Vacation In Washington Dc Area
If you’re looking for relaxing vacations, then Washington D.C is one of the best tourist spots for you. The city spans over an area of 68.3 square miles and has a population of approximately 658,000 residents. The city is known for its history and some of the major attractions here are:
I’m really excited to share my experiences about visiting Washington DC with you. The thoughts in this article will hopefully guide you through a pleasant vacation experience in Washington DC.
Today, lots of people are going for Washington D.C for its numerous tourist attractions, interesting museums and monuments or just for fun. The facts that D.C is a very particular place and that it has an incredible amount of places to see makes it one of the favorite cities for vacationing during any season of the calendar year.
The city of Washington D.C. is the capital and most populated city of the United States of America. This famous and the most visited place in US not only for the historical importance but also for visit and tour purposes. If you have visited this beautiful place before, then you must also be enjoying the beautiful moment spent there every time you remember that. The city is located about 25 miles from Baltimore and about 100 miles from Richmond by road.
Washington DC is the capital of United States. You can find all the things you would expect from the city, including museums, White House, government institutions and so on. If you decide to visit this amazing place you should be ready for some fun, adventure and a lot of learning.
When it’s time to get away from Washington D.C., your destination options include almost the entire Eastern United States. Aside from all the possible getaways by car, the city is well connected to the Northeast and New England by train, including Amtrak’s Acela high-speed train. Acela service connects Washington and Boston with 14 stops in between. Amtrak’s Silver Meteor train will get you to the theme parks of Orlando or the beaches of South Florida in about a day.
Vacation In Washington Dc Area
You can do an urban getaway to the Broadway shows, museums, and fine dining of Manhattan, or head to Harpers Ferry in West Virginia for some history, along with rural hiking or mountain biking.
The D.C. area is also within easy reach of many beaches, including those along the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean like Myrtle Beach or Ocean City. You may want to take a winter ski getaway, and there are several options within a two-hour drive of the city.
The area around Washington is home to a lot of destination resorts, where you can spend the entire weekend experiencing the available amenities and activities. Families will enjoy a visit to the massive Greenbrier resort in West Virginia, with its 11,000 acres of activities. Couples might like a romantic country house resort like the Goodstone Inn in Middleburg, Virginia.
For ideas on easy city escapes, browse this list of the top weekend getaways from Washington D.C.
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1. New York City
Any list of D.C. getaways has to start with New York City (or at least include it in the top three). Amtrak’s Acela Express train service gets you from Union Station in Washington to Penn Station in Manhattan in three hours, sometimes even less.
Whether you take in a Broadway show, enjoy a foodie adventure in the city’s many great restaurants, or spend your entire visit exploring the many museums, there is something for everyone.
The Dominick Hotel is one of the city’s newer luxury hotels, located in a neighborhood called Hudson Square, next to SoHo and TriBeCa. It’s within easy walking distance of Lower Manhattan, and there’s a subway stop a block away to explore other areas of the city. The hotel is by far the tallest building in the area, giving its rooms and suites sensational views, some looking downtown, others uptown.
2. Ocean City, New Jersey
For a family-friendly beach getaway three hours from D.C., Ocean City, New Jersey is an excellent option. Although Ocean City, Maryland is an hour closer, the New Jersey resort retains more of its small-town, family feel – the town was founded 100 years ago as a church retreat location.
The family-friendly environment means no alcohol sales anywhere in the city and many businesses close on Sundays to allow for worship or family time.
There are no mega-resorts here, just small hotels and motels and a wide, beautiful beach fronted with an old-school 2.5-mile-long wooden boardwalk. The boardwalk is lined with shops, restaurants, ice-cream stands, and a few amusement parks. Beyond the boardwalk are miles of windswept dune beaches. Ocean City is a summer weekend getaway destination, and many of the businesses close for the winter.
The Port-O-Call Hotel is right on the Boardwalk at 15th Street. The city’s original high-rise hotel (10 stories), it retains a retro charm and puts you within walking distance of the whole town. Some rooms have balconies overlooking the beach, and there’s also a large pool.
