Ready to get out of town? Great weekend trips from Washington, D.C.

Living in the Washington D.C. Metro area means there are a ton of great things to see and do at any given time of the year. However, sometimes you just want to get out of town for a change of scenery. 

Fortunately, there are several fab places to visit that are within driving distance of the District. Over the years we've ventured to parts north, west and south for both weekend and day trips. This year we've done some new exploring. 

1. Richmond

There is so much to see and do in Virginia's capital city. Honestly, we haven't even scratched the surface. In May we took a quick weekend trip to Richmond and really enjoyed what little we did have time to see. The Capitol building was our first stop and we spent quite a bit of time there. 

Exterior of the front of the Virginia State Capitol

Statue of George Washington inside of the statehouse

After touring the Capitol inside and out, we walked by the Valentine First Freedom Center Exhibitions and Monument and decided to stop in; interesting exhibit. 

Next up we walked downtown towards the canal and had some lunch. We saw there was a canal history tour so decided to wrap up our day with a nice boat ride. 

The next day we drove through parts of the city to get another taste but unfortunately needed to get home. Richmond is definitely on the list of must-return places to visit for a weekend trip.

2. Shenandoah National Park

A favorite of ours for day trips, last summer we decided to spend an overnight which gave us the opportunity to see the park in the evening and also give us time to really explore some of the trails. When looking at lodging we decided on Big Meadows Lodge. 

The main building at Big Meadows Lodge

Over our two days, we took in a couple of ranger talks and hikes, along with doing several other trails we explored on our own. I love going during the summer to the park because of all the beautiful butterflies and other critters to be found. Spending more time in the park and wandering off Skyline Drive also allowed us to have our first bear sighting which was pretty exciting. 

(Not our "first" bear sighting in the park, but it is the better picture I was able to get a few weeks later!)

3. James River Plantations

This was a fun trip we took in May 2017. If you are interested in architecture and/or early American history, this would be a great excursion. We started out early on a Saturday morning and took the ride down to the Charles City area of Virginia. Our intention was to visit as many of the historic houses as we could. 

Our first stop was Sherwood Forest, the home of the 10th president, John Tyler. To drop by, you can only tour the outside. Payment is based on the honor system by dropping cash in a box. If you want an indoor tour special arrangements must be made (there is a higher fee attached). The home is still owned and run by the Tyler family since 1842 but the house itself is much older, early 18th century. 

Exterior of Sherwood Forest

Next up was Shirley Plantation, the oldest plantation in Virginia. Still owned and lived in by the family, this tour includes the first floor of the mansion and the grounds. The plantation dates back to 1613 and the current house was completed in 1738. This property had been on my "must-see" list for years. It was definitely worth the wait. The tour was interesting, informative and it was amazing to see the home's interior. 

Front view of Shirley Plantation's main house

Our last tour for the day was at Berkeley Plantation, the home of two presidents, William Henry Harrison (#9) and Benjamin Harrison (#23). The family patriarch, Benjamin V. Harrison, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The mansion dates back to 1726 and the property claims to have held the first Thanksgiving in America in 1619. This tour was excellent and the (costumed) guide very informative; we enjoyed this tour a lot. It was probably my favorite tour of the day.

Side view of Berkley (with tour guide in front of the door)

To conclude the day, we booked a hotel just outside of Richmond, making the ride home the next day a relatively short one (about two hours). 

4. Jamestown/Yorktown

This was a trip we took during a chilly November weekend. Our day started off at Historic Jamestowne where we toured the original site where the settlers landed back in 1607. We spent quite a bit of time on the island. 

Signage posting this was the landing site for Jamestowne settlers. There are numerous foundations, graves, a church and some replica structures throughout the island to explore. It's an interesting place to tour. You can take guided or self-tours (guided tours are by topic).

New discoveries are constantly being made and we had visited at a good time because excavations are ongoing. At the time, they had made some new discoveries (and from what I've read, another exciting discovery was recently made). 

