Washington, D.C. doesn’t loosen its (metaphorical) tie all too often—this much is true.
And although the capital city has made major strides to shed its steak and potatoes reputation in recent years with a booming , new museums and galleries, and an onslaught of , it’s the weekend getaways from DC that are increasingly attracting attention. From plush country inns in rural towns to destination restaurants to wineries working their way up to national recognition, there’s never been a better reason to get out of town. Here’s where to go to escape the District, whether you call DC home or are looking for somewhere to visit that isn’t the National Mall.
Middleburg, Virginia Middleburg is Washington’s answer to the Cotswolds. While just over an hour from the capital, it could not feel further away—nowhere else nearby does rolling fields, horse farms, old stone buildings, and vineyards quite as well. The picturesque town features a charming main street flush with window shopping and splurge-worthy options, like (which sells a curated selection of mostly Italian and French homewares), (a compact bookstore), (an upmarket country outfitter), and Knead Wine (which sells wines hand-selected by a master sommelier as well as pizza).
There’s also the surprisingly interesting , which boasts an on-brand collection of paintings and sculptures of all things equine. Middleburg has long been a haven for well-heeled Washingtonians and their weekend homes, with residents includin.