Summer is nearly here! If you’re looking to get out of town for a weekend this summer, look no further. Our team has come up with the best weekend getaways from DC. Whether you’re a beach lover or a history buff, taking the family or just your significant other, there is a great destination for you within a short drive of our nation’s capital.
West Virginia
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
1 Hours, 19 Minutes | 71.7 Miles
Choose to stay in a charming B&B like the 1795 Jackson Rose Bed & Breakfast or The Angler’s Inn, recommended as one of the romantic getaways located near Washington, DC. Harpers Ferry is the perfect destination for the outdoor adventurer, with everything from zip lining, whitewater rafting, fishing, biking, and hiking. Conveniently located just over an hour outside of DC, this spot is perfect for a quick getaway. Leave your phone behind and go have fun outside.
The Greenbrier
3 Hours, 49 minutes| 252 miles
Surrounded by the Allegheny Mountains in Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, The Greenbrier has been welcoming guests since 1778. Billed as “America’s Resort, The Greenbrier truly offers something for everyone, including carriage rides, bubble soccer, trap and skeet shooting, horseback riding, off-roading in a Jeep, white water rafting, and shuffleboard. You’ll also enjoy fine dining, a casino, boutique shopping, a mineral spa and so much more. Visit and see for yourself why 27 of the 45 U.S. Presidents have vacationed here.
Maryland
Assateague Island, Maryland
2 Hours, 52 Minutes | 151 Miles
Rustic getaway with campsites, or stay nearby in Ocean City
Assateague Island, a 37-mile long barrier island off the Delmarva coast, is perfect for nature lovers. Here you have true encounters with wild ponies who roam free on its beaches. Assateague is a little more rustic than most places since it involves camping right next to the beach. The island is frequently on lists of underrated places to visit in the United States, which means you’ll have a great time without crowds!
Annapolis, Maryland
48 Minutes |41.6 Miles
Hotel Annapolis, Annapolis Waterfront Hotel, Flag House Inn,
Visit Annapolis for a rela
xing couples getaway. You can walk down Main Street and visit the various little shops or take a ride on a sailboat for a sunset cruise. A variety of activities will allow you to take in the beauty and history of Annapolis, whether it’s a day trip or a weekend getaway. Of course, you can visit the impressive campus of the United States Naval Academy.
Ocean City, Maryland
3 Hours, 17 Minutes | 150 Miles
Hilton Suites Ocean City Oceanfront, Harrison Hall Hotel
If you’re looking for a little more action during your beach trip, Ocean City would be a great place for a weekend getaway. Hop on a charter boat and feel the adrenaline of reeling in a monster fish or head out for the hopping nightlife scene. Kids will love the amusements, arcades, and mini-golf that abound!
St Michaels and Eastern Shore, Maryland
1 Hour, 48 Minutes | 89.3 Miles
Inn at Perry Cabin (One of Sue and Marty’s favorites), Tidewater Inn
Explore St Micheal’s, and get to know what makes this town one of USA Today’s Top 10 Best Coastal Towns. Book a trip to take part in one of their many festivals, enjoy the water through boating and different water sports, or travel here for a special event. Traveling with pets? St. Michaels is known for being a dog-friendly paradise, with many hotels, restaurants, and even banks being pet friendly. Visit and see why this town is one of the best weekend getaway destinations.
Delaware
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware (& the Delaware Beaches)
2 Hours, 37 Minutes | 131 Miles
The Bellmoor Inn and Spa, Avenue Inn and Spa
Consistently rated highly as a family-friendly beach, Rehoboth Beach is a fantastic family getaway. Walk down Rehoboth’s charming mile-long boardwalk and hear the Atlantic’s waves crashing next to you. Peruse its shops and stop in one of the little ice cream shops. Enjoy its beautiful beaches or go hiking through the nearby Delaware Seashore State Forest.
The Goodhart Family is also very fond of Bethany Beach, DE, where they had a house for many years and continue to visit as much as possible! It is a quick 15-20 minute drive from Rehoboth Beach.
Pennsylvania
Hershey, Pennsylvania
2 Hours, 29 Minutes | 137 Miles
The Suites at Hershey, Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge
If you want a getaway for the whole family, you might want to look at Hershey, Pennsylvania. With the Hershey Park, amusement park, fabulous golf, breweries and vineyards, chocolate tours at the Hershey factory, and Hershey Gardens, this destination offers something for everyone. Be sure to check out the amazing spa at the Hotel Hershey, where you can indulge in a variety of chocolate-based services, like a chocolate fondue wrap! Take the whole family or just that special someone.
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
1 Hour, 36 Minutes | 89.2 Miles
Gettysburg Hotel, Federal Pointe Inn, Antrim 1844
Gettysburg has loads of history and beauty as well as fun things to do. You can walk the Gettysburg Battlefield or visit where Abraham Lincoln gave his Gettysburg address. If you’re in the mood for a good scare, take an evening ghost tour. You can also visit the picturesque campus of Gettysburg College, founded in 1832.
