Living in Washington, DC is a commitment to a rapid pace of life. Whether you’re involved in the omnipresent political world or live in DC because you enjoy the buzz of all it has to offer, even the biggest fan of The Hill needs to get out of town sometimes. As long as you have a car (and let’s be real, every DC resident knows you have to have a car), you’re only a few hours drive away from a whole slew of adventures. So whether you’re looking for a quiet weekend of romance or craving some beach time, here are the best weekend getaways from DC to soothe your every craving. Now if only there were more weekends, right?
Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains
If it’s romance you’re seeking, head to the Glen Gordon Manor in Huntly, VA. The Manor is sweet inn surrounded by the gorgeous Blue Ridge landscape. Here, you can wine and dine with renowned chef Dayne Smith at the Houndstooth Restaurant. The restaurant received Wine Spectator’s 2018 Award of Excellence, so come prepared to taste it all. Check out the Wine Country package and enjoy a getaway with your love, only two hours’ drive from DC.
Are the two of you feeling more adventurous? Save your travels for the winter and head over to Wintergreen Resort. The perfect winter weekend getaway from DC awaits. In case you’re a newbie to DC: the city’s winters are weird anyway.
Something for the kids in Baltimore, MD
The Baltimore Inner Harbor has a lot going on. If you’re looking for a weekend getaway from DC that includes your kids, plan a trip to the National Aquarium (“National” like, the best in the nation) and the Maryland Science Center. Ride the Charm City Circulator to save yourself the headache of driving in a new city. Luckily, it will bring you all around Baltimore’s key areas for free. Then explore the delicious food options in Little Italy and Greektown. Or if you are child-free, make a reservation at Woodberry Kitchen, one of the area’s pioneering farm-to-table restaurants. Oh, and the seafood… try the seafood. We heard Faidley’s Seafood makes a mean crab cake.
Hang out with the horses in Lancaster, PA
Otherwise known as Amish Country, this peaceful little part of the world is just over two hours from DC but will feel like another planet entirely. The wide-open fields and farmlands will feel like a welcome breath of fresh air after moving to DC. But don’t worry: you can still keep yourself entertained with tours, buggy rides, restaurants and, of course, shopping for traditional Amish goods. Need some soap, anyone?
Let the ocean soothe you in the Outer Banks, NC
It might be a bit of a drive — about 5 hours — but sometimes a beach cottage is worth it. Of all of the weekend getaways from DC for couples, this one is pure salt, sun, sand, R&R. In high season, it’s definitely a popular destination. But if you hit the Outer Banks during the shoulder season, you can have a lot more beach to yourselves. The weather rarely drops below the ’50s, even in the winter, meaning you can plan your clambake on the beach any time of the year. The Blue Point Restaurant in Duck, NC, also offers high-end, locally sourced seafood for those who aren’t feeling so ambitious.
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