Looking for a Quick Getaway? Try a Holiday Destination Just a Quick Trip From DC

The Holiday Gingerbread display at The Ivy Hotel

By Tim Ebner | Edible DC

The holidays are almost upon us, yet what is usually a busy travel season has turned into rearranged or canceled plans for most.

Travel may still be on hold, but there are destinations closer to home where you can get away, safely socially distance, and enjoy food-centric activities, whether it’s a special occasion or a weekend getaway.

Edible DC has been traveling smarter this year, limiting stays to small and nearby destinations. It also helps to prioritize stays at hotels that take safety seriously and limit interaction between guests and staff.

Here have been some of our top picks this year, in case you’re already dreaming about travel in 2021.

Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh

The Biergarten is a rooftop bar and restaurant with views of downtown Pittsburgh

Steel City is an ideal weekend getaway for food lovers who also want to get outdoors and partake in some fresh-air activities. The Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh is centrally located in downtown Pittsburgh, and it has upped its game with safety procedures in response to COVID-19. For starters, rooms include a personal clean kit, guestroom floors are guaranteed not to exceed 50 percent occupancy, and instead of drinks at the lobby bar, the hotel has opened a massive rooftop beer garden, heated for the winter months. There you’ll find German-style pub fare along with warm-spiced cocktails to keep you cozy.

The hotel is also offering extra incentives for weekend trips, like free parking, in-room breakfast for two, and suites decorated for the holiday. While you’re in Pittsburgh you can stay active and outdoors by partaking in a self-guided architecture walking tour, bike to Pittsburgh’s Point State Park (hotel bikes are included in your stay), or eat at one of the many heated patios along the city’s infamous food corridor in the Strip District. Also, are you a dog parent? Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh is pet friendly and pets of any size are welcome for no additional fee. Reservation can be made online.

The Ivy Hotel

Ease into a stress-free holiday staycation or “mini-moon” at The Ivy Hotel in Baltimore.

You can still make the most of a special occasion or the festive season at The Ivy Hotel in Baltimore’s historic Mount Vernon neighborhood. This small-scale, 18-room hotel is the perfect option for a staycation, where all the extras, including in-room snacks and drinks as well as a gourmet breakfast, are complimentary. For the upcoming holidays, The Ivy is getting into the spirit with a special package that includes your choice of spiked hot chocolates or in-room afternoon tea service, plus spa treatment and dining credits.

For those celebrating a special occasion, like a wedding elopement, The Ivy recently launched a “tiny-moon” package that includes champagne, a $200 dining credit, rose petal turn-down service, and a made to order breakfast in-room.

The property also has an expansive courtyard, plus firepits, for outdoor dining at the critically-acclaimed restaurant Magdalena, featuring a range of seafood dishes from the Chesapeake region.

Executive Chef Mark Levy focuses on plates that are local and seasonal, in dishes such as Eastern Shore lump crab cake, Southern-style Maryland ham, and goat cheese ravioli with roasted mushrooms and butterscotch squash cooked in brown butter and sage. Reservations for overnight stays and dinner can be made online.

Dogfish Inn

Beach lovers can enjoy some downtime at the Dogfish Inn in Lewes, Delaware.

Off-season beach visits are an easy way to unwind and unplug. The Dogfish Inn in quaint and charming Lewes, Delaware is not only a beer-lovers delight, but it also offers a low-key setting where you can safely social distance. And the property is pup-friendly too.

The property’s layout naturally lends itself to space. Each room opens to the outdoors, and there are only 16 rooms, which means the vibe here feels extra small and personal. Also, enjoy outdoor activities, like a firepit and bikes to get you around town and eating in Lewes.

The town centers around 2nd Street, and restaurants like Heirloom, a modern-American eatery, Striper Bites, a seafood shack, and Harbour, a scenic spot by the canal, offer heated outdoor dining options. Meanwhile, Dogfish Brewery is only a short 20-minute drive, or you can visit the Dogfish Head brewpub in Rehoboth. Dogs that are up-to-date on vaccinations can some too, contact the hotel in advance to check on dog-available rooms. Reservations are available online.

Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore

The ice rink is now open at the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore.

Winter festivities have been reimagined at the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore, which recently opened on a rooftop ice rink that’s limited to timed-reservations only. The outdoor, fifth-floor terrace was transformed recently into a Winter Village with private cabanas and fire pits for rent, plus festive holiday decor and lively music. Guests can warm-up with food and beverage favorites, including hot chocolate and apple cider, handcrafted cocktails, and a sweet-and-savory crepes station.Or head downstairs to a top-rated restaurant with outdoor patio seating. The South American-inspired restaurant Maximón offers stunning harbor views and elevated Spanish-style courtyard surroundings. And guests looking to stay the night can take advantage of seasonal specials. The romance package is a perfect way to celebrate a special anniversary, and if you book before the end of November, room rates are 20 percent off with flexible rebooking options should you need to change your travel plans. Book your stay online.

Quirk Hotel

With two properties in Richmond and Charlottesville, you can easily enjoy a Virginia weekend away at Quirk Hotel.

With two locations in Richmond and Charlottesville, Quirk Hotel is a boutique property that’s an excellent way to explore nearby Virginia food destinations. And with enhanced safety and flexibility for bookings, you can reserve a room at no risk.

The newer of the two properties, Quirk Hotel Charlottesville has also partnered with the local Charlottesville Ballet to offer festive experiences throughout the month, from virtual live streams to Ballerina happy hours featuring themed holiday cocktails and mocktails. Book the hotel’s “Merry in the Making” package, bookable through December and includes champagne, free parking, and a local holiday shopping guide ideal for last-minute gifting.

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Tim Ebner

Tim Ebner is a Washington, DC-based food and travel writer, and winner of the 2020 IACP Award for Best Beverage Focused Column. A contributor to EdibleDC and recent guest editor, he also writes for the Washington Post, Eater DC, Forbes Travel, Thrillist, and City Paper. Follow him @ebnert