A city is only as good as its escape routes. What would New Yorkers do without the ability to flee the concrete jungle for the greener pastures and coastal scenes of the Hudson Valley and the Hamptons? Or Angelenos without their tony enclaves in Santa Barbara? Washington, DC, is no exception. While the nation’s capital may have earned its unfortunate “swamp” notoriety on account of all the political infighting and bureaucratic drama that goes on in this town, the title unfortunately holds merit in a literal sense, too, as anyone who has sweltered in DC’s infamously hot and sticky summers will understand.
A humid subtropical climate doesn’t do the city many favors during the year’s warmest months, though its geographic location certainly does. Washington is surrounded by beautifully bucolic landscapes, from Virginia horse country to Appalachian mountain ranges. And yes, it also has its own version of the Hamptons, where elite politicos mingle, play nice, and then retreat to their sprawling waterfront mansions. Whether you’re looking to get out of the swamp for a few days, or want to add on to a DC itinerary for a little town and country, here are five properties to put on the list.
Salamander Middleburg
Middleburg, Virginia, is just an hour drive from Washington, DC, but feels worlds away. This is especially true at Salamander, the 340-acre resort nestled in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains in prime horse country. The equestrian program here is the big draw (as is the property’s adorable resident miniature horse named Cupcake, who is available for meet and greets every Friday and Saturday). A 14,000-square-foot stable hosts activities for all levels—including for children 5 and up (those as young as 2 can partake in pony rides)—from private lessons to trail rides to workshops on grooming and handling. Non-horse people will find plenty to do, too: falconry, clay shooting, archery, golf, hiking, zip-lining, etc. And, like most of the places on this list, proximity to DC means loads of history. The land on which Salamander sits, for example, was once owned by Pamela Harriman, the supremely well-connected daughter-in-law of Winston Churchill who went on to become the doyenne of the Democratic Party (and Clinton’s ambassador to France).
The Red Fox Inn & Tavern
The “town” part of Middleburg is just as transporting as its countryside, thanks to its well-preserved Revolutionary past. Lieutenant Colonel John Leven Powell is credited with establishing this village in 1787, after buying 500 acres of land from a cousin of George Washington named Joseph Chinn, who, in 1728, built a tavern here that eventually evolved into the Red Fox Inn & Tavern. The property is now a cluster of five historic buildings that house 22 rooms and suites, plus the signature restaurant, which serves a four-course menu featuring local game and seafood (think baked Rappahannock oysters, fried rabbit, rack of lamb, sea scallops). In more recent history, the inn has hosted a number of celebrities, including JFK and Jackie (he once held a press conference here; she liked to stay overnight during foxhunting season) and Liz Taylor, who came here for date nights with husband #6, Senator John Warner.
Inn at Perry Cabin
Inn at Perry Cabin, located in St. Michaels, Maryland—a Chesapeake Bay hamlet that often draws comparisons to the Hamptons (before it became such a scene)—is a grand old all-American OG. The property started out as the home of an officer in the War of 1812, during which, according to legend, the town protected itself from the British by tricking them into miscalculating the distance of their targets with strategically placed lanterns. The estate became a small inn by the 1980s and eventually grew into this 78-room hotel with interiors designed by Alexandra Champalimaud in a style that blends nautical chic with a contemporary twist. The region’s waterfront perch naturally makes for an excellent sailing program—take advantage of their impressive fleet of sailboats and Hinckley yachts, whether it’s through intensive sailing courses or simply via a serene, private sunset cruise down the Miles River with cocktails and dinner. On dry land, there is golf and tennis, a spa, and, of course, the town of St. Michaels (it’s walking distance), where you can shop antiques on Talbot Street, admire the Colonial architecture, and learn a few things about the region’s history at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.
The Inn at Little Washington
In 1978, a self-taught chef named Patrick O’Connell opened a restaurant in a garage. The rest, as they say, is history. Today, the Inn at Little Washington has blossomed into the only three Michelin-starred restaurant in and around DC, and the property has since grown into a 24-room Relais & Châteaux gem on 24 acres of verdant land in the middle of a postcard-perfect colonial town surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. Accommodations ranging from suites to standalone cottages are peppered throughout the picturesque grounds, as are floral and vegetable gardens, meandering trails, greenhouses, and even a chicken coop with stained glass windows and a chandelier. The hotel recently debuted the new two-bedroom Cardinal’s Nest, which is actually housed in one of the property’s oldest surviving buildings—expect all the modern creature comforts, plus period details like the original 18th-century stone fireplace. But the most enticing reason to pay a visit may be for the new Water Menu, which is exactly what it sounds like: a selection of 13 rare still and sparkling H2Os from around the world, including the $95-a-bottle Berg water that comes from a 15,000-year-old iceberg in Newfoundland, that can be paired with the restaurant’s famous tasting menu.
Keswick Hall
An infinity pool. A Pete Dye-designed championship golf course. A Jean-Georges restaurant. A spa. What more could you ask for? Keswick Hall, the 113-year-old Charlottesville grande dame—it’s a member of the Historic Hotels of America—is just two hours from DC and right in the heart of Virginia’s Piedmont wine region, which means you can sample from more than 30 vineyards that are sprinkled throughout the countryside (orchards and breweries are also abundant). The property has its own 200-acre farm next door, which supplies the JG restaurant, Marigold, with produce, grass-fed beef, and honey direct from the apiary. For a break from the food and wine indulgences, Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s bucolic estate, is just 15 minutes away.
Leena Kim is Town & Country’s Editor, covering the travel, jewelry, style, arts and culture, education, and weddings beats. She has no priors—she has been at the magazine for 11 years, having started her career at T&C as the assistant to the editor in chief.
