Weekend Getaways from D.C.

Shenandoah Valley

• Location: Virginia
  

• Distance: 2 hours from DC

• http://www.shenandoahvalley.com/

Camping and hiking are the main attractions of this region, but if you feel touristy you can check out the Luray Caverns that have tours beginning at twenty dollars. The Bluestone Vineyard is another favorite, where they offer five dollar tastings of its Governor’s Cup wines which are award winning. There are condos, golf and a water park attached to what becomes a ski resort in the colder months at the Massanutten Resort and Hotel. If off the beaten track is more your style, you can check out By the Side of the Road Inn and Cottages, where you can find inexpensive options if you are traveling with a large group.

Virginia Wine Country

• Location: Virginia
  

• Distance: An hour from DC

• http://www.winecountry.com/explore/virginia/

Only an hour outside of Washington, DC, at Tarara winery you’ll find a riverside paradise, where you’ll find country gardens flanking the tasting room. One sip of their top-selling white will immerse you into your surroundings, with fruity blend of varietals that is alluring.

This area which is the exurban capital of Virginia is quickly becoming a wine region that can rival some of the finest of the West Coast. The types of tipples you can find in Loudoun might not be as familiar, like the Cabernet Franc and Viognier; however there isn’t a match for each palate and a plate to pair with each glass in the top-notch country kitchens of the region.

Deep Creek Lake

• Location: Garrett County, Maryland
  

• Distance: 2 hours from DC

• https://deepcreeklake.com/

As one of the weekend getaways from D.C., Deep Creek is the largest freshwater lake in the state. You can take a break from the city while out in the woods and swim and fish, plus go boating, tubing or jet skiing. The State Park that surrounds the area is a lesser known tourist attraction, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to rent a house by the water, and it is not very expensive if you want to bring a whole bunch of friends. At the Honi-Honi Bar, you can drink right on the bar, and there’s even a dock to hitch your boat to. They also have karaoke on Thursdays and on the weekends there is live music.

Baltimore

• Location: Chesapeake Bay
  

• Distance: Just over an hour from DC

If it is your first time visit to Baltimore, you might see it as a gritty industrial hub, however this city on the Chesapeake Bay is an upcoming arts capital. Every July over one hundred artists come for the Artscape street festival, and thousands of tourists throng to the museums, hip galleries and independent boutiques throughout several diverse neighborhoods. You can take a break for the normal to experience the sometimes kitschy, many times mind-blowing, and delightfully quirky cultural offerings of Charm City.

Harpers Ferry

• Location: West Virginia

• Distance: An hour from DC

• http://www.nps.gov/hafe/index.htm

A small historic town that is situated near the spot where the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers met, giving you some great white water tubing for just thirty bucks. Find a quaint setting and historical flair at the Jackson Rose Bed & Breakfast. You can check out the Canal House Café for dinner, where they serve local foods and let you bring your own wine to cut down costs. Harpers Ferry is only five miles from Charleston Races and Slots as well.

Annapolis

• Location: Maryland

• Distance: 45-minute drive

• http://www.annapolis.gov/

Find boutique shopping on the brick roads while you enjoy the light breeze coming off the harbor in this historic seaside city. It is home to the U.S. Naval Academy, which has some perks in the form of fit seamen who cruise through the city in their Navy uniforms. There are plenty of boating and sailing opportunities on the Chesapeake Bay, and sunset cruises for just 40 dollars. Some of the best seafood can be found in Annapolis on the Eastern seaboard. Annapolis will bring you a historical flavor and a quiet recovery.

Rehoboth Beach

• Location: Delaware
  

• Distance: Two hours and 45 minutes from DC

• http://www.cityofrehoboth.com/
  

This beach is known for being a gay paradise, but its quaint seas town quality is much like Cape Cod and is something everyone can enjoy. It is a perfectly doable trip for a weekend, with a lot of condo and house rentals available on the beach. When traveling here, going to the Boardwalk is a must with games, food, mini golf and gift shops. If you like beer, the Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats is wonderful, offering up some craft brews that aren’t sold in stores, plus the opportunity to sample new batches with great food. The Conch Island Key West Bar and Grill and the Iguana Grill are favorites of locals, with some wonderful seafood happy hour specials.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

• Location: Adams County, Pennsylvania
  

• Distance: 85 miles from DC

• http://www.destinationgettysburg.com/
  

This historic town is a destination year-round and has a wide range of events and attractions making it one of the best choice for weekend getaways from D.C. History lovers from around the world visit the Gettysburg Battlefield. Even if this is not of your interest, there is a lot of other things to do. This is a charming historic town that has great antique shops, restaurants and art galleries. It is home to the National Apple Museum and the Gettysburg Wine and Fruit Trail. You can find live theatrical performances, movies and concerts at the Majestic Theatre. Plus, a lot of new tours and attractions have been added to attract a wider range of visitors. One must see is the Gettysburg Cyclorama, which is a huge 360 degree oil painting of the Battle of Gettysburg, first exhibited in 1884 and refurbished in 2008.