We rounded up 10 of the best destinations for you to discover this spring—and offer up insider tips on how to make the most of your day.
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards
Go if you like … Pretending you’re part of the landed gentry.
The Details
One of the first things you’ll notice about this boutique vineyard found along the Monticello Wine Trail in North Garden, Virginia is the imposing mountains that command your attention. After they’ve been paid their due respect, you’re most likely to notice the abundance of gorgeous flowers, herbs and kitchen-ready fruits and vegetables surrounding the gorgeous house that looks like Martha Stewart’s vision of a farm. If weather permits, ask for a seat on the veranda terrace overlooking the vines and valley, work your way through tastes of the excellent wine and order from the seasonal small plates—which might include fried oysters and a smoked fish board—to pair with those wines. (Just be sure to book a car service if you plan to do anything more than sip.) After enjoying all the food and drink you can handle, take a walk around the grounds to see if you can spot any familiar plantings, appreciate the heirloom apple orchards and check out the chicken coop.
New This Year
For a quick bite on your way out of town, stop in at Modern Nosh, a new Jewish deli that not only makes your tummy feel good with its housemade brisket and corned beef, but also donates all profits to local charities. The four-diamond Boar’s Head Resort also underwent a major refresh in the past year and will reveal its fully renovated Old Mill Room restaurant, bar, main entrance and lobby this spring.
Must-Do
- Before or after your visit to Pippin Hill, plan to spend some quality time at Monticello, which greatly expanded its exhibits on slavery and Sally Hemings last year.
- Exploring the open-air, pedestrian Downtown Mall is another great way to get to know this college town. You’ll find great shopping, galleries, the Virginia Discovery Museum for children ages 1–8, restaurants and live music.
- To get the full Pippin Hill experience, make time for a meal and a cocktail at its sister restaurant, Red Pump Kitchen.
If You Spend the Night
The Clifton might have originally been built in 1799 for Thomas Jefferson’s daughter and her husband, but the delightfully ancient property reopened last summer following a major facelift that modernized the rooms and shared spaces in the most lovely, luxurious way. The restaurant—now dubbed 1799 and helmed by a Michelin-starred chef—also received an overhaul.
Frederick
Go if you like … A Gilmore Girls level of small-town quirkiness, history, art and shopping.
The Details
Frederick, Maryland is really a place that has it all—an adorable historic downtown chock-full of fun shops, corner buskers and museums, all surrounded by picturesque countryside dotted with breweries, distilleries and wineries. Aside from choosing among the oddball things to check out, like the National Museum of Civil War Medicine or the wildlife preserve and zoo, the most difficult task is figuring out where to eat. Try Pistarro’s for family-friendly pizza, Glory Doughnuts for vegan treats, Firestone’s for upscale comfort classics or local celebrity chef Bryan Voltaggio’s Family Meal.
New This Year
TreeTrekkers aerial challenge park is set to open this spring, as is the farmer-owned fast and casual Hometown Harvest Kitchen.
Must-Do
- Explore the three great shopping areas in town—Carroll Creek Park, a shallow channel lined with shops, water features, bridges, an amphitheater and public art; Everedy Square and Shab Row, an area filled with locally owned shops selling things like handcrafted pottery and folk art; and the stretch of North Market Street that acts as the town’s Main Street, lined with shops like Zoe’s Chocolate Co., Muse, which offers colorful handmade housewares, and Dancing Bear toy store.
- Beer, wine and spirits enthusiasts will want to chart a path around the many breweries, vineyards and distilleries in the area.
- Art buffs will delight in the Downtown Frederick Public Art Trail, a self-guided 2-mile excursion that shows off the town’s diverse outdoor artworks, such as murals, sculptures and an iron bridge.
If You Spend the Night
Book a room at bed and breakfast 10 Clarke Place and walk to dinner at the celebrated Volt or take in a show at the Weinberg Center for the Arts, which might be offering a showing of It’s A Wonderful Life, a silent film accompanied by a live organ, a concert by a Beatles cover band or a talk by a big name like David Sedaris. The newish Inn at Springfield Manor Bed about 15 minutes outside of town also features a winery, brewery, distillery and lavender farm.
Culpeper
Go if you like … Pretending you’ve stepped back in time while shopping at chic, modern boutiques.