On the way out, we stopped to see glass being made Colonial-style at the Jamestown Glasshouse. We didn't visit the Jamestown Settlement Museum on this particular trip but have been before, it's pretty expansive. Not to mention, the replica boats are pretty amazing to see (and you can board them, weather permitting). Also, there is an interesting museum and replica settlement to see. If you're in the area I recommend visiting both Historic Jamestowne and the Jamestown Settlement Museum.

Boats at Jamestown Settlement

After Jamestown, we took a ride over to Yorktown and visited the battlefield and museum. Since it was late in the day, we didn't have a lot of time but tried to see as much as we could. We did a quick run-through of the driving tour. I think we covered some pretty good ground considering our time limitations - and we still had time to check out the small museum. 

If you're in the area for the full weekend, you could probably fit Williamsburg in too. We didn't have enough time since we could only do one night. From what I've read, you need at least one full day, maybe more, to really get the experience over at Williamsburg. 

It was a little cold for a November visit, next time will most likely be in the spring or fall. Once again, we stayed at a hotel outside of Richmond and then made our way back to D.C. in the morning.

5. Annapolis

A hop, skip and a jump from D.C., even if you live in Northern Virginia (like me), Annapolis a relatively close trip, easily done as a day trip too. We've made a few trips up there to tour the state's Capitol building and walk around the waterfront. We haven't done nearly enough exploring of Annapolis but we have a weekend trip planned very soon. Very much looking forward to seeing what else this beautiful city has to offer. 

Inside Maryland's statehouse

If you're looking for other ideas for great weekend trips, try:

• Baltimore - I can't properly write this one up yet since to date my visits here have been limited. In June we went up to tour Fort McHenry (and took a ride through the Inner Harbor and did a drive-by of Camden Yards while we were there) before heading back to our hotel near Arundel Mills for a dinner at Medieval Times.

• Lewes, Delaware - Take the Cape May-Lewes Ferry across to Cape May, New Jersey. While you're there, there is plenty to see and do. Or, simply enjoy the beach (you do have to purchase beach tags). This was a great summer trip we did in August 2017! We'd spent time at the beach and then walked around to see the Victorian homes before taking the ferry back to Delaware. Next time, we plan to explore historic Lewes. 

Lighthouse in the Delaware Bay as seen from the ferry

• Charlottesville - Lots of terrific places to see in this wonderful city. (If you're interested, my earlier post has far more detail)

• Luray - If you love nature, a recommended trip.

• Natural Bridge - If in town, make a visit to the Virginia Safari Park while you're there. It's a fun drive through and you can also park and see the other animal exhibits.

• Philadelphia - A three-hour ride from the District, Philly is a terrific city to visit. We've made a couple of weekend trips and still have so much more to see! 

While Washington D.C. is pretty awesome in itself, there are so many other terrific places to visit in the region without having to hop a plane. 

12 fun facts about Theodore Roosevelt Island

President Theodore Roosevelt, who served from 1901 to 1909, was a staunch advocate of conservatism. As far as presidential memorials go, it seems fitting the one established in the nation's capital to honor him in  is represented by the very land he worked so hard to preserve. 

Want to learn more? Here are 12 fun facts about Theodore Roosevelt Island you may not know. 

12 fun facts about Theodore Roosevelt Island

1. Theodore Roosevelt Island is located in the Potomac River between Washington D.C. and Virginia. It is comprised of 91 acres and is situated between Virginia’s city of Arlington and the District’s Georgetown locations.

2. The island was home to the Nacotchtank Native American tribe in 1668. They called the island Analostan and used the island for fishing.

3. It was once known as "Mason's Island" after the land was acquired by the Mason family in 1724. John Mason, the grandson of Founding Father George Mason, built a manor house on the highpoint of the island.

4. When the Mason's owned it, this tract of land was a prominent farm, but had been abandoned in the early 1830s. John Mason and his family had to leave the island due to unhealthy conditions caused by local development. In the next century, the island would change hands many times.

5. In the early 1930s, the island was purchased by the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Association. Landscape Architects began to transform the neglected land into a beautiful memorial with the intention to honor our 26^th president.

