One of the charms of living in D.C. is that there’s always a park or botanical gardens close enough to enjoy a moment of serenity. But sometimes residents need a longer getaway from the politically charged atmosphere, especially as the winter doldrums set in. Luckily, the nation’s capital enjoys a seat in a prime mid-Atlantic location within hours of rural mountains, waterfront towns, and history-rich sites—all reachable by car or train. Whether you want to glide down a snowy hill, explore colonial history, or celebrate Black history, these weekend trips will give you the chance to explore new surroundings.
(Editors note: Given the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hours and accessibility of many venues are fluid and subject to change. Make sure to contact them before visiting. Note that some states, like Pennsylvania, require a negative Covid test within 72 hours of entering.)
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Williamsburg, VA
How to get there
Using interpretive actors and exhibits that simulate life in 18th century colonial America, Williamsburg makes it easy to get lost in the past. Take Amtrak’s Northeast Regional and you’ll arrive nearly four hours later in downtown Williamsburg; the train station is conveniently located just a mile from the Colonial Williamsburg Visitors Center. You’ll shave off an hour by driving if you hit I-95 during off-peak times and use the E-ZPass.
What to do
Williamsburg stands in the middle of what’s dubbed the historic triangle, with Jamestown and Yorktown, in a Virginia peninsula bookended by the James and York rivers. To explore one or more of these towns over a weekend, it’s best to choose a few sites depending on your interests, as the options are overwhelming. Williamsburg alone contains two museums, interpretative tours, an arboretum, and colonial buildings spread over 300 acres. Get into the colonial spirit and take a carriage ride to cover the extensive grounds.
Many of the area’s attractions are outdoors, making it easy to enjoy a socially distant educational vacation. But make time to view the indoor exhibit Focused: A Century of Virginia Indian Resilience, which begins Jan. 29 in Jamestown. Taken from the Smithsonian and prominent photographers, the images and objects honor Virginia’s Native American cultural heritage. The highlight of the exhibit is a majestic and intricately woven turkey feather cape worn by the Native American activist Mollie Adams.
Where to stay
Staying at one of the Colonial Williamsburg Resorts allows travelers to soak up the history even after the attractions close. Admire the colonial homes during an evening stroll along Duke of Gloucester Street, a 10-minute walk from Williamsburg Inn (from $359 per night). While all of the rooms contain period details, the Churchill, Rockefeller, and Queen’s suites pay homage to historical figures who have visited. Book an appointment for a massage or a session at the hotel spa’s indoor pool. The Social Terrace offers a picturesque spot to grab drinks or a casual dinner overlooking the hotel’s golf course. Williamsburg Lodge (from $129 per night) presents a more affordable option with several rooms that are dog friendly.
Laurel Highlands
How to get there
A mountainous region spanning three counties in southwestern Pennsylvania, the Laurel Highlands are a winter wonderland for skiing and snowshoeing enthusiasts. The three-and-half-hour drive follows I-70 in Western Maryland, followed by I-68 or the Pennsylvania Turnpike, where the road curves nonstop through the scenic Allegheny Mountains, so stay alert and don’t drive hungry. Stop midway in Hagerstown at the local outpost of Pittsburgh’s Primanti Bros., whose iconic mile-high sandwiches stuffed with meat, fries, and coleslaw will provide sustenance for the road.
What to do
The region’s three major resorts—Nemacolin, Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Hidden Valley Resort—offer a Highlands Season Pass that allow unlimited skiing and snowboarding at all three. Each resort also offers snow tubing and other thrilling snow adventures, such as dog sledding through the wooded acres at Nemacolin. When you need a break from the slopes, head to the region’s most famous architectural wonder, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater in Mill Run. Fashioned in his signature prairie style with stacks of elongated balconies, the house gets its name from its lofty perch atop a waterfall. Tours of the house resume in February.
Where to stay
Staying at one of the ski resorts, even if you don’t ski, gives you access to a spa and other amenities that will keep your crew entertained. With a game room, roller skating, and bowling alley, Seven Springs caters to families, with a variety of accommodations in the hotel, condos, and cottages (from $221 per night). Swanky Nemacolin’s diverse array of offerings on its sprawling 2,200 acres includes everything from a wildlife habitat to a fine art gallery. Rent a luxury home or townhome on the property, or stay in the Chateau (from $315), where the latest season of The Bachelor was filmed. Unwind in front of the spa lounge fireplace while you wait for your massage.
