Shenandoah Valley (from Washington, D.C.)

Ninety minutes from the Beltway and you're in a valley that Civil War generals fought over and modern Washingtonians escape to. Skyline Drive runs 105 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge, with 75 overlooks that make politics feel very small. The valley floor has wineries (Virginia is serious about wine now), caverns (Luray is the biggest), and small towns like Staunton that have more personality than most state capitals. It's the antidote to D.C.