Scenic Drives around DC in MD or VA
 

I've lived in DC forever and I've been on a huge number of scenic drives in about a 100 mile radius of DC. However, I'm sure that there must be some great road trips that I don't know about. What I'm looking for would be country roads that maybe go to a small town perhaps with a place to stop for lunch or dinner. Anyone have any hidden gems in the DC area (MD, VA or PA) for beautiful spring driving? Thanks

Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah region of Virginia.

The Antietam Battlefield area. As the battlefield is set amongst farmland, the battlefield drive itself is delightful.

Highland County, Virginia, sometime known as the Switzerland of Virginia.

On Maryland's Eastern Shore, where I live, the ride north on Route 213 from Queenstown to Elkton is a pretty drive.

The drive through the Blackwater Refuge south of Cambridge is nice.

Eastern Shore--anywhere south and east of say, Easton...and into southern Delaware..just drive over and then wander along.

Area around Millington (nearer to GeorgeW can be fun in the Spring; ever been to the C+D Canal museum at the western end?

Odessa in Delaware..some wonderful colonial houses; parts of Rte 13 IN Delaware are pretty this time of year.

thanks for some good ideas --- I'll check them out.

I love the beautiful rolling hills and farmland of Maryland's Frederick County. Here's a suggested route to vist three old covered bridges in the county.

http://pages.frederick.com/coveredbridges/

Lots of great restaurants in in the historic area of Frederick town. There's also the Monacacy National Battlefield in Frederick. It has an interesting new visitor's center and a driving route through the countryside.

covered bridges, who knew?? thanks!

Come on over to the Shenandoah Valley. I-66 into I-81 south and get off at the first exit (Strasburg). Have lunch at the charming, Strasburg Hotel, circa 1905, and then continue south on route 11, a "Scenic Byway".

Visit the Woodstock Tower and look down on the Seven Bends of the Shenandoah River. Continue on into Woodstock and see the Shenandoah County Court House, 1895 and still in use, with the bust and statue of Peter Muhlenburg in front. Walk around the Old Town section and enjoy a malted milk shake in the Walton and Smoot pharmacy.

Continue south on 11 through Mt. Jackson to see the Meems Bottom covered bridge. Continue through the bridge and the road will cross over I-81. Make a left turn at the next intersection and stop in at the Route 11 Potato Chip factory and watch the chips being made. A right turn from the factory will take you back to route 11 going into New Market.

You can get on I-81 north in New Market to get back to DC. Or

Take route 211 east out of New Market to Skyline Drive and Skyline drive north to Front Royal and I-66. Or

go south on Skyline Drive to I-64 and Charlottesville.

I like driving the backroads around Middleburg. The town, itself, is charming and has cute shops and restaurants.

Head west out of DC along the C & O canal. Use the small roads that parallel it and to all the way to Harper's Ferry. Stop along the way at Great Falls, Maconocy, and the various sites along the parts of the canal and river that the park service has saved.

Hi yes,

DH and I spent a weekend at a B&B with a cooking school near Charlottesville. We had a great time and thought the area was nice. Inn at Meander Plantation was its name. Between Orange and Culpeper VA.

Maybe a little beyond what you asked about but Lancaster PA, Gettysburg have some pretty scenery. Some touristy places also. DuPont houses and gardens in the Wilmington area are very interesting.

Correction to Previous Reply ***

The date for the Shenandoah County Court House is 1795 not 1895.

It is the oldest still in use court house west of the Blue Ridge.

Thanks for all the additional suggestions--always good to have new places to explore. Even with some of the places I've been you all have mentioend sightes I have not seen. Yesterday we did the scenic Frederick trip -- took back roads up to Frederick, checked out the covered bridges and then headed into Frederick for a late lunch. Beautiful day and ride.

Have you visite New Market? Near Frederick. Or is it East New Market. Help! Sweet street with antique, junque shops and cute restos.

Hey TD -- yes, we drove thru by so stopped and walked around --I'm not sure we were in the main part as there wasnt much where we were.

It really is just the one street (a quarter mile at most). It's been a few years since I was there but my friends and I had a great time. One bought a gorgeous dining room table at one of the antique stores. She had to have her dining room enlarged to accommodate it! What a buy...

The drive to Dover is nice once you cross the bridge. And Byler's, on the edge of Dover, is a fun destination.

Alas, the visitor's center at Sideling Hill in western Washington County MD has been moved to Hancock.

That said, the geological slice that is at Sideling Hill is, of course, still there. And well-worth a look. It's spectacular. http://www.mgs.md.gov/esic/features/sidel.html

We are driving from DC to Boyce, VA (Shenandoah Valley). What is the best route to take to see some nice little towns, pretty scenery or stop along the way to eat? We don't know the area at all.
Thanks!

Route 20 from Fredericksburg to Charlottesville, especially in the fall and especially the part from Orange to C'Ville.