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Beachy Towns to Visit this Summer
Exploring somewhere you have never been is fun and exciting, but for some of us returning to our own special place year after year and creating cherished memories can’t be beat. Below are some favorite places you’ll find your fellow DMV neighbors this summer, along with local shops and restaurants that make these coastal towns feel like home.
– Up North –
Photo courtesy of: Travel + Leisure
Nantucket, MA
Nantucket is an idyllic island paradise—except instead of tropical vibes, you’ll find Vineyard Vine-clad gentlemen and mansions with gray, natural wood shutters. Nantucket is the epitome of summer New England life. From five-star restaurants to the prized Nantucket beaches, this town comes alive in the warmer months. It’s a destination that thrives on outdoor dining, boutique shopping, and picturesque walks through town.
Flowers on Chestnut
At this French-inspired florist gift shop, you will find wonderful baskets filled with local Nantucket goodies.
CRU
This casually elegant venue offers an experience unlike any other to enjoy a glass of champagne, indulge in caviar and perfectly-shucked oysters or sip on a glass of rosé at sunset. The iconic waterfront location in the heart of Nantucket harbor offers the ideal backdrop any time of day.
The Gaslight
Enjoy live music featuring talented local musicians and thoughtfully curated music. Gaslight offers Asian fusion food and cocktails.
Faraway Nantucket
The up and coming, trendy, nautical yet vintage hotel is more than a place, it’s a mindset. Sister Ship is their restaurant downstairs that you must try while visiting.
Galley Beach
Galley Beach, sitting directly in the sand overlooking Nantucket Sound originally started as a clam shack in the 1920s, and has evolved into one of the northeast’s premier restaurant and event locations.
Photo courtesy of: Travel + Leisure
Martha’s Vineyard, MA
As compact as Martha’s Vineyard is — or simply the Vineyard, as locals affectionately call it — this New England island can feel much larger because of its three main towns: Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, and Edgartown, all of which offer something different. There’s also Aquinnah, renowned for its towering seaside cliffs, the sleepier fishing village of Chilmark, and the less touristy, often labeled ‘residents-only’, West Tisbury.
Morning Glory Farm
Family farm on Martha’s Vineyard with a busy farmstand, bakery & kitchen, that grows food for the whole Island community.
Black Dog Restaurant
The Black Dog Tavern and General Store is a staple in Martha’s Vineyard. Come for a burger and leave with a sweatshirt.
Rochelle’s on the Vineyard
All items are handpicked by the owner Rochelle and her amazing team of buyers acquiring a unique selection of women’s clothing, jewelry, accessories, and shoes.
Martha’s Vineyard Made
Martha’s Vineyard Made is redefining what it means to shop local. They work closely with Martha’s Vineyard makers to bring their incredible talents and products from their farms, studios and all over the Island to customers both near and far.
– A Little Past The DMV –
Photo courtesy of: City of Rehoboth Beach
Rehoboth Beach, DE
From the beautiful ocean view to the iconic boardwalk Rehoboth Beach is a must-visit destination. By day you’ll see flip-flopping sunbathers enjoying their favorite treats and hear the thrills of Funland. By night you’ll see the town light up with character and experience one-of-a kind dining.
The Cultured Pearl Restaurant & Sushi Bar
Though recognized for its great sushi, the Pearl is a restaurant for everyone. From traditional Japanese teriyakis and tempuras, to spicy Thai dishes and back home to good old American, the Pearl has dishes to please everyone.
Funland
Funland is a family owned and operated amusement park located on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach since 1962. The park features 20 rides, 17 boardwalk-style games, 12 full-size Skee Ball lanes, an arcade, and the Haunted Mansion.
Photo courtesy of: Delaware Beaches
Bethany Beach, DE
Known as the “Quiet Resorts” area of the Delaware Beaches, Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island boast popular, family-friendly beaches. To match the quaint allure of the beach, the boardwalk is shorter with the charm of a bygone era. Check out Bethany Beach’s Live Cam before visiting!
