You might be asking yourselves, “Wait a minute, didn’t DCist do this list already?” We did. Kind of. We’ve highlighted the best weekend getaways and the best places to enjoy the outdoors. Consider this a “best of best of lists,” culling together selections for you to find the best outdoor getaways in the D.C. area, whether it’s a weekend trip, a day trip, or something in your neighborhood. Go enjoy the great outdoors, people.
Photo by Christaki
HARPERS FERRY, W.Va.: Although West Virginia is a small state, it’s packed with history and beautiful scenery. (Also: tap dancing drug addicts.) Visit Harpers Ferry for the Civil War history and re-enactors, stay for the John Brown Wax Museum, which features terrifying figures, mildew and a replica of the gallows where the abolitionist was hanged. Hike one of the many trails in the area for a spectacular view of three states—West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland—at once. Amtrak provides one train from Union Station to Harpers Ferry per day. — Sarah Anne Hughes
Harpers Ferry is 67 miles from D.C.
SHENANDOHAH NATIONAL PARK: Less than two hours from busy downtown D.C., this Virginia destination is a great spot for camping or just a day trip to hike or drive or bike the scenic Skyline Drive. Big Meadows Campground is near a lot of hiking trails, including a couple that wend down to secluded waterfalls, and the somewhat strenuous hike to Old Rag is always a popular climb. On your way back, check out High on the Hog BBQ in Sperryville. It’s good stuff. — Andrew Wiseman
Shenandoah National Park is 75 miles from D.C.
GETTYSBURG, Pa.: Washington on July 4? That’s America, however unoriginal. But if you’re looking to get away from the holiday crowds in town, one of the most surreal pageants of Independence is less than two hours from the Beltway. Every year around Independence Day, Gettysburg, Pa. is transformed into an entire town of cosplay. Walk the city’s historic streets at all hours and run into visions from the 19th century, go ghost-hunting in cemeteries built atop Civil War battlefields, and rest assured that since the whole town was the battlefield, wherever you go, you’re treading on somebody’s grave. Even if you’re not a Civil War buff, it’s a blast. Just don’t eat at the Lincoln Diner. — Pat Padua
Gettysburg, Pa. is 85 miles from D.C.
Photo by owash
MONTROSE PARK: Squeezed between Oak Hill Cemetery and Dumbarton Oaks on Georgetown’s northernmost end, Montrose Park is an urban oasis. Whether you want to have a picnic, play tennis or take your kids to the playground, the park feels detached from the bustling city it resides in. And though the park itself is worth a visit, it can also serve as a useful jumping off point for an entire day outside—the park slopes down towards Rock Creek Park, where it connects to a set of trails that can take you as far north as the Maryland border. — Martin Austermuhle
Montrose Park is located on the 3000 block of R Street NW.
MAPLE TREE CAMPGROUND: With its proximity to Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, there are no shortages of places to camp near D.C. But, as I’m a sucker for novelty, I’d recommend the Maple Tree Campground in Rohrersville, Md. There, for $43 a night, you can rent a tree house in the woods. Or for $138 a night, you can rent — wait for it — the Hobbit Cottage, seen above. The campground is ten minutes away from Harpers Ferry and the Antietam Battlefield, as well as places to hike, swim, tube and raft. — Sarah Anne Hughes
Maple Tree Campground is 66 miles from Washington, D.C.
OLD RAG MOUNTAIN: When a friend casually solicits suggestions—whether it be in person or via social media—for good weekend getaway, one of the more popular answers is the Shenandoah Valley. Sure, the Shenandoah Valley is gorgeous, but it’s also damn big. Writing “go to the Shenandoah Valley” when a friend on Facebook asks for weekend getaways isn’t exactly helpful. You might as well be saying “go to Virginia.” So, I’d like to point out a specific part of the vast valley area that’s worth your time: Old Rag Mountain. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, a mere two-and-a-half hour drive from D.C. (depending on traffic), hiking up the 3,284-foot mountain is about six miles—some of it quite rocky terrain. Not only does the top of the mountain have some of the most breathtaking views I’ve ever seen, but there’s a few camping sites prime for an overnight stay atop Old Rag. — Matt Cohen
Old Rag Mountain is 92 miles from Washington, D.C.