The Details
There’s a reason Architectural Digest recently named Culpeper as the prettiest town in Virginia, and it becomes obvious as soon as you turn onto the city’s main drag—East Davis Street. The colorful buildings lining this 200-year-old historic shopping district harken back to a time of huge windows, striped awnings and locals chatting at tables set up in front of cafes. The food scene ranges from old-timey diners and snack shops to globally inspired white-tablecloth spots serving seared foie gras. Set in the Piedmont River Valley, the town also offers plenty of opportunities to explore the Civil War battlegrounds to the east and the rolling hills of horse country to the west. Wineries and cycling routes provide further excuses to get in the car and explore the countryside.
New This Year
B&Bs aren’t for everyone. For those who prefer a brand-new sleep situation, a Hampton Inn & Suites opened last month.
Must-Do
- We mentioned the shopping, right? Stores along East Davis Street that would pique the interest of even the most discerning of shoppers include Harriet’s General, featuring American-made goods, the eco-friendly and socially responsible Green Roost, plus Homeconomics and Latchkey Mercantile for furniture and home accents.
- Billed as a triple threat, Old House Vineyards can be found roughly five minutes outside of downtown, where the Kearney family turned an 1800s farmhouse with views of Shenandoah National Park into a Shangri-La of wine, craft beer and spirits. Further solidifying the town’s love of all things liquid, 2019 marks the seventh year of the Gnarly Hops & Barley Fest (April 27) featuring more than 50 beer varieties, local food, craft vendors, live music and games.
- And for those sultry Virginia days, seek out Lake Pelham Adventures located in The Ole Country Store & Bakery for canoe, kayak, paddle board and paddle boat rentals starting in April.
If You Spend the Night
On the flip side, getting away from it all in the countryside at Walden Hall might be your cup of tea. Sitting on 10 acres, the B&B offers a farm-to-table breakfast, a retro arcade with 1980s games, a 2-acre fishing pond with complimentary rods and lures, a helipad and high-speed Wi-Fi if you can only unplug and unwind for so long. Thursday through Saturday evenings generally bring free movie nights at the Packard Campus Theater, an AV conservation center with a massive collection of film, television and video items. Showings might include Charlie Chaplin comedy shorts, the more modern Akeelah and the Bee or a 1940s murder mystery starring Claude Rains shown in an art deco-style theater. Saturday mornings bring a popular and well-stocked farmers market from 7:30 a.m.-noon, May through November.
Chesapeake Beach
Go if you like … Low-key family fun for kids who aren’t quite ready for body surfing, fresh seafood or the flash of a slot machine.
The Details
This unpretentious Maryland town—so closely tethered to adjacent North Beach that they are often referred to as the Twin Beaches—served as an entertainment playground for Washingtonians in the early 1900s. Back then, a train conveyed city folks looking to exchange downtown heat for bay breezes, a boardwalk, gaming and a ride on the Great Derby Roller Coaster that careened over the bay. The surf here is gentle enough for littles, and all ages will appreciate the abundance of shark-tooth fossils that wash up from the Miocene era, when various shark species swam in the warm, shallow sea that used to flood the area.
New This Year
Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa is a hub of the town’s activity, and the hotel plans to roll out new restaurants, a parking garage and commercial areas throughout 2019, with a grand reopening scheduled for 2020. This year also happens to be the town’s 125th anniversary of incorporation, so check the town’s website for special events. In addition, the water park and railway museum are both receiving upgrades this year.
Must-Do
The beach is obviously a huge draw, even when it’s too chilly to appreciate the family-friendly amenities like rentable chairs, umbrellas and inner-tubes. In fact, hitting Bay Front Park (aka Brownie’s Beach) or Breezy Point Beach the morning after a storm is the best time to spot those coveted shark’s teeth. Still, in spring you’ll likely find yourself plotting a time to come back and enjoy the gentle surf during warmer months. Fishing and crabbing should be next on your list, with plenty of charter boats waiting to help you snag your own catch of the day. Nature nuts will want to plan a stroll along the peaceful, scenic Chesapeake Beach Railway Trail, a boardwalk that meanders over marshland dotted with osprey nests, bald eagles and oyster spats. If you have time, we’d like to add a quick-yet-quaint visit to the Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum to your itinerary. The former depot is located right in the parking lot of the Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa, and you can learn about the folks who partied here during the town’s heyday.
