Third for Manassas (though only two battles were fought there). The battlefield is quite easy to get to - all you need to do is to follow US 29 south.
If you have a chance, go see downtown Mansassas. There are some neat train-related exhibits there if you are interested. Manassas is still a major railroad hub.
Also consider the Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, which has a lot of resources, and is also housed inside a former KKK meeting house.
Thomas Jefferson once said that the view from on top of a certain rock was so beautiful that if a European tourist spent the money to come to the US and only got to see the view from on top of that rock, it would be worth the cost of the trip. Unfortunately, the US Park Service won’t let you climb on top of the rock anymore, but you can get close.
Also, across the street from Ford’s Theatre is the boardinghouse where Lincoln actually died. The bed he died in is still there. It’s now a museum, I think run as a National Park.
Although Fort McHenry isn’t known as a Civil War site, it did serve as a prison during the Civil War and its guns were trained on the city of Baltimore to discourage rioting throughout the war.
Of course, Fort McHenry is primarily known for its role in the War of 1812, and the home of the Star-Spangled Banner.
It is certainly worth a visit if your time allows it, it is well preserved and a beautiful place to visit and have a picnic. The Park rangers give an excellent tour, but it is just as enjoyable to take a solo tour around the Fort and read all the signs.
Since you are coming in from Boston, it is right off I-95, not even 5 minutes from the exit ramp.
I don’t think DC is the best city to visit for civil war sites because a) they’re far in between and b) the time spent going has a massive opportunity cost for all of the cool non-war attractions.
A city like Charleston might suit your interests better. I was just there a couple weekends ago. Beautiful city and deeply steeped in history.
Wow, I must drive almost right by your house on the way to work. I noticed the sign for the cottage went up a few years ago; I think it was right after a popular children’s author wrote a book called “Lincoln and His Boys” that talked about it.
I took a motorcycle ride up Georgia Avenue to Gettysburg a couple of years ago (obviously it’s not called Georgia Avenue up that far). It would be a pleasant drive, or I don’t think it would be horribly out of the way from Anteitem.
I’d recommend using Fredericksburg, VA as a base for touring Civil War battlefields. It’s true that Gettysburg, Antietam, and Harper’s Ferry would be a bit far, but most of the main engagements between the Army of the Potomac and the Army of Northern Virginia would be in easy reach: Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, etc.
I drove up from DC to Gettysburg by myself last summer. It was my first time at Gettysburg and honestly, it was maybe an hour - give or take 15 mins. It’s a fairly easy drive and there are fireworks stands and other fun tourist traps along the way. Very underrated daytrip for DC area people. For whatever reason, it always seemed like this ridiculously far-off destination. I would have figured that Richmond was closer than Gettysburg but Gettysburg is not only closer but much easier/pleasant-er to get to.
Yeah, I remember when they finally opened it up, the Soldiers’ Home had been closed to the public for decades. I’m embarrassed to say I still haven’t visited the cottage.
etv78, this is a serious offer: if, when you come to DC, I’m in town, I’d be happy to make a daytrip one Saturday down to Manassas Battlefield in my car. I will even regale (bore) you with details about where my great-great grandfather fought at the first battle and my family’s history in the area. I travel a lot for work, so that could be the one hiccup.
If you’re interested, PM me and I’ll send you my email.
Gee, when I was in rehab they didn’t let me near a computer and could only use the phone with Big Nurse’s permission.
The nice thing about DC is that almost every major battle in the East was waged within a short drive. Most of them mentioned are bedroom communities for DC, Arlington, and Fairfax County. Unfortunately, battlefields are just fields without the battles going on. The Wilderness is an exception–it was just wilderness the last time I was there. What I would do is a day trip up to Gettysburg because the museums are best, and if you have to look at a field there’s none better than that damned corn field Pickett’s men marched across. It’s creepy wide with no cover and, even though I bleed Yankee Blue, I have to take my hat off to those poor bastards.
Monticello is lovely, and so is Madison’s home, Montpelier, which is on the way. Mt Vernon never impressed me. However, please bear in mind that I haven’t been out that way since 1971, so things may have changed. Mostly it’s more exurban sprawl.
Walking across that field in the hot July sun was one of the most somber, sobering, and depressing moments of my life. It was even more disorienting making the walk in reverse since The Angle is closest to the visitor’s center. Going from The Angle back to where Lee’s camp was, then looking back to see just how far those Rebs got? It’s unreal.
Another vote for Gettysburg, depending on your definition of “near.” Well worth an overnight trip from DC. We drove from Gettysburg to DC in just a few hours a couple of years ago. Had come from Philadelphia and flopped at the Motel 6 on the edge of town. Spent the day at the battlefield – the guided tours are recommended – then left about 5 or 5:30pm and was in DC I’m sure by no later than 10pm.
My daughter considered attending the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. My reaction was, “On Seminary Ridge!? I don’t have happy associations with that school.” Today she’s on a mission trip to South Dakota. I guess she’s learned because when I pressed her about where in SD she said, “I don’t know, exactly.” I found out where, the Pine Ridge Reservation, and of course my reaction would have been, “You’re going to Wounded Knee? I don’t have happy associations with that place.” Too bad, too, because I could’ve spooked her with stories about the Ghost Dance, this time with real ghosts.
From the 270 spur on the Capital Beltway, I think it’s about 35 miles to Frederick and then Gettysburg is about another 40 miles further, not that far over the Md-Pa border. Depending on the time of day and departure point, you could get there in 1 1/2 to 2 hours (north is the reverse commute in the morning along 270; the Beltway sucks in either direction).
I’m also on a smartphone.