6. The Olmstead Brothers firm was hired by the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Association in 1932. The plans were formed around the concept of building a living memorial to President Roosevelt with ideas of including an architectural monument as well.

7. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), an organization started by President Franklin D. Roosevelt (5th cousin to Theodore), performed the work involved with clearing the island of all non-native vegetation and populating it with 20,000 native trees and shrubs. 

When WWII broke out in the late 1930s, work on the memorial was temporarily halted. It would later be paused again after a highway bridge was planned in the mid-20^th century. This bridge would cover part of the southern portion island, obstructing plans for the statue portion of the memorial. Congress ultimately approved funding in 1960 and work continued shifting this portion of the memorial to the northern part of the island.

8. The statue depicting President Roosevelt stands 17 feet tall and is made of bronze. 

Four 21-feet-tall granite tablets surround the statue containing quotations pulled from Roosevelt’s writings.

Two pools with fountains are also placed in this vicinity. This portion of the memorial was designed by an architect named Eric Gugler and a sculptor by the name of Paul Manship and it was brought to fruition between 1963 and 1967.

9. The natural preserve portion of the island is made up of 88 acres and represents three major ecological zones: swamp, tidal marsh, and upland forest.

10. You can walk the trails placed on the island, it’s about 1.5 to 2 miles, and it will take you through the natural habitat of the island. It’s a great place for birding! (You may spot other critters too).

11. John Mason had a ferry boat where Georgetown residents would land and then use a causeway to get to Virginia. Dolley Madison used this route to escape the British burning of Washington D.C. during the War of 1812.  

12. The causeway was built in 1805 and stood in place until 1979 when it was replaced by the current footbridge visitors use to enter and exit the island.

The Theodore Roosevelt Memorial is run by the National Park Service and is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. It is accessible from the Virginia side on the northbound side of the George Washington Parkway. There is parking and you’ll cross a footbridge to enter this living memorial.   

(Note: According to NPS website, there are currently no working restrooms or portable toilets on the island. I recommend checking before you go. When I was there, the men's section was definitely closed).

Additional sources: Signage posted at the island and first-hand experience.

Great places to walk your dog in Washington, DC

If you are living in or visiting Washington D.C. and are accompanied by your favorite furry companion, you'll be pleased to know the region is generally a dog-friendly area. Many hotels, and even some restaurants, will permit your dog to join you. The city hosts a number of dog parks and, if you prefer a more traditional walk without direct interaction with other dogs, there are many other great places to bring Fido in and about the District.

Image credit: Pixabay

Dog parks

Your fur baby will need to be walked and there are many excellent places in D.C. you can bring your dog. You can stay within the city, or explore areas to go for a walk in the surrounding areas, lots of choice in the region. Many dog parks are located right in Washington D.C. These parks are designated specifically for pets and provide baggies and trash cans to accommodate the "pooper scooper" laws which are strictly adhered to in the region. Some areas you can explore are the Glover Dog Park located on 42nd and W Street, S Street Dog Park at 17th and S Sts, NW, Congressional Cemetery on E Street St SE (membership only but they do offer $10 day passes according to the website), Langdon Dog Park at 2901 20th St. NE and Lincoln Park on Capitol Hill, located at East Capitol and 11th St.

Image credit: Pixabay

Mount Vernon Trail

Running along the George Washington Memorial Parkway is a terrific 18 mile stretch of pavement known as the Mount Vernon Trail. It begins in Washington D.C. and runs along the Potomac River down to Mount Vernon, which is George and Martha Washington's estate. The Mount Vernon Trail is an ideal place to walk your dog if you're looking to go for a nice stroll. This area is designated for pedestrians; bikers, walkers and joggers also utilize this area. It is a wide path and wonderful place to take your dog for a walk. Along your walk, you'll see many scenic places and pass several parks or trails you might want to take a detour to explore with your canine pal.