If You Spend the Night
Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa completed a full renovation of its rooms, which now feature chic teal and bold flower accents. This is the best option for accommodations in the area, with the added bonus of putting guests right in the middle of everything fun. If you can work in a Friday-night stay, don’t miss the evening farmers market that winds through several blocks of North Beach and includes a classic car show, local produce, baked goods and brews, along with a few food trucks. (Try the ultra-popular Filipino grill that turns out wonderful lumpia.) Lunch at Abner’s for Maryland crab right on the water is a must.
Baltimore
Go if you like … Cities—but have done DC to death.
The Details
The nickname of Charm City is truly more than some slick marketing campaign. Baltimoreans are still liable to call you “hon;” they embrace the magic of eccentricity, as evidenced by the city’s love of local artist and director John Waters; and will put Old Bay on darn near everything (not that there’s anything wrong with that). The food and drinks scene here is as vibrant and exciting as anything you’d find in other cities of its size—perhaps more so thanks to its affordability, which fosters a creative class that definitely inspires what ends up on the plates in Baltimore restaurants. Gastronomes will also appreciate the abundant local seafood, which includes oysters, fish and some of the finest crab in the world, and of course, the popular Little Italy neighborhood, where pasta lovers can also indulge in subs at Isabella’s Pizza and cannoli at Vaccaro’s Italian Pastry Shop. There’s plenty of history, from the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine to the cobblestone streets of Fell’s Point (learn more about the neighborhood through a fun ghost tour) to the “other” Washington Monument.
Must-Do
Let’s go ahead and assume you’ve been to the National Aquarium. (If you haven’t, go there first!) Aside from the aquarium, the American Visionary Art Museum is a special place that exhibits original works by self-taught artists. Compelling exhibits this year include the well-received Parenting: An Art without a Manual, which closes Sept. 1, as well as a collection of intricate needlework and fabric collages depicting the survival of the artist and her sister during the Nazi invasion of Poland, which will be on view for five years. After such heavy topics, you might need a pick-me-up. Guinness Open Gate Brewery & Barrel House—one of only two experimental Guinness breweries in the world, and the only purpose-built Guinness brewery in America—recently joined the lineup of craft brewers in the Baltimore area. The Guinness Draught is brewed in Dublin, but here you’ll find original brews like a Black IPA or a Hibiscus Wheat along with live music, bar snacks, brewery tours and a patio. An Uber ride from downtown Baltimore will run you about $20 roundtrip, but it’s worth it. Lastly, Charm City Helicopters offers the chance to cross “take helicopter ride” off your bucket list for around $150 per person. It’s an awesome way to view the city while upping your annual quota of adrenaline in 20 minutes.
If You Spend the Night
If the Charm City Bluegrass Festival (April 26–27), Flower Mart (May 3–4), Kinetic Sculpture Race (May 4) or Preakness (May 16-18) inspire you to get a room, book at the ultra-cool Sagamore Pendry or Hotel Revival, two new boutique hotels with jaw-dropping design and excellent service.
Rehoboth Beach
Go if you like … A picture-postcard boardwalk scene by day, and a beer-fueled bar crawl by night.
The Details
Most people consider Rehoboth a weeklong endeavor, but there’s no need to sign up for the Saturday-to-Saturday schlep along with hordes of other drivers making the trip from the DMV. Since the Delaware beach sits only 2.5 hours away, it’s completely doable as a day trip—just leave the house around 8 a.m., and you could have your toes in the surf well before lunchtime. The rides at Funland, an amusement park on the boardwalk, don’t start to run until 1 p.m., but the games open at 10 a.m. Our usual itinerary is to park the car as close to the boardwalk as possible, buy a tub of Thrasher’s fries, play a few rounds of Whac-a-Mole and Skee-Ball at Funland and hit the beach for a few hours, with one parent eventually making a Grotto Pizza run at lunchtime. After you’re all sunned, sanded and surfed out, shower off and wander along the boardwalk for frozen custard at Kohr Bros. and maybe a round of mini golf at the rooftop course. Then it’s hours of fun on the rides at Funland, dinner at one of the nicer restaurants in town, and then the whole family piles back into the car with pink cheeks, sandy shoes, big smiles and fervent hopes that the children sleep all the way home.
New This Year
The Pines recently opened its doors, offering a new fine dining experience to Rehoboth travelers. If rosemary-smoked grilled oysters and ginseng honey-brined pork chops sound good to you, this could be your new go-to spot at the beach. Delmarva Discovery Tours has also launched a new option that allows folks to experience life on the farm, including a ride on a combine during harvest season.
