George Washington’s estate in Fairfax County, Virginia is a great day-trip idea. Located on the shores of the Potomac, it is arguably the most picturesque attraction in the D.C. area. There is a huge mansion that has been restored and furnished with original furniture from the 1740's. You may tour the mansion and its surrounding buildings, including the kitchen, slave quarters, smokehouse, coach house, and stables.
Mt. Vernon also hosts a wine festival and sunset tours in the spring, usually starting April 15. Sample wines from any of the sixteen wineries from Virginia that take part in the festival and make it part of a cozy picnic on the lawns, made more enjoyable by a live jazz performance. Take an evening tour that takes you inside the manor’s basement, where Washington stored his wine – an area that is open to the public only during the festival.
Shenandoah National Park is spread over 300 square miles of forests, rivers, and mountains.The main attraction is the 105-mile-long Skyline Drive, which runs along the crown of the Blue Ridge Mountains, affording visitors a spectacular view of the valley below. The highest peaks and the most spectacular views are between Thornton Gap and Swift Run Gap, as are majority of the park’s hiking trails.
Leave your car behind and go fishing, horseback riding, or cycling through the historic towns in the valley and woodlands, along crystal clear streams, or go boating down the south fork of the river. The more adventurous can hike on parts of the legendary Appalachian Trail that runs 2,160 miles acrossthe mountains' ridgelines.
Most visitors prefer camping in one of the four campgrounds, but these close down in winter. There are also limited hotel facilities available at Skyland Lodge, Meadows Lodge, and there are a few cottages for rent at Lewis Mountain.
Located on 15000 acres of natural beauty in the Allegheny Mountains, the Homestead Resorts offers a number of methods to unwind and relax over a leisurely weekend. For activity, try mountain biking, skiing, tennis, shooting, fly fishing and even falconry lessons.
The Homestead has a spa housed in a historic, Victorian-style building and you can choose from a range of luxurious services at the spa and salon. The outdoor and indoor pools that are filled with hot springs mineral water are also a great place to relax in. Outside the resort, there is the beautiful Jefferson Pools, where an octagonal building is believed to be the country’s first spa. It still offers spring waters to soak in.
There are three demanding golf courses on the resort grounds offering different challenges and instructors to help improve your game. The Old Course, in fact, has the oldest first tee still in use in the country.
The Homestead offers a variety of choices when it comes to food and drink, including the Dining room, the 1766 Grille, the Casino Club Restaurant, the Mountain Lodge Restaurant and Sam Snead’s Tavern.
Do you want to let her know just how much she means to you? Would you like to show her a good time as well as create romantic memories? Get into the car and drive down to Baltimore, the Charm City. Head for the ever-vibrant harbor and check out the famous museums or the aquarium. Then treat her to a scrumptious seafood feast at one of the many elegant eateries in the area. This will be a trip to remember and cherish.
This luxurious colonial manor house resort in St. Michaels, on the eastern shore of Maryland, is an ideal weekend hideaway from Washington D.C.
There is a lot you can indulge in at this elegant estate – ask for a waterfront suite with a gorgeous sea view. Take in some golf, swim in the horizon-edged pool amidst verdant surroundings, and work out at the fitness center.
The resort offers complimentary bikes that you can take to explore the picturesque historic town. There are also numerous locations to fish and hunt around St. Michaels. Equipment is available for hire in town. You can also take a boat charter out to Chesapeake Bay and enjoy the serene blue environs. Of course, you could also settle into a comfortable chair on the lush lawns and watch the world go by.
This resort in Williamsburg, VA is an excellent overnight getaway from Washington DC. Choose from a range of packages including golf, tennis, spa and the suite romance package. The last includes champagne served with tuxedo strawberries, a dinner at one of the resort’s fine restaurants and breakfast in your suite.
There are other attractions here if you are really looking to unwind. The spa offers state-of-the-art facilities for a wide range of specialized, restorative services. You can work out at the fitness center, enjoy our indoor swimming poor, steam rooms, saunas and whirlpools.
Golf enthusiasts can play at the three championship courses and the special package includes complimentary, unlimited use of the practice facility, golf bag storage, use of the club amenities and a shuttle service.
For some activity, you can also go fishing, kayaking and boating in Warhams Pond or try the many rides at the nearby Busch Gardens.
