Capital Region USA: Absolutely Capital
Capital Region USA:
Absolutely Capital
Capture the best of both worlds in Capital Region USA, as you combine the political powerhouse that is Washington, DC, with the cute coastal towns, beautiful beaches, and mighty mountains of Maryland and Virginia
This is a feature from Issue 12 of Charitable Traveller. Click to read more from this issue.
Capital Region USA is a unique combination of two states and one very famous capital city. It’s the perfect destination if you can’t choose between city, coast, and countryside, because here you can have it all. Within just one hour’s drive of Washington DC, with its hip neighbourhoods and world-famous sites, you can be exploring the charming seaside city of Annapolis or bustling Baltimore in Maryland. Just as close is hip and historic Frederick, Virginia, hugged by quaint countryside. Where else can you combine an iconic capital with the kind of wild beauty offered by the Blue Ridge Mountains, or the epic ocean vistas of Chesapeake Bay? And its so close together, its effortless.
The seat of power
Begin your trip in Washington, DC, checking out larger-than-life memorials, like the dizzyingly high obelisk that is the Washington Monument. The capital is bursting with art galleries and museums, covering everything from the world of espionage to African American culture. The Smithsonian Museums comprise the world’s largest museum complex – and it’s free. Across the city are restaurants serving up dishes from the country’s most celebrated chefs, and there are plenty of high-energy clubs too. Neighbourhoods range from the posh Georgetown, with its leafy parks, elite academies and fancy cafes, to hipster Shaw, which has turned a once tatty row of houses into trendy restaurants and funky bars.
Just a hop across the Potomac River from Washington, DC to Arlington Virginia, you’ll find instagrammable skyline views of the capital. Arlington’s vibrant, walkable neighbourhoods are home to 1,100 acres of parks and open spaces connected by more than 75 miles of trails you can explore on foot or wheels. Significant attractions include the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial and the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetary, a 624-acre shrine to America’s veterans.
Hit the road
You’re never far from one of the region’s 400-plus wineries – and there are 20 wine trails to help you create a tasting itinerary. Enjoy the journey as much as the destination, as you wind through the state’s picturesque small towns and bucolic countryside. There are plenty of road trips you can take, like the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. It runs 105 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering up scenic vistas and wildlife.
Seaside Style
The gateway to North America’s largest estuary, Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis is a characterful port town founded in the 18th century. Known as America’s sailing Capital, it was once the nation’s capital, between 1783 and 1784. Today, the city is still bursting with charming brick buildings and some impressive attractions – like the US Naval Academy and its 4,400-strong Brigade of Midshipmen, future officers in the US Navy and Marine Corps. Boasting 17 miles of waterfront, all roads lead to the sea in Annapolis.
After a cruise around Annapolis Harbour, stroll around the city’s unique boutiques and feast on some fresh-from-the-bay seafood.
Virginia Beach is where the vast Chesapeake Bay meets the open Atlantic Ocean This vibrant city has a flourishing culinary scene, a plethora of attractions for art lovers and entertainment for all ages. You can’t miss the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, which stretches for about three miles along the seafront, attracting walkers as well as cyclists and rollerbladers. Stop in at the quaint al fresco restaurants, but not before you’ve worked up an appetite with some kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding – and look out for dolphins.
Greater Williamsburg is where colonial meets cool. Explore the grounds of America’s first settlement in Jamestown, or hit downtown Williamsburg, to enjoy many of the region’s most exciting new restaurants, breweries, and wineries. If you prefer the beach, calm waters and spectacular sunsets await in Yorktown. Here, you can step on a Segway or bag a boogie board to enjoy the breath-taking coastline.
Historic highs
Surrounded by the rolling hills of the Catoctin Mountains, steeped in American Civil War history, Frederick in Maryland is the perfect basecamp. And it helps that it has an impressive host of wineries, breweries, and distilleries! The National Museum of Civil War Medicine tells the story of this brutal but fascinating period in history, while nearby sites like Gettysburg, Antietam, and Harpers Ferry offer more context.
In this area, you can find three historic covered bridges on a driving tour that goes deep into the peaceful countryside. Back in town, enjoy over 200 locally-owned speciality shops and dozens of restaurants, plus theatres, galleries, and public art dotted all over.
Charlottesville and neighbouring Albemarle County pack quite a punch. Must visit spots include Monticello, the historic home of Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, and the exceedingly grand Jefferson-designed University of Virginia. The area is also home to more than 35 wineries. Downtown you’ll find a burgeoning arts scene and one of the longest pedestrian streets in the country – packed with restaurants, shops, theatres and music venues. Wherever you go, the Capital Region is brimming with history, character and natural beauty.
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This is a feature from Issue 12 of Charitable Traveller. Click to read more from this issue.
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