Shenandoah and Washington, D.C.
7 days, 1 national park + 1 capital
7 days, 1 national park + 1 capital
Start/End: Washington, D.C.
Season: April - October
Length: 7 days (6 nights)
Driving: 400 miles total
2 days with 2 hours
Hiking: 10 - 20 miles total
Group Size: Any
Base Price: $2100 - $2500 (2 people)
This Shenandoah and Washington, DC adventure blends the natural beauty of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains with the rich history and culture of the nation’s capital. From scenic drives and waterfall hikes to world-class museums and iconic landmarks, this itinerary offers a perfect mix of outdoor exploration and urban discovery.
Flying into Washington, DC, you’ll begin your journey with a drive west to Shenandoah National Park. Over the next two days, you’ll explore the park’s famed Skyline Drive, which winds along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering sweeping views and access to over 500 miles of hiking trails. You can also learn about the lives of the mountain communities who once called this land home. Interpretive exhibits at visitor centers and preserved homesteads along the trails offer insight into Appalachian culture, Civilian Conservation Corps efforts, and the complex legacy of conservation in the region.
After soaking in the mountain air, you’ll head back toward DC with stops at the awe-inspiring Luray Caverns and the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy Center, home to space shuttles and aviation marvels..
The final days of your trip are dedicated to exploring Washington, DC. You can visit the Smithsonian museums, tour the Capitol and White House, and walk the National Mall to see the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and more. With time to dive into both natural wonders and national treasures, this trip offers a well-rounded and memorable experience for travelers of all ages.
You’ll arrange your air travel to Washington Dulles International Airport, and pick up the pre-arranged rental car. Your journey begins with a scenic two-hour drive to Shenandoah National Park. This peaceful mountain setting will serve as your base for exploring the park over the next two days. Settle in and enjoy the fresh mountain air.
Included: car rental, park entry, lodging
Today, you will spend the day exploring the scenic beauty of Shenandoah National Park, best known for its winding Skyline Drive and sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Whether you're looking for a challenging hike, a peaceful walk through the forest, or simply a relaxing drive with stops at overlooks, there are countless ways to enjoy the park. Shenandoah offers a variety of trails suited for all experience levels, from rugged mountain climbs to gentle, family-friendly paths.
Included: park entry, lodging
Enjoy another full day in Shenandoah to explore more of the park’s trails and overlooks. You can try something new today, such as a peaceful morning walk through the forest or a picnic at one of the many scenic pullouts along Skyline Drive. Along the way, you may encounter waterfalls, panoramic vistas, and opportunities to spot wildlife, including deer, black bears, and songbirds.
Included: park entry, lodging
On your journey back north to DC, you will stop at Luray Caverns. These impressive underground caves feature towering stone formations and mirrored pools. Afterward, drive about 90 minutes to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles Airport, where you can see historic aircraft and spacecraft, including the space shuttle Discovery. From there, continue into Washington, D.C. You may choose to return your rental car at IAD and take the Metro downtown, where you’ll stay for the remainder of your trip.
Included: cave entry, lodging
Spend the day exploring the many historic and cultural landmarks of Washington, D.C. Visit the Smithsonian museums along the National Mall, tour the U.S. Capitol and the White House, and take time to reflect at the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. You might also catch a performance or tour at Ford’s Theatre, where President Lincoln was assassinated.
Included: museum entries, lodging
Use your second full day in D.C. to dive deeper into the city’s offerings. Revisit your favorite museums or explore new ones, such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture or the National Gallery of Art. You can also stroll through the U.S. Botanic Garden or visit the National Zoo. In the evening, enjoy the city’s vibrant dining scene or take a nighttime monument tour.
Included: museum entries, lodging
After a week of exploring the serene landscapes of Shenandoah National Park and immersing yourself in the history and culture of the nation’s capital, it’s time to head home. On your final day, enjoy a relaxed morning in the city before heading to the airport for your flight home.
Do you want to spend more time in one or more areas? Or maybe you're just looking for a long weekend? We know these parks and can help make a modified plan for longer or shorter trips. Just ask!
To experience the various destinations, we’ve written this itinerary over 7 full days, with air travel on the 1st and 7th days. However, depending on your interest, availability, and flight options, you could extend by adding extra time to any of the locations. You could also shorten the trip by reducing the time spent at any of the locations
Flight schedules may also impact your ability to do the activities as planned. See more details under “getting there” and reach out for any changes needed.
The best time to complete this itinerary is from late April to early June and from September to mid-October. These seasons offer mild, comfortable weather ideal for hiking in the mountains and sightseeing in the city. In spring, you’ll enjoy blooming wildflowers in Shenandoah and the iconic cherry blossoms in D.C., while fall brings vibrant foliage to both the Blue Ridge Mountains and the capital’s tree-lined avenues. These windows also help you avoid the peak summer heat and winter chill, making for a more enjoyable and balanced travel experience.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Key: best months okay months not advised
Many accommodations and high-demand activity permits fill up quickly during peak seasons. Planning a minimum of 6 months in advance, or in some cases 12 months, increases availability. However, even with shorter time horizons, we will work to find options for you and your group.
Tip: The cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C. are a major attraction, with peak bloom usually occurring in late March or early April. The rich diversity of wildflowers in Shenandoah is particularly evident in spring at the lower elevations along streams. Later in the season, the banks of Skyline Drive and the Big Meadows area are great places to see summer and fall wildflowers.
