Best Luxury Vacation Destinations to Take from Washington D.C

There are endless things to see and do in Washington, D.C. From tasting the city’s rich array of cuisine to exploring Washington D.C. real estate, there are always opportunities to create memorable experiences. However, the nonstop pace of the area can tire even locals out, and sometimes a vacation is exactly what the doctor ordered. Thankfully, Washington, D.C, boasts easy access to top destinations.

Featuring world-class spas, and a variety of activities, ranging from hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains to paddleboarding, there are so many getaways only a stone’s throw away from D.C. that will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

You can start your vacation with a quiet train ride or explore more of Virginia in a scenic drive to Colonial Williamsburg Resort, where you can admire the real estate in Arlington, Virginia, on your way to this stunning resort in Middleburg, Virginia. This historic resort transports visitors into history and incorporates period details, such as Regency-era decor.

Some rooms, such as the Queen’s, Churchill, and Rockefeller suites, honor some of the historical figures who have visited. They include Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, who visited to honor the 400th anniversary of the settlement of Jamestown, Winston Churchill, who stayed at the resort after delivering his famous “Iron Curtain'' speech at Westminster College, and Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, who were actively involved in the construction of the Inn and its decor. The only Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rated resort in the Historic Triangle, the Williamsburg Inn has been reimagined to bring travelers an exciting blend of history and modernity.

Boasting stunning views of Golden Horseshoe Golf Course, the resort is also home to a fitness center, full-service spa, and garden terrace, where you can enjoy dinner and drinks. Their spa exudes classic elegance and offers steam rooms, whirlpools, and relaxation lounges. In addition, the spa provides numerous services, such as facials, manicures, pedicures, massages, mud treatments, and additional packages. Afterward, you can enjoy a marvelous dinner at the Rockefeller Room, where you can experience a premiere five-course meal featuring delectable potato-wrapped golden beet and butternut squash. After your fantastic meal, you can stroll along Duke of Gloucester Street and admire the colonial homes. While here, be sure to spend some time in Williamsburg, home to an arboretum, museums, and interpretive tours.

If you enjoy snowy weather, look no further than Nemacolin in Laurel Highlands, Pennsylvania. The Laurel Highlands is a winter wonderland for skiing and snowshoeing enthusiasts. Nemacolin offers a Highlands Season Pass that allows unlimited skiing and snowboarding. There are six slopes spanning 25 acres, ranging in difficulty from beginner to expert.

Neamolin also boasts a variety of activities, such as dog-sledding and snow tubing, indoor ax throwing, cosmic bowling, Jeep off-roading, mini golf, and many other activities. Settled in the dense Pennsylvania woods, you will find a variety of recreational opportunities throughout every season, including snowshoeing during the winter and hiking up the mountains during the warmer months.

You can also tour Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural wonder, Fallingwater. The house is situated atop a waterfall and was built in his signature prairie style with stacks of extended balconies. Afterward, lose yourself in the resort’s cutting-edge spa, which offers transformative therapies and traditional, holistic practices to pure luxury spa treatments. From acupuncture to facials, the spa provides various services that will leave you feeling like a new person. The resort also offers group classes and private sessions in its full gym and fitness center and a holistic healing center, where seasoned specialists guide you through an individualized wellness journey.

Nestled on a private peninsula on Carter’s Creek on the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail and Virginia Oyster Trail, The Tides Inn is the ultimate getaway. Staying here will deepen your connection to nature as you watch Blue Herons and Ospreys meander on the water. With its incredible beauty and top-tier amenities, it’s no surprise it was voted “Best Resort in Virginia” by Condé Nast Magazine.

The retreat features a championship golf course, a full-service spa, exceptional dining options, a full marina, gorgeous grounds, and spectacular waterfront views. The Inn is home to two restaurants, the Chesapeake Restaurant and Terrace and Fish Hawk, offering unique dining experiences. Guests can also spend time in the Chef’s Kitchen, where they offer lessons in wine, whisky, oyster shucking, pasta making, and preparing fresh, local seafood. While vacationing at the Inn, be sure to take a sunset boat tour, go paddleboarding, or spend some time in the spa.

For those wanting to head east from Washington, D.C., the Inn at Perry Cabin is only a two-hour drive away. The historic inn, run by renowned luxury travel company Belmond, sits on the Miles River, surrounded by lush gardens and the small town of St. Michaels. Here, you can explore the town’s antique shops, sign up for sailing lessons, play tennis or golf, or spend some time at their restorative spa.

The spa combines therapeutic bodywork with plant-based treatments made from herbs and aromatics grown in their garden. Inspired by their surroundings, the spa also features a steam room and outdoor pool and offers massages, body treatments, facial therapies, and nail services.

There is also an array of dining options, such as the Stars restaurant, which is excellent for seafood fans. The chefs begin with the day’s catch and pair it with seasonal vegetables picked from neighboring farms. Cooked with a light touch to unlock the food’s natural intensity, it’s the flavor of the Bay as you’ve never had before.

Thankfully, a refreshing, relaxing vacation is closer than you may think, largely due to Washington, D.C.’s prime location. If you want to buy a vacation property or move to a new neighborhood within the city, consider working with a trusted real estate advisor who can help you explore your options and ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible. Whether you want to look for homes for sale in Chevy Chase or real estate in Arlington, Virginia, expert Sarah Minard is more than equipped to help you navigate Virginia’s housing market.