Old Town Fairfax –check out the old Courthouse, which is still used today, and some cool old shops and taverns. There are several bike-friendly parking lots and 1 parking garage (on Route 123).
Fairfax Museum – One of the best museums in the area, celebrating local history, especially the Civil War era. 703-385-8414
Old Town Alexandria – lots of great shopping, restaurants, and people-watching, and some of the best views of the Potomac River in the area. Parking is plentiful but not free.
Torpedo Factory – in Old Town Alexandria, a great place for the arts
Shenandoah National Forest, Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway – it’s hard to find a more scenic road in the area. Fantastic motorcycling with wide scenic vistas! Don’t forget to get "lost" on the way back through some of Virginia’s finest horse farms and vineyards and coincidentally, some of Virginia’s best motorcycle roads.
Smithsonian Institution and The Mall, DC – What better place to spend the day sight-seeing and checking out all the FREE museums? For some fun, rent a paddle boat in the Tide Pool at the Jefferson Memorial. Smithsonian Visitor Services 202-633-2494
Georgetown, DC – see the sites, do some boutique shopping, dine at fantastic restaurants and take in the local nightlife. Rub elbows with senators and congressional types!
Arlington National Cemetery – see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Eternal Flame at JFK’s grave. It’s a must for everyone visiting the area. 703-607-8000
War memorials: WWII , Korean , Vietnam Wall – Insider tip: see the new WWII memorial at night if you can, and the Korean and the Wall in the very early morning before the crowds roll in.
National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle VA – A great museum that chronicles the history of the USMC, including taking patrons through "Basic Training" and a simulated Rifle Range. 877-635-1775
Some of the nation’s best golf courses – if you can figure out how to safely carry golf clubs on a Softail, you need to let our sales manager know immediately.
Virginia Wine Country – check out Virginia Wine Country Tours at 540.622.2505 for guided tours, or sample some of your favorites at home and schedule a wine tasting at the vineyard (the riding is fantastic through wine country). Look for Oasis, Gray Ghost, Prince Michel, Jefferson Vineyards, Stone Mountain, Ingleside, and Williamsburg Winery just to name a few. Please, ride responsibly!
National Air and Space Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly VA – part of the Smithsonian, it houses all the oversized planes that can’t be shown at the museum on The Mall. The museum is free, but parking isn’t. Smithsonian Visitor Services 202-633-2494
Mt Vernon, George Washington’s plantation in Mt. Vernon VA – One of the best kept historic sites in the country, there’s something new every time you visit! Try to get there early; the main parking lot is paved, but the overflow lot is gravel 703-780-2000
Battlefields – ride to Antietam (MD), Gettysburg (PA), Fredericksburg (VA) or Manassas (VA) to check out four historic Civil War battlefield parks. There are some fantastic back roads to ride heading to Antietam and Gettysburg. Antietam: 888-257-2600. Gettysburg: 717-334-1124. Fredericksburg: 540-373-6122. Manassas: 703-361-1339.
Harper’s Ferry in West Virginia – check out the National Parks Service website for more info, and again, some great riding on the back roads leading to this quaint historic city. Combine with Charles Town Slots; only 8 miles apart.
Charles Town Races and Slots in Charles Town WV – gorgeous ride out for some fun casino times. Open 24 hours on the weekends! 800-795-7001
Burke Lake Park, Burke VA – stretch out after an all day ride; rent some kayaks or rowboats, go fishing, hike the 4.5 mile loop, hit some golf balls, play putt-putt with the kids.
Gravelly Point in Arlington VA – it’s a nice little park near Regan National Airport, and when the winds are just right, it’s in the landing pattern. Great for plane watching!
National Harbor – just over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, it’s an amazing brand new city that knows how to play.
Inner Harbor, Baltimore MD – another great ride, and a fun place to watch the boats, see the Aquarium, and there are no better crab cakes anywhere on earth!
Maryland International Raceway , Mechanicsville, MD – local drag track recently has undergone a $1 million renovation. They run both cars and bikes; Friday night is usually bike night but call ahead to make sure. 301-884-9833
Summit Point Motorsports Park , Summit Point WV – three different extremely technical road racing courses for both cars and motorcycles. 304-725-8444
Budds Creek, Mechanicsville MD – off-road park that hosts AMA Motocross and Motocross Lite races. 301-475-2000
Local music events and plays – check out Nissan Pavillion, Merriweather Post Pavillion, Wolftrap, the National Theatre, the Warner Theatre, and the Kennedy Center, just to name a few.
And don’t forget all of the local professional teams – Redskins, Nationals, Orioles, Ravens, DC United, Wizards, Capitals, Mystics, and Potomac Nationals (Class A Advanced baseball in Woodbridge VA).
Tips for Parking and Touring:
For some, traffic can be intimidating in the DC Metro area. But for many there’s no better way to get around DC than by Harley. It’s easier to find parking and also easier to get through traffic congestion.
Rush hour traffic is generally between 6 am -9:30am, and 3 pm – 6:30 pm. Remember, you’re on a motorcycle, so if you see HOV lanes, use ‘em!
Metro parking lots: The closet Metro subway stop to Patriot is the Vienna station, just off I-66. There are bike parking spots up close to the station; take the second turn into the short-term parking lot, and follow around to the sidewalk. During the week these can fill quickly, and you’re left to fend for yourself in the parking garages. Don’t be tempted to park on the sidewalk or in a non-marked spot, they will tow! Also, many hotels will have shuttles to the nearest Metro stations, so call ahead before you make reservations.
A great time to tour the Mall and the major monuments is in the evening – you avoid a lot of the crowds and the heat of the day. National Park Service Police keep things relatively safe, but make sure to park in a well-lit spot just in case.
Washingtonpost.com has a great feature called City Guide. For restaurant and entertainment reviews, it’s hard to find a more comprehensive local list. Searchable by area.Don’t overplan your trip – the Capital Metro area is a vibrant and ever-changing place; you might happen up on a Tahitian Festival or a Chili Cookoff on any given weekend. Keep your options open!
