Travelpack has a self-drive itinerary that takes in the best of the three states that comprise the Capital Region.
The suggested itinerary through Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia will appeal to those interested in the significant role the region played in the country’s Civil War (1860-1865).
The trip starts in the nation’s capital where guests can explore the Dupont Circle neighbourhood or visit Georgetown, an affluent section of the city filled with retail shops and restaurants.
Day two takes in key sites such as Capitol Hill, Library of Congress, Washington Monument, the White House, the Jefferson (pictured) and Lincoln Memorials, and a trip out to Arlington Cemetery, the resting place of several Civil War generals and President John Kennedy, his brother Robert and many of those killed on September 11.
In Baltimore clients will visit the Baltimore Visitor Center at the Inner Harbor, to learn about the role Baltimore played in the Civil War and see the USS Constellation, a sloop of war that performed diplomatic duties during war by disrupting the African Slave Trade.
Next up is Gettysburg, scene of The Battle of Gettysburg, which was a turning point in the Civil War and its bloodiest battle, claiming 51,000 casualties.
A morning visit to Lancaster County, with the largest congregation of Amish in the U.S., will take in a restored 1805 farmhouse and narration of the Amish’ history, customs, clothing, and culture.
Frederick is another city with a rich Civil War history: highlights include the National Museum of Civil War Medicine and the Monocacy National Battlefield.
Another must do is Manassas National Battlefield Park, which saw the first major battle of the American Civil War in July 1861 (sometimes known as the Battle of Bull Run). A historical presentation by a park ranger is followed by a walking tour of the battlefield.
Other stops include Charlottesville, and a visit to Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the U.S., and the Appomattox Courthouse, where General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses Grant.
In Richmond, the Museum of the Confederacy houses the most comprehensive collection of artifacts, manuscripts and photographs of the Confederate (Southern) States.
Other stops include Williamsburg, known not just for its Colonial-era history but for a Civil War battle; Norfolk, an area that can point to over 400 years of American history; and St. Michaels, an historic town dating back to the 1600s.
The final stop before heading back to Dulles International Airport is Annapolis (pictured), a main depot on the east coast for Union prisoners during the Civil War.
Today the historic city is home to the Annapolis Opera, the Symphony Orchestra, the Maryland Ballet Theatre and the Naval Academy (with tours available).
