past, nature, and rest come collectively to create a rejuvenating expertise. Or enterprise additional afield to Pennsylvania, the place you’ll be able to discover the gorgeous pure great thing about the Pocono Mountains and revel in out of doors actions galore.
1. New York Metropolis, New York
Estimated journey time: 4 hours and 40 minutes by automotive
A visit from Washington, DC to New York Metropolis provides a wealth of points of interest and experiences. Guests can discover iconic landmarks such because the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Constructing, stroll by way of Central Park, and go to famend museums just like the Metropolitan Museum of Artwork. Town can also be recognized for its world-class eating and procuring scenes, with choices starting from road meals to luxurious boutiques.
No go to is full with out seeing a Broadway present, and the colourful theater scene provides one thing for everybody. New York Metropolis is a melting pot of cultures, with numerous neighborhoods comparable to Little Italy, Chinatown, and Harlem to discover. With simple transportation choices comparable to trains and buses, the journey from Washington, DC. to New York Metropolis is a superb weekend getaway possibility that provides one thing for each sort of traveler.
2. Ocean Metropolis, New Jersey
Estimated journey time: 4 hours
Ocean Metropolis, NJ provides a refreshing coastal escape that’s excellent for a weekend getaway. The seashore city is thought for its miles of white sandy seashores, amusement parks, and a boardwalk with an array of outlets and eateries. Guests can take pleasure in swimming, sunbathing, and water sports activities, in addition to actions like mini-golf and go-karts. For many who choose a extra laid-back trip, there are many alternatives to calm down and unwind, from strolling alongside the seashore to having fun with a sundown over the ocean.
3. Outdated City Alexandria, Virginia
Estimated journey time: half-hour
Outdated City Alexandria, VA is a captivating and historic escape. The quaint city is located alongside the Potomac River and options cobblestone streets, 18th-century structure, and a picturesque waterfront. Guests can discover landmarks such because the George Washington Masonic Nationwide Memorial and the Carlyle Home Historic Park, in addition to browse the various boutique outlets and artwork galleries. Outdated City Alexandria can also be recognized for its eating scene, with an array of eating places starting from informal to effective eating, in addition to craft breweries and wineries.
For many who love the outside, there are many alternatives to benefit from the scenic waterfront and take a leisurely stroll or bike journey alongside the Mount Vernon Path. Outdated City Alexandria is a superb vacation spot for these desirous to spend their weekend in a peaceable and charming respite from the busy metropolis.
4. Boston, Massachusetts
Estimated journey time: 8 hours
A visit to Boston, MA. is a must-do for anybody interested by American historical past, tradition, and structure. As two of the oldest and most influential cities in the USA, each Washington and Boston have performed vital roles within the nation’s growth. Boston is residence to lots of the nation’s most iconic landmarks, together with the Freedom Path, which takes guests on a 2.5-mile stroll by way of historic websites such because the Massachusetts State Home, the Outdated North Church, and Paul Revere’s home. Along with its wealthy historical past, Boston is a vibrant and bustling metropolis recognized for its seafood, procuring, and humanities scene, making it a really perfect vacation spot for a weekend getaway.
Town’s charming neighborhoods, comparable to Beacon Hill and the North Finish, are excellent for strolling and exploring, whereas its world-class museums, such because the Museum of Advantageous Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, are to not be missed. Moreover, town’s proximity to different New England locations, comparable to Salem and Cape Cod, makes it a wonderful place to begin for additional exploration of the area.
5. Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
Estimated journey time: 1 hour and half-hour
Harpers Ferry is located on the becoming a member of of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers and is thought for its Civil Conflict historical past, with landmarks comparable to John Brown’s Fort and the positioning of the Battle of Harpers Ferry. Guests may discover the picturesque downtown space, with its vintage outlets, galleries, and cafes.
Out of doors fanatics will love the alternatives for mountaineering, mountain biking, and water sports activities, with scenic trails such because the Appalachian Path and the C&O Canal Towpath close by. Harpers Ferry can also be a well-liked vacation spot for whitewater rafting, with the rapids of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers providing an exhilarating journey. With its proximity to Washington, DC, Harpers Ferry is a simple and handy weekend getaway possibility, providing a singular mix of historical past, out of doors recreation, and scenic magnificence.
6. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Estimated journey time: 2 hours and 10 minutes
A visit from Washington, DC, to Gettysburg, PA, provides a captivating and historic escape that’s excellent for a weekend getaway. The city is positioned just some hours north of DC and is famend for its position within the American Civil Conflict, with the well-known Battle of Gettysburg happening there in 1863. Guests can discover the Gettysburg Nationwide Army Park and Museum, the place they’ll study concerning the battle and its significance in American historical past. The city additionally options charming outlets, cafes, and eating places, in addition to a vibrant arts and tradition scene with dwell music and theater performances all year long. Out of doors fanatics will love the scenic great thing about the encompassing countryside, with alternatives for mountaineering, biking, and horseback using within the close by Catoctin Mountains.
7. Goodstone Inn & Restaurant in Middleburg, Virginia
Estimated journey time: 1 hour and quarter-hour
Goodstone Inn & Restaurant is an opulent nation home resort positioned in Middleburg, VA, simply over an hour’s drive from Washington, DC. This charming retreat is ideal for a romantic getaway or a calming weekend away from town. The resort’s picturesque setting boasts 265 acres of rolling hills, horse pastures, and gardens, offering a serene escape from town’s hustle and bustle. The superbly adorned rooms and suites, full with fireplaces and vintage furnishings, provide a comfy and intimate ambiance, making company really feel proper at residence. The resort’s restaurant, that includes a farm-to-table menu with elements sourced from the property’s personal gardens and native farms, offers an distinctive culinary expertise.