Must-Do
Funland, filled with adorably (and Instagrammable) retro rides and games, should be at the top of your list. Well, maybe right under hitting the beach for swimming, skimboarding or chilling in the sand. Cruising the boardwalk for epic people-watching and getting suckered into buying a hermit crab seems to be the thing for families to do. Singles and couples without kids might want to check out the vibrant bar scene including Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats or take advantage of Delaware’s tax-free shopping.
If You Spend the Night
There are perfectly fine hotels farther away from the water, but you’re here to be in the action, right? Newish boutique Hotel Rehoboth sits only about four blocks from the beach, other spots close to the water include Boardwalk Plaza, Avenue Inn & Spa and The Bellmoor Inn & Spa. While some include breakfast, those in the know head over to The Royal Treat for no-fuss, yet incredibly satisfying plates of eggs, pancakes and creamed chipped beef.
Luray Caverns
Go if you like … A little bit of kitsch and a lot of nature, served alongside jaw-dropping geological wonders.
The Details
For most Virginians, searching for the fried egg formation and listening to the Stalacpipe Organ in these underground caverns of stalagmites and stalactites are a rite of passage. Designated a U.S. Natural Landmark by the Department of the Interior, it really is a marvelous sight to experience cathedral-sized rooms with ceilings 10 stories high, filled with dripping columns frozen eons ago, reflected in shimmering pools. Located about 10 minutes off Skyline Drive—another must-do for every Virginian—each ticket to the otherworldly caverns includes entrance to the Car & Carriage Caravan Museum, which features transportation exhibits with items dating back to the 1760s, as well as entrance to the Luray Valley Museum documenting local history. Tickets also include a peek at Toy Town Junction, a train collection that began with one boy in 1941. Each of these extras is located on the same property as the caverns.
New This Year
Luray debuted an arts festival last year, and 2019 will see that festival expand into all of Page County (April 12-15). And for those 100-plus-degree days, Luray recently opened its first escape room, dubbed Escape 211, which features rooms inspired by local attractions (Luray Caverns and Skyline Drive, perhaps?), Luray Caverns also expects to debut a new stair-free entrance by late spring, intended to greatly improve accessibility.
Must-Do
Aside from exploring the caverns and museums, you’ll want to head into the town of Luray for nostalgic charm that could include a peaceful walk along the Hawksbill Greenway Trail, a visit to the Warehouse Art Gallery and a craft brew at Hawksbill Brewing Company. Proximity to Shenandoah National Park also begs for exploration of the hiking trails, scenic drives and an opportunity to take in the stars from the 4,000-foot elevations of Skyline Drive. And if the aforementioned kitsch is your thing, pull into Cooter’s Place, an ode to all things Dukes of Hazzard curated by Cooter himself—actor Ben Jones. There’s a museum, a replica of the garage with the General Lee, plenty of merch for fans of the late ’70s/early ’80s TV show and weekly live music performances from Jones.
If You Spend the Night
Located in downtown Luray, The Mimslyn Inn is a member of Historic Hotels of America and embodies the classic charm of its 1931 opening date.
St. Michaels
Go if you like … To look at the water, get out on the water, eat things that come from the water, visit museums about water …
The Details
Often lumped together with Talbot County’s two other beloved towns—Easton and Oxford—St. Michaels nevertheless asserts its own unique personality. Perched on the edge of the Miles River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, this picturesque town of about 1,000 residents loves its maritime history, and if ever there was a place to embrace your inner sea captain, it would be here. Shops that line Talbot Street keep visitors and locals happily pulling out their credit cards for sea-themed gifts, jewelry and home goods with a hefty coastal accent.
New This Year
The wildly popular Sea Glass Festival has outgrown its original location and will move to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. Meanwhile, the Inn at Perry Cabin has opened tennis courts and an 18-hole championship golf course.
Must-Do
Visit the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, which pays homage to the area’s history and culture through exhibits, with a climbable historic lighthouse and a working boathouse that offers hands-on restoration opportunities for visitors. In addition to learning about it, locals firmly believe that a visit to St. Michaels isn’t complete without getting on the water in some sort of vessel, be it a kayak, paddleboard, sailboat or sunset cruise on a yacht. If the maritime museum has floated your boat with its history lesson, you can also book passage on a 1930s steam ferry or a 1950s skipjack. There are two springtime festivals you should mark on your calendar as well: WineFest at St. Michaels (April 27–28) and the Sea Glass Festival (April 6-7).
