Why Washington DC is a fantastic location for a weekend getaway

If you want to make a quick weekend getaway, there are many terrific destinations in the United States. However, if you're looking for someplace exciting and full of things to do, Washington D.C. may just be the city you're looking for when considering a weekend getaway. The trip can be as relaxing or fast-paced as you want it to be.

View of the Capitol from the Old Post Office tower

A destination made for all seasons, there is plenty to do and much to see in this city. Not only is D.C. the hub of the U.S. government and home to many amazing landmarks and historic events, this metro area is full of art and culture.  

Transportation

If you are traveling from afar, there are three major airports in the Washington D.C. Metro Region — Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (in Virginia but closest to D.C. proper) and Washington Dulles International Airport, located a bit further west in Loudoun County, Va.  The third airport, Baltimore/Washington International Airport, is in the vicinity, but a bit further of a ride, and, being along the I-95 corridor, beltway traffic is likely involved.  

View of Union Station shops

For rail travel, Amtrak also comes into Union Station, which is a landmark in itself to visit, and there is also the city's Metro system, which is a convenient way to travel between D.C., Northern Virginia, and parts of Maryland.

Accommodations

Accommodations in Washington are plentiful, and visitors can select from a range of hotels. For those willing to pay more for convenience, it is probably best to stay in the District itself, but if budgets are of consideration, you're likely to get better rates in the nearby Northern Virginia and Maryland suburbs; getting into the city is a relatively quick Metro ride away.

 

Entertainment and cultural events

Plenty of entertainment is to be found in Washington. The city houses the Capital One Center offering sports (Wizards' basketball and Capitals' hockey teams) and concert events. Additionally, sports lovers can take in a Commanders' (football) Nationals' (baseball), game at their respective stadiums, depending on the season. Many of the city's neighborhoods are known for their "personalities" and nightlife, for instance, Georgetown and Adams Morgan have plenty of things going on.

Ryan Zimmerman readies for a hitter at Nationals Park

The historic Ford's Theatre is open for tours run by the National Park Service. It is also a working theatre, open seasonally from November until usually sometime in late spring. Visitors can catch a professional production in the same theatre that was popular in the 19th century.

Other venues of entertainment are the Kennedy Center which hosts multiple events each year, including symphonies, opera, jazz, ballet, theater, and comedy shows. There is even a free show in the evenings at 6 p.m. on the Millennium stage.

History and art

If you love history and art, Washington won't disappoint. You can visit the National Mall and view the beautiful architecture of the monuments. See the Smithsonian Institution's many museums in the city, all of which have a different focus on history or art. Admission to all Smithsonian Museums is free of charge. Hours may vary slightly according to season, so be sure and check individual museum websites for current hours for each one you plan to visit. Many smaller, independent museums are also located throughout the city and surrounding suburbs.

Other things to check out

One of the other terrific aspects of visiting Washington D.C. is its proximity to other historic and amazing landmarks in nearby Maryland or Northern Virginia. Many of these places of interest can easily be seen in the course of a weekend if the interest strikes, for instance, you can have dinner in one of the quaint or elegant restaurants in Old Town Alexandria - it's all only a short Metro ride away.

Browsing at the Farmer's Market in Old Town Alexandria

Washington D.C. makes a great weekend destination for either a family-fun getaway or a romantic escapade. Although it is nearly impossible to fit everything into one weekend. However, by carefully choosing what you want to see, it's totally possible to see a good amount of the city over a two or three-day holiday weekend.

One thing is for sure when visiting the District, you'll never find a shortage of places to see or things to do. I've been here almost 20 years and I'm still exploring!

Visiting the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History

Washington, D.C. is home to the Smithsonian Institute. This network of museums has many neat things to offer to the public. The National Museum of American History is one of the most popular museums in Washington, D.C. 

Renovated and re-opened in Nov. 2008, the museum is really a fascinating place to see. (I'd recently put it as one of my "must see" museums lists in D.C.). It truly offers many diverse and fascinating exhibits.

This museum offers exhibits that showcase everything from early colonial times to sports and modern pop culture. As you wander the museum floors you can see the exhibit showcasing the flag that inspired the Star Spangled Banner, an exhibit on American First Ladies, how electric lighting evolved, musical instruments, and you can even potentially see Kermit the Frog and Oscar the Grouch or other Sesame Street characters. In addition, Dorothy's ruby red slippers from "The Wizard of Oz" are on display in this museum too. 

