For the Inn Crowd

The Mid-Atlantic area is full of charming inns and bed-and-breakfasts.  I've already commented on a few of them in earlier posts.  The historic ones are probably my favorites - houses with pasts.

The Wayside Inn is probably known more for its peanut soup and theatre than the inn itself.  But it passes the history test with flying colors.

Travelers started coming to the Inn in Middletown, VA way back in 1797 when it was known as Wilkinson's Tavern on the Valley Pike (which is now Rt. 11 which parallels I-81 in the Shenandoah Valley).  The Inn served both Union and Confederate soldiers during the Civil War.  Just before the War the name of the Inn was changed to Larrick's Hotel. In the early 20th century a second floor was added with wings on each side and the Wayside Inn came into being.  The Inn proclaimed itself "America's First Motor Inn."   In the 1960's a Washington financier purchased the Inn and restored and refurbished it with hundreds of antiques.  The Inn was purchased again in 2009.

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, The Inn at Little Washington is a double Five Star, double Five Diamond Award winning hotel and restaurant.  Many Washingtonians make the 2-hour trek to Washington, VA to dine and stay at this very well known Inn.  Take your wallet with you.   The meals are legendary.  Foodies will love it! 

A little closer to my area is Clifton, just outside of Charlottesville.   The house was built and used by Thomas Mann Randolph who served as the Governor of Virginia.  During the Civil War the children of General John Mosby, the "Grey Ghost of the Confederacy" stayed at Clifton. The house remained a private residence until 1985 when it was restored by its current owners and turned into an Inn. It sits on 95 acres today and receives great reviews.  Book early!

Here is Clifton in 1890:

One of my favorites is the Inn at Phillips Mill which is in Bucks County, PA, just a few hours from New York City.  It is near New Hope, PA, a very popular area for tourists, artists and antique collectors.

A few others worth mentioning include the Ashby Inn in Paris, VA (just beyond Middleburg and Upperville), the Goodstone Inn in Middleburg and L'Auberge Provencal in White Post, VA.  These sit smack in the middle of the Virginia Hunt Country. You can spend the day in nearby Millwood, Upperville and Middleburg.

Here is the Goodstone Inn:

The Ashby Inn in Paris, VA:

An interior room at L'Auberge Provencal which is about 10 minutes from Ashby:

What are some of your favorites!