If You Spend the Night
The Inn at Perry Cabin is reason enough to plan an overnight in this adorable town, and the luxury property recently refreshed its rooms—some of which offer water views. The idyllic grounds feature Adirondack chairs overlooking the water, gardens and complimentary bikes for riding into town, and the staff can arrange for you to arrive by boat or will cook your catch of the day if you go fishing or crabbing. If you’re not driving home, that gives you the perfect excuse to check out Eastern Shore Brewing Company, St. Michaels Winery and Lyon Distilling Co.
New York City
Go if you like … Frenetic energy and the thrill of having the world at your fingertips.
The Details
We don’t really need to introduce you to New York City, do we? Even if you grew up in South Dakota, you’ve seen movies and lived in the world, right? More likely than not, you’ve done NYC with the spouse and then later with kids in tow, so now it’s time for a girls getaway with your closest friends. Even if you haven’t got the partner or the family, it’s still a great time to plan a Broadway day trip. New York is never the same city twice. It’s constantly changing and always luring us back with new reasons to adore the Big Apple.
New This Year
This season’s Broadway debuts include Ink, which chronicles a “young Rupert Murdoch on the verge of founding the U.K.’s most influential newspaper,” according to Playbill, and Tootsie, a musical based on the classic 1982 movie. This spring, several new restaurants by superstar chefs like Thomas Keller, José Andrés and David Chang are set to open in Hudson Yards, a huge mixed-use development with shops, residences and a handful of eateries.
Must-Do
It’s impossible to distill New York into just a few must-dos, but if we take it from the angle of a girls trip to blow off some steam, a good place to start is scoring tickets to whatever musical you’ve been dying to see—anything from Aladdin to Wicked. If the weather’s nice, plan a walk along the High Line, an elevated public park built along a historic freight rail line that combines art, design and nature. Reward yourself after the nearly 2-mile trek with caviar and Champagne at Bagatelle New York. If the weather’s not so great, take a vote on which amazing art museum the group should take in, or duck into Chelsea Market for outstanding nibbles, drinks, gifts and vintage finds.
If You Spend the Night
The Crowne Plaza HY36 is about a 15-minute walk (less than 10 minutes by car) to the Marquis Theater, where Tootsie is playing. It’s also within walking distance of the High Line and adjacent to Hudson Yards.
Kings Dominion
Go if you like … Speed, heights and face-melting roller coaster drops.
The Details
This beloved amusement park has been thrilling Virginians since 1975. It now encompasses 400 acres loaded with more than 60 rides, shows and attractions, including a large Peanuts-inspired little-kid zone called Planet Snoopy and a 20-acre water park perfect for counteracting those swampy, humid summer days. For roller coaster enthusiasts, there’s not much that can top the park’s newest ride, a steel-wood hybrid called Twisted Timbers that debuted last season. Other favorites include the foot-dangling, corkscrew-filled Dominator, which tops out at 67 miles per hour, or the impossibly tall Intimidator 305. Guests who aren’t as into the speed thing can have a decidedly different day at Kings Dominion by taking part in the shopping, watching one of the live shows or riding the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower, a third the size of the original, but still affording great views.
New This Year
Kings Dominion wasn’t ready to reveal any details about this year’s new experience or ride by the time we went to print, but fingers crossed for something epic.
Must-Do
Even if there’s a line, you must try the newest roller coaster, Twisted Timbers, if you’re a coaster fan. It’s awesome. If you’ve been eyeballing that Xtreme Skyflyer contraption but didn’t want to shell out the extra $20 or so to experience it—do it. It’s like skydiving from 17 stories up without having to jump out of a plane. Park admission includes access to Soak City, a 20-acre water park filled with two wave pools, more than 20 slides and splash pads for little ones. This section of the park opens for the season May 25.
If You Spend the Night
To really get your money’s worth out of the park, stay until closing time and book a cabin at Camp Wilderness, located less than a mile from the park and featuring a shuttle to and from the park—which is great because your feet will ache. Season passes are another great way to get the most bang for your buck, and serve as further incentive to spend the night.
Want more travel content? Subscribe to our bimonthly newsletter.