3. Old Town Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria, Virginia is right across the Potomac River from Washington and the home of many D.C. workers. But this city is also an easy getaway destination. It’s a short trip by car, or you can even go by train via the Metro.
The Old Town area has a concentration of preserved buildings, now converted into more than 200 locally owned shops and restaurants. Old Town Alexandria is focused around a mile-long stretch of King Street, with cobblestone streets and red-brick sidewalks.
The Lorien Hotel & Spa is a luxury boutique hotel right in Old Town on King Street. The hip, stylish rooms are offered with warm, personal service and an effort to immerse guests in local culture.
4. Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
This city in West Virginia, about 90 minutes from Washington, is where the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers come together. Famous for its role in Civil War history, the area is just as popular as a getaway destination for its scenic beauty and abundance of outdoor activities.
The Harpers Ferry National Historical Park offers both history and miles of hiking and exploring. There are numerous historic sites and exhibitions to learn about the area and its history, along with miles of hiking trails and beautiful scenery to explore. The Harpers Ferry Historic District has a lot of original homes and the historic downtown area.
For overnight stays in Harpers Ferry, there are plenty of camping areas, or The Ledge House Bed and Breakfast is a popular option. This boutique property has a scenic hillside location with sweeping views of the Potomac River from its large front porch.
5. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Gettysburg, site of the battle that was a key turning point of the Civil War, is only a 90-minute road trip from Washington D.C. The battlefield site, a national park called Gettysburg Memorial Battlefield, is in Southern Pennsylvania, and it’s a moving place to visit.
Gettysburg is an hour from a very cool area called Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and the two make for a great getaway. Pennsylvania Dutch Country is a rural farming area, home to the local Amish population, along with many tourist attractions.
You can’t find a more central location than the Gettysburg Hotel, at 1 Lincoln Square. This historic hotel has been around since before the Civil War (it opened in 1797), and a stay here is a great complement to a battlefield visit. It’s a wonderful choice for families, as the hotel itself is a piece of living history with strong connections to the Civil War.
- Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Gettysburg
6. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia makes a great weekend getaway destination from Washington, and it’s less than two hours away by train. This historic city is filled with museums, great restaurants, and plenty of history, especially that of the Colonial American period.
The historic downtown area called Old City (known as America’s most historic square mile), near Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, is a good area for sightseeing. The core is the Independence National Historical Park, which includes the Liberty Bell Center and other historic buildings from the colonial period.
To create a 24-hour-a-day historic experience in Philadelphia, a stay at The Morris House Hotel, built in 1787, is a great option. This luxury boutique hotel is a few blocks from Independence Hall and is also an excellent option for couples seeking a romantic colonial getaway. Not only is the Morris House hotel housed in a period building, the experience, furnishings, and decorations are all done in the Federal style.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Philadelphia: Best Areas & Hotels
7. Annapolis, Maryland
The capital city of Maryland is about an hour from Washington D.C., and its waterfront location makes it a great escape from the city, especially for a summer getaway. Annapolis is home to the United States Naval Academy (which is open for guided tours), and the city offers many museums, cool shops, and, of course, fresh seafood.
The Annapolis Waterfront Hotel, Autograph Collection lives up to its waterfront name with a great harborfront location (it’s the city’s only waterfront hotel). Some of the hotel’s rooms and suites have perfect views of the harbor and its many boats. Autograph Collection is a Marriott boutique hotel brand.
8. The Greenbrier, West Virginia
This large resort in West Virginia is a getaway destination in itself. A hotel first opened on the site in 1778, and it has grown into an 11,000-acre luxury mega-resort and wellness spa. There are so many things to see and do at the Greenbrier – it’s a great destination for families, solo travelers, and couples seeking a romantic experience.
Over the years, 27 US presidents have stayed at The Greenbrier, along with a who’s who of international royalty and celebrities. There is a wide range of activities available (more than 50 different things to do), with golf, fishing, and horseback riding among the most popular. There’s even a bowling alley and a movie theater, all part of the vast resort.
The Greenbrier is in Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, about a four-hour drive from Washington D.C. You can also take the Amtrak Cardinal train from Union Station to the resort – the travel time is about six hours.