Photo by James0806
ROCK CREEK PARK: Rock Creek Park has a plethora of hiking trails, many of which are very quiet. Especially from Klingle Road and north, the trails above the creek like the Valley Trail and Western Ridge Trail seem more like a hike in the Shenandoah than one in your backyard. You may not see a lot of wildlife, but you also won’t see a lot of people. The side trail to Fort DeRussy is another solitary but interesting one, you end up at an old Civil War fort that commanded the valley, now tucked away in a forest. — Andrew Wiseman
Rock Creek Park is big and accessible from various places in NW, but the address listed is 3545 Williamsburg Lane NW.
CRISPUS ATTUCKS PARK: This hidden Bloomingdale gem is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. So much so, that I almost didn’t write about it because I didn’t want to risk exposing it to the masses. Almost. Tucked away in behind row houses between U and V Streets NW and First and North Capital Streets NW, this serene alleyway park features an open green lawn and lush flora that’s the perfect place to relax on your own and dig your nose into a good book. — Matt Cohen
Crispus Attucks Park is located at 63 U Street NW.
MARVIN GAYE PARK TRAIL: If you’re like me, and too much alone time translates into over-thinking, riding a bike solo is a nice compromise. You’re alone, but occupied with trying not to crash/die. The Marvin Gaye Park Trail is my new favorite place to go on a ride. The Ward 7 park is 1.6 miles long, and the trail runs next to the Watts Branch stream. Getting there from west of the River is a bit tricky, but can be accomplished by also using the Anacostia River and Fort Circle trails. The local ANC is dedicated to bringing programming to the section of the park off Division Avenue this summer, so stay tuned. —Sarah Anne Hughes
The Marvin Gaye Park Trail begins at Minnesota and Nannie Helen Burroughs avenues NE.
NATIONAL ARBORETUM: Wedged in between busy New York Avenue and Bladensburg Road in the Northeast, the National Arboretum offers cement-weary Washingtonians and tourists the chance to spend some time with nature. For locals, it can provide a day of restful reflection in the presence of beautiful plants and trees. For tourists, it’s a chance to see a landmark off the beaten path of the National Mall: the National Capitol Columns. — Sarah Anne Hughes
The National Arboretum can be entered from 3501 New York Avenue NE or 24th Street and R Streets NE, off Bladensburg Road.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT ISLAND: For those looking for a nice stroll or hike in the greet outdoors, Roosevelt Island is a great option. Located in the Potomac River, the 88.5-acre island features a statue of America’s 26th president, as well as many trails. Pedestrians may only enter the island from a footbridge in Rosslyn, while drivers enter from the George Washington Memorial Parkway. While pets are welcome, bikes are not. Bonus for locals? It’s one of the least visited tourist attractions in the area. — Sarah Anne Hughes
Theodore Roosevelt Island is located in the Potomac River.
THE BILLY GOAT TRAIL AT GREAT FALLS PARK: The Billy Goat Trail is a great way to spend a couple of hours on a nice day, especially if you go early enough to avoid the crowds. Parts of the hike can be technical, as there is some rock scrambling involved. But the “A” section of the trail only takes a couple of hours, is a great work out and offers some wonderful scenic views of the Potomac River. Great Falls is just outside the city, so early risers can be back home by lunch time. — Sarah Anne Hughes
Great Falls Park is located at 9200 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, Va.
Photo by Sarah Anne Hughes.
FORT DUPONT PARK: Located just over the Anacostia River, Fort Dupont Park features trails friendly to a non-hiker, gardens and a pavilion that hosts a summer concert series. Like Rock Creek Park, Fort Dupont offers a chance to feel immersed in the wilderness while inside the city limits. — Sarah Anne Hughes
Fort Dupont Park’s parking lot is located at 3600 F Street SE.
KENILWORTH PARK AND AQUATIC GARDENS: Absolutely stunning, especially in the springtime. Massive lily pads, herons everywhere. Seriously, it’s like a whole different world in D.C. — Pablo Maurer
Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens is located at 1550 Anacostia Avenue SE.
EASTERN SHORE: As someone who went to college on the Eastern Shore, I have a lot of bad things to say about it. But I’ll also be the first person to defend it, because, well, parts of it are absolutely gorgeous and make for a fine weekend away. Obviously, there’s the string of beaches stretching from Maryland to Virginia, each of which has its own distinct culture (Ocean City for a trashy good time circa your early twenties, Rehoboth for a cultured-but-trashy good time, circa your late twenties and beyond.) But their are other parts of the shore that also offer vastly different experiences: Assateague and Chincoteague both offer a kind of nature-centric, quiet weekend escape, without the boozy raucousness of Ocean City. And there’s Salisbury, where I went to school. You should avoid it. — Matt Cohen
