The Town of Washington was surveyed by a young George Washington in 1749 and remains to a remarkable degree a village in which he would still feel at home. Rappahannock County as a whole, nestled against Shenandoah National Park, has thousands of acres of land in scenic and agricultural easement, preserving a rural way of life (enjoy apple- or peach-picking) with 21st Century social and cultural amenities (attend a concert, visit an art gallery).
Whether you wish to spend a quiet day reading in our library or gardens, shop for antiques, hike mountain trails, go wine-tasting, or have a gourmet dinner, you can find it all within steps or a few miles of the Gay Street Inn. Here are just some of the many nearby attractions to help you plan your visit:
Restaurants
From the 5-star/5-diamond dining room of the Inn at Little Washington , to the authentic English pub food and dart boards of the Griffin Tavern, good food and spirits are within walking or easy driving distance.
Among our other favorites:
Award-winning Vineyards and Wineries
The Grapes of Rappahannock increasingly have been bringing home major awards from around the country. Tastings in beautiful settings, opportunities for picnic lunches and special events abound at these and other local vineyards and wineries:
Shenandoah National Park
With hundreds of miles of hiking trails and gorgeous views by car from Skyline Drive, this unspoiled mountain park is truly a national treasure. Autumn, of course, is spectacular, but the Park puts on a new face for every season and has activities to offer everyone.
Concerts and Movies
The Theatre at Washington offers world-class concerts, comics and movies on
selected weekend evenings. Walk just two blocks –
and home-made popcorn to boot!
Art, Antique and Gift Stores
Innkeeper Kevin Adams is also an artist and his paintings are on display both at the Inn and around the corner at R.H. Ballard Art, Rug & Home, which is a “destination shop” not to be missed. There are many other fine retailers in the area, including in the historic downtown districts of Front Royal, Culpeper and Warrenton. The Town of Washington features a large antiques emporium, Rush River Antiques (540-675-1410), several art galleries, including the Packing Shed, Middle Street and Geneva Welch galleries, and the famous gift shops at the Inn at Little Washington, all within a block or two of the Gay Street Inn. A few of our other local favorites:
Horseback Riding
In nearby Hume, the Marriott Ranch offers scheduled trail rides and special services.
Call for information: (540) 364-3741 or 2627.
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