Mickey’s Family Crab House
Mickey’s Family Crabhouse is a casual, family friendly eatery!
Bethany Surf Shop
Bethany Surf Shop and Outlet offer great deals and a huge selection of surfboards, skimboards, bodyboards, and board accessories from your favorite brands!
Gypsy Teal
Whether you need an item of self-care, a gift for your home, an object to adorn, or that perfect new outfit, Gypsy Teal has ever-changing merchandise for you.
Photo courtesy of: Experience St. Michaels
St. Michael’s, MD
One of the closest getaways to Washington, DC, St. Michaels is a quaint historic town with a beautiful harbor, exceptional dining, amazing B&Bs and Inns and one-of-a-kind shopping. A perfect spot for boat lovers and true Chesapeake Bay crab cakes.
Gluten Free Bakery Girl
Enjoy all the flavors sweets have to offer without gluten. The most popular menu items are specialty cookies, peanut butter buckeye brownies, lemon bars, and English Bakewell tarts. A must try!
Chesapeake Trading Company
From casual chic women’s and men’s apparel, jewelry and home goods to current books and music, Chesapeake Trading Co. has been a chartered destination in St. Michaels for over 20 years and is a traditional favorite for locals and visitors alike.
Awful Authers
If you like raw or steamed seafood, you will love their authentic oyster bar, serving varieties of oysters, plus clams, shrimp, mussels, crab legs, crawfish, and their famous steamed seafood platter.
Photo courtesy of: The Outer Banks
– Down South –
Duck, NC
Duck, the northernmost town on the Outer Banks, earned its name at the turn of the 20th century thanks to the popularity of duck hunting in the Currituck and Albemarle Sounds. Today, the dynamic island environment includes beaches, maritime forests, wetlands, and dunescapes.
Duck’s Cottage
Duck’s Cottage is a great book store and café. Relax and enjoy a treat while reading your newest adventure.
Urban Cottage
Whether you have a small beach cottage or large-scale resort home, be inspired by the sophisticated, easy-living decor at Urban Cottage.
Cravings Steaks & Seafood
Known for their steak and seafood selection, you get the best of surf and turf. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Photo courtesy of: The Outer Banks
Kitty Hawk, NC
Kitty Hawk, bordered to the south by Kill Devil Hills and to the north by Southern Shores, offers a mix of residential and rental homes, but the homes here aren’t the mini-mansions or mega beach houses you’ll find elsewhere on the Outer Banks. They are more modest.
Cap’n Franks Hot Dogs
Capt’n Franks restaurant is one of a disappearing breed that once populated Atlantic coast beaches from Rehoboth to Ft. Lauderdale. What the drive-in diner was to city kids, small hot dog stands and walk-up burger joints, with hot crispy french fries, are to the beach experience.
Absolutely Outer Banks
Voted “Best of the Beach”, this shop features locally crafted home decor, art, gifts and more.
Photo courtesy of: The Culture Trip
The Keys, FL
The islands of the Florida Keys make for a classic Florida vacation including destinations like Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon and, of course, Key West. With dozens of keys in between, your time can be as action-packed or as relaxed as you desire. Adventure seekers can test their skills on a fishing charter. Get up close and personal with tropical fish on a snorkel trip, or dive to explore a famous shipwreck. And the glorious sunsets are the perfect way to end the day.
Ocean Reef Club | Key Largo
Ocean Reef allows members to enjoy countless amenities all within this private club community including golf, tennis, a marina, a spa, and fine dining.
Cheeca Lodge & Spa | Islamorada
Cheeca Lodge & Spa is a boutique resort offering exceptional accommodations, sport courts, a 9-hole golf course, three heated pools, and award-winning dining.
Little Pearl | Key West
This neighborhood restaurant and wine bar serves fresh local seafood with a tropical twist.
Key West Island Books | Key West
Independent bookstore where you can easily while away a good chunk of time perusing the shelves. The shop has a funky, slightly dusty vibe—which only boosts its street cred in the age of Amazon—and staffers ready to offer a bevy of great recommendations.
