Mid-Atlantic Getaways

Dear H*, 

I am a recent grad living in DC who loves the city but is really starting to miss escaping for spring break. As March approaches I am getting a bit of a travel itch but don't want to break the bank or take much time off.  I was wondering if you have any suggestions for an easy and relatively wallet friendly weekend getaway, perhaps something driving distance from DC?  I would love to avoid other cities as well and go for more of an outdoors adventure. Any suggestions of places to visit/stay?

Signed,

Anxious to Escape

 

Anxious,

I definitely understand where you are coming from—as much as I love this beautiful city, sometimes you just have to get away.  I’ve got two overnight options for you—one in Virginia and one in Maryland.

 

Virginia:  Charlottesville and Shenandoah Valley

This makes for a great overnighter.  On Day 1, head out of the city toward Charlottesville.  Once there, visit Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s residence, a great way to spend the day outside.  After that, stop at Jefferson Vineyards for a taste of wine grown on Jefferson’s original vineyard land.

In the late afternoon and evening, check out all there is to offer in town, including Charlottesville’s walkable Main Street mall.  You can grab a bit to eat at one of Main Street’s cafes, such as Enoteca, where you can continue sampling wines.  There are a variety of inns and B&B’s to stay at in the area, and you can even go camping.

On Day 2, head home via Shenandoah National Park.  The best route is to take Skyline Drive right up through the middle of the park.  If you are looking for a place to stop and explore, definitely be sure to check out Luray Caverns.

Feel free to improvise from there, but that provides a good loop that’s doable in two days in a car, and provides lots of scenic opportunities.

 

Maryland:  Visit Annapolis and Baltimore

I know you wanted to get away from the cities, but Virginia does the countryside so well, it would be hard to compare. But you’ll forget your urban aversion in these two towns, which have so much charm that it’s even Baltimore’s nickname:  Charm City.

Annapolis, home of the Naval Academy, and surrounding Anne Arundel County, make for a great getaway full of historic homes, great shops, and some of the things Maryland is best known for, such as crab.  Check out this Website for more visitor information.

Stay overnight if you wish, but this could also make a great day trip.  On the way back to the city, stop in Baltimore and check out some of its attractions, especially the Inner Harbor, which features the Baltimore aquarium and other attractions.

While both of these trips are definitely worthwhile, I would save the Maryland trip for the warmer months.  Annapolis is one of the mid-Atlantic’s top waterfront towns, and lends itself to warmer weather (especially when the midshipmen are in their summer whites!), and Baltimore’s Inner Harbor can only be further improved upon by an Orioles game at Camden Yards, one of baseball’s nicest parks.

Wherever you go, have a great time, and let me know how it turns out!

Road trippin’,

H*

What is your favorite weekend getaway? Leave a comment.

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