Nemacolin
3 Hours, 47 Minutes | 192 Miles
Nemacolin Luxury Resort is a beautiful place to stay when traveling to Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands. This resort is open year-round with a multitude of activities for people of all ages to take advantage of and enjoy. For the summer months, there are several pools to cool down in, a concert venue, athletic activities such as a ropes course, paintball, tennis courts, and more! Traveling with kids? There are plenty of kid-friendly activities available like a kids club, kids arcade, and even babysitting services for parents to relax and have a date night. Located on the premise is a Zoo and Safari Tour, where you can schedule an afternoon with a friendly keeper and learn more about different types of animals! Nemacolin is a great place to stay and visit when traveling through Pennsylvania or to book a nice vacation!
Virginia
Middleburg, Virginia
59 minutes | 46 miles
Briar Patch Bed & Breakfast Inn, Goodstone Inn & Restaurant, Salamander Resort & Spa
Shop, drink wine, enjoy fine dining, and take in an equestrian event in this gem of a town. Check out Allison’s full review here.
Chincoteague, Virginia
3 Hours, 24 Minutes | 180 Miles
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Chincoteague Island Waterfront, Refuge Inn, Marina Bay Hotel and Suites
Chincoteague is one of Virginia’s many hidden gems, with its tranquil scenery and relaxed vibe. This peaceful island is Virginia’s only resort island, but you won’t find any high rises or crowds. It is the perfect place to relax for a few days and listen to the waves crashing onto the shore. You can rent a moped and cruise around or walk with ponies, no matter what you decide to do, you’ll have a great time.
The Inn at Little Washington
1 Hour, 50 Minutes | 67.1 Miles
Foodies, head to The Inn at Little Washington for a truly one-of-a-kind dining experience. The Inn at Little Washington is the first and only restaurant in the Washington D.C. region to receive THREE Michelin stars. Chef Patrick O’Connell’s gem of a restaurant offers a variety of tasting menus and more than 2,400 wine selections from the world’s great wine regions. You can stay at the Inn, which has a coveted five-star rating from the Forbes (formerly Mobile) Travel Guide. Its 23 guest rooms or suites are truly works of art, creatively designed by Joyce Evans, a London stage and set designer. While in the area, visit local wineries, antique shops, Skyline Drive, and Luray Caverns. “Little” Washington is the perfect romantic getaway no matter the season.
Williamsburg, Virginia
2 Hours, 59 Minutes | 159 Miles
Great Wolf Lodge, Williamsburg Inn, Wedmore Place
Whether you’re a history buff or a thrill seeker, Williamsburg offers it all. Bring your family and visit Busch Gardens for exhilarating roller coaster rides, shows, and special events. Water lovers, check out Water Country USA for an amazing variety of water slides, rides, and pools. Spend a day at historic Colonial Williamsburg and the Jamestown Settlement, where you can see what life was like in the 18th century. Be sure to check out the lovely campus of William & Mary, the nation’s second-oldest institution of higher education.
Charlottesville, Virginia
2 Hours, 28 Minutes | 121 Miles
UVA Inn at Darden, Hyatt Place Charlottesville, Boar’s Head Resort
Charlottesville is more than just the home to the University of Virginia — it’s also a great place for a romantic getaway. You can visit Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and then take a wine tour at one of the 35 vineyards along the Monticello Wine Trail. Be sure to check out Charlottesville’s vibrant arts scene, including dozens of art galleries and museums.
RdV Vineyards, Virginia
1 Hour, 18 Minutes | 61.1 Miles
Ashby Inn, Travelodge by Wyndham, Marriott Ranch
Wine enthusiasts from all over should book a reservation and visit RdV Vineyards. From taking part in the RdV Tasting Experience, which brings you up close and personal to their vineyards state-of-the-art winery, to sampling some of their prestige wines. Book an appointment at RdV’s Tasting Salon, where you can sit back and enjoy the variety of wines this vineyard has to offer. Take a trip to the best vineyard Virginia has to offer.
Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia
4 Hours, 47 Minutes | 245 Miles
Hotels and Lodging at Smith Mountain Lake
Take the weekend and travel to one of Virginia’s beautiful lakes. At Smith Mountain Lake, take in the scenic nature that is and surrounds this lake. This lakeside destination is a perfect getaway for nature lovers and offers the choice of a weekend full of activities, relaxing by the water, or both! Head on down and enjoy the beauty that is Virginia.
Lake Anna, Virginia 
1 Hour, 56 Minutes | 83.1 Miles
Looking for another scenic lake to visit or to add to your trip to Smith Mountain Lake? Lake Anna is that place for you. This waterfront destination is the perfect place to visit year-round. Take part in activities like boating and fishing at the lake, shopping at the local town, taking road trips to nearby towns like Culpeper, Richmond, Lousia County, and more! Book a trip down to this relaxing town today!
The Bottom Line
We are so fortunate to live in an area with so many beautiful places to explore and fun activities to try — all within a short drive. The best part? You don’t have to spend a ton of money to have a great weekend getaway.
Did we miss your favorite weekend getaway from DC? Please drop us a line and let us know so we can check it out too!