Tucker’s Provisions | Key West
Tucker’s Provisions, an adorable boutique on busy Duval Street, features men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing and accessories from big-name brands, as well as exclusive items with a vintage Americana look and feel.
Take a look at our website for all of our listings available throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
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A Restful Weekend at the Inn at Little Washington
Looking to take a luxe weekend trip that will make you feel refreshed and charmed without having to travel far? You may wish to plan a visit to The Inn at Little Washington!
The Inn was founded in 1978 and is located in Washington, Virginia, just an hour and a half from Washington, D.C. Boasting 23 rooms, the Inn is intimate in nature yet extremely spacious and vibrant. Pack your weekender bag and cruise down I-66 while preparing your taste buds for a true culinary treat. The Inn at Little Washington’s restaurant boasts three Michelin stars, meaning you’ll want to arrive hungry and ready to enjoy a sumptuous meal prepared by chef Patrick O’Connell.
Dinner at the Inn at Little Washington has somewhat of a theatrical element to it—if you order the cheese service, for example, you can expect to be humored by “cheesy” puns of all kinds. Every course is artfully prepared, and guests can choose to enjoy a vegetarian tasting menu option if they wish.
Of course, you won’t want to miss out on Patty O’s Cafe and Bakery, either. Located right on property, this restaurant is another one of O’Connell’s projects and is just a couple of years old. Stop by to enjoy some French onion soup, a hearty burger, a colorful salad, and much more, and don’t forget to pick up some pastries from the to go shop for the road—you’ll thank yourself later!
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If you’re a design buff, you’ll enjoy admiring the Inn’s beautiful interiors, which are filled with pattern and color galore. Each room of the Inn is worth admiring—be sure to take plenty of photos so that you can draw upon them for inspiration when you return home and need to tackle a redecorating project or two.
The Inn is open for guests year round every evening except for Tuesdays. Whether you’re in the market for a special anniversary trip, are looking for a unique way to celebrate a milestone birthday, or are just looking to enjoy some R&R, you won’t want to miss out on this gem, which is revered worldwide but happens to be right in our backyard!
Sarah Lyon is a New York City-based freelance writer, originally from Bethesda, MD. She contributes to a number of national design and lifestyle publications like Architectural Digest, Apartment Therapy, MyDomaine, the Washington Post, and more. Sarah also works with designers to help them style spaces for photo shoots. Find more shelfies on her Instagram page, @sarahlyon9
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A Weekend Getaway to the Brandywine Valley
Located just a couple hours north of the Washington metropolitan area, the Brandywine Valley is the perfect destination for a festive December getaway. The natural beauty of the area was captured by renowned artist Andrew Wyeth, who highlighted its distinctive color palette. With attractions in and around Wilmington, Delaware and Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, the area is well known for the historic houses and gardens of the du Pont family, which are beautifully decorated for the holiday season. Weekends do get busy, so we suggest buying tickets ahead of your visit. Or, maybe plan a mid-week trip to ignite your holiday spirit.
du Pont Family Historic Homes & Gardens
Photo courtesy of Hagley Museum
Hagley Museum and Library
Through January 1, 2023
This holiday season, Eleutherian Mills, the 1803 du Pont ancestral home built by E. I. du Pont, will feature “Holidays at Hagley: All Creatures Great and Small” celebrating stories of pets and wildlife who settled at Hagley over the last 200 years. Vote for the best gingerbread house, visit with Santa, or take a Twilight Tour of the home.
Photo courtesy of Winterthur
Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
Through January 8, 2023
Annually, Yuletide at Winterthur showcases the holiday traditions and festivities of Henry Francis du Pont’s family in seasonal splendor both indoors and out. This year’s tour includes trees inspired by those seen at the White House in conjunction with the exhibition – Jacqueline Kennedy and H.F. du Pont: From Winterthur to the White House.
Photo courtesy of Nemours Estate
Nemours Estate
Through December 30, 2022
Experience the grandeur of Alfred I. du Pont’s Nemours estate dressed in its holiday splendor. The decorations are inspired by the mansion’s grand architecture, and the European influences are reflected throughout, including a German creche which dates from the late 19th century.
