Reviews: Big Meadows Lodge, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

We’ve visited Shenandoah National Park numerous times but to date, we’d only done day trips. These outings are great except, due to the ride, it doesn’t give us a lot of time to really explore the trails and scope out the wildlife as much as we’d like.

A few weeks ago we decided we would spend the night in the park to give us a good two days to explore. We chose Big Meadows Lodge. 

Main building of the lodge (hard to get a clear shot of the whole building due to the trees)

Being the lodge was filling up and only two types of rooms left, we booked one of the traditional rooms before those were sold out. After we booked, we did more research and came across some off-putting reviews about the lodge so we considered canceling. The lodge advertises itself as being historic, rustic and basic. We were not concerned with that, it was the online complaints about vermin and cleanliness. In the end, we decided to stick with our room and see how it panned out. Always up for an adventure!

Check in and room condition

Sure glad we didn’t cancel. We left early in the morning so we could do some hikes and listen to some ranger talks between the Dickey Visitor's Center (mile 4.6) and Big Meadows (mile 51). After spending all morning and part of the afternoon at the park, we arrived a bit early for 3 p.m. check in. We figured we’d hang out in the Great Room until our room was ready, however, our room was all set so the staff gave us the keys despite us being 90 minutes early. The staff was very welcoming and friendly.

Our room was in the Blackrock building, #54. It was indeed from the mid-20th century, charming and clean. Since there is no air conditioning in this room, the windows were all open. The only immediate issue we saw was the screen on the bathroom window was hard to clasp, so we closed the window. Not really a problem.

Additionally, our room had an alarm clock, a fan, some extra lamps (ceiling lighting is dim) and there were plenty of outlets. No Internet, television, phones or good reception are in this group of rooms. You might want to download some music, movies or games before you arrive if you need entertainment beyond playing cards, board games or reading a good book at night.

Unfortunately, I neglected to take photos inside the room (I was focused on the outdoors!) but our room looked a lot like this one with some slight differences.

Location, location, location!

Convenience is a big draw for staying at Big Meadows and the lodge is located near several key places to visit, including the Harry F. Byrd, Sr. Visitor Center, a wayside (gift shop, camp shop/grocery store and an informal eatery) and, of course, the meadow and several trails. We relaxed in the room for a few minutes before heading back out for some hiking. Feeling refreshed, our adventure was off to a great start. The popular Dark Hollow Falls trail is nearby and we headed straight there.

Bedding and bath

After our day’s adventure, we showered and played some cards before going to sleep. The bathroom was old, but water pressure was good and the lodge provides shampoo, soap, lotion, etc. Towels were abundant and of good quality. For the first shower, it took a few minutes for the water to warm up but every shower afterward was perfect.

We were tired so our card game did not last long. The beds and pillows were really comfy and the lodge did have darkening drapes in our unit so we barely noticed any light nor did we hear the second round of rain that came during the night. The day had been hot (in the 90s) and, despite this and no A/C in our room, the temperature was comfortable. We all had a great night’s sleep and it was pretty quiet, even though the lodge was booked to capacity.

Restaurant and the main lodge

There is a full-service restaurant and a tap room at Big Meadows Lodge. I can’t really say much about these since we did not eat here except once for breakfast. We did not get the buffet, but ordered off the menu and enjoyed what we got. You can order ala carte or a meal which ran, on average, about $10. I think the breakfast buffet was about $15. (The reason why we didn't eat at any of the properties was that we decided on a whim to have lunch at the annual Blackberry Festival. Our packed sandwiches in the cooler we had for dinner). We didn’t visit the tap room at all. There is also nightly entertainment.

The Great Room is large and looks like a cozy place to hang out, but we only spent a few minutes there since we were busy off in the park. There are numerous seating areas, along with some tables and, in the corner, are puzzles and board games to enjoy. Many people were sitting in the rocking chairs along the big windows that faced the mountains. There is some limited Wi-Fi in the Great Room, but it's probably the only place you'll have it. Mobile reception is very poor with most carriers, so hot spotting it is likely not an option. 

About those critters…

Coming in, we had already decided we would not bring any food into the room so not to entice mice, so we had packed extra zip lock bags and stored our double-wrapped food in a cooler in our car so as to not attract any bears. After reading the binder the lodge left on the desk, I noticed they do state not to bring food into the room. We only brought in sealed drinks and kept them in the ice bucket provided. We had absolutely no issues with mice or any other critter. Didn’t even see a bug!

