To
Mount Vernon/Old Town Alexandria. Colonial America comes alive along the picturesque 20 mi/32 km of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, which follows the Virginia bank of the Potomac River south of D.C. to the 18th-century homes lining the shady streets of Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Mount Vernon is close by. George Washington's riverside plantation home remains a working farm, employing 18th-century methods. Spend a day exploring both; Mount Vernon and Old Town are served by D.C. tour and river-cruise companies. Mount Vernon is open daily. US$13 per person. Phone 703-780-2000. http://www.mountvernon.org.
To Harpers Ferry and Virginia Hunt Country. At Harpers Ferry, a fascinating, history-rich day can be spent in the gorge where the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers merge. Abolitionist John Brown's aborted raid on the U.S. Arsenal took place there in 1859. The Harpers Ferry National Historical Park preserves the old stone village and some 2,000 acres/800 hectares of this scenic area. Small restaurants and cafes are open year-round in the village itself. For information, call 304-535-6029. This area of the West Virginia Panhandle is an easy 65-mi/105-km drive northwest of Washington via Interstate 270 and four-lane Highway 340. http://www.nps.gov/hafe.
The trip can be combined with a tour of Virginia's Hunt Country, situated among the horse farms and estates in the rolling Virginia foothills (west of Dulles Airport). The small, colonial-era towns of Leesburg and Middleburg, both about 40 mi/65 km west of Washington, are interesting. This is also a major wine-producing area; several fine Virginia wineries are located along Interstate 66 and Highway 50. For information, contact the Loudoun County Tourism Council. Phone 703-771-2617 ext. 11 or toll-free 800-752-6118 ext. 11. http://www.visitloudon.org. Also in the area is Manassas National Battlefield Park, where Confederate forces twice defeated Union Soldiers at Bull Run. Phone 703-361-1339. http://www.nps.gov/mana. To see all of this, you may want to spend a night in the area.
To Fredericksburg. Home of Mary Washington, George's mother, and the fifth U.S. president, James Monroe. An hour south of Washington, this area is surrounded by several Civil War battlefields, including Chancellorsville, where Stonewall Jackson lost his life. The quaint downtown streets are a timeline through 18th- and 19th-century America. A scenic drive from there onto the northern neck of Virginia will take you to Robert E. Lee's boyhood home and Ingleside Winery. The Fredericksburg Visitor Center regularly shows an introductory film about the area and its history and can provide information about local events. 706 Caroline St., Fredericksburg. Phone 540-373-1776 or toll-free 800-678-4748. http://www.fredericksburgva.com.
To Annapolis. Explore the narrow, winding streets of Maryland's historic capital. It is one of the oldest incorporated cities in the U.S. It has a lovely small harbor and is often called the sailing capital of the country. The U.S. Naval Academy is located there. Guided walking tours are available through Annapolis Tours (US$13 and up, phone 410-268-7601, http://www.annapolis-tours.com). All visitors must present a valid ID. Annapolis is a pleasant 40-mi/65-km drive east of Washington on Highway 50. For information, contact the Annapolis Visitors Center. Phone 410-280-0445 or toll-free 888-302-2852. http://www.visitannapolis.org.
To Fairfax County. Day trip offerings include a number of museums beyond the Udvar-Hazy Center, including the National Firearms Museum (http://www.nationalfirearmsmuseum.org). There are many historic sites in the county and a substantial number of Civil War battlegrounds (http://www.fxva.com/civil_war_attract). Head West on I-66, approximately 30 minutes if not rush hour, depending on destination. 703-550-2450 or 800-732-4732. http://www.fxva.com/things.
Throughout much of the year, there are steeplechase races and other equestrian events in Maryland and Virginia horse country. http://www.marylandsteeplechasing.com, http://www.mdhorsesource.com, http://www.vasteeplechase.com, http://www.virginiaequestrian.com.
Local Tours
A multitude of tours are available to help you see the highlights of Washington. One of the most popular options is to take the Tourmobile. You can see the key sights while guides explain them on the only shuttle service that stops at 18 key historic sites between Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Capitol. You can stop for as long as you like at the various sites because reboarding is free the day your ticket is purchased (buy them from drivers or Tourmobile booths at most major sites). A one-day ticket costs US$27 adults, US$13 children. Phone 202-554-5100, or toll-free 888-868-7707 for more information. http://www.tourmobile.com.
A similar service is provided by the Old Town Trolley, which travels along the Mall as well as to Dupont Circle, the National Zoo and Washington National Cathedral. http://www.historictours.com/washington.
Gray Line (phone 202-289-1995; http://www.graylinedc.com) offers half- and full-day bus trips geared to a range of topics. They offer a detailed and comprehensive introduction to the city for first-time visitors, with well-informed and often witty guides. Or, if the seamier side of town intrigues you, take a Scandal Tour. The Gross National Product comedy troupe performs throughout these two-hour tours of Washington's scandal sites (rated PG-13). Tours run April-Labor Day Saturday at 1 pm and depart from the Old Post Office Pavilion. Reservations are required. US$30. Private group tours are also available; call for information. Phone 202-783-7212. http://www.gnpcomedy.com.
