Have you ever heard of the New River Gorge National River in West Virginia? Don’t let the name fool you, the New River is considered to be the second oldest river in the world. The area was recently redesignated, and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve became America’s 63rd national park. We recently spent a few days exploring this expansive, outdoor area and came away impressed by the scenic views and variety of activities. Like most of our national park visits, there was much to see and do, and not enough hours in the day. Besides the scenic mountains, the area offers multiple levels of hiking and mountain biking trails, white water rafting, rock climbing, fishing, and a thrilling opportunity on the New River Gorge Bridge Walk. As a bonus, the park has no entrance fees! Keep reading to find things to do at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, plus a few tips to know before you go.
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Have you taken a day trip recently? When life gets busy, sometimes a change of scenery that doesn't require much planning or packing is just what the doctor ordered. Luckily in the DC area, it's easy to plan a quick escape, with many options for day trips from DC just a short drive away. So whether you want to step into the great outdoors, enjoy local food favorites, explore a new museum, or browse in fun shops, here are 5 of the best day trips from the DC area, each with something unique to offer.
Spring is officially here, and this year more than ever most of us are ready to jump in the car for a short road trip or weekend adventure a few hours from home. Those of us with four-legged family members have another question to consider—should I take my dog on a road trip? While photos of smiling dogs in a car might be popular on Instagram, the reality can be quite different. So whether you are traveling cross country with a dog, or taking a pet-friendly day trip, here are some things we learned about how to road trip with dogs. Most importantly, preparation ahead of time is essential to make things less stressful when traveling with a dog. Plus we share some useful items that we have found helpful while traveling by car with our 70-pound rescue dog over the years. Since this post was originally published, our sweet dog Hallie (pictured throughout this blog and who always had an adventurous spirit) has crossed the rainbow bridge. But stay tuned as we start traveling more with our newest 55 pound rescue dog, also shown here, who isn't quite as comfortable in the car. It's going to be an adventure!
*This post was updated January, 2024.
Welcome 2021! Like so many, we are yearning to get out and safely explore after staying at home and distancing for months on end. While there are still many travel restrictions in place at this time, it’s never too early to start planning for a future getaway. As a family, we have found that vacationing with tweens and teens opens up opportunities to include more adventurous activities and visit places better suited for older kids. These four adventure activities are sure to add some lasting memories to your next vacation. The first one still makes me smile thinking of the look on my son’s face watching a curious young manatee check us out! Each activity is paired with a vacation destination or can be part of a family road trip. Of course, be sure to review destination and attraction websites for any travel restrictions and updated business hours.
Are you searching for a fun place for outdoor adventure, scenic views, and great food? Then add the mountain town of Roanoke, Virginia to your list. Over the years we’ve driven up and down Interstate 81 at least a dozen times, stopping in Roanoke for an occasional meal or a quick visit to the unique Black Dog Salvage. We recently had the chance to throw our bicycles in the car and spend a few days exploring this outdoor playground in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains. With a population of just under 100,000, Roanoke has received dozens of accolades over the years like Top Adventure Town and in 2022, included in the Best Mountain Towns in the United States. Once you take in the view from the top of McAfee Knob or one of the many other trails, you’ll understand why. From hiking and biking to a thriving food scene, here’s our suggestions of ways to enjoy Roanoke’s outdoor playground along with a few restaurants we discovered during our recent visit.
*This post was updated August, 2022
If you are a dog owner, you probably are familiar with that look—the sad eyes when your dog sees your suitcase and waits patiently to see if you are going to invite them to go along. Our 10 year old dog Hallie goes on many day trips and hiking adventures with us, so she’s always hopeful when she sees a suitcase. And once or twice a year her wish comes true when we take her with us on an overnight adventure. Recently, we decided to combine a visit to see family with a stay at the dog-friendly Lazy L at Willow Creek in Lewes, Delaware. Just a few hours from the DC area, the Lazy L at Willow Creek is truly a hidden gem near the popular beach towns of Lewes and Rehoboth Beach. This was our third visit, and I’m already thinking about a return in the spring. If you are looking for a dog-friendly bed and breakfast not far from the DC area, or just a relaxing weekend getaway in Delaware, read on to see why we love the Lazy L at Willow Creek. Plus find a few things that we've learned from traveling with our dog.
*This post was updated August, 2022
Fall is my favorite time of year, when nature paints a colorful picture in neighborhoods, parks, and forests. When I originally wrote this post in late 2020, many people were eager to take short road trips and day trips for a much-needed change of scenery. If you are like me, there is something soothing about taking a walk or a drive to enjoy the beautiful reds, oranges, and yellow of the season. But where to go to see the colorful fall leaves? Here are 5 ideas for interesting places to see fall foliage, some of which might be closer to home than you think.
*This post was updated August, 2024
One of the best things about living in the suburbs of Washington, DC is the ability to make repeat visits to the stirring memorials and monuments around the National Mall. If you have ever walked the path at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial or read the 24 bronze panels on the World War II Memorial, you can understand how design elements play a powerful role in evoking emotions and sharing history. It is this same sense of reverence that you feel upon approach to the beach tableau that is part of the 88 acre National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. The memorial was brought to life based on the vision of D-Day Veteran, John Robert “Bob” Slaughter. Just 19 years old when he stepped foot on the beach as part of the D-Day Allied invasion during World War II, he had the opportunity to return to Normandy several times over the years. In 1989, he began working with other veterans to fulfill his vision of creating a memorial to honor those who did not make it off the beaches June 6, 1944. The National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia was officially opened and dedicated by President George W. Bush on June 6, 2001.
*This post was updated June, 2024
If you have traveled to Virginia, you probably have seen the “Virginia is for Lovers” slogan. After living in the state for over 30 years, I’ve discovered many things to love, including mountains, lakes, iconic food, local beer and wine, history, and tons of opportunities for outdoor adventure. The geography in the state varies, with the Allegheny and Blue Ridge mountain ranges in the west, and coastal beach areas in the eastern part of the state. In between, lakes and rivers offer water activities, fishing, hiking, camping and other fun outdoor activities. Throw in the close proximity of Northern Virginia to Washington, DC, and it’s a great choice for family fun. I hope that this list of 30 things to do in Virginia gives you a sense of the variety of activities the state has to offer for both visitors and locals. This Virginia bucket list has been broken down into several categories to help with planning. As locals, we think this list includes something for everyone.
*This post was updated August, 2024
Are you ready to take a family road trip but not sure where to go or how to plan? This post was originally published in honor of the 100th birthday of the National Park Service, as a way to share several of the big National Park family trips that we have taken over the years. With a renewed interest in road trips for the summer of 2020, I’m spotlighting these 6 road trip suggestions, running in length from 4 days to 3 weeks. Some include urban activities, visiting cities like Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. Use the links to find more detailed information, including suggested routes and activities, with itineraries for the longer trips that include multiple national parks. You can also visit the familyTravelsUSA Pinterest boards, filled with thousands of ideas and suggestions, organized by topics including road trips, national parks, road food and many state-specific travel and food boards.
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