Summer may feel like the prime time for taking vacations to exotic beaches and faraway places, but if that’s not in the cards this year, don’t fret. There is so much you can do right here in Northern Virginia to have a fun staycation that doesn’t break the bank.
Experience the Old Town Alexandria Waterfront
The Old Town Alexandria Waterfront provides stunning views of the Potomac River, fun happenings, and historic vibes. Whether you get out on the water or just enjoy some waterfront dining, it makes for a relaxing day in a historic place.
What to do: Take a water taxi ride from Old Town Alexandria to Washington, DC, with City Cruises. Stops include The Wharf and Georgetown in DC and National Harbor in Maryland. Or, if you’d rather stay aboard, City Cruises also offers seasonal sightseeing tours that include several monuments and landmarks, such as the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Washington Monument, and the Arlington Memorial Bridge.
Where to eat: Share a few small plates and enjoy a glass or two of wine at Barca Pier & Wine Bar. Options include stuffed piquillo peppers, seared scallops, beef kebabs, and marinated cucumbers. Or have dinner at Jula’s on the Potomac (formerly Café 44) featuring panoramic views of the river. Among the dining options are pan-seared salmon, a sweet and sticky short rib, and shrimp and grits.
Where to stay: Located just 1 mile from the waterfront is the Archer Hotel, a luxe boutique-style hotel that starts at $349 a night. Or if you want something even closer, the Alexandrian is located just three-tenths of a mile from the waterfront and has rooms starting at $259 a night. The Hotel Indigo is waterfront in Alexandria, with rooms from $369.
Taste Some Wine in Loudoun County
Loudoun County is brimming with wineries, vineyards, and tasting rooms to visit. In fact, there are more than 50 from which to choose. Whether you’re looking for a tasting experience with a nice view of the Blue Ridge Mountains or a swankier indoor experience, Loudoun has something for everyone’s tastes.
What to do: The best opportunity to sip your way through Loudoun County’s wineries is to do a wine tour. Reston Limousine offers a service that allows you to create your own private tour of the wineries of your choice. You can even customize the pickup times and locations.
Where to eat: For an elevated dining experience, satisfy your sweet tooth with a stop at The Conche in Leesburg. This cocoa-themed restaurant features chocolate additions on its menu. Entrées include beef tenderloin, braised lamb shank, the Conche burger with short ribs, bacon and caramelized shallot jam.
Where to stay: Loudoun has plenty of hotels available to extend your stay, but if you’re looking to add even more to your experience — and have a bit of wiggle room in the budget — check out the 18 historic suites and cottages at the Goodstone Inn & Restaurant in Middleburg. Pricing begins at $449.
Book a Stay at Lansdowne Resort
Lansdowne Resort is a great place to indulge in a day or two of relaxation during your Northern Virginia staycation. Take a dip in one of the three outdoor pools. Play tennis or pickleball. And indulge in one of the many spa treatments at this resort that places an emphasis on health and wellness.
What to do: Play golf on one of the Robert Trent Jones, Jr.– and Greg Norman–designed courses or enjoy an 80-minute satin skin body treatment that exfoliates with an essential oil scrub and then relaxes with a massage and a body wrap in shea butter and lavender at the Spa Minérale.
Where to eat: Enjoy some dinner at Coton & Rye for tavern-style fare or Piedmont’s overlooking the Greg Norman Golf Course for some modern American cuisine.
Where to stay: Rooms start at $366 a night, but Lansdowne is currently offering a summer package that includes accommodations, a $50 daily breakfast credit, $100 resort credit, seasonal fresh fruit amenity and Saratoga water, a Lansdowne beach bag and 2 Lansdowne Tervis tumblers for $439.
Camp at Prince William Forest Park
Nothing provides peace and quiet quite like the great outdoors. Pitch a tent or bring your RV, build a campfire, roast some marshmallows, and enjoy an evening under the stars in the beautiful Prince William Forest Park. Keep in mind that campfires are not allowed in the Chopawamsic Backcountry Area.
What to Do: Plan a day of hiking on some of the nearby trails, such as the moderately easy 1.8-mile Birch Bluff Trail or Little Run Loop, a shorter but moderately difficult trail that showcases creekside habitats. The 15,000-acre park has 37 miles of trails.
Where to Eat: No camping trip is complete without a campfire meal. Brave the wilderness and cook over the fire. With burgers, hot dogs, and s’mores, what more could you want?
Where to Stay: Prince William Forest Park offers four campgrounds — Oak Ridge Campground, Turkey Run Ridge Group Campground, Prince William Forest RV Campground, and Chopawamsic Backcountry Area — as well as cabin camping. Each campground has an entrance fee that varies in price. Chopawamsic is a hike-in campground.
Visit Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
Take a stroll through Meadowlark Botanical Gardens to view the beautiful all-season public garden, as well as the three surrounding lakes. Pricing is $4 for ages 6–17 and ages 55+, $8 for ages 18–54, and free for ages five and younger.
What to do: Be sure to check out the Bonsai Pavilion. It features a donated collection of Bonsai trees. Also see the koi that swim in Lake Caroline. July and August are great for seeing the crepe myrtles and the butterfly garden.
Where to eat: While in Vienna, have a meal at Nostos, a Greek cuisine restaurant on our best restaurants list, head to the Carnegie Diner, a new spot that’s popular.
Where to stay: There are several hotels to choose from in the Tysons area, including Embassy Suites by Hilton with rooms from $213 a night or the Hilton Garden Inn with rooms starting at $191 a night.
Feature image of Meadowlark Botanical Gardens by Tom Stovall
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