Memorial Day weekend is fast-approaching, and if you want to take advantage of the extra vacation time, plan an impromptu road trip.
Washington, D.C., is surrounded by cool beach, nature, and cultural destinations, and most of them are less than a few hours away by car.
Here is a roundup of four drivable weekend getaways that will be sure to make your Memorial Day holiday memorable.
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach is a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Washington, D.C. Here you’ll find a three-mile boardwalk and beach. Many of the hotels are beachfront, and you can step from your room right out to the sand.
The boardwalk features restaurants with outdoor dining and lots of seafood options on the menu. At night, you can enjoy live music and a cocktail, while watching the waves crash on the shore.
This is a great family-friendly option, as you’ll notice there are a lot of activities and amenities for kids.
Check out the
Virginia Beach tourist website for more details and to explore your specific interests.
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Courtesy of travelandleisure.com[/caption]
Ocean City
If you’re craving the beach, but are on the Maryland side, head to the ever-popular Ocean City. This is also a great family-friendly weekend destination which boasts tons of attractions, such as an amusement park, tons of water activities, and a boardwalk with plenty of great seafood restaurants.
The drive from Washington, D.C., to Ocean City is about three hours, and you can stay at one of the many hotels on the beach or rent a home for the weekend.
Head to the
Ocean City website for detailed information on what to do, including things that are free (!), as well as best restaurants and beaches.
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Courtesy of curbfreewithcorylee.com[/caption]
The Shenandoah
The Shenandoah features a little bit of everything for all kinds of interests. On the drive down from D.C., make sure to stop at a variety of
local wineries for tastings, check out
Shenandoah National Park, and visit
Luray Caverns.
Shenandoah is nice because it’s a quick and easy trip (just a two-hour drive). You have several lodging options depending on your preferences. If camping and being outdoors spark your fancy, then rent a campsite inside the park itself. If you like the outdoors, but don’t want to sleep right
in the outdoors, there are also several lodges in the park to choose from.
Of course, if you prefer to just drink wine, there are many wineries which feature a bed and breakfast either onsite or nearby.
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Courtesy of virginiasshenandoahvalley.com[/caption]
Rehoboth Beach
Rehoboth Beach is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from the Washington, D.C., area. It’s very popular among young professionals and is great if you’re traveling with a group of friends.
The boardwalk is right on the beach and chock full of restaurants, bars, and entertainment. On holiday weekends, it’s especially lively as people spill out onto the patios. Oftentimes during the summer, the beach will host festivals right on the sand.
For housing, there are plenty of options to choose from, such as hotels, rentals, and Airbnb.
To learn more about on what to do in Rehoboth, check out their tourist website
here.
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Courtesy of news.delaware.gov[/caption]
Bonus:
If you want to explore
cities rather than the beach,
Richmond and
Baltimore are each about an hour away from Washington D.C., and have great restaurants, tons of history, and fun things to do!
Where are you headed this Memorial Day weekend? Let us know your plans and your favorite drivable destinations in the comment below!
