How to spend a week in the heart of American democracy

Three destinations, one week of adventure

Got a week to enjoy America’s capital city, Washington DC? Why not expand your horizons by spending a couple of days in beautiful Virginia and the fascinating historic city of Baltimore as well? Here’s how you can have a fantastic three-destinations-in-one adventure in the USA’s Capital Region.

Read on to discover some of the best things to see and do in Washington DC, Virginia and Baltimore...  

1. Arrive in Washington DC, America's vibrant capital city

Bursting with culture, historical grandeur and iconic landmarks, America’s thriving capital city has plenty to offer visitors. For an unforgettable experience here, be sure to explore the majestic National Mall, Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. Had your fill of history and now feeling hungry? Take some time to check out the city’s fabulous food scene. For those looking to stay somewhere central, the Hilton Washington DC Capitol Hill is an easy walk to and from many of the sights and offers superb views of the Capitol.

2. Immerse yourself in the Smithsonian Museums

The Smithsonian Institution’s world-class galleries and museums house some of America’s most valuable and interesting cultural treasures. When in Washington DC, take your pick from 21 museums and the National Zoo. Spanning art, culture, history and science, these incredible attractions are free to visit. What’s more, most of the museums are handily located along a two-mile (3km) strip between the US Capitol building and the Washington Monument. Two new museums – the National Museum of the American Latino and the American Women’s History Museum – are coming soon.

3. Take off to the National Air and Space Museum

From the Wright brothers’ early experimental planes all the way to modern jets, the National Air and Space Museum takes you on a flying journey through history. The museum is home to the Apollo Lunar Module, real spacesuits worn by actual astronauts, and interactive exhibits that let you experience what it’s like to pilot a spacecraft or be in the cockpit of a jumbo jet. Major renovations are underway, with a massive new education wing being funded by Amazon boss Jeff Bezos.

4. Tour the Library of Congress

Housing perhaps the most impressive interior of all the Smithsonian buildings, the Thomas Jefferson Building contains stunning murals, sculptures and painted ceilings. It's part of the Library of Congress, one of the world’s largest libraries with over 17 million books, manuscripts, maps and artefacts from around the world and across the centuries found inside. From a beautifully preserved Gutenberg Bible to the contents of Abraham Lincoln’s pockets on the night of his assassination, book a free tour online to discover the secrets of this attraction's many treasures.

5. Meet America's presidents at the National Portrait Gallery

A few blocks away from the Library of Congress, in Penn Quarter, you’ll find the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. Here you can wander alongside iconic paintings of former presidents, from Abraham Lincoln to Barack Obama (Donald Trump is represented by a formal photograph). This place offers visitors a chance to marvel at past masters and take in the changing face of American identity, the evolution of portraiture and diverse collections spanning centuries.

6. Try some tasty tapas at Jaleo

Just around the corner from the National Portrait Gallery, you’ll find terrific tapas at Jaleo. Twice named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people, international culinary hero Chef Jose Andres has put together a menu bursting with authentic and innovative Spanish dishes. Tuck into traditional favourites like patatas bravas, paella and jamon iberico alongside creative dishes like liquid olives. You'll need to book ahead but your taste buds will be well rewarded.

7. Head on down to the House of Representatives

Anyone who has ever watched the news will already know how dramatic US politics can be. Yet there is something extra special about witnessing American democracy first-hand in the country’s most historic chambers. When in Washington DC, take a guided tour to explore the halls of the House of Representatives. If you plan well enough, you can even get tickets to a viewing gallery to see laws debated and decisions made that affect the world.

8. Visit the Lincoln Memorial

At the western end of the National Mall is a neoclassical grand marble structure housing a tribute to Abraham Lincoln, America’s 16th president. A key figure in American history, Lincoln is remembered for his leadership during America’s Civil War, his Emancipation Proclamation, the Gettysburg Address, and his steadfast resolve to preserve the Union. He was assassinated by the noted actor and Confederate sympathiser John Wilkes Booth at nearby Ford’s Theatre in 1865. Booth had hoped to keep the Confederate cause alive after the surrender of their main army, led by General Robert E. Lee, five days earlier.

9. Learn from local experts on a private tour

While it's perfectly possible to plan your own trip around Washington DC’s fabulous sights, it can take some time to arrange and book everything to get the most out of your visit. If funds allow it, an easier way to fit more into a couple of days is to book a private tour. Take this approach and benefit from both the convenience and expertise that a local guide can offer; gaining knowledge and tips from their years of experience while you're at it. Fiat Luxe Tours can help you make the most of your time with its deeply insightful one-day private tour.

