The four-ish-hour road trip from DC to NYC makes it easy for Washingtonians to get a taste of the Big Apple. And the plethora of low-cost bus lines between the cities makes it affordable, too.
Because there are so many competitors, each offers a range of enticing perks for a smoother trip, from luck-of-the-draw $1 tickets to free wi-fi and power outlets. Many companies even offer trips departing from Maryland and Virginia stops, perfect for people who don’t want to deal with shoving their way through Union Station on a Friday after work.
Here’s a rundown of some of the District’s busiest bus lines:
Washingtonian readers can save up to 40 percent at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay this month. Photograph courtesy of the hotel
December dazzles at this time of year—trees glitter, figurines dance in store windows, and aromas of pine, cinnamon, and gingerbread float through the air. New York may be the ultimate holiday city, but Washington and Philadelphia put on great holiday displays, too. Celebrate the season in one of these cities or, for a more relaxing time, consider a getaway to a nearby resort or sunny Florida.
All of this month’s travel deals are exclusive for readers of The Washingtonian.
November ushers in the holiday season. Why not steal away before it gets hectic? Perhaps a weekend in New York or Philadelphia? Rounds of golf by the beach? A relaxing few days in Bermuda or at a nearby B&B?
Just in case you have guests coming for the holidays, we have a Washington hotel for them to stay at, too. It’s such a good price you might want to stay there yourself.
All these deals are exclusive for readers of The Washingtonian.
Fall is a wonderful time for a getaway: The leaves are changing, the days are cool, and chefs are creating delicious seasonal dishes. Whether you want to head to the country or the city, we have exclusive reader deals.
You can save money at the Inn at Leola Village in Amish country. Photograph courtesy of the Inn at Leola Village
Autumn may be the Mid-Atlantic’s most beautiful time of year. From enjoying fall leaves to winetasting, here are exclusive Washingtonian travel packages to help you savor the season.
The Clifton Inn's serene swimming area is just one of the hotel's enticing amenities. Photograph courtesy of Clifton Inn
From our November 2007 issue.
VIRGINIA IS FOR WINNIE THE POOH LOVERS
Clifton Inn
1296 Clifton Inn Dr., Charlottesville, Va.; 888-971-1800
What’s special: Located in the heart of Charlottesville, the Clifton Inn sits on 100 acres in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Each of the 17 rooms features luxury linens, fresh flowers, and plush terrycloth robes. With a variety of accommodations, the inn can accommodate couples as well as families. The Collina Farmhouse, for example, which is set apart from the main house and other cottages, features five bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, and plenty of outdoor space where kids can run around. While a world of activities awaits off the property—tours of Thomas Jefferson’s historic Monticello, winetasting, shopping, and hiking—you may never want to leave. There are yard games, a swimming pool, tennis, and a private dock where kids can go fishing. At dinner, children will love sitting at the new chef’s counter, separate from the rest of the dining room, where they can watch the action in the kitchen.
The deal: The Winnie the Pooh package includes a turndown gift of Winnie the Pooh’s Bedtime Stories and a plush Pooh toy, a “hunny pot” filled with local Virginia honey, and free afternoon tea and continental breakfast daily. Mention The Washingtonian to also receive full breakfast for free (for up to four people), a value of up to $200 depending what’s ordered. Rates start at $295 midweek, $375 weekends.
When: Valid in September and October 2011.
Canaan Valley Resort in Davis, West Virginia offers a Labor Day special getaway to the mountains. Photograph courtesy of Flickr user richreed
TRAVEL DEALS
By Air
Travelzoo has $41 to $99 one-way flights over Labor Day weekend from September 3 to 6. Airlines include American, Delta, JetBlue, Airtran, United, Spirit and more. Click here for more details and to see a sample list of some of the flight deals the travel site found.
By Bus
If you’re traveling by Megabus this weekend, check out customer Megadeals. Once you purchase your tickets, look for the instructions in the Special Announcements section of your confirmation page. If you’re traveling to New York, deals include up to $55 off tickets to the Broadway musical Chicago, 15 percent off some of NYC’s sightseeing bus tours, and more. In DC, Megabus riders can save $5 off admission to Madame Tussaud’s. Philly visitors can get discounts to the city’s sightseeing tour via double decker bus, trolley, or house-drawn carriage. Click here for more details.
For some beachgoers, crossing this is scarier than a shark. Photograph courtesy of Flickr user Gary Hymes.
For most Washingtonians, the biggest worry about driving to the beach is Bay Bridge traffic. But Terri Robinson has gotten to know a different type of beachgoer—one who is paralyzed with fear by the sight of the bridge’s sweeping twin spans.
A driver for Kent Island Express, Robinson has shuttled thousands of drivers over the four-mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge, which whisks cars 186 feet into the air as they cross the Chesapeake to get to and from Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The bridge was named one of the ten scariest in the world by Travel & Leisure magazine.
Readers can save 10 percent off plus free cocktails at 70 Park Avenue Hotel. Photograph courtesy of Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants
Washington slows down in August—making it a good time to get away. These are special travel deals just for Washingtonian readers. Unless noted, all are for stays in August.
FUN ON THE BAY
Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina
Cambridge, Md.; 410-901-1234
What’s special: On 400 acres along the Choptank River, the resort offers beautiful vistas, relaxation, and lots of activities including four swimming pools and a spa.
Golfers will be challenged on the River Marsh course. The 17th hole, a par three over Shoal Creek, and the 18th, which runs along the Choptank, make a scenic ending.
Appreciate the great outdoors at Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa, which is set on 2,200 acres in the Allegheny Mountains. Washingtonian readers can receive a free room upgrade. Photo courtesy of Omni Hotels
Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors. Whether you want to stay close to home and explore Washington, get away to a luxury resort or a B&B, or go cycling, we’ve got great deals just for Washingtonian readers.
CAMP OUT IN LUXURY
Where: Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa, 2138 Business Route 220, Bedford, Pa.; 814-623-8100
What’s special: The resort, set on more than 2,200 acres in the Allegheny Mountains, has served as a meeting place for numerous US Presidents and dignitaries over the past 200 years. Stroll the halls and see many artifacts and memorabilia that reveal the resort’s rich history. Guests can enjoy a wide range of family activities on- and off-site, including the Anderson Explorers Kids’ Day Camp, hiking, biking, fishing, geocaching, and scavenger hunts. The outdoor aquatic complex includes an expansive sun deck, an oversize Jacuzzi, and private cabanas. Guests can also play tennis, golf on a championship course, take a dip in the heated indoor spring-fed swimming pool, and relax at the luxurious spa with its menu of treatments.
The deal: The Family Glamping Getaway—“glamping” is short for “glamorous camping”—offers lots of luxuries and creature comforts without the hassles of traditional camping. The package includes deluxe overnight accommodations, breakfast for up to two adults and two children, a choice of two hours of geocaching or two hours of fishing at Red Oak Lake (pole and worms included ), and a s’mores kit to roast at the fire pit. Also included is an REI Camp Dome Tent that you can set up on the resort’s front lawn or in your room or simply take home after your getaway. Package rates start at $409 a night on weekdays and $439 on weekends, a 30 percent savings. Washingtonian readers also receive a free room upgrade, depending on availability.
When: Valid now through Labor Day weekend, September 6, 2011.
