Five spring staycation ideas around D.C.
From Hobbit Houses in the Blue Ridge Mountains to fancy hotels right in D.C., here are some ideas for your spring break trip.
We all have dreams of vacation grandeur. But in this economy, you might be thinking less “dream destination” and more “within my budget” and “reasonably local” to avoid the hassles of spring break travel.
The good news is that you don't have to be named Ratliff—or even go to Duke University—to be the main character in your own White Lotus drama.
You can take a short journey by train or car to a historic hotel that dates back to the 1700s, set sail for island time, or indulge in a foodie fantasy – all not very far from your own D.C. doorstep. Here are five local-ish trips you can book to fulfill your dreams of escape.
Welcome to the White Lotus
Stanardsville, Virginia
Forget Thailand, your next vacation awaits you in... Stanardsville, Virginia? Yes. There’s an eco-friendly spa less than two hours away from D.C. and it includes 18 Airbnb lodging options in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
The perks include access to saunas, cold plunges, pools, and outdoor firepits. This cute hobbit house for all you Lord of the Rings nerds goes for $350 per night in April and May.
Indulge in a Feast Day
Frederick, Maryland
If you have a fever dream for destination dining, you’ll be interested in an overnight stay at the Visitation Hotel in historic Frederick, Maryland. The hotel is home to Top Chef contenders Michael and Bryan Voltaggio, who serve you from a historic Catholic church reenvisioned into Wye Oak Tavern, a modern-day tavern and steakhouse.
Historic artifacts found on site during construction are incorporated into both the guest rooms and restaurant spaces. That includes a marble altar repurposed into the bar (a design choice that has created some measure of controversy). Wye Oak Tavern is in what used to be the Visitation all-girls school's chapel, with soaring ceilings, stained glass, a tabernacle, and a sizable pipe organ too for truly transcendental dining. The adjoining hotel offers room rates as low as $159 a night in April and May.
Anchor Away in Fells Point
Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore’s newest hotel is an upscale boutique hotel with budget-style prices. The William Fell is actually a hotel dating back to the early 1700s and recently underwent a multi-million renovation and includes some rooms with waterfront views of the Baltimore Harbor in historic Fells Point.
Guests can soak up the nautical-themed art and design touches that reflect the Chesapeake Bay and accommodations ranging from spacious two-bed queen rooms to suites with private balconies overlooking the iconic Thames Street. Best of all, because this hotel is brand new, there are preview rates as low as $184 a night in April.
Tilghman Island Inn
Tilghman Island, Maryland
Tucked away in a quiet fishing village, the Tilghman Island Inn is a serene waterfront retreat on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It’s an easygoing and pet friendly resort, surrounded by water, just 90 minutes by car or an hour boat ride across the Chesapeake Bay.
This is an ideal spot to enjoy the slower pace of spring—whether you’re kayaking, birdwatching, or savoring fresh oysters. For boaters, the inn provides several dock slips for a seamless arrival by water.
Back on land, guests can lounge by the pool, unwind in Adirondack chairs while watching the sunset, or dine at the outdoor restaurant, which features fresh seafood from local Maryland suppliers.
Located in Talbot County’s stretch of the Chesapeake Bay, the Tilghman Island Inn offers a laid-back appeals with rates starting at $225 per night.
Create Your Own Field of Dreams
Washington, D.C.
Sports tourism is a peak travel trend for 2025, and you can do that in your own city via a staycation at the luxurious Conrad Washington, DC on a discount (with rates starting at $386).
Throughout baseball season, all room rates are 15% off list price and include a 30% discount on Nationals tickets when you book the hotel’s Grand Slam package. This is the ultimate baseball getaway for fans looking to catch the Washington Nationals in action – just a short metro ride away, plus you get a baseball-themed souvenir at check-in.
