What is the Mid-Atlantic Region?
We recently spent almost two weeks in the Mid-Atlantic region, with our attending a joyful wedding in Philadelphia as the original reason for this trip. Hopefully, this map will help you answer the question what is the Mid-Atlantic region. While there is a real discussion about exactly what states to include in the region, there is general consensus that it includes Washington, DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. We added Virginia to cover all places we could visit within two hours of Washington, DC.
Map of the Mid-Atlantic Region
Places to Visit Within Two Hours of Washington, DC
We found when recently visiting Washington, DC we were easily able to visit all the pinned locations within a two-hour drive from the Capital. Here is a list of the places we have visited.
- Washington, DC
- Pennsylvania:
- Delaware:
- New Jersey:
- Maryland:
- Virginia:
- Richmond
- Historic Triangle:
- Williamsburg
- Jamestown
- Yorktown
- Charlottesville
- Little Washington
Washington, DC
it is always a treat to visit our nation’s capital and this year, it was especially so as we were there over the 4th of July. Washington, DC is one of the most visited cities in the USA and offers a variety of interesting experiences. The city has some of the most iconic sites in the country including the monuments for famous presidents and historical events. DC also has great food and fabulous museums. All the museums under the Smithsonian Collection are free to visit. Please visit Our Favorite Museums Post for more information about the Smithsonian and other museums.
4th of July Parade in Washington, DC
What better way to celebrate Independence Day in DC than a patriotic parade. In spite of the intense heat, we found a shady spot and so enjoyed the festivities, the marching bands, balloons and the floats.
We ducked into a long time favorite restaurant, Old Ebbitt Grill, for oysters and lunch and to cool off a little. This was the perfect place as Washington’s oldest saloon. Although we love popping into this classic place, reservations are recommended.
But the highlight for the day was watching the fireworks at dinner at the Fiola Mare restaurant on the Potomac River in Georgetown. Fiola Mare celebrates Fabio Trabocchi’s love for life by the sea. The restaurant is inspired by Italy’s coastlines and the bounty of its most pristine seafood. The Adriatic Sea and Fabio’s native coastline of Monte Conero, the world-renowned Amalfi Coast, Sicily, and Forte dei Marmi, are the inspiration of the menu, featuring the finest crudos and seafood towers. Her sister Restaurant, also in DC, has one Michelin Star.
While you will certainly love these restaurants, if you want to know ore about all our favorite Bib Gourmand vs Michelin star Restaurants, please see our post on that subject.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is a diverse, historic, and cultural city. It’s a large city with plenty of activities for visitors as well. William Penn founded Philadelphia in 1682. He wanted to create a colony that would provide a haven for Quakers. The city played an instrumental role in the American Revolution as a meeting place for the Founding Fathers of the United States, who signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the Constitution in 1787. We were in Philadelphia for a wonderful wedding. Unfortunately, the smoke from the Canadian wildfires impacted the visibility of the skyline. It was eerie.
Both of us love Philly Cheese sandwiches, a great tradition of Philadelphia. All of us enjoyed lunch where you get the best ones at Gino’s or Pat’s, located across the street from one another. We ordered them “whiz, with”, which means Cheese Whiz (a classic) and with sauteed onions.
Gettysburg
The Gettysburg National Military Park is located in the town proper of Gettysburg. The most casualties of any Civil War Battle occured at the Battle of Gettysburg. Gettysburg was the turning point in the war, leading to the Union’s ultimate victory.
By Sallicio – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5400964
Wilmington
Leaving Philadelphia, we stopped in Wilmington at the beautiful Hotel DuPont for Sunday Brunch and to see this historic hotel. Clearly, this architectural icon and internationally renowned hotel has many stories to tell. Situated at the intersection of 11th and Market in downtown Wilmington, the Dupont Hotel is at the heart of Delaware’s picturesque Brandywine Valley. With a standout restaurant and craft cocktail bar serving seasonal, chef-driven menus, an on-site bakery offering fresh baked goods and coffe and a contemporary food hall featuring 8 unique restaurant stalls, it celebrates the best of Delaware’s foodways.
Rehoboth Beach
Rehoboth Beach is a popular getaway for those stationed along the Mid-Atlantic coast. It is a quaint, 1-square-mile city that swells in the peak summer season to a population of more than 25,000. Rehoboth Beach is known for its popular LGBT-friendly getaways and businesses.
