When to Go

Expect muggy weather if visiting in the summer months. Winter can be mild; it can also get extremely cold and beautifully snowy. Still, spring and fall are the best bets for a trip. Expect large crowds at Arlington Cemetery around holidays such as Veterans Day and Memorial Day. Major events in D.C. such as the Cherry Blossom Festival in March and April do affect hotel prices and crowds in this area.

Historic Alexandria Candlelight Tour. Visit historic houses for light refreshment and performances of period music each December. 703/746–4554; www.alexandriava.gov/CandlelightTours.

George Washington's Birthday. Throughout February, George Washington's Birthday is celebrated in his hometown of Alexandria, Virginia. Events include a parade with nearly 3,500 participants and a reenactment of a Revolutionary War skirmish at Fort Ward. 703/829–6640; washingtonbirthday.com.

The

Virginia Gold Cup. The steeplechase horse races held in May near Middleburg in Northern Virginia have been among the most prominent social and sporting events of the state since the 1920s. 540/347–2612; www.vagoldcup.com.