Kids love to see the Muppets and Sesame Street characters 

Ruby red slippers worn by Judy Garland in "The Wizard of Oz"

Another amazing exhibit, which I had missed on previous visits over the years, is the Gunboat Philadelphia, the ship that had been sunk by the British in Lake Champlain in 1776. Raised from the lake's bottom in the 1930s, the boat has been moved to the museum and has its own room, along with a number of artifacts on display, providing a thorough history on the boat's history and recovery.

The Gunboat Philadelphia was commanded by Benedict Arnold

In addition to the ongoing exhibits, there are often new ones which are special programs offered in the museum for a limited run. Check the museum's website before your visit to see what new and exciting things are being offered during the time frame you'll be in town.

These honorable mentions are only a small sample of what awaits the American History Museum visitor. You can easily spend hours or days in this museum and still not see it all. It's helpful to try and figure out ahead of time which exhibits are most important to you to see, especially if you plan to visit on a high volume day or busy time of year (i.e. cherry blossom season).

The museum's operating hours change depending on the season, in the summer months, hours are typically extended. Your best bet is to arrive when the museum opens when it's less crowded. Any time after lunch, especially on weekends, the museum can be a pretty busy place and it may be difficult to see some of the exhibits.  

The museum is open every day except Dec. 25, and admission is free. Located on the National Mall, at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W., the National Museum of American History is easily accessible by the Metro (Orange Line). You can get off at the Smithsonian Station and when you come above ground, the museum is only a short walk away.

Washington DC: Getting in, out and around town

Driving in and out of the District can be difficult, especially if you aren't used to the heavy traffic. When I first moved here I was stunned at the amount of road congestion, even in suburban areas and side streets way outside D.C. It didn't take long to realize why D.C. is (one of the) most congested areas in the United States. Navigating a car can be tricky, annoying or downright frustrating. However, over the years I've adjusted (as much as anyone can) and wanted to share what I've learned.

Finding parking downtown is not always easy

Downtown - In my opinion the best way to get downtown is by Metro rail, but if you want to drive and you plan to visit the National Mall, I'd advise you plan to get there early. There is some free parking, but these fill up quickly (and I believe time allotted is limited if memory serves). 

Street parking throughout the city also tends to fill up very quickly, especially in the areas in and around the Mall. There are privately-owned pay to park lots throughout the city, but I don't have much experience with these as I try to use the Metro as much as possible. Chances are they are costly, so do your research before heading into town and see what garages are in the vicinity of where you plan to be. Although, if we leave early, we've been able to snag free parking along Constitution Avenue on the weekends.

Using Interstates - I'd highly recommend avoiding Friday and Sunday nights. Getting out of the District on Friday afternoon and evenings is painful, you could easily sit on the Beltway (I-495) and take hours to get anywhere remotely away from DC. (My personal record is 2 miles in 2 hours, after that I gave up driving the Beltway on Friday nights). Other highways and local roads in surrounding areas are also typically traffic heavy on Fridays. I'm not as sure about getting into town, but if it's anything trying to get out, it could be painful.  

I've found traveling either way on early Saturday mornings to be an excellent time. Avoid rush hours during the week.

Mid-afternoon traffic on I-66 in Virginia

Morning hours are tough if you're looking to get downtown, and you do have HOV lanes to consider. Rush hour tends to start pretty early. Many locals head to work between 5 and 6:30 a.m. just to avoid the heaviest of traffic. For afternoons, keep in mind rush hour can start as early as 3 p.m. around here, but the 5 to 6 p.m. hours are the most congested. Having driven the Beltway during mid-day, it can be crowded, but, for the most part, you keep moving.

Parking - Many spots at the stations are reserved, but you can get parking if you go early enough and arrive at the same time as commuters. A tip - the reserved spots at the stations open up at 10 a.m. Many people I know arrive at 10 a.m. on the button and can usually get a spot. I've taken this advice and it works! The last time I tried it was during Cherry Blossoms, a very busy time downtown, and got a spot with no problem and took the train downtown.

The rare times I do drive downtown, I typically just park at Union Station - I know I can get a spot there and, while there are fees, I know exactly what I'm getting when I park there. Plus the station itself is interesting to see and it also has a Red Line station (which you can take the train to other places in the city or easily transfer to other Metro lines). Sites such as the Capitol, Library of Congress and Supreme Court are also in relatively close proximity to walk from Union Station.

Another option to consider is Metro Bus, but I don't have experiences to share as I rely on the train - it's convenient and, for the most part, reliable. 

Traffic in D.C. is annoying, but on the plus side, there are so many wonderful things to see and do. With a bit of planning you can avoid some of the congestion and focus on having a good time. 