10. Dine out at The Duck & The Peach

Just beyond the eastern end of the National Mall, you’ll find The Duck & The Peach. A casual cafe by day, at night it becomes a dinner party destination offering rustic New American comfort food. There are plenty of delicious dishes to choose from here, featuring natural and organic products from local farmers, but it’s the massive French rotisserie that takes centre stage roasting delicious duck and chicken. Chef Hollis Silverman was once part of Jose Andres’s top team, and it shows in the quality of the cuisine.

11. ... or go for wine and dinner at District Winery

If you’re a wine lover, head downtown to District Winery – DC's first and currently only winery. It’s located along the river in the heart of the historic Navy Yard district. Enjoy sampling all its premium small batch wines, produced on the premises, before tucking into a tasty meal overlooking the waterfront.

12. Take the train to Baltimore

After a couple of action-packed days in DC, head to next-door state Maryland and the historic city of Baltimore around 40 miles (64km) north. The easiest way to get there is by taking a train from the beautiful Washington Union Station, which opened in 1907 and was designed by renowned architect Daniel Burnham. There are over 20 trains running daily, with the faster Amtrak Acela doing the trip in under 40 minutes. Before boarding, look up at the 46 Roman legionnaire statues (one for each state at the time) that overlook the main hall. Once naked from the waist down, shields were added to cover their modesty after shocking the Fine Arts Commission.

13. Arrive in Baltimore, Maryland

With a population of around 600,000, Baltimore is a vibrant city on Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay and a deeply historical and cultural destination in its own right. Its Inner Harbor (pictured) is home to a busy waterfront with famous old ships like the USS Constellation – the last sailing warship designed and built by the US navy in 1854 – on display. Just next door, the National Aquarium features over 20,000 marine animals from around the globe including sharks, turtles and tropical fish.

14. Discover how the railroad shaped US history

Travel back in time at the B&O (Baltimore & Ohio) Railroad Museum, an extraordinary display revealing American history through the lens of the railroad. Within this sprawling historic roundhouse – the same location where America’s railroad began – a vast collection of vintage trains and carriages dating back to the 1830s awaits. This captivating and interactive museum is also home to a fascinating exhibition all about the Underground Railroad, a clandestine network of routes and safe houses that helped enslaved people escape to freedom.

15. O! Say can you see… Fort McHenry

The brave defence of Fort McHenry, during the Battle of Baltimore in 1814, was the inspiration for Francis Scott Key to write the words which would later become the US national anthem known as The Star-Spangled Banner. Explore the exhibits, billets and ramparts while counting the cannons to discover how the fort saved Baltimore – and America – in a pivotal battle with the British. A visit to the fort also reveals the fascinating role it’s played in many other wars, including the Civil War and the Second World War.

16. Head to Baltimore's best restaurants

For breakfast, try local favourite Kneads Bakeshop with its perfect pastries and locally roasted coffee. For lunch, treat yourself to some delicious crispy shrimp at the tasty Asian fusion food takeaway Ekiben. Is fine dining more your thing? Foraged near Penn Station is billed as a hyper seasonal eatery. Its mouthwatering mushroom stew and various pork dishes are full of flavour and foster the forest feel perfectly. Elsewhere in the city, Rize + Rest is a cafe by day and a fine dining establishment by night. The sticker on the door of this California-chic restaurant reads: ‘Never sacrifice deliciousness.’

17. Stay at the Lord Baltimore Hotel

Baltimore has plenty of great places to stay but if it's a historic gem you're after, you can't go wrong with the centrally located Lord Baltimore Hotel. Built in 1928, the hotel combines elegant architecture and luxury rooms; balancing old-world charm with modern touches. Offering fabulous views of the city, there’s arguably no better place to enjoy a well-earned cocktail than its rooftop bar.

18. Head down to historic Virginia

From Baltimore, take the train back to Washington DC and rent a car for a road trip on the I-66 and I-81. Fair warning: keeping your eyes on the road might prove a challenge as you'll be driving through some of America’s most beautiful landscapes. Nestled in Virginia’s stunning Shenandoah Valley, the 2h 30 minute drive to the beautifully preserved town of Staunton is particularly enjoyable. Upon arrival, find time to explore the charming independent shops, gourmet dining outlets and Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library. Hotel 24 South is a historic hotel with modern comforts, handily located just a few minutes’ walk from all the town's main attractions.