National Mall

The National Mall is another popular spot to take Fido for a walk. Sitting in the heart of Washington D.C. the National Mall offers many areas you can bring your pooch and get some good exercise. As you walk your best pal, you can take in the fantastic views in and around the Mall. Wander the open fields which surround the Washington Monument or stroll along the sidewalks located on the Mall's outskirts. There are many different paths you can take and you can always vary your routine if you choose to walk your dog down in the heart of D.C.

Alexandria, Virginia

If you cross the Potomac and venture into the nearby City of Alexandria, you'll find this is an extremely dog-friendly area, possibly one of the best in the area. Many of the restaurants even make provisions for dogs. 

As you walk along Alexandria's sidewalks with your pet it is common to come across several billboards outside restaurants designed to entice dog owners to stop in for a bite to eat with their furry friend during their walk. Some even have doggy menus and happy hours. This area has many historic landmarks and is such a beautiful city to explore, very quaint and an attractive place to walk. The fact it is so dog-friendly is a bonus.

Along the way, you'll likely encounter others, so abide by local laws by keeping your dog leashed (unless you are in a designated area) and remember to bring along your baggies as the D.C. metro region has strict "pooper scooper laws". You may receive a high fine if you ignore these rules. (Plus, it's just the polite thing to do!)

Washington D.C. and the surrounding areas/communities are, in my experience, pretty dog-friendly. There are many other places you can go to, especially if you venture outside city boundaries into Virginia or Maryland, but these are a few of the top dog-friendly spots located inside of the Beltway near the heart of the Capital city.

Oatlands gardens: Spring blooms 2018

Oatlands, located in Leesburg, is a beautiful historic property open to the public for tours. I try to visit at least once a year, depending on my schedule. I typically learn something new on each tour and it's fun to see Oatlands' remarkable gardens in different stages of seasonal blooms. 

On Friday, a friend was in town who had not yet toured Oatlands, and the weather was right (finally!), so off we went. With the rich blue sky and moderate temperature, it was a perfect day to stroll through Oatlands' fantastic gardens. 

The walled gardens date back to the early 1800s when George Carter planned the space to grow fruits, vegetables and decorative plants. Over the years, especially after the Civil War, the gardens fell into disrepair. In the early 1900s, William and Edit Corcoran Eustis, of Washington, D.C., purchased the property as a leisure estate and Edith took it upon herself to restore the gardens to the splendor that visitors see today. 

Mrs. Eustis had stated in 1923, "...the Oatlands garden was falling into ruins; bricks were crumbling, weeds crowding the flowers and yet the very moss-grown paths seemed to say, "We are still what we were."

Some of her additions included statues, boxwoods and a teahouse. 

Fast-forward to the 21st century and the garden is mostly ornamental, but there are some herbs (and signage indicated some vegetables) planted throughout the garden to honor its agricultural past.

These photos are only a sampling really, the garden is pretty extensive. Oatlands today does a fantastic job of upkeep and the gardens are really lovely.  

D.C. cherry blossoms have finally arrived! A view of late spring's 2018 peak

The cherry blossom peak is something I look forward to every year and it sure seemed like 2018 was taking forever. Due to this year's erratic weather patterns, the cherry blossom peak was pushed back from a mid-March forecast to the first week of April. And towards the end of last week, it finally arrived!

So, I took my annual "play hooky" day on April 5th to go see the peak. I got off the Metro around 9:30 and headed straight down to the Tidal Basin. The blossom peak wasn't the fullest I've seen (but probably better than last year) and I found myself wondering if I'd waited another day or two if the rest of the trees would have been filled out as I saw numerous yet to open buds. The peak was declared to start on April 5 and run through the following week, weather permitting. While not the best weather day, it was a gorgeous sight!  

The morning was chilly and, for the most part, overcast during the hours I was there but as always, I enjoyed my walk around the Tidal Basin to see every angle. If you have the chance, there's still time to go see them, Washington Post said in an article this morning the blossoms could stay "photo-ready" through this weekend.

Here are some shots I'd taken along my journey around the Tidal Basin:

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