Atlantic City
Not surprisingly, because of its location, Atlantic City is a popular destination for people seeking a quick getaway. It is a shining coastal destination as well as home to America’s oldest boardwalk and the birthplace of glittering East Coast gaming action. Investments in recent years have elevated Atlantic City’s appeal. However, with other east coast cities now also offering gambling, Atlantic City’s east coast gaming offering is no longer unique.
Baltimore, Maryland is definitely in the Mid-Atlantic Region
Baltimore is the largest city in the state of Maryland. It is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. All things considered, Baltimore is a vibrant city that has transformed itself by investing in the Inner Harbor area. Basically, the Baltimore Inner Harbor has everything, from scenic waterfront views to fresh seafood restaurants to spectacular museums. Baltimore is also rich in Black history and has won many battles over segregation and civil rights.
Annapolis
Robin loves Annapolis from her days sailing in the Chesapeake. Anapolis is the capital of the state of Maryland and seat of Anne Arundel county. It lies along the Severn River at its mouth on Chesapeake Bay, 27 miles (43 km) southeast of Baltimore.
Additionally, Annapolis is known for its rich history and culture. It is also known as the home of the US Naval Academy. It is a great place to visit for crabs and other great seafood from the Chesapeake. Furthermore, we were surprised at how much development had occurred, with many sidewalk restaurant extensions and seafood everywhere. In fact, our favorite watering hole is the classic McGarvey’s, home of the doIlar oysters and great sea food.
Photo by Martin Falbisoner – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28670069
Ocean City
Ocean City is a resort town in the state of Maryland between the Atlantic Ocean and Isle of Wight Bay. Not surprisingly, it features miles of beach and a wooden boardwalk lined with restaurants, shops and hotels. It is a popular destination for vacationers in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States and is considered one of the best beaches in the area.
Driving into Ocean City, we were amazed at how huge this beach and hotels were. We stayed in Ocean City at a brand new Hilton Garden Inn Hotel. It was a very nice modern hotel with a gorgeous full sized deck overlooking the dunes and beach where we enjoyed the afternoon breezes with a gin and tonic. However, our biggest concern was that there was a real problem with too few elevators for the guests which resulted in a lot of lost time waiting for the elevator.
Is Richmond in the Mid-Atlantic Region?
Richmond is the Capital of Virginia. Therefore, given our two-hour distance rule from Washington, DC. we say yes, Richmond and the State of Virginia is part of the Mid-Atlantic Region. Surprisingly, it is a full-fledged city with world-class attractions, some of the best restaurants and enough variety to ensure you’re never bored. Consequently, it is a thriving hub for culture, shopping and outdoor fun. As a result, Richmond is emerging as a hip destination with a flurry of new galleries, restaurants and a craft beer scene.
We had lunch at Stellas after a recommendation from someone we met on a sunset cruise on the York River. It did not disappoint. Stella’s marks a return to the heart of Greek cuisine. Anchoring a corner on Lafayette Street in Richmond, Stella Dikos’ home is a romantic and charming space. From the early morning until afternoon, you’ll find Stella herself crafting her famed recipes for all who pass through its doors. In 2017, Stella’s opened a second location in Charleston’s historic Upper-King neighborhood, bringing her story and food to the Palmetto State.
Richmond also has a fine museum and arts scene. We visited the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. We were so pleased to visit this museum which houses a collection of more than 40,000 works of art from around the world. In addition, we also had a chance to visit the Science Museum of Virginia. It was really fun, and we wished we had brought our grandchildren with us as we saw how much the kids enjoyed all of the science exhibits. For more information about Richmond’s museums please visit our Musems for All Post.
What is the Virginia Historic Triangle in the Mid-Atlantic Region?
The Historic Triangle includes three historic colonial communities located on the Virginia Peninsula, bounded by the York River on the north and the James River on the south. Correspondingly, the points that form the triangle are Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg, and Yorktown. Subsequently, they feature many restored attractions linked by the Colonial Parkway in James City and York counties, and the City of Williamsburg.
We both had no idea what to expect, fearing that this visit could be a throwback to our high school field trips. We were pleasantly surprised with all three communities.
Our first stop was Amber Ox Public House, a wonderful local watering hole known for its inventive cuisine, beer brewed on site, barrell blended craft cocktails and unique Southern food. For this reason, we felt we should sample their Old Fashioned cocktails as well as the biscuit board while we planned our visit to these three communities.
Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg is a living-history museum and private foundation presenting a part of the historic district in the city of Williamsburg, Virginia. Its 301-acre historic area includes several hundred restored or recreated buildings from the 18th century, when the city was the capital of the Colony of Virginia. All in all, the historic area includes three main thoroughfares and their connecting side streets that attempt to suggest the atmosphere and the circumstances of 18th-century Americans. Basically, costumed employees work and dress as people did in the era, sometimes using colonial grammar and diction.
Specifically, we heard George Washington deliver his famous farewell speach’ He delivered this speech after his second term as President. We heard the rendition while sitting outside the Governors Palace. Surprisingly, we heard how his warning not to let the political parties dominate our governance resonates even today.
We love to see beautiful street art and found a nice modern mural in Williamsburg. However, equally impressive were the walls of the Governor’s Mansion. The walls had many weapons to scare his guests and to create a different art form. Surprisingly, we found that the Colonial Williamsburg flag had a unique design.
Yorktown
All things considered, we found that our visit to Yorktown was filled with interesting exhibits relating to the end of the Revolutionary War. The town is most famous as the site of the siege and subsequent surrender of the British to General George Washington and the French Fleet during the American Revolutionary War on October 19, 1781.
Starting our visit to the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center, we learned about the munitions used during the war. We were lucky to learn of this from a particularly enthusiastic park ranger. Next, we followed the suggested driving tour, giving us a sense of the relationship of various locations of importance to the war. We came back again the next day and visited the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. While the exhibits at the museum were excellent, the highlight for us was the actual firing of a cannon (after a re-education of the types of munitions we had learned the day before). Boy was that ever loud! Given the rate at which these cannons were fired, it must have been unbelievably noisy!
That evening, we had an especially enjoyable Yorktown Sunset Sail on the Schooner Alliance. We normally book tours on Get Your Guide. However, we found this particular booking independently online.
Jamestown
We loved our visit to Jamestown in the Historic Triangle. Jamestown is sometimes spelled Jamestowne and served as the colonial capital from 1616 until 1699. Because the Jamestowne settlement in the Colony of Virginia was the first permanent English settlement in the Americas, we would recommend it as a must visit. We found an excellent museum called Jamestown Settlement which tells the story of the Native Americans and the English as they adapted to one another and survival. All and all, it was much more interesting and educational than Plymouth Rock. Specifically, it was located on the northeast bank of the James River, about 2.5 mi (4 km) southwest of the center of modern Williamsburg.
Hampton Roads Winery
While in Jameston we crossed the James River, to visit the Hampton Roads Winery. Surprisingly, this is an interesting place as it contains The World’s Highest Goat Tower. However, the wine was not anything to write home about. On the ferry there, we also spotted a magnificient osprey nest incredibly close to the ferry; you could almost touch the nest. As a result, the three ospreys seemed a little nervous when the ferry landed.
What is the mid-Atlantic region – Charlottesville
Okay, it will take a little bit longer than two hours to get to Charlottesville from Washington, DC. Nevertheless, it is worth the trip to visit Thomas Jefferson’s famous Monticello home and the University of Virginia.
What is the mid-Atlantic region – Little Washington
If you are trying to figure out what is the Mid-Atlantic region, you maybe confused to learn that there is another Washington in the State of Virginia. Accordingly, it is located about one hour and fifteen minutes from Charlottesville and about an hour and a half from Washington, DC.
Okay, why go to Little Washington? For us, it was solely to visit The Inn at Little Washington. How can anyone imagine this place, with that perfect combination of elegance and whimsy. A rolling cow named Faira displays cheeses. As you leave, you receive a small 3D replica of the inn, filled with cookies. Chef Patrick O’Connell, referred to as “the Pope of American Cuisine” is genius.
Chef O’Connell’s approach to cooking reflects a belief in American cuisine today–healthy, eclectic, imaginative, unrestricted by ethnic boundaries and always growing. Much of the produce and herbs come from the small farm on campus. Chef O’Connell has a Michelin three-star award. Also, he has been awarded Lifetime Achievement Award from the James Beard Foundation. In addition, he is the recipient of the National Humanities Medal from the President of the United States; also, the Inn has been awarded Wine Spectator Grand Award for 26 years. Please go out of your way for this amazing experience!