Photo courtesy of Longwood Gardens
Longwood Gardens
Through January 8, 2023
Longwood Gardens is the legacy of Pierre S. du Pont. Beautiful in any season, the Conservatory and gardens are truly splendid during the holiday season. Inside the Conservatory, tour a wonderland of festive trees, floating floral creations, and an extravagant floral shop display. Outdoors, stroll among illuminated trees, cozy fire pits, and an amazing tunnel of light. Additional events include musical performances. If you plan to stay into the evening, book a reservation at 1906 or dine à la carte at The Café.
Art Museums
Photo courtesy of Brandywine River Museum of Art
Brandywine River Museum of Art
Renowned for its holdings of the Wyeth family of artists, the Brandywine River Museum of Art features galleries dedicated to the work of N. C. Wyeth, Andrew Wyeth, and Jamie Wyeth. The Museum’s outstanding Heritage Collection is a cross section of American art, with a special focus on artistic practice in the Brandywine valley.
Special Holiday Events include:
- Holiday Critter Sale – December 1-4 at the Chadds Ford Historical Society, 1736 Creek Rd, Chadds Ford, PA. These delightful, distinctive ornaments are handmade of natural materials such as pine cones, acorns, seed pods, and the like. Critters come in all kinds of forms from dogs, bears, and reindeer to angels and stars.
- Brandywine Railroad – Through January 8, 2023. A holiday favorite since 1972, the Brandywine Railroad features trains running on 2,000 feet of track and contains more than 1,000 pieces, including locomotives, passenger and freight trains, and trolleys that pass through a small village, a farm, factories, a drive-in movie theater, and even a carnival.
Delaware Art Museum
The Delaware Art Museum is best known for its large collection of British Pre-Raphaelite art, illustrations by Wilmington native Howard Pyle, urban landscapes by John Sloan, and a locally significant collection of American art spanning the 18th to 21st centuries. Current exhibitions include: Forgotten Pre-Raphaelites and A Marriage of Arts & Crafts: Evelyn & William De Morgan.
Shopping & Dining
Photo Shutterstock
What weekend getaway would be complete without a bit of shopping and dining? The towns of the Brandywine Valley deliver on charm and sophistication. You can shop and eat local all weekend!
Kennett Square, PA
Known as the Mushroom Capital of the World, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania is a charming borough close to Longwood Gardens. The downtown is part of the National Register of Historic Places with 507 protected buildings built between 1875 and 1924 and in a variety of popular architectural styles including Colonial Revival, Victorian, and Federal. As you stroll the shops of the main street, stop in at Talula’s Table gourmet market for a tasty lunch.
During the first two weekends of December, the Kennett Collaborative presents the Kennett Square Holiday Village Market at The Creamery of Kennett Square (December 3, 4, 10 & 11, 11AM-5PM). Reminiscent of a German Christkindlmarkt, the holiday village features dozens of artisan and vintage vendors, live music, ice sculpture demonstrations, fire pits, s’mores, Santa Claus, food trucks, handcrafted and warming festive drinks.
West Chester, PA
Winner of the 2017 Great American Main Street Award from Main Street America, West Chester, Pennsylvania, offers the perfect mix of historical charm and small-town allure with the excitement of a busy nightlife and dining. Iron Hill is a true local favorite for dinner and, if you happen to be in town on December 2, don’t miss the West Chester Christmas Parade.
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Enjoy a Weekend Getaway in Fredericksburg, VA
We could just as easily write about Fredericksburg in our “MCE Loves Local” category, but we feel it’s the perfect place for a longer trip that’s not too far from home. Located on the Rappahannock River in Virginia, Fredericksburg is known as the childhood home of President George Washington. It was a major port during the Colonial Era and was important during the Civil War. It’s home to the 4 battlefields of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, and the Fredericksburg National Cemetery is the final resting place of thousands of Union soldiers.
