If Your Idea of Romance Is a Wine-Country Spa
Charlottesville
Distance from DC: Two hours and 15 minutes
There’s nothing like escaping the cold and slipping into the comfort of a posh hotel room and luxurious spa. Keswick Hall offers both, with eight treatment rooms to accommodate side-by-side massages using oils scented with the property’s herbal blend. After your services, linger in the marble changing areas, taking advantage of the steam rooms and dry saunas. The spa’s serenity room is an airy space with a wall of windows looking onto a peaceful forest, ideal for relaxing together with tea in hand.
Wine and dine: It’s tempting to stay on the property and spend the evening at Marigold, Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s candlelit restaurant with a fireplace. But if you do leave, nearby vineyards and wineries are an inviting option. Splurge on a tasting in the warm Library 1821 at Barboursville Vineyards or enjoy an unhurried wine flight and stunning views at Pippin Hill or King Family. On your way back to the DC area, detour through Early Mountain Vineyards for a wine sampling and lunch in the sleek tasting room.
If Your Idea of Romance Is a Waterfront Escape
Eastern Shore
Distance from DC: An hour and a half
For an idyllic weekend by the water, few places are more charming than Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Enjoy the quiet of the off-season at the Oaks Waterfront Hotel, reopening February 10, where you can gaze at the Miles River from your room, a short drive from downtown Easton. Or check into the Wildset Hotel, a stylish boutique spot in the heart of walkable St. Michaels. Complimentary s’mores await guests ready to snuggle around the fire pits, and fresh oysters are shucked nightly at Ruse, the hotel’s restaurant.
Walk this way: Meander around historic St. Michaels, popping into local businesses such as Olde Town Candy Company, the Preppy Redneck, Chesapeake Trading Company, and the Shops at Sea Captain’s Cottage. Easton has a bounty of great restaurants, including the elegant Bas Rouge; Sunflowers & Greens for fresh salads; Washington Street Pub for elevated tavern fare; and Bonheur, a cafe where glass cases are filled with sweet treats. Jump-start your 2026 reading goals at Flying Cloud Bookseller before heading back to your hotel to curl up with your loved one, a cup of something warm, and your new books.
If Your Idea of Romance Is Gazing at Art
Philadelphia
Distance from DC: Two and a half hours
This city is a great destination for an itinerary of hand-in-hand museum strolls. Book a room at the Bellevue, a 1904 gilded beauty conjuring the glamour of a different era. Or root yourself in the modern W Philadelphia, where the Away spa beckons couples after a day of exploring, with its heated pool and restorative treatments.
Paint the town: The Philadelphia Art Museum is an obvious stop, with its world-class acquisitions and famed “Rocky steps,” but for a more intimate experience, make your way to the Barnes Foundation. The museum is renowned for its Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and early modern works; an exhibit of Henri Rousseau paintings is on display through February 22. Turn your visit into an art crawl: A five-minute walk brings you to the Rodin Museum, the only space outside Paris dedicated solely to the sculptor, with nearly 150 marbles, plasters, and bronzes from throughout his career. Next door is the new Calder Gardens, an indoor-outdoor museum displaying the works of Alexander Calder, famous for his mobiles. Afterward, head to the hip Fishtown neighborhood to warm up with cocktails at the popular date-night spot R&D before moving on to dinner at Suraya, a Levant-inspired restaurant. (We recommend booking in advance.)
If Your Idea of Romance Is a Lovely Small Town
Leesburg
Distance from DC: One hour
One of Northern Virginia’s most charming hamlets is reinvigorated thanks to new shops, restaurants, and a boutique hotel. Make a dreamy weekend of it with a downtown stay at the recently opened Hotel Burg, steeped in Loudoun County’s equestrian-chic style. (Think rich, moody-toned walls, timeworn antiques, and enough tartan textiles to make Ralph Lauren proud.) Wind down on your first night with drinks at the hotel’s atmospheric Diana Lounge before settling in for dinner at the Huntōn, the new American restaurant onsite.
Breath of fresh air: Spend a day exploring Leesburg’s picturesque retail scene, with stops at the European homewares shop Crème de la Crème, curated vintage retailer Muz & Rose, and vinyl purveyor Dig! Records & Vintage. A short drive outside downtown brings you to Lucketts, a pilgrimage spot for antiques lovers. Secure an evening table at Shutters on King, a newcomer (and former antiques shop) serving Hunt Country–inspired dishes in a setting that somehow feels both modern and reminiscent of a Colonial tavern. Chances are at least one fireplace will be glowing. On the return trip, detour through the tiny town of Waterford, where pastries, homewares, and good coffee await at the Corner Store.
If Your Idea of Romance Is a City Holiday
Richmond
Distance from DC: Two hours
There’s delight in playing tourist in a fresh city, especially during winter when the streets, restaurants, and museums are just a little bit quieter. Travel to Virginia’s capital and check into the Quirk Hotel. The art-filled space occupies a 1916 Italian Renaissance building in the center of the cultural district.
Stage direction: Plan your visit around one of Richmond’s many performing-arts offerings, such as the Richmond Ballet’s Valentine’s Day–weekend production of Giselle or a night of love songs from the Great American Songbook at Mooney Hall. For a preshow dinner, consider funky, French-leaning L’Opossum or nostalgic, Basque-inspired Adarra. Finish the night with a glass of wine at one of the city’s many hip wine bars, such as Penny’s or Jardin. In the morning, enjoy big plates of brisket, bagels, and blintzes at Perly’s, which often commands a line.
This article appears in the February 2026 issue of Washingtonian.
