In the event you’re desirous about shopping for a home in Washington, DC or contemplating renting an house, you’re most likely accustomed to the treasure trove of iconic landmarks and cultural sights the town affords. Nonetheless, the fixed hustle and bustle of this vibrant metropolis can go away even essentially the most energetic individual feeling drained. That’s when a weekend getaway from DC turns into the proper antidote. Fortunately, residing 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 possibly can discover the gorgeous pure great thing about the Pocono Mountains and luxuriate 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 affords a wealth of sights 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 be recognized for its world-class eating and purchasing 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 affords one thing for everybody. New York Metropolis is a melting pot of cultures, with various neighborhoods corresponding to Little Italy, Chinatown, and Harlem to discover. With straightforward transportation choices corresponding to trains and buses, the journey from Washington, DC. to New York Metropolis is a good weekend getaway possibility that provides one thing for each kind of traveler.
2. Ocean Metropolis, New Jersey
Estimated journey time: 4 hours
Ocean Metropolis, NJ affords a refreshing coastal escape that’s excellent for a weekend getaway. The seaside city is thought for its miles of white sandy seashores, amusement parks, and a boardwalk with an array of retailers and eateries. Guests can get pleasure from 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 seaside to having fun with a sundown over the ocean.
3. Previous City Alexandria, Virginia
Estimated journey time: half-hour
Previous 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. Previous City Alexandria can be recognized for its eating scene, with an array of eating places starting from informal to positive 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 trip alongside the Mount Vernon Path. Previous City Alexandria is a good 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 concerned about American historical past, tradition, and structure. As two of the oldest and most influential cities in america, each Washington and Boston have performed vital roles within the nation’s improvement. Boston is dwelling to most 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 Previous North Church, and Paul Revere’s home. Along with its wealthy historical past, Boston is a vibrant and bustling metropolis recognized for its seafood, purchasing, and humanities scene, making it a really perfect vacation spot for a weekend getaway.
Town’s charming neighborhoods, corresponding to Beacon Hill and the North Finish, are excellent for strolling and exploring, whereas its world-class museums, such because the Museum of Wonderful Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, are to not be missed. Moreover, the town’s proximity to different New England locations, corresponding to Salem and Cape Cod, makes it a superb start line 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 Struggle historical past, with landmarks corresponding to John Brown’s Fort and the location 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 mountain climbing, 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 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 novel 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, affords a captivating and historic escape that’s excellent for a weekend getaway. The city is situated just some hours north of DC and is famend for its position within the American Civil Struggle, with the well-known Battle of Gettysburg going down there in 1863. Guests can discover the Gettysburg Nationwide Army Park and Museum, the place they’ll study in regards to 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 reside music and theater performances all year long. Out of doors fanatics will love the scenic great thing about the encompassing countryside, with alternatives for mountain climbing, 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 expensive nation home resort situated in Middleburg, VA, simply over an hour’s drive from Washington, DC. This charming retreat is ideal for a romantic getaway or a soothing weekend away from the town. The resort’s picturesque setting boasts 265 acres of rolling hills, horse pastures, and gardens, offering a serene escape from the town’s hustle and bustle. The fantastically embellished rooms and suites, full with fireplaces and vintage furnishings, supply a comfortable and intimate ambiance, making friends really feel proper at dwelling. The resort’s restaurant, that includes a farm-to-table menu with elements sourced from the property’s personal gardens and native farms, gives an distinctive culinary expertise.
Moreover, Goodstone Inn affords quite a lot of out of doors actions, corresponding to mountain climbing, horseback using, and biking, permitting friends 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 proper weekend retreat for anybody looking for a peaceable and splendid escape from the 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 corresponding 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 be well-known for its meals scene, with iconic dishes corresponding to cheesesteak and gentle pretzels, in addition to a thriving craft beer tradition. Out of doors fanatics can discover the 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 power, Philadelphia is a good possibility for a weekend getaway from Washington, DC.
9. Annapolis, Maryland
Estimated journey time: 1 hour
Annapolis, MD is a captivating and stress-free escape that’s excellent for a weekend getaway. Town is only a brief drive away from DC and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay, providing gorgeous waterfront views and entry to out of doors actions corresponding to boating, kayaking, and fishing. Annapolis can be recognized for its wealthy historical past, with sights such because the U.S. Naval Academy and the Maryland State Home, which served because the nation’s first peacetime capitol. Guests can discover the 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 reside 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 affords an expensive and stress-free escape that’s excellent for a weekend getaway. Positioned just some hours’ drive from DC, The Greenbrier is a world-renowned resort that’s been attracting guests for the reason that 18th century. The resort’s 11,000 acres supply a variety of actions, together with {golfing} on championship programs, mountain climbing within the surrounding mountains, and stress-free on the world-class spa. Guests may get pleasure from positive eating at one of many resort’s many eating places, or take pleasure in some purchasing on the on-site boutiques. The Greenbrier can 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 good possibility for a weekend getaway from Washington, DC.
11. Rehoboth Seashore, Delaware
Estimated journey time: 2 hours
Rehoboth Seashore, DE has a laid again ambiance with picturesque environment, and limitless actions. It’s situated simply two hours away from the town, Rehoboth Seashore is a captivating seaside city with a vibrant boardwalk, pristine seashores, and a energetic eating scene. The city can be recognized for its distinctive boutiques, vintage outlets, and artwork galleries, making it an important vacation spot for a weekend getaway. Guests can stroll alongside the boardwalk, get pleasure from contemporary seafood at one of many many eating places, or absorb the solar on the seaside. For these concerned about out of doors actions, there are many choices, together with mountain climbing, kayaking, and fishing. Rehoboth Seashore can be dwelling 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. Positioned about 5 hours away from the town, Cape Hatteras is a picturesque barrier island that boasts gorgeous seashores, sand dunes, and rolling waves. Guests can participate in quite a lot of out of doors actions corresponding to browsing, kayaking, fishing, and fowl watching. Cape Hatteras can be dwelling to the long-lasting black and white striped lighthouse, which gives guests with panoramic views of the island and the Atlantic Ocean. Along with its pure magnificence, Cape Hatteras can be recognized for its contemporary seafood, making it an important vacation spot for foodies.
13. Whitetail Resort, situated in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania
Estimated journey time: 2 hours and 20 minutes
Whitetail Resort, situated 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 the town, the resort affords quite a lot of trails for skiers and snowboarders of all ranges, making it an important 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 affords actions past snowboarding, corresponding to snow tubing and zip-lining, making it an ideal weekend getaway for households or teams of buddies. The scenic environment and contemporary mountain air make for a soothing and rejuvenating expertise away from the hustle and bustle of the 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.