We would definitely spend another night at Big Meadows and are already talking about when would be a good time to go. While there are negative reviews online, and there are some cabins that did look a little run down (it's my understanding there is a long-term plan to renovate them all), if you keep food out of your room and don’t go in expecting modern conveniences, you’ll probably have a great stay. 

We were going there to explore the outdoors and not planning to really spend too much time in the room anyway! If you're looking to unplug and don't care about fancy accommodations, but also not looking to truly camp in the great outdoors (like me!), this is the perfect place for you.

[ Related reading: 10 fun facts about Skyline Drive ]

A short uphill hike on the Blackhead Trailhead (.2 miles) on the lodge's property brings you to some beautiful views.

Touring the monuments on the National Mall by foot

A trip to Washington D.C. isn't complete without a tour of the monuments and memorials located on the National Mall and along the Potomac River. One of the great things about D.C. is the National Park Service doesn't charge entry fees for the monuments – so much to see, for free! In my opinion, the best way to navigate the National Mall is on foot and by using public transportation.

Take advantage of public transportation

You don't want to spend your time tied up in traffic or searching for a parking space. If you take the Metro and walk, you avoid wasting time with the parking hassles. You see much more if you are on foot anyway.

The Smithsonian Metro station (on the Orange Line) is the most convenient Metro stop because it is located right in the midst of the National Mall. It is center to the museums, monuments, Capitol building and other federal buildings. There are also some buses which I noticed recently – most notably the DC Circulator. They’ve added a route that takes you around the National Mall – I haven’t tried it yet but sounds like a great way to save some time and still see everything on foot. You can either get to the Capitol side of the Mall or to the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorial sides.

If you do want to drive...

If you do prefer to drive, there is some free parking

by the monuments. But unless you're a real early bird, these lots fill up pretty quickly and some stipulate limited parking hours which puts you back in the find a parking spot loop. On the plus side, if you drive downtown on the weekends and are early enough, you can typically grab some free parking along Constitution Avenue. Paid parking is also available but it is not cheap. If we do paid parking, we’ve used Panda Parking but primarily park at Union Station and start at the Capitol and walk down or just hop the Metro’s Red line and transfer to other ones to get us where we want to go.

Start at the Washington Memorial and loop around

Since the memorials are laid out symmetrically, it is

easy to make the most of your time and see it all. The best place to start is the Washington Monument because this is the only monument where you need tickets if you want to go inside and ride to the top.

Tickets tend to go quickly, so you will want to secure these as early as possible. Tickets are free and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis; you can get these at the 15th Street and Jefferson Drive kiosk. If you wait too long to get them, there may be no availability or a wait of several hours to get inside the memorial, taking away time from seeing everything else or, alternatively, you can pay a small fee and reserve your place online. (Just to note, the elevator is temporarily closed for repairs until 2019).

After seeing the Washington Monument, it’s a

relatively short distance to the World War II Memorial. Afterward, you can stroll along the reflecting pool to get to the other side where the Lincoln, Vietnam Veterans and Korea War Memorials are located. This is a nice walk, and you can often spot a lot of wildlife along the way.

Want to see it all? Just keep walking

WWII Memorial, Reflecting Pool and Lincoln Memorial

If you are ambitious and want to see most, if not all of the monuments in one day, after visiting the Lincoln Memorial, head south to loop around to the FDR Memorial on Ohio Drive and Jefferson Memorial on Raoul Wallenberg Place. This is a bit of a hike, but a neat walk. 

There is also a hidden gem along this route, the not

highly publicized District of Columbia War Memorial. The memorial commemorates District of Columbia citizens who served in WWI; you can pass through

here on your way to visit the Martin Luther King Jr. and Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorials.

District of Columbia WWI Memorial

If you want to see it all, and don't mind the walking, after seeing the FDR Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial should be next on the list. After visiting the Jefferson Memorial, continue around and the Holocaust Museum is on Raoul Wallenberg Place.

This route will loop you around the Mall and bring you closer to the center of where the rest of the museums are located. Chances are visiting the monuments will take up most of the day; if you're pressed for time, all can be seen in the same day, but if you have time to linger you can always pick up where you left off the next day.