Of course, there is much more to Fredericksburg today, including cafes, restaurants, breweries, shops, and a vibrant arts community. Many of these businesses are located in the 40-block National Historic District in downtown. If that’s not enough, the University of Mary Washington is also located downtown. Read on for more great ideas to help you plan your next weekend getaway.
Things To Do
Photo courtesy of Fredericksburg Trolley
Trolley Tours of Fredericksburg
This guided, 75-minute tour of Fredericksburg is a great way to familiarize yourself with the key sites of the city.
Olde Towne Carriages
Enjoy day or evening horse-drawn carriage rides through downtown. Guided tours highlight history and culture, plus there are seasonal ghost tours and jingle bell rides.
Canoe or Kayak on the Rappahannock
From May through September, you can book a trip down the Rappahannock by canoe or kayak through Twin Junction Outfitters.
FredNats
The 2022 regular season may be over, but the FredNats will be back! Plan to see top prospects for the Washington Nationals next year.
FXBG Axes
Have you ever wanted to try your hand at axe throwing? This might be just the place, and you can bring the kids.
Restaurants, Breweries & Distilleries
Photo courtesy of Foode
Vivify Burger & Lounge
Offering grass fed burgers on locally baked buns from Carter’s Bakery or Udi’s Gluten Free buns. We might be just as excited for the sides—some of which include hand cut fries, tater tots, and poutine!
Foode + Mercantile
Whether it’s brunch, lunch, or dinner, Foode’s popularity is undeniable, and they’ve added a “hip little sister,” Mercantile. Don’t miss the award-winning chicken and waffles!
La Petite Auberge
Open for lunch and dinner, La Petite Auberge serves fine French cuisine and regional favorites.
Smith Bowman Distillery
This family-owned distillery produces a variety of small-batch spirits including vodka, gin, and rum, but their main focus is bourbon. Take a tour to learn about the distilling process and enjoy a sampling of their latest releases.
Craft Breweries
Turns out that Fredericksburg, and the surrounding area, is home to several craft breweries serving a variety of styles. We couldn’t choose just one!
Shops and Galleries
Photo courtesy of Hyperbole & FXBG.com
Strolling the streets of downtown Fredericksburg is the perfect way to spend an afternoon, but don’t just window shop. These local boutiques and specialty shops are sure to please whether you are browsing for yourself or starting your holiday shopping. The city also has a vibrant arts scene, including fine art, ceramics, jewelry, and more.
Monkee’s of Fredericksburg and Pye & Co.
These locally owned shops feature a mix of women’s and children’s clothing, shoes, home decor, jewelry, and much more.
Sugar + Spruce
Elevate your bath and body routine and pamper the whole family with handcrafted soaps, bath salts, face masks and scrubs, and relaxing candles.
Du Jardin Home & Garden
Offering European style you are sure to love, be sure to check out the ceramics by Spako Clay.
Art Galleries
Historic Sites
Historic Kenmore and George Washington’s Ferry Farm
Historic Kenmore is a Georgian-style mansion built by George Washington’s sister and her husband. Tours include the house and grounds on Washington Avenue in Fredericksburg. Ferry Farm, located on the other side of the Rappahannock, was the home of George Washington at the age of 6 when his family moved to what is now Stafford County. Tours include the house replica and the Visitor Center.
Washington Heritage Museums
With so many 18th century buildings in Fredericksburg, connections to the Washington family are common. Additional house museums you may not want to miss include: Mary Washington House, Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, Rising Sun Tavern, and St James’ House.
Civil War Sites
The National Park Service maintains nearly 9,000 acres of land in the Fredericksburg area, known as the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. Each of the four battlefield sites has a self-guided driving tour and walking trails, or you can take a tour with a park service ranger.
- Fredericksburg Battlefield
- Chancellorsville Battlefield
- Wilderness Battlefield
- Ellwood Manor – Union headquarters and field hospital
- Spotsylvania Battlefield
Hotels
Photo courtesy of FXBG.com
When you are ready to plan your overnight stay, these lovely hotels will offer a welcome night’s sleep.
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