It’s time to hit the road, NoVA. Whaddya say? Leave the 9-to-5 worries behind and bask in the sunshine-filled days ahead. Whether you’re in the mood for a day trip, weekend jaunt or a seven-day stay, we’ve put together a list of some of summer’s hottest destinations. Ready? Off we go.
By Lorin Drinkard
Burke Lake (Courtesy of Fairfax County Park Authority)
Oh Northern Virginia, you’ve done it again. With its many parks and outdoor amenities, the area completely proves why Virginia is for lovers (namely, because we love it here!).
Take Burke Lake Park, where admission is free (during the week/for Fairfax Co. residents), and the amusement options are seemingly endless. For $2.50, hitch a ride on the cherry red train, which runs over 1.75 miles—about a breezy 10-minute journey through the woods, by the lake and in a tunnel, before chugging back to the station. Then, hop on over to the carousel for a delightful go-round. Whether you’re on one of the ornately painted horses or a smaller brightly colored animal, it’s completely worth the small price tag (seven quarters). Boat rentals are also available, and don’t forget about Frisbee golf, and the real thing, too. fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/burkelakepark
Or head to Sterling’s park-perfect spot: Algonkian Park. Mini golf, hiking and picnic tables await you at this Potomac waterfront location, including a full 72-par golf course.
There’s always beating the heat at Algonkian’s water theme park, Volcano Island, as well. Featuring slides, a splash pad and huge pool, the park is a refreshing escape from the heat. Be sure to check out the 500-gallon dumping bucket, squirters and a 170-foot enclosed slide as you embrace the Aloha-themed getaway. Day passes are $6.75 for those 55 years old and over, $8 for those 48” or taller, $6.75 for 48” or shorter, free for kids under age 2. nvrpa.org/park/algonkian
Courtesy of Kings Dominion
If fast rides and tall drops are your thing, NoVA has that, too. Get your roller coaster fix at Kings Dominion, a two-hour drive from Fairfax. Try the all-new WindSeeker, a 301-foot-tall swing ride that brings a spectacular view of the park from 30 stories above. Guests can step back in time to prehistoric days when T-Rex and Stegosaurus roamed the earth at the park’s new animatronic dinosaur spot. For $5 (with park admission) explore the six-acre layout where 36 life-sized, hand-carved dinos are on display.
With Boulder Bumps, Hot Rods, Road Rally and more, the Kidzville section of the park has a wonderful selection of attractions that the little ones are sure to love. Add in live entertainment and the Waterworks waterpark (included with admission price), and we foresee a jam-packed day of fun ahead. Single-day adult tickets are $49.99 online, while kids, junior and senior tickets are $37.99 online. kingsdominion.com
Another area adrenaline-charged theme park is Six Flags America. About an hour’s drive from Fairfax, this Maryland theme park offers more than 100 rides, games and attractions. In May the park added its eighth coaster—Apocalypse: The Last Stand. Dropping 10 stories and reaching speeds of 55 miles per hour, this 2,900-foot thrill ride will weave and turn through an end-of-the-world scenario in a two-minute, heart-pounding adventure.
Six Flags (Courtesy of Gene Young/Six Flags America)
Six Flags America, like Kings Dominion, also boasts an in-park water wonderland. At Six Flags Hurricane Harbor guests of all ages can lazily float down Castaway Creek or jump on Bahama Blast for 517 feet of extreme tubing. Catch a show in the WB Theater, or explore the park’s shops. Adult tickets are $56.99, kids under 48” are $36.99 and children under age 2 are free. sixflags.com/america
Beach-lovers, consider adding Leesylvania State Park to your itinerary. The 542-acre park offers a sprawling expanse to frolic in the sunshine and catch some rays at a riverfront beach. With a boat ramp right off the Potomac River, the park is an excellent spot to set out for a day of fishing striped bass, perch or catfish. Smaller vessels (think canoes, kayaks) are also permitted and can easily launch into the water from Powells Creek. While you can’t actually dive into Leesylvania’s waters, you can cool off by wading and walking the beachfront. Hit one of the park’s five hiking trails and work up an appetite as you pass through former Civil War sites. After, load up on food at the snack bar, and head to one of the park’s four large picnic shelters for a summer day feast. Daily parking is $4 (weekdays)/$5 (weekends); boat launch, $8. dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/lee.shtml
Fredericksburg also offers a wonderful water-filled destination for lovers of all things aquatic. Lake Anna offers lakeshore picnicking, 15-plus miles of trails, a swimming beach and children’s play area. Ten miles of lake front include plenty of room to catch some rays or launch a boat into the 13,000-acre lake. Largemouth bass, crappie and bream are the lake’s most popular catches. Grab concessions near the swimming beach, or escape the heat at one of the three picnic shelters. Parking is $4 (weekdays)/$5 (weekends); boat launch, $4; swimming fee is ages 13 and over $3 (weekdays)/$4 (weekends); ages 3 to 12 $2 (weekdays)/$3 (weekends); under 3 are free. dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/lak.shtml
Courtesy of Wintergreen Resort
Two Days of Bliss
With a weekend’s worth of time, vacation locations can be a little farther away.
