The Capital Region at Night
Maggi Smit • 3 January 2018
We know you love to explore and discover all the delights of your holiday that the daylight hours can bring. However we understand too that many of the characteristics that make a destination so special can be found after the sun goes down and perhaps nowhere is this more so than in the Capital region.
Live music, high energy nightclubs, award-winning theatres, superb restaurants and festivals make for a fascinating collection of delights after dark.
If you think Blackpool is famous for its lights, take a night time tour to see some of DC’s famous illuminated monuments, including the Lincoln, Jefferson and Vietnam Veterans memorials by taking the Monuments by Moonlight tour. Or maybe get a bird’s eye view of the Washington Monument, the US Capitol and Alexandria from a climate-controlled gondola on The Capital Wheel at National Harbor.
The region is awash with Jazz, comedy and dance clubs and you can perfect your Charleston and Lindy hop every Tuesday at The Jam Cellar, a weekly swing-dance club at northwest DC’s historic Josephine Butler Parks Center.
If you fancy a flutter the Maryland Live! Casino in Arundel Mills has more than 4,200 slot machines and nearly 200 table games including poker, black jack, craps and roulette. Then finish off the evening in one of the many specialist cocktail bars in a cosy environment or visit a roof top bar where you can view the night life in all its splendour.
More information here or phone 0208 7428299
From soaking in naturally heated mineral pools and staying on working ranches to driving historic mountain passes and spotting wildlife in the Rockies, Colorado offers a varied introduction to the American West. The state's landscapes stretch from the high peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the red sandstone formations around Denver and the vast sand dunes of the south. Along the way, you will find former mining towns, independent breweries, mountain communities and some of the darkest night skies in the country. Whether you are planning a self-drive holiday, a family trip or an outdoor adventure, these ten experiences reveal a different side of Colorado, beyond its well-known ski resorts.
Imagine stepping into the Memphis recording studio where Elvis Presley first made his mark, discovering the Nashville studio where country music legends recorded their hits, or standing in Bristol, where a series of recordings helped put country music on the map. Across Tennessee, in the southeastern United States, music is woven into the places you visit, from historic recording rooms to lively streets where musicians still play late into the night. For music lovers, a journey through Tennessee offers the chance to get closer to the artists, sounds and stories behind the songs. Nashville, the state capital, reveals the evolution of country music and its connections to other genres, Memphis takes you into the blues, soul, rockabilly and early rock ’n’ roll scenes, while Bristol traces the roots of country music. Together, they offer a fascinating insight into the music that helped shape American culture.
Discover Grapevine where historic streets, local wine tasting and the unmistakable spirit of the American West come together. Located in Texas between Dallas and Fort Worth , Grapevine offers the perfect base for discovering local culture, enjoying outdoor adventures and exploring the wider region. Wander along Historic Main Street, step into welcoming winery tasting rooms and browse independent boutiques tucked inside characterful historic buildings. Then take your adventure onto Lake Grapevine, where you can paddle along the shoreline, before heading to Fort Worth to watch the famous Stockyards cattle drive and experience Texas’s Western heritage. Plan your holiday around a lively wine festival, a summer day on the water or Grapevine’s spectacular Christmas celebrations. However you choose to explore, you will find plenty of ways to experience the character of this Texan town.
Maine is the largest of the New England states, where rugged Atlantic coastline, forest-covered mountains and historic towns create a holiday full of contrasts. Sail past rocky islands, enjoy a lobster roll beside a working harbour and head inland to discover clear lakes and winding country roads. Add maritime traditions, independent galleries and wildlife encounters, and you will find plenty of reasons to explore beyond the coast. Whether you are planning a summer escape by the sea, an autumn road trip or a winter break surrounded by snow-covered scenery, knowing where to go and when makes all the difference.
Jacksonville offers a different perspective on Florida. While many travellers head south in search of theme parks and packed resorts, Florida's largest city combines 22 miles of Atlantic coastline with historic neighbourhoods, a thriving food scene and one of the largest urban park systems in the United States. Here, mornings begin with sunrise over the ocean, afternoons are spent exploring rivers, marshes and coastal parks, and evenings revolve around waterfront restaurants, rooftop bars and local sporting events.
You have heard of Florida, but let us introduce you to Central Florida, where the Real Florida Magic comes to life. Home to seventeen welcoming communities, including Lakeland and Winter Haven, this region offers a wonderful mix of exciting attractions, rich culture and unforgettable adventures, all within easy reach of Orlando. Whether you are looking for family fun, outdoor adventures or a relaxing escape, you can enjoy everything from thrilling airboat rides and world class theme parks to historic attractions, beautiful gardens and peaceful natural surroundings, making Central Florida the perfect destination for your next holiday.
There are some places that surprise you, and Nevada is one of them.
Located in the heart of New York’s Hudson Valley, Dutchess County blends scenic beauty, rich history, and a vibrant cultural scene. Spanning 800 square miles of rolling countryside and historic landmarks, it invites discovery at every turn—from the riverside charm of Poughkeepsie, known as the Hudson’s Queen City, to its picturesque towns and villages. Home to the Culinary Institute of America and President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt, Dutchess County is where heritage, flavour, and landscape come together in unforgettable ways.
Crystal River invites you into a gentler side of Florida, where spring fed waters wind through quiet forests and wildlife drifts just beneath the surface. Days here move at an unhurried pace, shaped by warm Gulf breezes, peaceful lakes, and encounters with nature that feel both intimate and unforgettable. Whether you are gliding across clear water by kayak, cycling beneath towering trees, dining on freshly caught seafood, or wandering through centuries of history, the region offers a sense of calm and connection that stays with you long after you leave.
Exploring Oregon and Washington State is an opportunity of a lifetime. From the Hoh Rainforest to the newly renovated Seattle waterfront, there are spectacular opportunities to experience these remarkable states across a variety of climates. I was fortunate enough to travel from Portland to Seattle, including stops along the way in Astoria, the Evergreen Coast, and the Olympic Peninsula.