<p>The last weekend of May my fiance and I are going to be in Ohio for a graduation near the WV border and we’re hoping to take a small vacation (~3 days) in one of the above places. We’ve never been to these states so we have no idea where to even start looking. We both like history and I was hoping to go somewhere with some good microbreweries and/or wineries.</p>
<p>One place of interest to me is Alexandria but I don’t know much about it. </p>
<p>Any ideas? Thanks! 
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<p>We spent a few days in Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia two years ago. It’s sort of touristy but still fun. We enjoyed it. Lots of Civil War history there, The Appalachian Trail runs right through it if you like to hike. You can rent bikes and ride for miles on the canal trail by the river. There are several companies there that do the river rafting rides. DH and I even went zip-lining while there. The town is very walkable. </p>
<p>I find Frommer’s website very helpful</p>
<p>Not for everyone, but a great 3-day get-a-way for my family several years ago:</p>
<p><a href=“Green Bank Observatory — Science Website”>https://science.nrao.edu/facilities/gbt/</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://www.pocahontascountywv.com/”>http://www.pocahontascountywv.com/</a></p>
<p>I second Harper’s Ferry. There is great hiking on the Maryland Heights and Loudon Heights trails too. Antietam/Sharpsburg battlefield is not very far and Shepherdstown, WV is interesting too (about 12 miles away). </p>
<p>This restaurant is excellent - <a href=“http://www.patowmackfarm.com”>http://www.patowmackfarm.com</a> as is the Bavarian Inn, Yellow Brick Bank, Press Room and Bistro 112 (all in Shepherdstown except the first one).</p>
<p>Here’s a link for nearby vineyards: <a href=“Scout”>Scout;
<p>And here’s one for breweries and brewpubs: <a href=“Scout”>Scout;
<p>You can float down the Potomac in a raft but it’s sure to be a bit cold still!</p>
<p>Alternatively, you could visit Falling Water in Western PA or go to Virginia and visit Mt. Vernon. I think they have opened up George Washington’s old whiskey distillery near Mt. Vernon too. Alexandria and Mt. Vernon will be more crowded and urban than the other locations. Enjoy! </p>
<p>Falling Water is a great side trip if you’re anywhere in southwestern PA/Pittsburgh area. My H grew up not too far away and we’ve gone there numerous times.There are two other FLW house in the area as well. I’m planning on going to see them in August when we’re visiting H’s family. </p>
<p><a href=“Yahoo | Mail, Weather, Search, Politics, News, Finance, Sports & Videos”>Yahoo | Mail, Weather, Search, Politics, News, Finance, Sports & Videos;
<p>There’s a resort in southwestern PA that’s pretty upscale–but absolutely worth a splurge. It’s got everything you could want right on the property–lots of activities, restaurants, and more. Went there for my 50th birthday and really enjoyed it. There’s a spa at the resort as well.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.nemacolin.com”>http://www.nemacolin.com</a></p>
<p>As noted, Harper’s Ferry is interesting and the Bavaian Inn is quite nice.</p>
<p>Pittsburgh is a great city. You could go to Pittsburgh , then Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob, maybe Ligonier if there’s time.</p>
<p>Alexandria is nice , combined with Mt. Vernon and DC.</p>
<p>One area that has not been mentioned yet is the Charlottesville,Virginia area-Monticello, University of Virginia with its’ historic grounds founded by Jefferson, lots of wineries and microbreweries in the area.</p>
<p>Have fun!</p>
<p>If you go to Fallingwater, get timed tickets online and avoid the crowds. Ohiopyle is lots of fun, Pittsburgh has everything from the Warhol museum to the Aviary to the Carnegie Museums… Also the Heinz center (PA history)You can see the 9/11 site at Schencksville… There are some neat museums north of Pittsburgh — Titusville, where oil was first drilled, Some neat sites/museums in Venango county too…but that’s maybe too north. West Virginia has lots of beautiful parks but driving needs to be planned to make the most of your time – hilly geography!</p>
<p>Alexandria Virginia? 'Cause that’s pretty far from Ohio…</p>
<p>Thank you all for the suggestions! I’m going to go over them tonight with him when he gets off work. </p>
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<p>It’s about a 5.5-6 hour drive from where we’re at in OH and another 8 hours to go back home. That’s not terrible- I was giving ourselves about an 8 hour radius. Long drives don’t bother me. </p>
<p>This is kind of a celebration of our engagement (as it’s exactly one year before we’re getting married) and of my recent promotions so I’m willing to splurge a little bit. :)</p>
<p>ETA: I just looked up Harpers Ferry- wow that looks like such an interesting place! I think he’ll really like that. Thank you guys so much again (still accepting suggestions just in case) </p>
<p>Harpers Ferry is nice, as others have indicated, as there is lots of historic stuff and other nice little towns nearby-Shepherdstown WV with the Bavarian Inn, Charles Town WV, Antietam, Leesburg VA, etc.</p>
<p>My sister stayed at The Homestead. <a href=“http://www.thehomestead.com”>http://www.thehomestead.com</a>. I’m not sure but I think it’s close to where you are looking at. If you sign up for their email, they send specials out. </p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your suggestions. We ended up doing something completely different and we’re instead going to Lexington, KY. We decided there were too many things we wanted to see in the VA/DC area and we’re going to do a week long vacation there sometime later in the year. </p>
<p>Near Lexington, Kentucky, there is one of the most peaceful places I’ve ever been. It’s the Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill. Now it’s a combination inn, and historic site. The rooms are furnished much like when the Shakers were there, but with air conditioning and TV. But the beds are high, there are hooks on the walls, and hooked rugs on the floors. The restaurant serves Shaker meals. Surrounding the rooms are fields with ducks, geese, cows, gardens and green hills. It’s really wonderful.</p>
<p>You can’t go wrong in VA. It’s a magnificent state. Lots of history, of course. Naturally beautiful. The D.C. 'burbs are very diverse, great area. Any kind of international food you can imagine. Williamsburg, the tidewater area, the Chesapeake Bay…it’s just wonderful.</p>
<p>Kennywood amusement park outside of Pittsburgh? They have a few nice roller coasters, not enough for 3 days, but enough for 1!</p>
<p>Kennywood is cool. I worked there for a summer during college at the pony track (which is long gone). Also worked 2 summers at Cedar Point in Kiddieland. Have fun in Kentucky. Hope to get to Lexington and Louisville some day.</p>
<p>Since you decided on Lexington, KY and both enjoy history, you reminded me of a wonderful little trip we took to Hodgenville KY. I recall a quiet outdoor site with a log cabin on the property where Abe Lincoln spent his early years. It was moving to sit on that doorstep and imagine his world. There’s also a large monument, but this was more of an isolated location in the trees somewhere. Also Monmouth Caves National Park was very interesting to explore.</p>
<p>^ We were already planning on going to the Mary Todd house. Maybe we’ll make our way down there, too 
</p>
<p>My fiance really wants to go to the caves. We’re going to try to see if we can squeeze that in but it’s low on the priority list lol </p>