I am wondering if anyone out there might have some travel ideas for us? We (a couple in our late 20s/early 30s) recently moved to Old Town, Alexandria, from a small town in Alaska. Although we are enjoying all the culture that the DC area has to offer, we are finding that there are so many people here (compared to what we're used to) we'd like to just get away for a few days to somewhere nice and peaceful. We'd like to limit our driving time to within 3 hours of Alexandria (with gas prices so high). We're not necessarily big on shopping or eating out, so that wouldn't be a big deal to us. We like outdoor activities and sightseeing the most - the mountains and seashore comes to mind, but maybe there are other areas as well? And, do you know of any great mountain or beach spots in that proximity?

I don't know how much you'd like to spend. But if you're looking for a weekend of peace and quiet by a pool, you could try Keswick Hall. My husband and I go there a couple of times a year (it's a couple of hours' drive from DC). http://www.keswick.com/web/okes/keswick_hall.jsp

How about Charlottesville? There's lots of nice hiking in the area...

Try Floyd, VA for a weekend. Or you might want to head towards Winchester, VA. Welcome to the East Coast.

Thanks for all the great ideas!

You're welcome! I should have added, although you probably already know, that while in Charlottesville, you could visit Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, which is beautiful and educational, with lovely grounds and gardens.

Try a trip up into WV. I spent a day in Pendleton, County last spring and wished that I had allowed myself a whole weekend. I bet it is gorgeous up there in the early fall when the leaves change.

We enjoy going to Shenandoah National Park, either to stay in the lodges or to camp. We especially like Big Meadow Lodge because of its Great Room overlooking the valley. There are a lot of hiking trails at Shenandoah and you can get away from the people on them.
For a nice 1/2 day trip, we like going to Prince William Forest Park (part of the NPS) for hiking and picknicking. Even though it's just off I-95 near Quantico, you could never tell. It's quiet and secluded there and we often hike there without seeing another person. People also go there for camping and bicycling.

I would second heading out to Shenandoah. We camp/hike there several times a year.

I live in Alexandria too, and we are heading out there the 3rd weekend of September. (Plan to hike Old Rag this time, I think).

Closer by, you can hike in Great Falls, hike/picnic in Rock Creek Park, or camp/mountain bike out at Lake Fairfax.

Karen

Also, Frederick, MD is a fun day/overnight trip. It's a cute town with good restaurants and nice B&Bs, and the Frederick Keys minor league baseball team plays there.

The water is still warm enough in September for a canoe trip on the south fork of the Shenandoah River.

Take I-66 to Front Royal and then a ten mile mile drive on route 340 to Bentonville. There are two or three canoe rental places in Bentonville. They will shuttle you to put in points for you paddle/drift 4, 8, 12 or 16 miles through fantastic scenery.

I second the suggestions of Keswick Hall (lovely property but quite pricey) and the Shenandoah Valley, including the park -- Skyline Drive is especially scenic. I also love the Route 50 stretch from just east of Middleburg through Upperville and Paris and then south to Delaplane and over to Rectortown--all small towns. In West Virginia, given your three hour time constraint, I recommend Harper's Ferry.

Maryland Eastern shore.... The Inn at Perry Cabin

Charlottesville, VA

Rehobeth, DE

Thanks for all the great trips! I can't wait to check all these great places out.