When you’re interested by shopping for a home in Washington, DC or contemplating renting an residence, you’re in all probability accustomed to the treasure trove of iconic landmarks and cultural sights the town presents. Nonetheless, the fixed hustle and bustle of this vibrant metropolis can go away even probably the most energetic particular person feeling drained. That’s when a weekend getaway from DC turns into the right 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 leisure come collectively to create a rejuvenating expertise. Or enterprise additional afield to Pennsylvania, the place you may discover the gorgeous pure great thing about the Pocono Mountains and revel in outside 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 presents a wealth of sights and experiences. Guests can discover iconic landmarks such because the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Constructing, stroll via Central Park, and go to famend museums just like the Metropolitan Museum of Artwork. Town can be identified 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 presents one thing for everybody. New York Metropolis is a melting pot of cultures, with various 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 good weekend getaway choice that provides one thing for each sort of traveler.
2. Ocean Metropolis, New Jersey
Estimated journey time: 4 hours
Ocean Metropolis, NJ presents 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 individuals 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 Outdated City Alexandria, Virginia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 numerous boutique outlets and artwork galleries. Outdated City Alexandria can be identified for its eating scene, with an array of eating places starting from informal to high quality eating, in addition to craft breweries and wineries.
For individuals 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 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 involved in American historical past, tradition, and structure. As two of the oldest and most influential cities in the US, each Washington and Boston have performed important roles within the nation’s improvement. 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 via 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 identified for its seafood, procuring, and humanities scene, making it a 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, the town’s proximity to different New England locations, comparable 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 Warfare historical past, with landmarks comparable to John Brown’s Fort and the positioning of the Battle of Harpers Ferry. Guests also can discover the picturesque downtown space, with its vintage outlets, galleries, and cafes.
Out of doors lovers 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 be a preferred 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 choice, providing a novel mix of historical past, outside recreation, and scenic magnificence.
6. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Estimated journey time: 2 hours and 10 minutes
A visit from Washington, DC, to Gettysburg, PA, presents a captivating and historic escape that’s excellent for a weekend getaway. The city is situated only a few hours north of DC and is famend for its function within the American Civil Warfare, with the well-known Battle of Gettysburg happening there in 1863. Guests can discover the Gettysburg Nationwide Army Park and Museum, the place they will be taught 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 lovers will love the scenic great thing about the encircling 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 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 comfy and intimate ambiance, making friends 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, supplies an distinctive culinary expertise.
Moreover, Goodstone Inn presents quite a lot of outside actions, comparable to mountaineering, horseback using, and biking, permitting friends to immerse themselves within the tranquil countryside environment. With its idyllic location, elegant lodging, distinctive eating, and outside actions, Goodstone Inn & Restaurant is the right weekend retreat for anybody in search of a peaceable and opulent escape from the town.
8. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Estimated journey time: 3 hours and 20 minutes
Philadelphia, PA is only a few 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 numerous 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 comparable to cheesesteak and tender pretzels, in addition to a thriving craft beer tradition. Out of doors lovers can discover the town’s many parks, together with Fairmount Park, which is likely one of the largest city parks within the nation. With its wealthy historical past, cultural choices, and vibrant power, Philadelphia is a good choice 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 situated on the Chesapeake Bay, providing gorgeous waterfront views and entry to outside actions comparable to boating, kayaking, and fishing. Annapolis can be identified 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 presents an expensive and enjoyable escape that’s excellent for a weekend getaway. Situated only a few 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, mountaineering within the surrounding mountains, and enjoyable on the world-class spa. Guests also can take pleasure in high quality eating at one of many resort’s many eating places, or bask in some procuring 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 choice for a weekend getaway from Washington, DC.
11. Rehoboth Seaside, Delaware
Estimated journey time: 2 hours
Rehoboth Seaside, DE has a laid again ambiance with picturesque environment, and infinite actions. It’s situated simply two hours away from the town, Rehoboth Seaside is a captivating seaside city with a vibrant boardwalk, pristine seashores, and a vigorous eating scene. The city can be identified for its distinctive boutiques, vintage outlets, and artwork galleries, making it an incredible 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 involved in outside actions, there are many choices, together with mountaineering, kayaking, and fishing. Rehoboth Seaside can be residence to a number of parks and nature reserves, offering guests with an opportunity to discover the realm’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 in search of journey and pure magnificence. Situated 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 outside actions comparable to browsing, kayaking, fishing, and chicken watching. Cape Hatteras can be residence to the long-lasting black and white striped lighthouse, which supplies guests with panoramic views of the island and the Atlantic Ocean. Along with its pure magnificence, Cape Hatteras can be identified for its contemporary seafood, making it an incredible 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 presents quite a lot of trails for skiers and snowboarders of all ranges, making it an incredible choice for freshmen 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 presents 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 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.