19. Catch a show at the American Shakespeare Center

At the Blackfriars Playhouse, you can experience the magic of seeing Shakespeare in a painstaking recreation of the Bard’s indoor theatre. The unique Elizabethan setting provides the perfect stage for authentic performances of the world-famous playwright’s work. This venue draws in visitors and delights audiences from all around the world.

20. Have a scenic dinner aboard the Blue Ridge Flyer

Over at Staunton station, hop on Virginia’s Scenic Railway and enjoy a leisurely three-hour trip on a vintage-style train journey through scenery of startling beauty. Tuck into hearty comfort food while taking in the rolling hills and charming towns of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley, discovering the history of the local area as you go.

21. Travel back in time to the Civil War

Driving back up the I-81 and turning off at New Market, you’ll find the Virginia Museum of the Civil War. Located at the site of the 1864 Battle of New Market, the museum takes you on a profound journey through Virginia’s role at the centre of the Civil War. Artefacts, exhibits and interactive displays combine to create an immersive experience that brings the war to life. Inside, there’s also an impressive collection of firearms and some enlightening Civil War art. Head outside to explore the battlefield and witness reenactments that recreate the intensity of combat.

22. Explore underground at the Luray Caverns

Just a 20-minute drive from New Market, you’ll find the otherworldly Luray Caverns. Formed over millions of years but only discovered in 1878, these vast natural limestone caves feature stunning stalactites and stalagmites set around eerily beautiful natural pools. Discover the caverns’ Cathedral Room, with its huge ceilings, and enjoy the world’s largest musical instrument while you’re there – the Great Stalacpipe Organ.

23. Drive along the Blue Ridge Mountains

Drive east towards Sperryville, on the US-211, and after 10 miles (16km) you’ll join Virginia’s famous Skyline Drive at Thornton Gap (entrance fee required). From here, head north along the top of the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains towards the historic small town of Front Royal. Shenandoah National Park offers abundant natural beauty, whatever the season, with stunning views of the valley and river, cascading waterfalls and perfect panoramic vistas on show. Rest up at the regular viewing points to savour the scenery and breathe in the sweet mountain air.

24. Marvel at Morven Park, one of Virginia's most historic homes

Just to the north of Leesburg, Virginia, you’ll find the 1,000-acre estate of Morven Park and the beautifully preserved Morven Park Mansion (pictured). Home of Virginia governor Westmoreland Davis during the First World War and once the residence of Thomas Swann, governor of Maryland after the Civil War, visitors today can wander the gorgeous grounds and step inside the mansion’s time capsule interior to learn about its connection to slavery. The estate holds concerts all year round and is famous for its equestrian events.

25. Admire the interiors of Oatlands Historic House

Oatlands Historic House might be smaller than Morven Park, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in grandeur. You’ll find this National Historic Landmark six miles (10km) south of Leesburg. Take a guided tour of one of Virginia’s finest Greek Revival-style mansions and admire beautifully preserved interiors, complete with period furniture and artwork, as you go. While strolling through the lush gardens and 400 acres of grounds, learn about the past owners and enslaved people who lived and worked on the estate.

26. Taste fine wine at a family-run vineyard

With its rolling hills and historic towns, there’s no doubt that Loudoun County offers plenty of postcard charm. In recent years though, it has also become appreciated for the quality of its wine. No visit here is complete without first exploring the local vineyards and sampling their handcrafted wines. From crisp whites through to delicate rose wines and bolder reds, there’s something for everyone. The Walsh Family Wine vineyard, three miles (5km) north of Purcellville, offers tasting and charcuterie in its uber-cool tasting room with views of the vineyard, pine forest and mountain slopes beyond.

27. Stay in one of Virginia's most historic B&Bs

After all your exploring, you’ll be looking forward to a well-earned rest. Situated just seven miles (11km) south-east of Purcellville, Stone Gables B&B is set in one of the last remaining stone gable barns. Originally built in 1823, the historic home has been converted into a charming bed and breakfast that offers comfortable rooms and homemade food. In this most idyllic of settings, spend an evening unwinding on the porch with a glass of wine or relaxing in the garden by the warmth of the firepit.

Getting there

The US Capital Region is served by Washington Dulles International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. They're all situated within 30 miles (48km) of Washington DC, and are connected to the capital by public transport.

Dominic Eames visited in April 2024 and was a guest of CapitalRegionUSA.org. 

Now discover America's most underrated attractions better than the big hitters