I also would suggest Powhatan Plantation in Williamsburg. It's a timeshare but you can also rent by the night which is what we do. Each family could rent their own 2br. One upstairs and one downstairs. The entry hallway is shared so you could keep the front door closed/locked but the doors to the units open. It's a great setup for 2 families. The is a large pool, a great close park, Kidsburg, and Busch Gardens and Water Country are close if you decide that route. And you could stay as few/many nights as you like.

Anonymous wrote:OP again. Will also look into the Eastern Shore places. We almost booked a nice place in St. Michael's, but there was a 1-wk stay minimum that hadn't initially been specified. So finding a place w/o a 1-wk minimum is going to be a problem, huh?

Between memorial day and Labor Day, it's tough to find a house for less than a week. Only hotel rooms usually. Early May and September the rules ease up a bit. It's just easier to stay at full occupancy if you keep to week rentals only.

Anonymous wrote:OP again. Will also look into the Eastern Shore places. We almost booked a nice place in St. Michael's, but there was a 1-wk stay minimum that hadn't initially been specified. So finding a place w/o a 1-wk minimum is going to be a problem, huh?

If it's a home in an area where people regularly rent for vacation, then yes you likely will have a problem renting for just a weekend during high summer season.

What about one of the resorts like Massanutten that are primarily ski resorts but have hiking, fishing, etc during the summer?

OP again. Will also look into the Eastern Shore places. We almost booked a nice place in St. Michael's, but there was a 1-wk stay minimum that hadn't initially been specified. So finding a place w/o a 1-wk minimum is going to be a problem, huh?

OP here. You guys are great, thanks for the suggestions so far! I'd heard of Lake Anna, but I thought it was more rustic--a neighbor suggested it'd be a nice place with our dog (although not bringing dog this time). The VRBO Lake Anna place looks nice. Not sure about Williamsburg, only because of the youngest kids on the trip--might be good as the little ones get older. We wanted more of a pool vacation this time, with scenic views and ideally close beach or lake access. But, will look more into Williamsburg area.

Anonymous wrote:Deep Creek Lake in MD

NO.

And it's more like 3+ hours to get all the way out there anyway.

Try airbnb.com for houses for rent.

Williamsburg, VA is about 2 to 2.5 hours and has a lot for children.

Was also going to suggest Lake Anna. Assuming more than one of you will have a car, that gives you a chance to hit Richmond if the weather is bad and you need an outing (good science museum there for the kids).

This place has a nicely fenced pool.

http://www.vrbo.com/601522

There's a minimum stay that may be more than you want. I suspect you'll run into a lot of that in the summer.

Lake Anna

Anonymous wrote:How about the Eastern Shore? Since you are considering Annapolis, the Eastern Shore would just be further east, over the Bay Bridge.

For example:

http://www.easternshorevacations.com/vacation-rentals-homes.asp?cat=7426

I just posted this link, but now I'm noticing that the pools don't seem to have fences around them. Unless that is just they way the pictures were taken.

Deep Creek Lake in MD

How about the Eastern Shore? Since you are considering Annapolis, the Eastern Shore would just be further east, over the Bay Bridge.

For example:

http://www.easternshorevacations.com/vacation-rentals-homes.asp?cat=7426

Luray/ Shenandoah area. More to do than just the beach - caverns, horseback riding, rafting.

Sea Colony in Bethany Beach would fit but it's closer to a 2.5 hour drive.

Hi all,

Two families with several kids, ages older infant to 9. We're sort of new to the area, and looking to rent a large home (4-5 brs) with a pool somewhere within an easy drive of DC for a long weekend this summer.

We're already looking in Annapolis and especially the Bay Ridge neighborhood--seems there are some possibilities there.

Any other recs? We're aware of OBX and VA Beach, but we'd prefer not to drive that far if possible.

Anywhere we missed? In addition to coastal areas, we'd also be open to lake/mountains. Doesn't have to be on the water, but would be nice to be close by. The only "must" is a pool for the younger kids to splash around in.

Also, if you have any websites to recommend, that'd be great (I heard of VRBO from this site just recently).

TIA!