5 Drivable Weekend Getaways from D.C.
From beach breaks to countryside retreats, check out our top picks
4 Min Read
4 Min ReadLuckily if you live in D.C, you’re within easy reach of weekend getaways galore. From beaches to valleys, along with hiking or skiing – your urban getaway options are covered. To narrow down the choices, we’ve selected the best road-tripping weekend getaways from D.C. For maximum enjoyment, check out our hints below.
Top tips for a weekend getaway from Washington, D.C.
- Pick somewhere close by so your weekend doesn’t feel rushed or lost in transit
- Pre-book accommodation close to the action to be in, or activities you want to do
- Secure tickets online before arrival for any must-sees to avoid missing out
- Be adventurous – seek out unique things to do, see, and eat
- Stay fully present by switching off from your smartphone and social media
- Take photos – you’re making memories!
Ready for a road trip? For short-cation inspiration, here are our top five weekend getaways from D.C. by car.
Rehoboth Beach
If you’re seeking an old-fashioned beach break look no further than Rehoboth Beach in Delaware. This resort town can be reached in under three hours by car from D.C. Think classic seaside boardwalks, nostalgic amusement rides, and open-air seafood joints. This family-oriented destination has a sandy public beach with many activities from surfing to stand up paddle-boarding. The boardwalk offers an area for entertainment both day and night. 
Brandywine Valley
The rolling hills and valleys of the Brandywine Valley can be reached in two hours by car from D.C. The cobblestones streets in this countryside village are dotted with picturesque storefronts and charming B&Bs. History-lovers can see landmarks of the aristocracy in the grand “American castles” and formal colonial-style country mansions. It’s also home to world-class museums and beautiful botanical gardens. After admiring art or strolling in the greenery why not try the Brandywine Wine Trail. There are six different wineries to explore in the impressive estate vineyards. At just over two hours from NYC, it’s also a possible midway stop during the day before heading to the Big Apple.
Baltimore
Only an hour away from D.C by car, Baltimore is fast becoming known as the coolest city on the East Coast, and here’s why. From urban art to an award-winning culinary scene, it’s now at the cutting edge of culture. From heavy hitters like The Baltimore Museum of Art and outsider art at the American Visionary Art Museum to underground artist-run galleries. In the creative enclaves of the Downtown Inner Harbor district – the art scene is booming. Staying in this city is equally aesthetically pleasing with a range of boutique to designer hotel-style accommodation. Brunching is the way to eat out in Baltimore. The cities brunching scene offers a diverse range of breakfast-lunch style eating from Korean to classic American. All in all a great match for the quintessential way millennials like to experience weekends.
Snowshoe
At this West Virginia resort, ski weekends venture into snow-shoeing, snow tubing, cross-country skiing, and even snowmobiling. Along the four and a half-hour drive from D.C, you can break up the journey with a stop at the Seneca Rocks Discovery Center. Or check out the National Radio Astronomy Observatory Visitors Center. Snowshoe has the feel of a European ski town, with the après-ski classics ranging for relaxing spas to a bustling dining and drinking scene. Popular entertainment spots include the Comedy Cellar and the Big Top that provides some fun for kids off the slopes. Also worth checking out are the artisan vendors selling handicrafts at the WV Market. Accommodation wise, staying at the village comes in cozy lodges and condo complexes.
Luray
When nature calls, Luray is the ideal destination for outdoor adventures and wildlife-rich hikes. Luray is located in the Shenandoah Valley at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The two-hour drive from D.C along mountain ridges offers spectacular views. Unique to this town is the Caverns, a network of caves offering daily subterranean tours. Visitors are drawn to these largest caverns in the eastern United States to marvel at the elongated stalactite and stalagmite forms. Overground, the forest nature trails are ideal for hikers with picnic areas and observation platforms. For an authentic small-town retreat, you can stay in a cabin, a country house or camp outside.
If a weekend getaway isn’t a long enough change of scenery for you, consider a change of scenery in the city you’re living in. A staycation can be the perfect way to see your home city with fresh eyes and fall in love with it all over again. Or perhaps you could consider a new neighborhood to live in. Guests that stay with Blueground have the option to move between furnished apartments in different neighborhoods, pending availability. They have a wide smattering of furnished, ready-to-go apartments across D.C. and Arlington that will put you close to work, fun, transit and green space. When you’re ready for your next move around the Capital, Blueground has you covered.
