Enjoy NoVA on a Budget with These Low-Cost Spring Activities

Find thrifty ways to spend the day in Northern Virginia.

By Kate Oczypok • Posted March 9, 2026 at 7:30 a.m.

Photo by Love, Knot, Photo

Spring is in the air and you’re ready to explore. But what to do if your account balance doesn’t quite match your enthusiasm? Don’t fret. We’ve rounded up budget-friendly NoVA activities that won’t break the bank.

Catoctin Creek Distilling — *Photo by Michael Butcher*

For Adults: Spirits and Sundaes 

Head to Loudoun County’s Catoctin Creek for a free tour of the distillery to learn how whiskey is made right in Purcellville. Tours are held every day on the hour and last about 30 minutes. If you decide to sample the wares, tastings are $12.50 per person and include a flight of Catoctin Creek’s signature spirits, whiskey, brandy, or cocktails. Tastings last about half an hour, so if you book a tasting and tour, expect to spend about one hour at the venue. For an extra sweet treat, top off the day at nearby Gruto’s Soft Serve for a cone, shake, or sundae. (It opens for the season in March.) Catoctin Creek Distillery: 120 W. Main St., Purcellville; Gruto’s Soft Serve: 141 W. Main St., Purcellville

For Families: Bring on the Bluebells

Virginia bluebells are a spectacular spring sight. To see acres of the beautiful flowers, head to the Bluebell Trail at Bull Run Regional Park. Bluebells typically bloom in mid-to-late April. Save money and pack a picnic from home to enjoy in the park, or if you’d prefer to grab a refreshment at a local eatery, stop by Gavi Bakery & Café, about a 15 minute drive from the park, for a lemonade, smoothie, or bingsoo (Korean shaved ice). Bull Run Regional Park: 7700 Bull Run Dr., Centreville; Gavi Bakery & Café: 5107 Westfields Blvd., Centreville 

Beer and food at shipgarten — *Photo by Michael Butcher*

For Couples: Tackle Some Trivia

Head to Shipgarten for weekly Wednesday night trivia from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. It’s free to join, and from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., the venue offers special $5 cocktails, beers, and wines and $8 bites. Wednesday is also “Winesday” Date Night, so certain wines are half price before 9 p.m. Shipgarten: 7581 Colshire Dr., McLean

Feature image courtesy Love, Knot, Photo

This story originally ran in our March 2026 issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.

Kate Oczypok

Contributing Writer

Kate Oczypok has been a freelance writer since 2011, and is proud to be a regular contributor to Northern Virginia Magazine in digital and print since 2020. Her bylines have appeared in The New York Times, People.com, Better Homes and Gardens, and locally The Georgetowner and Washingtonian Magazine, among others. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Print Journalism from American University and a M.Ed. in Education from Penn State. She also teaches virtual piano lessons in the after school hours and does portrait photography on weekends.