Oatlands: Exploring 19th and 20th Century American history in Northern Virginia

Northern Virginia is closely tied to early American history. Across the region many original structures still remain, and are open to the public. Preservationists have done a remarkable job restoring and maintaining a number of properties. Oatlands, located in Leesburg (Loudoun County), is one such property. This plantation highlights 200 years of American history.

Mansion at Oatlands Plantation in Leesburg, Va.

History of Oatlands

Oatlands plantation was established in 1798 with almost 3,500 acres of prime farming property. Built by George Carter, a young bachelor who had inherited the property, the land grew to become a substantial piece of prosperous property, cashing in wheat crops. Carter was a descendant of one of the first families to come settle in Virginia from abroad. The Carter history in America began in 1649 when John Carter immigrated from Buckinghamshire, England (George Carter was born in 1777, the first of his family to be born in the newly named United States).

Construction of the home began in 1804 and the home was originally designed to be a classic Federal-style mansion, but mid-build was transformed to Greek revival style. It wasn't finished for many years. Over the decades, Carter expanded his mansion and added the elaborate gardens. In the aftermath of the War of 1812, he turned his attention to business during the recession that commenced, rather than invest in the completion of the house. Although, the house was finally completed in 1835, it is theorized during the build time styles had changed, suggestion this as the reason why the design had changed mid-build.  

The house was designed differently as you can see looking upon the house from the rear

Carter never married until late in life - in 1835 he wed Elizabeth Grayson Lewis, a widow. The couple went on to have two sons together. After Carter passed away, Elizabeth managed the property, along with her sons. The Civil War took a toll on the family's prosperity, as their wealth had been built using slave labor. After the war, the mansion was used as a girls' boarding school, and later, a bed and breakfast. In 1897, the family let the main property go, selling it to Stilson Hutchins, the founder of the Washington Post. Hutchins never actually lived at Oatlands and sold the property in 1903 to William and Edith Eustis, an affluent couple from Washington, D.C.

 

Bridging the 19th and 20th Centuries

With the Eustis family buying Oatlands, this bridges the history of the home from the 19th to the 20th century. William was an avid horseman, and his primary motivation to buy Oatlands as a secondary home was to have a base in Virginia where he could be near the social events and fox hunts in the region. His high interest in equestrians is very evident when you tour the house.

Bachelor's cottage on Oatland's property, circa 1820. This building is not open to the public.

In one of the rooms, the connection to U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt is also highlighted. Edith and President Roosevelt had been childhood friends in New York's Hudson Valley, and maintained contact over the decades. This is noted on the tour. 

The Eustis' are also said to have acted as liaison to opening their Virginia home to Roosevelt meeting his mistress, Lucy Mercer, according to some accounts. 

The Eustis' restored Oatlands to its former glory, without making many structural changes, and Edith Eustis made it her mission to restore the once beautiful gardens. 

Reflecting pool built by Edith Eustis in the 1930s

The gardens at Oatlands are quite expansive

With restoration and ongoing care, the gardens still bloom heartily to this day. After Edith's death in 1964, the couple's two surviving children donated the home, its furnishings and 261 acres to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It was later opened to the public.

Touring the home and gardens

No photos are allowed to be taken from the inside of the home, but during the tour you'll see many period pieces, family paintings and photos that had belonged to both the Carters and Eustis families. The tour guides are informative and can usually answer questions about the home and history of the families. The restoration of Oatlands truly showcases both the 19th and 20th centuries, as parts of the house reflect the Carter era while others are clearly modernized, such as the upstairs bathrooms, showing how the Eustis' lived.

This article only touches upon the intimate and intricate relationships that are likely connected to this home. In early American history, many of the families reflected in the region have several ties that bind them to other prominent families and pieces of history. 

Today, the property is listed as a National Trust Historic Site and a National Historic Landmark, and, for a fee, tours of the house, property and gardens are open to the public. In addition to the house and gardens, there are other structures on the property where visitors can explore. The gardens, during the spring and summer months, are truly worth spending a lot of time in. 

Chauffeur's House at Oatlands. I am not sure if this ever opens for tours - I have not seen it open. 

A glimpse inside part of the greenhouse at Oatlands - built at the turn of the 19th century, it is one of the oldest in America

Smokehouse at Oatlands

Oatlands is open seasonally from March until December 30. You can check the website for current prices, hours of operation and also explore to see what special events are taking place throughout the season.   I've taken this tour several times and will be returning again.

Related reading: Interesting historic grand homes to explore in Northern Virginia

The former carriage house has been refitted to serve as a welcome center, gift shop and a space where Oatlands holds scheduled teas.