A few days in and around Washington DC
 

My wife and I will be spending about 7 days and 6 nights in and around the Washington DC area. I would like some ideas as to what we( 50+ age ) could do see and eat. We arrive on the Friday evening on 27th Sept and fly off on 3rd Oct at about 2255 from Dulles. I was thinking about 2 full days in DC and then explore the surrounds by car. Looking at autotoursUSA again which I have worked with when I did a drive in New England in 2011. They were great. Would appreciate any suggestions.

Two or three days in DC would at least scratch the surface of the art, historical, and architectural sites. Mor information readily available if you define your interests which may well be different from those of US posters.

Outside Washington, you can go east to Annapolis and the the Eastern Shore, low coastal country famous for attractive small towns and seafood.

You can go west and then south to the hunt country then the Shenandoah Valley, drive a bit on the Skyline Drive, the town of Lexington, then back to Charlottesville and Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, an absolute must see.

North, south, east and west are battlefield sites galore for those interested in military history, or you could go to Washington's house at Mt Vernon and the Lee family property at Stratford Hall.

YOUR BEST STRATEGY is to do city things on the weekend when business visitors are not there and out of town travel during the week. Charlottesville and Lexington both have universities and lodging may be difficult on weekends when there are football games.

IMHO you need at tleast 4 full days i DC - there are an incredible number of things to see and do. In the outskirts definitely see Mt Vernon. For a few days outside head to VA for Colonial Williamsburgh the plantaitn and Yortown battlefield as well as Monicello (Jefferson's home)

I am sorry but not knowing your interests IMO it is impossible to say how many days you need.

Thanks for the replies. I have been to DC previously back in 1996/7 and spent a week there so I have covered quite some of the in city sites and the museums( Quite some of the Smithsonian, but the Hirshhorn which we will do this time )I have also seen the African American Museum and the National Art Gallery and Air and Space Museum )Hopefully this would be my second but not the last visit to DC so we really do not want to pack everything in kind of holiday although Singapore is quite a trip away! As my wife is into art now and she is a docent in our art museum we would probably dedicate some time to that. The suggestion of Ackislander of spending the weekend in DC then proceed outskirts is a great one. I will do that! Auto tour recommended this - they did a great tour for us in New England previously - 2 nights Washington, pick-up rental car, a night in Gettysburg, a night in The Shenandoah Valley and a night in Colonial Williamsburg dropping-off the rental car in Dulles. What should we visit along the way? I really appreciate the input.

Monticello, Monticello, Monticello.

Lexington for Virginia Military Institute and Washington and Lee University.

New Market (read about the battle on Wikipedia) in the Shenandoah Valley.

Shirley plantation on the James. Owned by same family since the 1720's, still in operation as a plantation. Only repainted six times in close to 300 years, always the same color. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

If your wife is "into art", then you should definitely visit the Virginia Museum of Fine Art in Richmond.

One site that has both artistic and historical relevance is the Pentagon 911 Memorial.

The International Spy Museum is a must visit. It's a private museum so there is a fee to enter.

Strongly agree with rec of Virginia Museum of Fine Art (and Virginia Historical Society Museum two doors down). Both are outstanding and gloriously free. VMFA has excellent American wing, the Mellon Collection of British Sporting Art (if you like that sort of thing), African art that is art rather than ethnography, and a superb collection of Faberge, now on the road, though.

>> 2 nights Washington, pick-up rental car, a night in Gettysburg, a night in The Shenandoah Valley and a night in Colonial Williamsburg dropping-off the rental car in Dulles. What should we visit along the way? I really appreciate the input.<<

You know your stamina for traveling and touring but I think you won't have much time to see anything along the way and that you may be cheating yourselves of enough time to see the things you've listed. I'm assuming that you'll both be just a little jet lagged after a flight from Singapore so even if you've been to DC before (has your wife?) that 2 days seems very short.

Were it me I'd base myself in DC and do one or two of the following:

Day trip and Overnight to Annapolis and Maryland's eastern shore. Stay overnight in St. Michael's perhaps.

Day trip to Mount Vernon, Alexandria and (time allowing) Woodlawn Plantation & Pope Leighey House (Frank Lloyd Wright). It's close to DC. No need to overnight there.

Day trip to Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. Overnight in Harper's Ferry.

Day trip and overnight to Charlottesville, VA with a stop in Richmond to see the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. This would be a good logistical choice for the end of your visit with the expectation that you would be returning yourselves and the car to Dulles Airport and not headed back into DC.

One place in DC that is completely changed from your last visit is the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery at 8th & F Streets in the Penn Quarter neighborhood. It underwent a huge renovation in 2000 and is now a jewel of an art collection as well as a beautiful restoration of 19th century architecture. Nearby is the very worthy Newseum (and the aforementioned Spy Museum). The two art museums and either News or Spy would easily occupy a full day.

Good recommendations on Annapolis and Charlottesville.

Sorry for not responding - had been off to Da Nang for a short break with the family. Beautiful beach! Back to Washington... actually it is a tail end of a 2 week trip. I have a meeting to attend in Atlanta and then will spend 2 days in Chattannooga staying with a friend before coming to DC. Hence no jet lag - thanks for the thought obxgirl :) I think I would not be overly ambitious as I am sure further visits to the USA will bring me to these parts again. I note the museum renovations and will devote time to these.