Moreover, Goodstone Inn provides a wide range of out of doors actions, comparable to mountaineering, horseback using, and biking, permitting company to immerse themselves within the tranquil countryside environment. With its idyllic location, elegant lodging, distinctive eating, and out of doors actions, Goodstone Inn & Restaurant is the right weekend retreat for anybody looking for a peaceable and opulent escape from town.
8. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Estimated journey time: 3 hours and 20 minutes
Philadelphia, PA is just some hours north of DC and is called the birthplace of the U.S., with landmarks comparable to Independence Corridor, the place the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Structure had been each signed. Guests can discover the various museums and cultural establishments, such because the Philadelphia Museum of Artwork and the Barnes Basis, which home world-renowned collections of artwork and artifacts.
Town can also be well-known for its meals scene, with iconic dishes comparable to cheesesteak and comfortable pretzels, in addition to a thriving craft beer tradition. Out of doors fanatics can discover town’s many parks, together with Fairmount Park, which is without doubt one of the largest city parks within the nation. With its wealthy historical past, cultural choices, and vibrant vitality, Philadelphia is a superb possibility for a weekend getaway from Washington, DC.
9. Annapolis, Maryland
Estimated journey time: 1 hour
Annapolis, MD is a captivating and enjoyable escape that’s excellent for a weekend getaway. Town is only a brief drive away from DC and is positioned on the Chesapeake Bay, providing gorgeous waterfront views and entry to out of doors actions comparable to boating, kayaking, and fishing. Annapolis can also be recognized for its wealthy historical past, with points of interest such because the U.S. Naval Academy and the Maryland State Home, which served because the nation’s first peacetime capitol. Guests can discover town’s quaint streets and historic houses, or calm down at one of many many cafes and eating places providing contemporary seafood and Chesapeake Bay delicacies. Annapolis additionally has a vibrant arts and tradition scene, with dwell music and theater performances all year long.
10. The Greenbrier, West Virginia
Estimated journey time: 4 hours by automotive
The Greenbrier resort in West Virginia provides an opulent and enjoyable escape that’s excellent for a weekend getaway. Situated just some hours’ drive from DC, The Greenbrier is a world-renowned resort that’s been attracting guests because the 18th century. The resort’s 11,000 acres provide a variety of actions, together with {golfing} on championship programs, mountaineering within the surrounding mountains, and enjoyable on the world-class spa. Guests may take pleasure in effective eating at one of many resort’s many eating places, or bask in some procuring on the on-site boutiques. The Greenbrier can also be wealthy in historical past, with ties to presidents and royalty, and guests can discover the resort’s many historic buildings and artifacts. With its luxurious facilities, gorgeous pure environment, and wealthy historical past, the Greenbrier is a superb possibility for a weekend getaway from Washington, DC.
11. Rehoboth Seaside, Delaware
Estimated journey time: 2 hours
Rehoboth Seaside, DE has a laid again environment with picturesque environment, and infinite actions. It’s positioned simply two hours away from town, Rehoboth Seaside is a captivating seaside city with a vibrant boardwalk, pristine seashores, and a energetic eating scene. The city can also be recognized for its distinctive boutiques, vintage outlets, and artwork galleries, making it an excellent vacation spot for a weekend getaway. Guests can stroll alongside the boardwalk, take pleasure in contemporary seafood at one of many many eating places, or take in the solar on the seashore. For these interested by out of doors actions, there are many choices, together with mountaineering, kayaking, and fishing. Rehoboth Seaside can also be residence to a number of parks and nature reserves, offering guests with an opportunity to discover the world’s pure magnificence.
12. Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
Estimated journey time: 3 hours
A visit from Washington, DC, to Cape Hatteras, NC, is a perfect escape for these looking for journey and pure magnificence. Situated about 5 hours away from town, Cape Hatteras is a picturesque barrier island that boasts gorgeous seashores, sand dunes, and rolling waves. Guests can participate in a wide range of out of doors actions comparable to browsing, kayaking, fishing, and chicken watching. Cape Hatteras can also be residence to the long-lasting black and white striped lighthouse, which offers guests with panoramic views of the island and the Atlantic Ocean. Along with its pure magnificence, Cape Hatteras can also be recognized for its contemporary seafood, making it an excellent vacation spot for foodies.
13. Whitetail Resort, positioned in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania
Estimated journey time: 2 hours and 20 minutes
Whitetail Resort, positioned in Mercersburg, PA, is a well-liked ski and snowboarding vacation spot that’s simply accessible from Washington, DC. Simply over an hour away from town, the resort provides a wide range of trails for skiers and snowboarders of all ranges, making it an excellent possibility for rookies and specialists alike. The resort additionally boasts top-notch facilities, together with a contemporary lodge, a full-service ski and snowboard rental store, and a number of eating choices.
Moreover, Whitetail Resort provides actions past snowboarding, comparable to snow tubing and zip-lining, making it an ideal weekend getaway for households or teams of mates. The scenic environment and contemporary mountain air make for a calming and rejuvenating expertise away from the hustle and bustle of town. With its proximity to Washington, DC and its abundance of winter actions, Whitetail Resort is a perfect vacation spot for a fast and thrilling weekend getaway.
