dgarland

My DH works in DC and commutes back and forth every week, with an apartment in the city. We've spent lots of time in the city, but haven't been in the surrounding countryside at all. We would like to rent a car and go outside the city for a long weekend (January 13-15), maybe stay at an inn or a historical hotel. Any suggestions for a destination no more than a 2 hour drive? Cost isn't a big issue, we like history, nice dinners, and quaint shopping. Thanks for any suggestions.

tomboy

Annapolis?

dgarland

Maybe so. We don't know anything about it. Any suggestions for a nice inn or historical hotel? And what to see and do? Thanks.

LvSun

Berkeley Springs, WV - Info is from their website.

Berkeley Springs is a small place with a mighty appetite for the good life. Massage therapists outnumber lawyers three to one, and last year AmericanStyle readers rated the town #12 among the nation’s Top 25 Arts Cities.

Berkeley Springs State Park is more than a town square, it’s a mineral spa that has operated since 1784 — and just one of several purveyors of spa services in town. What more could you want? How about great food and lodging, antiques, handcrafts, the Ice House arts center and the vintage Star Theatre?

Berkeley Springs is an historic spa and art-filled town nestled in the West Virginia mountains only 90 minutes from the Washington/Baltimore metro area. It boasts warm mineral springs, world class dining, dozens of unique shops, five full-service spas and more than 100 lodging choices from elegant B&B's and historic inns to cabins and resorts. Golf, hiking and swimming share the schedule with year 'round festivals, live music and theater.

For more info, goto: http://www.berkeleysprings.com/
or
http://www.wvtourism.com/spec.aspx?pgID=147

LvSun

Another place in the same county as Berkeley Springs is Shepherdstown. Info from the websites:

Every July, theater lovers flock to tiny Shepherdstown for the Contemporary American Theater Festival. They also find a charming main street chock-full of shops and good restaurants. Like all Eastern Panhandle towns, this one harbors history — including a replica of the James Rumsey steamboat that plied the Potomac two decades before Fulton’s boat chugged up the Hudson. The town is also home to the Bavarian Inn, a stone and half-timbered German lodge and restaurant overlooking the Potomac River.

Our community is very unique in representation. We make up the artist, the musicians, the professors, the students, and the businessmen and women in Shepherdstown.

Visit our downtown shops for jewelry, potpourri, candles, art, coffee and more. Also learn more about our fresh veggies at The Farmers Market.

Our history represents some of West Virginia's most interesting and finest culture. Learn more about the Civil War in Shepherdstown as well as the age of the oldest town in WV.

Harpers Ferry’s is not far from Shepherdstown but not sure if it is even open during the winter.

For more info, goto http://www.shepherdstownvisitorscenter.com/ or http://www.myshepherdstown.com/main/main_frame.asp
or http://www.wvtourism.com/spec.aspx?pgID=147

Charlestown Race Track is also near Sherpherdstown

j_flo77

I think Orange, VA, could be an answer. Orange is a little less than 2 hours from DC in the direction of Charlottesville. Within a short drive of Orange you have historic homes - Monticello (Jefferson), Montpellier (Madison), and Ash Lawn (Monroe). You have lots of vineyards, including Barboursville, which lots of wine buffs have indentified as an up and comer. You have fantastic B&Bs (Mayhurst, Willow Grove)and antique shops all over the place. Nice dinners are not hard to come by, either.
http://www.townoforangeva.org/visiting/histhomes.htm
http://www.barboursvillewine.com/estate.html

dgarland

Thanks for the wonderful suggestions. They sound like places we would love. I'll do my research and may come back with questions.

Devonmcj

Have you thought about Gettysburg?

jodeenyc

Another vote for Bavarian Inn and Shepardstown. Very cute little town, lots of art shops, walkable, great atmostphere.

egoodell

Also Charlottesville, Virginia. Monticello, the downtown mall with shops and restaurants, Ashlawn Highland, and wineries! We run a wine tasting tour company and do tours every weekend. Lots of cute B&Bs. Go to www.bbav.org to see them.

Erika

klta

Our favorite weekend trip when we need to get away from the city is Middleburg, VA. In the 4 blocks I'd call 'downtown' there are several cute inns and many good restaurants. We like to go in on Saturday and wander the town, do some window shopping, etc., and have a nice dinner. On Sunday we hit 2-3 vineyards with lunch in between and head home around 4. Never fails to relax. Lots of history and beautiful countryside.