Do you currently have any road trip ideas you’d like to try? Are you itching to get away this summer or fall?
If you want to safely travel this season, a road trip is the way to go. No need to worry about planes or trains full of strangers: just hop in your car and go!
If you’re looking for a change of scenery, here are a few socially distanced road trip ideas that aren’t too far away from Washington, D.C. These destinations are perfect for anyone living in the D.C. Metro Area or the Mid-Atlantic!
Road Trip Ideas
Charlottesville
Here’s where I’ve been spending most of my summer: good old Charlottesville. Social distancing here is a real treat: you’ve got wineries and breweries with plenty of outdoor spaces, hikes, excellent restaurants offering outdoor dining and takeout, and incredible views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Don’t want to stay downtown? There are quite a few wineries in the area that also offer accommodations, and these properties are a bit further out from town and far more rural. You are staying at a vineyard, after all! I’d recommend checking out The Inn at Stinson Vineyards and the Vineyard Cottages at Afton Mountain Vineyards.
You can find more things to do in Charlottesville in my travel guide!
West Virginia
Did you know that West Virginia is one of the most forested states in the country? If you’re looking for a socially distanced trip, West Virginia is going to be one of your best bets.
The Canaan Valley in West Virginia is only about 3 hours away from Washington, D.C., and it’s one of the most scenic places you can visit. From Appalachian mountain hikes to horseback riding, there’s a lot of nature to take in! You can view my full Canaan Valley guide here.
Getaway House
Who would have thought that this city girl would end up loving a little cabin in the woods?
Getaway House is located in Central Virginia and is only an hour and 45 minutes away from D.C. Here, you can rent a cabin near the Shenandoah National Park, and enjoy a stay out in the woods. The cabin has a generator so you’ll have all the power you need, and a little kitchenette and a bonfire area outside if you want to prepare some meals (or serve up some s’mores!) They even have a lockbox for your phone if you really want to go off the grid.
You can check out my full review of Getaway House here!
Baltimore
I might be biased because I was born in this great city, but for me, it isn’t really summer until I make a trip to Baltimore. Even though you can’t catch an Orioles game at Camden Yards this year (which is arguably one of the best things to do in town), there are still so many things to do in Charm City.
If you’re a seafood lover, Baltimore will be paradise for you. You can easily eat your way through town! Make sure to grab some crab cakes or find a crab feast to enjoy, and walk it off with a stroll in the Inner Harbor. Also, take a trip to Union Collective and grab some craft beer at Union Craft and some ice cream at The Charmery.
You can view my full Baltimore guide here!
Outer Banks
Craving the beach? It’s super easy to take a socially distanced trip to OBX. There are far more beach houses than hotels in the Outer Banks, and a lot of them are offering easy, contactless check-ins for guests. Do some grocery shopping beforehand and make a few breakfasts and lunches at your rental so you don’t have to venture out for every meal!
In addition to the beach, there are some pretty incredible historical sights to see and some of the best seafood to eat on the East Coast. You can view my full guide to OBX here.
Richmond
Richmond is criminally underrated, in my opinion. It’s one of the coolest towns in the Mid-Atlantic and is jam-packed with incredible food, great beer, and a ton of culture.
To be honest, I’d be happy just staying at the Quirk Hotel and never leaving my hotel room, but there are so many great foodie spots to enjoy in town as well. You can view my full RVA guide here.
Do you have any road trip ideas you want to carry out before summer is over? Let me know in the comments below!
Photos by Tom McGovern
![THE BEST PLACES TO CATCH SPRING BLOOMS IN @visitpasadena 🌸
After an extremely wet winter, I’m looking for all the spring blooms here in SoCal! Pasadena is only 20 minutes from Downtown Los Angeles, and is packed with some of the most stunning botanical gardens in the area — and definitely should be on your list to visit this spring!
Gardens to Visit in Pasadena This Spring (SAVE this post for later!)
🌸 @descansogardens — look out for Cherry Blossoms in their Japanese Garden, stroll through the Rose Garden and don’t miss the lilacs!
🌸 @nortonsimon — you could spend hours viewing the art here both indoors and outdoors in their Sculpture Garden
🌸 @arlingtonpasadena — a free, three-acre garden that’s home to an orange grove & Yoko Ono’s Wish Tree art installation
🌸 @thehuntingtonlibrary — you won’t want to miss their Cactus Garden, the Conservatory, the Japanese Garden, and the Chinese Garden
🌸 @langhampasadena — enjoy afternoon tea here & take a stroll through their Japanese Garden for Cherry Blossoms!
My fellow SoCal friends — anywhere else I should check out for spring blooms this year? Let me know! 📸 by @foodphotographer [ad]](https://www.aliciatenise.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
Great suggestions during these times!