This is OP. Is Medieval Times worth doing for the kids? We could make a trip out of that if it’s fun.

Depending on where in Arlington you live, and if you drive at an off peak time, you may be able to make it to the Hyatt Chesapeake Bay beach resort in a little over an hour and a half. Prices are not outrageous if you have flexibility re: when you go (especially if you can go on a weekday, or Sunday-tues). Nice pool, kids activities, a tiny beach, and views of the bay.

This is closer to 2 hours but fits your needs.

https://www.massresort.com/#page-178

Annapolis

Wilmington for Winterthur?

Anonymous wrote:Shepardstown. WV
Waterford, VA
Culpeper, VA
Montpellier (Orange)

Depends on mobility, of course

PP here. None of these will work, now that I see your additional post. If you could make it 2 hours, you could get to Massanutten.

Luray Caverns

Harper’s Ferry

Gettysburg

Shepardstown. WV
Waterford, VA
Culpeper, VA
Montpellier (Orange)

Depends on mobility, of course

This would be for an overnight or weekend trip, and she is not very mobile. We’d take the whole family, including elementary school aged kids. Sorry I wasn’t clear. I’m looking for things that we can make feel like a little vacation for a young (but sick) mom and kids, when she can’t take a “real” vacation. Needs to be fun for the kids too. A hotel with a nice pool and something like mini golf would work fine, if that’s available. We can’t afford Salamander.

Anonymous wrote:Antique shops in Leesburg?

Frederick, Md?

It's hard to come up with ideas without a sense of your family member's interests. What do they like to do?

+1 and how mobile are they?

Even if not a drinker, Bluemont is a lovely area:
https://www.bluemontvineyard.com/new-blog/intro-bluemont-cottages

Downtown Leesburg (not sure if the cobblestones are an issue)

Occoquan Historic District

Harpers Ferry, WV

Downtown Winchester is very cute- good shops and restaurants

Antique shops in Leesburg?

Frederick, Md?

It's hard to come up with ideas without a sense of your family member's interests. What do they like to do?

Are you looking for a day trip or overnight?

Can we make a list of all the places a person can visit within an hour or hour and a half of Arlington, please? I have a family member with a long term illness and disability, and they can only travel that far. They are feeling really depressed about how small life has gotten and want to take some trips. We’ve done Baltimore, the hotel in Loudoun with the nice pool (can’t think of the name), and North Beach over the last couple of years. Where else can we go? Charlottesville is too far. Please send ideas!