Most nights on this trip involve lodging in 3-star hotels. Sometimes lodging in or adjacent to national parks may have fewer amenities, but is still the right choice based on location, as well as historic appeal.
If you would prefer more luxurious lodging, let us know and we can present additional options along with the price difference. If you would prefer to save some money, let us know and we can discuss less expensive options as well. If you are interested in camping, there are campgrounds convenient to some, but not all, of the locations. Talk to our team about camping options in lieu of hotels when making your reservation. This will reduce cost significantly, but also may not always be available as park service campgrounds in particular often fill up quickly. (Note that Wandersaurus does not provide or facilitate rental of camping equipment.)
The recommended hikes throughout this trip are mostly of the 2-4 mile variety and can be completed by a reasonably fit person without much specific training. No more than 6 miles of hiking are listed on any individual day. Suggestions for longer trails can also be found in the detailed itinerary for those looking for increased challenge or to see a bit more of the park.
In the case of hikes that are a bit more challenging than the others in the itinerary, detailed descriptions are provided as well as alternative suggestions if one or more are not right for your group.
Kids: You know your kids better than we do. A 5-year-old with enthusiasm for the outdoors and some hiking experience would not find any of these overly challenging. A 15-year-old with an “indoor cat” personality might struggle. That said, many trails are not stroller-friendly. A couple of individual trails will have notes of caution for kids in your detailed daily itinerary.
Compared to most other Wandersaurus trips, the stops on this itinerary are practically next-door neighbors. You will not have any driving days greater than 2 hours:
IAD to Shenandoah National Park: 2 hours
Shenandoah National Park to IAD: 2 hours
While half of the trip is spent in Washington, D.C., do not underestimate the amount of walking it will take to see the sights. This includes walking from sight to sight, as well as walking around any particular museum (ex., the Smithsonian Natural History Museum is HUGE!)
Washington, D.C. is served by three major airports, with Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) being the primary choice for many travelers arriving from across the country. Located ~ 25 miles west of downtown D.C., IAD is a major hub for United Airlines. The airport features a large, modern terminal and a wide range of amenities, including a consolidated rental car facility served by multiple agencies. While it’s a bit farther from the city center than Reagan National (DCA), it’s conveniently located for travelers heading to Shenandoah National Park, making it a practical starting and ending point for this itinerary. A morning arrival and afternoon departure are ideal, but if flight times don’t work, we can make changes to activity and/or lodging plans to accommodate.
The other two major airports in Washington, D.C. are Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). DCA is a 2.5-hour drive to Shenandoah National Park, and BWI is a 3-hour drive.
Travelers from nearby states may find it more affordable to drive their own vehicle to the area rather than fly and rent a car.
Baltimore, MD is 1.5 hours from DC and 3 hours from Shenandoah.
Philadelphia, PA is 3 hours from DC and 4.5 hours from Shenandoah.
Richmond, VA is 2 hours from DC and 2 hours from Shenandoah.
Charlotte, NC is 6.5 hours from DC and 5.5 hours from Shenandoah.
Pittsburgh, PA is 4.5 hours from DC and 5 hours from Shenandoah.
If you’ll be driving to the area, let us know the details and we can adjust the itinerary accordingly.
Some features of this trip may have seasonal variation, so all package prices are presented as estimated ranges. Contact us for a more precise price estimate for your preferred travel dates. Pricing does NOT include airfare.
This trip was originally designed for parties of 2 people, sharing a room. The expected total price for all included items is $2100 - $2500.
Groups of 3-6 people can enjoy this trip as well, with costs variable depending on room-sharing preferences. Contact us for details.
Unfortunately for solo travelers, very few of the costs are per-person activity fees, so we would expect the cost to be nearly the same.
While details of this trip were not designed with larger groups in mind, the itinerary would still be functional. Contact us to discuss!
Payments must be made by credit card. Specific restrictions may exist for certain lodging or activity vendors.
20% deposit due at time of reservation
Balance due 90 days before trip start date (If booking within 90 days of trip, full balance due at time of reservation)
Some portion of deposit may be nonrefundable, as some excursions or activity fees (which will have been booked upon confirmation) are nonrefundable. Accommodations and transportation will generally be reserved as refundable.
Fully refundable until 60 days before trip start, less $100 admin fee and any nonrefundable excursions
50% refundable until 14 days before trip start
If cancelling within 14 days of trip start, no refunds are given
Bespoke itinerary - tailored as needed to suit your particular requirements
Overnight accommodations for all nights
Rental car
Maps of all driving routes
Trail maps and trail descriptions for all recommended hikes
Restaurant recommendations, at a range of price points, highlighting vegetarian and kid-friendly options
“America the Beautiful” federal lands pass (grants access to all National Park Service facilities on the trip)
Tickets to all museums included in trip plan
Fees for any guided tours mentioned in trip plan
Expert advice and local information, including packing suggestions
Updated information on any changing conditions delivered in the weeks before your trip
Carbon offset credits for the mileage driven along the main route of the itinerary
Full support during your trip from the Wandersaurus Travel team (9:00 am until 9:00 pm Eastern Time)
Travel to and from your starting/ending points
Gasoline, parking, and/or any other ground transportation expenses unless specified
Meals unless specified
Additional guided tours or excursions beyond those specified
Tips/gratuities for any guides
Travel insurance. Note: we recommend purchasing travel insurance via a certified insurance agency