At this point you'll be back at the Smithsonian Metro Station, where a number of the Smithsonian museums are located. All are right near the station; the Smithsonian museums are free. Chances are though you'll want to save these for another day. It is easy to spend hours in each museum, so if time is limited, you might want to plan ahead of time to determine what you want to see most. There's much to see, but by planning it well, you can see most, if not all, of what you want and more. 

What to wear

Plan to wear a good pair of walking shoes though because you'll be putting some mileage on your footwear. While the monuments look close together on a map, or even by eye, they aren't as close as they appear. Dress for the weather too. In the spring, summer and even sometimes in the fall it can get rather hot. Early spring is unpredictable and winters can be cold! So definitely check your weather app before you plan to spend the day walking around the National Mall. Also, there is not much in terms of food down on the Mall but there are kiosks and often truck vendors located in scattered places.

Be warned: No matter how much you do, your visit is likely to leave you wanting to see more. Even after 10 years, I still keep going back to see it again and again.

Summertime fun in Old Time Alexandria, Virginia

No Shortage of Things to do in Old Town during the Summer Months . . . 

The Old Town section of Alexandria never lacks for things to do and summertime is a fantastic time to spend a day, evening or even a week exploring this quaint and happening city. Alexandria is located just south of Arlington along the Virginia side of the Potomac River. Once a part of Washington D.C., it is a part of the land given back to Virginia in the 19^th century. 

Old Town Alexandria is the section of the city where there is a lot of activity going on. and visitors taking a stroll along the streets can typically find lots to do. Both locals and tourists spend time at the many museums, restaurants, ice cream shops, historic landmarks, live music and enjoy the numerous things to see and do.

There are also many annual summer events. Whether you are visiting Alexandria specifically or just want to explore beyond the Washington, D.C. area, here are some fun summertime things to check out:

Ideas for things to do on Father's Day

Gadsby's Tavern, Friendship Firehouse and the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary offer free tours for Dad on Father's Day (the Firehouse is free for the whole family that day). Whether you are looking for something different or are a real history buff, you'll enjoy learning about places chocked with history and where prominent families, such as the Washingtons, Carlyles, and Lees, along with other noteworthy people, spent time. 

The Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site is a well-preserved fort in the U.S. from the Civil War era. Fort Ward usually offers Civil War reenactments and tours led by soldiers. Additionally, you can tour the museum to see their extensive exhibits and collections.

Other museum events in Old Town

Carlyle Housewarming

Each first Saturday in August brings the Carlyle Housewarming at Carlyle House. During this event, visitors can watch period era interpreters recall the 1753 moving in day of John Carlyle and family to their new mansion. 

Additionally, on this day John and Sarah Carlyle's son, William, arrived. Usually, Mr. and Mrs. Carlyle are present for these types of events and you can participate in a meet and greet with these historic figures (they stay in character).

Friendship Firehouse Museum

The Friendship Firehouse Festival also hosts an annual birthday celebration the first Saturday in August - fun for the whole family. Originally established in 1774, the Friendship Firehouse Company is a landmark. Fun, history and celebration wrapped up in one.

Festival of the Arts

The Alexandria Festival of The Arts takes place every September. Stroll down King Street and enjoy the paintings, sculptures, jewelry, photos and more! This annual event showcases many different styles of art and caters to different budgets. You can browse, buy and/or talk with the artists about their work. It's a large event and some have said it's one of the best art festivals in the country. Artists from all over the U.S. attend. 2017 celebrates the festival's 15th year.

Other things to see and do in Old Town

There are plenty of other things to do in Old Town during the summer. We often take a ride over there on a whim and explore the museums, stop in one of the numerous great restaurants or pop into one of the quaint shops. We also often like to just walk along the riverfront area. On your way down to the riverfront, stop by one of the many ice cream shops and grab a cone to bring with you.

Stop in the Torpedo Factory to learn about its history, then browse through the many artist studios which are now housed in the once factory. You can also buy tickets at the riverfront and take a boat tour along the Potomac. Many people simply like to sit down, relax to watch the boats. Or they feed the birds and ducks that hang out in this area.

Sunset at Alexandria's waterfront area

If you drop by the Ramsey's Visitors' Center on the Corner of King and Fairfax Streets, they are happy to give you brochures, answer questions or just get more information about what there is to see and do (Note: There are also restrooms here). 

