Get to know America and its Capital Region through the early settlers, architecture, industry, food, transportation, entertainment, art and shopping in Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland. Follow this 7-day itinerary and immerse yourself in an eclectic mix of Americana past and present.
The National Mall is home to many magnificent museums and is a great place to start your holiday in the Capital Region. Hear the stories and see the arts and crafts of the first Americans at the National Museum of the American Indian. Art lovers won't want to miss a visit to the National Gallery of Art, while the National Archives is a must for any American history buff.
Join a guided tour of the city by bicycle or on a Segway!
Enjoy a quick dinner in downtown or at a Capitol Hill neighborhood eatery then go to Union Station. The glorious train station is the departure point for tours of the monuments offered by Tourmobile and Old Town Trolley.
Overnight at one of Washington’s many hotels. Choices range from budget friendly to luxe.
Head to U Street for breakfast at a DC institution, Ben's Chili Bowl. Or, if you're visiting on a weekend, visit the colorful farmer's market at Dupont Circle or Eastern Market on Capitol Hill.
After breakfast, tour the Capitol Hill neighborhood and explore the U.S. Capitol, Library of Congress and Supreme Court. The neighborhood is also home to the Folger Shakespeare Library, which houses the largest collection of Shakespeare memorabilia outside of England. For lunch, take the Metro to downtown's Penn Quarter neighborhood. You'll also find lots of dining options (from casual barbeque to elegant French) near the Verizon Center. Or, feast on fresh noodles and flavorful soups in DC's Chinatown.
Go undercover at the International Spy Museum, where you can crack codes, take on covers and even let your group take on its own covert operation. Ride to the top of the Washington Monument (tickets required) for a panoramic view of the city. Animal lovers may also wish to pay a visit to the National Zoo, home to giant pandas, cheetahs, tigers and other exotic species.
Discover DC's theatre scene. The Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage offers free performances at 6:30 pm nightly. Other theatres, such as the Shakespeare Theatre Company, Arena Stage, Warner Theatre and National Theatre, regularly present familiar classics. For something a bit more contemporary, catch a show at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company or Studio Theatre.
Get a good night’s rest because your third day in the Capital Region awaits.
Frederick has figured prominently in three centuries of American history. Take a guided walking tour or pick up a self-guided brochure and begin your investigation of this fascinating town. Be certain to visit one of Frederick’s 25 museums and historic sites; such as the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, Schifferstadt Architectural Museum, or the Brunswick Railroad Museum. Specialty shops, art galleries and antiques stores round out the scene.
When it’s time to eat, try The Tasting Room which combines the essence of Historic Frederick and the modern styles of New York City. Don’t miss the amazing trompe l'oeil mural across the street from The Tasting Room. The same artist painted the Community Bridge Mural located on Carroll Street between East Patrick Street and East All Saints Street.
Frederick offers 11 bed and breakfasts and 23 hotels/motels.
Travel half an hour northwest to Hagerstown. In 1739, Jonathan Hager built his first home and set up a prosperous trading post in Hagerstown, what was then the far west of the New World. Be certain to visit the John Hager House while in Hagerstown. Don’t miss the outlet shopping at Prime Outlets Hagerstown. If you are inclined toward the arts visit the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts or catch a performance of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra based in Hagerstown.
Hagerstown offers 14 accommodations for every taste and budget.
Get back to nature in Leesburg at Temple Hall Farm Regional Park, a 300-acre working farm, or Leesburg Animal Park. Other Leesburg activities include local farmers’ markets, horseback riding, wine tours and tastings at any of the area’s 22 wineries. Don’t miss the only foxhunting museum in the world, at Morven Park.
Lodging choices include 49 area hotel/motels and bed & breakfasts.
Head south to Fredericksburg where you will experience American Colonial History at Ferry Farm; the boyhood home of George Washington; The Rising Sun Tavern; Hugh Mercer’s Apothecary Shop; and Kenmore, the home of George Washington’s sister and one of the most elegant Colonial mansions in America.
If history is not your thing, play a round of golf at one of Fredericksburg’s five public courses. Take a lunch cruise, cast a line, or canoe on the Rappahannock River or hike in the 211-acre recreation area on both sides of the Rappahannock.
Spend the night at one of 57 hotels/motels in the area or one of Fredericksburg’s 11 charming bed and breakfasts.
It’s just over an hour’s drive to Washington, DC where you’ll catch your flight home taking all the wonderful memories you’ve made in the Capital Region.