Make some history this weekend.
Robert James
Many notable battlefields and historic sites are located a short driving distance from the government buildings, landmark memorials and fascinating museums of our nation’s capital.
Whether you’re a visitor looking to round out your travel itinerary or a local seeking a day trip outside the city, these scenes of America’s earliest conflicts offer an opportunity to connect with history, learn through experience and support local businesses.
There are several historic battlefields accessible within 60 minutes of the Capitol that help reveal the influence of the Civil War on Washington, D.C.
- (Manassas, Va.) interprets two of the most famous battles in Northern Virginia, including the first major clash of the Civil War.
- Also see the wartime headquarters (for both sides) of , Confederate hospital at and nearby .
- After visiting the battlefield grab fun-named food and a board game at , specialty popcorn or fudge at , or classic American fare at in the Old Town.
- Compliment history with libations at , where vineyard tours focusing on Civil War history are paired with the perfect wine and battlefield artifacts and relics on display.
- Exploring the only engagement in which a sitting U.S. Senator was killed in action, (Leesburg, Va.) offers a look at a Union military disaster that shaped the political handling of the rest of the war.
- Before hiking the battlefield, pick up breakfast or lunch sandwiches from , and finish your day with a beer and pizza at .
- Around Leesburg are and historic manors including George C. Marshall’s at , and .
- In 1864, the capital was under serious threat. (Frederick, Md.) reveals the story of a crucial final stand of untried Union troops hoping to delay a veteran Confederate army intent on capturing Washington, D.C.
- In nearby Frederick, visit the and , with lunch or dinner at one of several BBQ’s in the area or at adjacent to the battlefield.
- Containing the only battlefield in Washington, (D.C.) followed Monocacy in the critical effort to save the capital in 1864. Here, President Lincoln came under fire.
- Find more Civil War history around Fort Stevens at the , and the . Be sure to check out the remnants of other Civil War fortifications—which included Fort Stevens—in the .
Many of the most important engagements of the Civil War were fought across the two neighboring counties of Culpeper and Spotsylvania in Virginia.
- Now incorporated into the Culpeper Battlefields State Park, the 1862 Battle of and 1863 cavalry engagement offer two unique battlefields an hour-and-a-half from Washington.
- (containing ), the , , and demonstrate the mix of nature and history that embodies Culpeper County.
- Chow down on some of the best Thai food at for lunch, with dinner at , an art-décor restaurant serving Prohibition-themed cocktails.
- Uniquely, the features a small World War II museum to honor veterans while sampling local wine and beer.
- Fredericksburg headquarters the which includes the battlefields at , , the and .
- Make sure to visit Slaughter Pen Farm at Fredericksburg, First Day at Chancellorsville Battlefield and Payne’s Farm Battlefield near the Wilderness, all Trust-preserved sites.
- In Fredericksburg, witness colonial history at the featuring the Mary Washington House, Hugh Mercer Apothecary, Rising Sun Tavern and St. James House. Presidential history in the city also includes and the .
- Once you’ve worked up an appetite trekking across battlefields, stop by for terrific diner fare, for Mexican, for an Italian deli experience, or for varied bar food.
- Directly across from the First Day at Chancellorsville, shop for candy, sweets, coffee and meats at the .
In 1862 and 1863, Confederate forces invaded the United States around the capital area, culminating in clashes at some of the bloodiest and most famous battlefields in America.
- Famous for John Brown’s Raid and eponymous Fort, features hikes interpreting the 1862 battle around the city, in addition to beautiful overlooks above the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers.
- History for those with a sweet tooth! allows shoppers to learn about and try hundreds of historical candies from ancient times to today.
- Grab breakfast and coffee before you set out on a hike at , enjoy great food in a local atmosphere at , savor a beer with a view at , or partake in vegan meals at .
- Around two hours from Washington, is one of the best-preserved and most important battlefields of the American Civil War. Antietam is the bloodiest day in American history, as well as key to the story of Emancipation.
- Nearby, includes the only section of the Appalachian Trail to cross a major Civil War battlefield. Headquartered on the battlefield, atop South Mountain offers stunning views of the area.
- Only ten minutes from Antietam, allows visitors to descend into a fascinating geological formation.
- Travel into Sharpsburg for a cold treat at or dinner at .
- As the most famous battlefield of the Civil War, is a must-see historical treasure over two hours from Washington, D.C.
- Off the battlefield, several museums highlight key aspects of the battle:
- Civilian experiences take focus at the , , and .
- tells the critical story of African Americans living in the city before, during, and after the battle.
- Dioramas abound at and , which has a unique feline overlay.
- and both provide introductory overviews of the engagement in July 1863.
- Off the battlefield, several museums highlight key aspects of the battle:
- Located near the battlefield, preserves the farm haven and diplomatic retreat of the 34th president.
- Gettysburg caters to the hungry traveler spending the day on the battlefield:
- offers a themed mix of traditional bar food, including burgers named after commanders and wings inspired by famous regiments and battlefield locations.
- serves up an acclaimed selection of cheeseburgers alongside other classic American fare.
- sports bar takes its inspiration not from the battlefield, but a local baseball legend in the early days of the sport.
- With a mix of period cuisine and upscale American selections, contains several dining options in a historic venue that was utilized by Confederate sharpshooters during the battle.
With two major campaigns, twenty battles and hundreds of smaller skirmishes, the Shenandoah was intensely fought over during the four years of Civil War.
- Winchester, an hour-and-a-half drive from D.C., features several key Civil War battlefields in its vicinity: , , , and the .
- Orient yourself at the .
- Explore regional Civil War history at the and , both in Winchester.
- Start your day in Winchester with breakfast at , followed by a Caribbean lunch at and dinner at .
- Further south in Shenandoah County, battlefield and geological history combine to make for a fascinating trip outside of the capital.
- Civil War sites in this area include the , and .
- Marvelous cave systems populate the area, including the famous , , , and .
- Traveling between battlefields in the valley can be made even more pleasant by motoring through the .
- Combine a visit to the ’s headquarters with coffee at the neighboring .
- Afterward, enjoy a gourmet sandwich for lunch at in Luray. Finally, round out your trip with catfish and BBQ at .
With the Burning of Washington and the resolute Star-Spangled Banner, the Chesapeake Campaign in 1814 tested and defined the early United States. These sites in Maryland help explain that story.
- Start your journey at , the site of the American defeat at Bladensburg that led to the capture and burning of Washington, D.C. Afterward, grab breakfast on your way to Baltimore at in Hyattsville.
- Before exploring Baltimore proper, visit and to trace the vital delaying action by Maryland militia before the Battle of Baltimore.
- After, eat at , a 1950s-themed soda and lunch counter restaurant.
- Central to the defense of Baltimore and inspiration for the national anthem, is a necessary stop for understanding the War of 1812 in Baltimore.
- Follow your tour of Fort McHenry by visiting the , , , and clipper inspired by privateers of the War of 1812.
- Time left in Baltimore? See the sloop-of-war and Civil War museum at .
- For dinner, devour some delicious crab cakes, softshell crab and other seafood at in the Inner Harbor before returning to Washington.
We’ve got some tips and advice for preparing day trips to historic sites across the capital area.
Check the local weather for each location and try to leave early in the morning for the longer drives to get the most out of a destination.
Visit the 91ÇÑ×Ó’s website to get historical resources on the battlefields and campaigns included in this itinerary before your travels.
