5 of the best weekend getaways to take from Washington, DC

There's never a dull moment in the nation's capital — all the more reason to get out on the weekends and find a little peace, in our humble opinion. From wine tasting in Virginia to an urban art safari in Baltimore, here are our favorite weekend getaways, all within just a few hours' drive from Washington, D.C.

Middleburg, VA

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It's only an hour-long drive from D.C. to Middleburg, in Virginia's bucolic wine country. Get a taste of the land and check in to Salamander Resort & Spa, a stately inn set on 340 pastoral acres in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, famous for its Grand Lawn and state-of-the-art equestrian center. While you could spend the whole weekend strolling the resort's manicured grounds (or testing your culinary chops at the on-site cooking studio), we suggest venturing further afield — there are more than 250 local wineries to explore. 

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You know you're in the country at Greenhill Winery & Vineyards, where tastings of Burgundian-style chardonnays and crisp Rieslings are bookended by horse-drawn carriage rides and picnic lunches. Aspen Dale Winery offers a more rustic experience, with paddocks home to goats and miniature horses and live folk music events. For dinner, head to the historic Red Fox Inn & Tavern, where oak tables, stone fireplaces, and beamed ceilings set the backdrop for hearty American classics like crispy half-duck with sautéed asparagus or bourbon-glazed salmon.

Baltimore, MD

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D.C.'s industrious neighbor to the north is increasingly becoming known for its urban art scene. Beyond icons like The Baltimore Museum of Art and The Walters Art Museum, smaller-scale artist-run galleries and studios have been cropping up throughout the city. Anchors of its creative scene include Current Space, in the Inner Harbor business district, and Area 405, built inside a 168-year-old artist-owned warehouse — both of which showcase works by up-and-coming local talents as well as indie rock performances.

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