Looks like Monticello, maybe Lexington need to look at the map carefully. I am considering visiting the Naval Academy in Annapolis as a day trip when I am in DC. And New Market. Not sure where my hotels are yet ( Autotour USA will book them ) but will have to advise them of the possible route for them to fit us into. I will definitely be doing the Skyline drive.

silverlex, You are a well seasoned traveller -- best to you on this visit and I hope you report back on your trip.

Lexington is a bit far for a day trip but if you do go, the VMI museum is good and the George Marshall Library and Museum is top-notch.

Also, the best hamburger I ever had was in Lexington at The Southern Inn.

I plan to shorten my stay in Atlanta so I have an extra day in VA. The plan is 3 nights in DC, followed by a day in Charlottesville to visit Monticello, then to Lexington for the VMI and the surrounds. We will then drive the Skyline from Afton entrance and end in Front Royal for a night, or otherwise enter midway either at the Thornton Gap or Swiftway Entrance and try getting to Gettysburg without staying in Front Royal. Is it worth spending a night in Front Royal? As long as I can have 6 to 7 hours in the Leesburg Premium Outlet before I fly off, my wife will be OK with everything else! Thanks once again for the great suggestions.

Are you still looking for recommendations about where to eat? we'll need info about where you are staying and what kinds of food you like if we are to help you with that....

Sep 26 2013 Arrive Washington D.C. (3 nights)
Sep 29 Pick up Rental Car. Washington D.C. - Richmond Charlottesville, VA
Sep 30 Charlottesville - Lexington, VA
Oct 01 Lexington - Skyline - Front Royal, VA
Oct 02 Front Royal - Gettysburg, PA.
Oct 03 Gettysburg - Dulles Airport. Drop off Rental Car. Depart Dulles

My itinerary as recommended by Autotours USA.

Front Royal is fine, nothing special or spectacular, but the bigger question is whether you want to take some time to take some of the short hikes available off Skyline Drive. The Whiteoak Canyon trail is a popular hike and it's not that lengthy or overly strenuous. Skyline Drive is nice but to appreciate the park, you'll want to get out of the car when you can.

Maybe i should press on to Gettysburg and spend 2 nights there and skip Front Royal. Thanks edjim, i will do short walks and will look into your recommendation. I had thought of Front Royal as the Caverns are nearby

>>Skyline Drive is nice but to appreciate the park, you'll want to get out of the car when you can.<<

I agree. Otherwise it's a pretty drive but not much more.

I don't get the draw to Lexington with VMI & W&L on such a short stay. Charlottesville & Richmond are better targets for history (including the University of Virginia), art, shopping, good food & wine.

If you do find yourselves in the vicinity of downtown Staunton, VA, I highly recommend the restaurant Zynodoa. Locally sourced veg, meat, seafood, beer & wine. It would hold its own and then some among the best DC & NYC have to offer.

Yes, I was thinking of skipping Lexington and instead spending a night along the Skyline instead and have 2 nights in Gettysburg or Charlottesville instead. Fortunately I can make changes to the plan! Thanks obxgirl - you have help me decide!

> I don't get the draw to Lexington with VMI & W&L on such a short stay.

Little Sorrel.

Gleaning from all the comments and advise I have gotten so far, I thought perhaps 2 nights in Charlottesville to enjoy Richmond and Monticello more fully. I will give Lexington a miss. We then spend the last night in Gettysburg before coming back to Dulles. I plan to do the Skyline drive and where would be the best place to spend a night before the drive up to PA? Luray? New Market? Front Royal? Or a night in the mountain? Or perhaps go drive via the Skyline to Gettysburg for 2 nights. Fortunately all this is going to happen in late September so I have some breathing space with the bookings!

With a little more research, and the option of doing a day trip on a tour to Gettysburg from DC. I have finalized the itinerary:

3 days in DC then to Williamsburg and the drive to Newport News, then the next day in Richmond and the following in Monticello settling in Charlottesville for the night. Then the drive on the Skyline from Afton to Front Royal where we spend the last night before heading to Dulles via Leesburg Premium Outlets for some shopping enroute home.

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice offered. In response I have started to give my 2 tuppence worth for those visiting Asia - especially Singapore.

We did Yorktown, thr Colonial Parkway stopping in Williamsburg, Jamestown and Charlottesville but missed the Skyline Drive due to the Federal shutdown. Very historical, especially Jamestown and Monticello. We sailed on a schooner at sundown. Great time on the York River. Visited the Caverns near Front Royal - that was interesting. Whilst in DC we went out to Mt Vernon and Arlington. Most inspiring. Did some of the monuments (pre shut down!) at night. The Hirshorn had a level closed and wasn't well curated. Enjoyed the sculpture garden though. There is so much more to see. With flights getting cheaper, another visit may be in the works! Thanks,for all the input. Did find it useful to piece together the trip. Cheers!

If you have the time, add Woodlawn Plantation and Gunston Hall to your list--both interesting historically, and on the route from Mount Vernon.