The local Farmer's Market, which is believed to be one of America's longest running markets, offers a variety of fruit, vegetables, baked goods, flowers, plants and crafts for sale. The market runs every Saturday from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. If you don't make it in the summer, the market is a year-round one.

Alexandria is a wonderful destination for a summer getaway, or if you're local, it's a great day trip. For more scheduled events that might be going on at any given time, check out the The City of Alexandria's website.

Family fun on Father’s Day in the D.C. area

Father's Day is almost here. If you’re looking spend a day out with Dad and are in Washington D.C. metro area, you won’t be lacking for things to see or do. June usually brings beautiful weather in the District and its suburbs (albeit sometimes hot!) and it’s a great time of year to be out and about.

Looking for ideas of things to do with Dad this year? Here are some thoughts:

Go to a car show

 

Car show at an Air Show in Manassas a few years back

Every Father’s Day a number of places in the region host car or antique car shows. Here’s are some of the ones I know about:

Sully Historic Site – This is a long running event, now more than 40 years. Co-sponsored by FCPA and The Model A Ford Club of America, see hundreds of classic and antique cars on display. Family-friendly. Admission includes a tour of the 1794 house and grounds. 

Crystal Car – Held in Crystal City, 2017 is its first event. This car show offers a variety of cars including electric, sports, classic muscle cars and motorcycles, to name a few. There is a beer garden hosted by the Washington Wine Academy. The event is also advertised as having some kid-friendly activities too.  

Old Town Warrenton Father’s Day Car Show – Another long-time tradition, this car show takes place on Main Street in Warrenton, Va. See classic cars, hot rods, bikes, tractors and more. They have an active Facebook page to find more information and updates.  

Father’s Day Blues, Brews and BBQ – Hosted by the Goodstone Inn & Restaurant in Middleburg, Va., this event is advertised as a family-friendly day full of activity. There is the classic car show, along with lawn games, music and a BBQ buffet.

Kent Island Cruisers Father’s Day Show – This annual event is held at the Kent Island High School in Stevensville, Md. (Side note, there is a great nature preserve located in the area too – see my earlier post).

There are some other car shows too, the Capital Cruisin' website has many listed, so if you want to go beyond local, there are numerous other shows too.

Take in a museum in Alexandria

George Washington greets his guests

Many of the local museums in D.C. are free daily, but they’ll also probably be crowded this time of year. If you want to explore something different, many of the historic sites in Alexandria offer Father’s Day specials. Gadsby’s Tavern, Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary and the Friendship Firehouse are all offering free admission for Dads on Father’s Day (the firehouse is offering free admission for the whole family). There are many terrific restaurants in the area, you can end your day with taking Dad to a nice dinner.

Over across Route 1 in Mount Vernon, George Washington himself will be at his beloved home to celebrate Father’s Day. He’ll talk about his role as a husband, stepfather and Father of the United States during a special program being offered, “Father to the First Family”.

Water fun

If your Father’s Day is going to be spent with your little ones, water fun usually fits nicely into the equation. Check out SplashDown in Manassas, one of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority’s many pools/waterparks, Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole (Fairfax County run) or Waterworks Waterpark (Dale City). Day or weekend trip? Head down I-95 to the ever-popular Kings Dominion (believe it or not, I’ve never been to Kings Dominion but everyone I know who has loves it!)

Other Father’s Day ideas

Are the kids older or you’re celebrating with all adults and maybe you’re looking to something more “grown up”? In the District itself, I’ve noticed there are a ton of restaurants downtown offering special Father’s Day brunches. Also, one of Virginia’s many vineyards are also other good options.

Like enjoying the great outdoors? Up for a hike anyone? If it’s not too hot out, try visiting Rock Creek Park,

Theodore Roosevelt Island, Prince William Forest Park, Manassas National Battlefield Park or Great Falls Park (Virginia or Maryland side). Want to go a little further or make a weekend out of it? Head out to Skyline Drive (about 90 minutes from downtown, 60 from Fairfax County). You can enjoy a nice hike, leisure stroll or simply enjoy nature and the fab scenery. There are a handful places to eat or grab food along the way or you can stop at one of the numerous areas with your own picnic lunch.

Happy Father’s Day!

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