Washington D.C. is really a very green city, the National Mall with the green lawn with trees along it is a picture. Everything is wide and grand. I was there in May, in this period there can also be rain, but yes that is necessary otherwise it is not so green of course! The temperature during my stay varied from 15 to 27 degrees. The area outside the city is also green and sparsely populated, if you compare it to the Netherlands. I noticed that when I flew into Dulles International Airport.
My friend lives in a suburb of Washington D.C., Bethesda, and here everything is so spacious with lots of greenery and parks. Think it’s beautiful in the fall as well, with all the different colors of tree leaves. Washington D.C. is also fairly seaside, in a sort of inlet on the Potomac River.
America is huge and as I said so wide and grand all around. Plenty to see and do in the city of Washington D.C. but it’s also nice to do some day trips or even an overnight stay outside the city. You can head toward the coast to Virginia Beach or Cape May or go to one of the many National Parks inland. I visited two national parks during my stay.
Great Falls National Park
Great fun is to take a walk or hike in the Great Falls National Park; here the river gets narrowed creating a waterfall. Very cool and cool to see! This “city park” is about 30 km away from downtown (National Mall) of Washington D.C., so it’s perfectly doable by car (10$ entrance per person or 20$ per car).
There are several paths though this 800-acre park and you have two sides, one on the Maryland side of the Potomac and on one the Virgina side of the river. We entered the park on the Maryland side. The walk was not to difficult on a paved path next to a small water on the right hand, and you hear the Potomac hidden behind the bushes on the left. At a certain point you have to walk over the boardwalks on the left to get closer to the river to see the falls. The area is so beautiful with bird, turtles and green everywhere. The falls more impressive and wider than I thought and all so close to the city!
Dare devils conquered the river with their kayaks, dangerous but spectacular!
Shenandoah National Park
Just over an hour drive (120km) from Washington D.C. is the famous and sung about Shenandoah National Park; a Blue Ridge Park with 200,000 acres of forest, hiking trails, waterfalls and a 3-hour Skyline Drive from North to South with many views. We did the Skyline Drive, on a not to bright day in May, the road is perfect and not too much traffic. There were countless lookout points, all pointed out with signs with altitude on it. You have stops to park the car at all these stops, some parking spots have larger parking places because a hiking trail will start here. A total of 500 mile of trail from easy to experienced, from hours to days. So for every person you can find a hike! In the park there are several campgrounds and cabin rentals, don’t forget to make reservation! You have the opportunity to buy some food or eat in a restaurant during the drive as well. The local shops are worth to visit as well!
The Shenandoah has a nice logo and create a lot of nice souvenirs with the national park on it, so check out the local shop!
Charlottesville and Monticello
After our drive through the Shenandoah park we spent the night in Charlottesville. In this known university town we had dinner at The Alley Light restaurant. The classic French shared plates concept offers the best cocktails as well, in a cozy atmosphere.
After dinner we had another drink at the Crush Pad Wines, mixed between bar, restaurant and wine shop. The wines tasted good and there was a great vibe.
We booked a hotel just outside the city center of Charlottesville The English Inn. Nice clean rooms with good breakfast and muffins and tea all day. The hotel price was extremely expensive but our timing during graduation weekend was not the best. Please book via my link to support my website, thanks in advance!
The next day we visited President Jefferson’s estate and slave plantation, Monticello. The Monticello estate is lonely a 15 minutes’ drive away from Charlottesville in a stunning area. Here you can book several guided tours through the plantation and The Jefferson Mansion, but we booked the grounds ticket including a small shuttle with headset explanations at several spots on the estate (22 USD per person). The former tobacco plantation has several buildings like the stable, slave cabins, storehouse and kitchen next to the main house. The garden with vegetables and flowers with the Pavilion is beautiful and the view even better!
Take the 10-minute shuttle up the estate and walk down via Jefferson’s Grave back to the entrance with restaurant, garden shop and toilets
You get good impression of how the 600 slaves lived back in the days on the plantation. And also the history and life of President Jefferson is well explained, including the six kids he had with the 14 years old slave Sally Hemings. So if you are in the neighborhood, this is a particularly good activity to do!
Visit a Winery for a Tasting
Charlottesville is the Wine Estate, it has over 300 wineries all surrounded by lavish scenery, stunning view and lovely little towns. I loved it is all so divers and all a couple of hours drive from Washington D.C. So if you are a wine lover pick your winery for a tasting!
From the Monticello Estate we drove the Route 20 to one of the many wineries in the area; Barboursville Vineyards. We sat in the sun and tasted a number of delicious wines with tasty cheeses with a lovely view over the grapevines. Here you can book several tastings and have several eatery options. There are different locations to eat or drink in different settings, from a picnic or a high-end dinner. You can even book your own 18th century vineyard cottage!
From Charlottesville take Route 20 back to Washington D.C., a beautiful drive along the vineyards and hills
Back to Washington! Read here what you can do next!