Baltimore, MD
How to get there
From the tony Harbor East neighborhood to former working-class-turned-hipster enclave of John Waters’ favorite Hampden, Baltimore is a town of neighborhoods, each with its own distinct personality. Depending on where you live, you can take the Baltimore-Washington Parkway or I-95 for the 40-mile ride. On your way in (or out), stop at Guinness Open Gate Brewery, the iconic Irish brand’s only U.S. spot, to pick up one of its made-in-Maryland experimental brews. Some prefer to take the Marc train from D.C.’s Union Station and hop off at Baltimore’s Penn Station, a 109-year-old Beaux Arts building a few miles north of downtown. It’s worth looking up to admire the station’s stained glass ceiling and the controversial 51-foot stainless steel Male/Female sculpture outside.
What to do
Ahead of Black History Month, Baltimore’s tourism bureau has unveiled a new pass that gives visitors discounts to the city’s African American cultural attractions and Black-owned businesses. The list includes the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture, which highlights the struggles and achievements of Black Marylanders, with a current exhibit depicting Black Lives Matters activists. That’s just one of the city’s treasure trove of woefully underrated museums. Just south of the Inner Harbor in the Federal Hill neighborhood, the American Visionary Art Museum’s collection from self-taught artists includes a 10-foot statue of Divine and an outdoor oversized egg covered in mirrored mosaics.
From there, it’s a 15-minute drive north to the city’s newest food hall. Whitehall Mill, a rehabbed 18th century flour mill, showcases some of Baltimore’s best food businesses against a background of exposed brick and weathered beams. Reward yourself with Crust by Mack’s famous crab pies, the glittery lemonade at Wight Tea Co., and arroz caldo at Heritage Kitchen, or bivalves at True Chesapeake Oyster Co.
Where to stay
Located in the city’s culturally rich Mount Vernon neighborhood, the Black-owned Ivy Hotel (from $395 per night) contains eye-catching design elements at every turn, from the armoires hand painted by local art students to the mural-covered lounge. A stay in one of the 19 rooms and suites in the former 19th century Gilded Age mansion comes loaded with perks, including a memorable breakfast, afternoon tea, and cocktails at the self-service bar. While the city has shut in-restaurant dining due to COVID-19, you can order the Maryland crab cakes to go and eat in your room. Just a few blocks away, visitors will find another beautifully restored former mansion at the Hotel Revival (from $108 per night). Get takeout at the popup restaurant from the city’s first female- and Black-owned oyster bar, the Urban Oyster.
St. Michael’s, MD
How to get there
Unlike the frenetic summer months, visiting St. Michael’s in winter allows you to experience the area’s quiet natural beauty at your own pace. The 90-minute drive takes you past the Bay Bridge, mostly on route 50, crossing Eastern Shore farms on the way. Make a pit stop 15 minutes before your destination to pick up some homemade peanut butter and strawberry rhubarb jam at the Amish Country Farmers Market in Easton.
What to do
With an assemblage of brightly colored shops, Federal and Victorian homes, and a sailboat-studded marina, St. Michael’s downtown could double as a movie set. The town’s main drag, Talbot Street, houses several eclectic boutiques, from jewelry store Silver Linings to the Shops at Sea Captain’s Cottage, a treasure chest of antiques, home decor, and art. St. Michael’s nautical heritage is on display at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, whose 18-acre campus includes a working shipyard and the town’s signature lighthouse. Charming eating spots abound, including St. Michael’s Bistro, which produces an award-winning oyster stew, and local hotspot Ava’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar, whose dining room boasts a beer tap waterfall with a selection of local brews.
Where to stay
Sometimes a hotel is the destination, and we wouldn’t blame you if you spent your entire stay at the the Inn at Perry Cabin (from $595 per night), made famous by the movie the Wedding Crashers. Nurse a hot toddy by the courtyard firepit at Purser’s Pub, or watch the kaleidoscope sunsets against the Miles River from an adirondack chair on the expansive property.
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