Washington D.C. & a taste of Virginia



Washington D.C. & a taste of Virginia

Road Trip Virginia & Washington D.C

Washington D.C., Arlington National cemetery, Shenandoah National Park, Charlottesville, Richmond, Williamsburg – optional extension to return to Washington via the Delmarva Peninsula

 

All distances and times are indicative and do not include stops.

Total mileage; 475 round trip returning via direct route. 615 round trip via Delmarva Peninsula

Total drive time; 8 hours round trip returning via direct route. 11 hours 15 minutes via Delmarva Peninsula

How long do I need? This trip can be done in 10 days without rushing if you forgo the Delmarva Peninsula which would require at least an extra 2 days. Two weeks would give you more time to explore and take some time out just relaxing.

This is a great trip as it has a real mix of city fun, amazing countryside, historical interest with the option of a couple of days on the beach.

Washington Monument

Washington Monument

Your trip starts in Washington D.C., the US capital city and home to the buildings you have seen on countless TV shows and films, The White House, The US Capitol and The Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to name just a few. This city is also home to the wonderful Smithsonian Institution which offers 19 free museums so there is something to interest everyone, my personal favourite is the National Air and Space Museum. In addition to all of this you can wander the historic Georgetown district and enjoy some great restaurants and shopping while you are there, go bar hopping around the lively U Street Corridor and enjoy the cafes, restaurants and atmosphere in Dupont Circle.

Once you have explored Washington D.C., pick up your car and head towards Shenandoah National Park, stopping off at the Arlington National Memorial on your way out of town. The highlight of Shenandoah is the 105 mile Skyline Drive which runs along the crest of the Blue Ridge mountains and offers the most incredible scenic views. Take your time and make sure you get out of your car and even if you are not a walker, walk a few hundred meters down one of the many trails.

Antebellum architecture

Antebellum architecture

From Shenandoah, head to the beautiful Charlottesville to enjoy its lovely pedestrian centre and visit Thomas Jefferson’s home, Monticello. Your route then takes you on to Richmond where you can explore the history of the Civil War and check out some antebellum architecture. There is more history to explore in Williamsburg where the original 18th Century Colonial Williamsburg has been restored and missing buildings reconstructed on a massive scale. It truly is an incredible place. Don’t forget to drive the Colonial Parkway through to Yorktown.

When you have exhausted the delights of Williamsburg you have the  option to retrace your steps to Richmond and from there turn north back to Washington D.C. If you have a little more time you can extend your trip by driving on to Norfolk and from there onto the Delmarva Peninsula. This is a particularly good option in the summer when you can hit the beach at the resorts of Ocean City or Rehoboth Beach. Outside summer these places can feel a little quiet, Easton is a nice base and Cambridge is well worth a look.

 

 

If you are a fan of Bill Bryson, in particular his book  A Walk In The Woods, make sure you take some time to go and look at the section of the Appalachian Trail that runs through Shenandoah National Park. For those of you that haven’t read it, Bryson describes his efforts to walk to Appalachian Trail. There is a particularly amusing section where his friend Katz has an unfortunate episode in Waynesboro and where Bryson believes he is about to have an encounter with a bear in Shenandoah. Great holiday reading for this trip……..

 

 
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Getting there

 
 

Most flights from the UK arrive in Washington at Dulles International Airport which is around 26 miles away from Washington.

British Airways operate direct flights from London Heathrow to Dulles and operate a comprehensive route network within the UK if you don’t live near London. BA also operate a flight into Baltimore Washington International (BWI) which is around 30 miles from Washington.

 

 

 

Virgin Atlantic also operate direct flights from London Heathrow to Dulles. We love them for their great choice of movies together with a traditional ice cream or popcorn snack while you’re viewing.

 

 

 

If neither of these options appeal we like Skyscanner for a competitively priced listing of all the operators running flights, including the one flight a day currently running directly from Manchester Airport to Dulles.

If you are looking for a bargain you can sometimes get a cheaper option by catching a connecting flight rather than travelling direct. If possible, try and catch a connection into Ronald Regan Airport as it is much closer to downtown Washington and it is on the metro system. Again, Skyscanner is a great place to look for connecting flights.

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We recommend Holiday Autos or Easycar for car hire. Check out our car hire info for ways to save money. You may want to cover your excess and increase your liability cover with a policy like that from Worldwide Insure or Insurance4carhire.com.

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Where to Stay…

 

For hotels in Washington, see our Top 5 Hotels in our city guide.

To visit Shenandoah, we like the Skyland Resort. This hotel is actually in the park. It is a little on the rustic side and you are paying for location, but the views and the setting are magnificent.

If you don’t want to stay here, Luray is a nearby settlement. Our pick of the accommodation options here is the Mimslyn Inn . The hotel is housed in an older building so it has some quirky charm, along with a small outdoor pool and hot tub. It is in the centre of Luray so you can wander to restaurants and shops.

In Charlottesville, we like the Omni Charlottesville Hotel. It is in a great location in downtown Charlottesville so you can walk to shops and restaurants. The rooms are spacious and comfortable and it has an indoor and an outdoor pool. The hotel is very family friendly and has a complimentary backpack with bits and pieces for children. If you are after somewhere a bit more boutique, we recommend the 200 South Street Inn. This is an older property with pleasant, individually decorated rooms. It is in a good location within walking distance of the downtown shops and restaurants and it has complimentary Wi-Fi and a complimentary buffet breakfast.

In Richmond, we love The Jefferson Hotel. It is a beautiful property with nice rooms and very comfortable beds. We love the indoor pool and outdoor sun deck. It makes a great base for exploring.

In Ocean City we like the Hilton Suites Ocean City Oceanfront. The suites are large with kitchens and separate sitting areas. The outdoor pool comes complete with water slides and a pool bar and there is an indoor pool for cooler day. The hotel is right on the beach with plenty of amenity and eating options.

Further along the coast at Rehoboth Beach, we like the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel. It is in a great location, right on the beach and the main boardwalk (hence the name). It is decorated in a Victorian style which makes a change from the blandness of the large chains. There is a nice indoor pool and a great outdoor sun deck with hot tub.