Located in the heart of Central Virginia, Wintergreen Resort is a sprawling, four-season hot spot that offers relaxation and family bonding opportunities away from the hustle and bustle of a busy city life.
Visit the resort’s Discovery Ridge, and you’ll find a plethora of indoor and outdoor activities. Head into the Adventure Center for gaming, foosball, air hockey, mechanical bull rides and skee ball.
Outside, the entertainment options continue with a hybrid trampoline/bungee, a 25-foot climbing tower, 18-hole miniature golf course and summer tubing from 10 stories high. Over at Ridgely’s Fun Park, guests will have the chance to play flag football, water balloon volleyball or giant bowling. Enjoy a day on the water at the year-round indoor pool or under the sun at Lake Monocan. The 20-acre lake offers canoes, paddleboats and kayak rentals. Lounge on the sandy beach or grab some fishing equipment and hit the water; beginner fly fishing is also available.
Enjoy local music culture by catching a show at the Evans Center for the Performing Arts, situated at the top of Wintergreen Mountain. The Wintergreen Performing Arts holds a variety of performances in the acoustic theatre—from classical and jazz to mountain music and vocal concerts—that will add a melodious touch to your weekend.
A two-bedroom condo on site comes with a kitchen, dining area, living room and two baths from $229 to $329 per night, or stay in a two-bedroom home for $255 to $389 per night. wintergreenresort.com
Courtesy of ACE Adventure Resort
For thrill seekers at heart, ACE Adventure is the place to be. The 1,500-acre resort located in Oak Hill W. Va., has a dozen of opportunities for every age group to explore their inner dare devil. What’s a better way to embrace summertime than an exhilarating ride down whitewater? At ACE Adventure, guests can helmet up and tackle a challenging course like the Fall Upper Gauley (age minimum is 15), or float down beginner rapids like the Upper New River, with stops at swimming holes and a riverside lunch.
ACE’s Adventure Park and Lake is just what it sounds like—part water park, part awesome. The five-acre lake is like a giant playground where kids and adults will have a blast jumping on trampolines, hanging from zip lines and bouncing on a giant blob that dots the water. Relax on the nearby beach, then determine your next adrenaline rush: mountain biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, stand-up paddle boarding or paintball, just to name a few.
Or maybe a guided ATV ride, where you can put some mud on the tires. Sign up for the mud obstacle course where groups of five or more can compete in a slippery, murky race to the finish. For a unique experience, take a tour of West Virginia’s New River Gorge Bridge. Walk the 1.5 miles across one of the state’s most recognizable symbols while balancing on a 24-inch wide catwalk.
Lodging options include deluxe-style accommodations, bunking cabins or camping. The Grey Fox Cabin, sleeps up to 10, runs $410 per night. For semi-rustic lodging, stay in the Cedar Cabins, $79 per night for one or two people ($12 per additional person). Rent a family tent, which sleeps three to five and includes mattresses, a campfire area and picnic table, for $15 per night/person. aceraft.com
Courtesy of Kingsmill Resort
Discover authentic Southern charm and hospitality at Kingsmill Resort, Williamsburg’s home to former historic plantations dating back to the 1600s. Indulge in a spa day, time at the marina, a round of golf, or more.
At the Marina, dubbed Kingsmill’s nautical hub, catch a breathtaking view of the James River as the sun sits high above the water. The full-service waterfront offers gas pumps as well as a place to tie up personal water crafts. Jet skis, pontoon boats, kayaks, paddleboats and Jon boats are also available to rent.
Stop by the Sports Club to swim in indoor or outdoor pools, hit the racquetball courts or unwind in the sauna. Whether you have a half or full day available, there is maximum opportunity to destress with the spa’s Flowing Energy Reiki Massages, Deep Rivers Hydrating Manicures, Seaweed Peppermint Wraps, or all of the above.
Explore the outdoors by renting bikes and hopping on one of the trails surrounding the resort. Ninety-minute Segway tours are also a great way to roam the expansive acreage. In the mood for a hike? Circling the trail around Wareham’s Pond is a resort recommendation, where beauty and nature meet.
As they say at Kingsmill, they put the ‘kid’ in ‘Kidsmill.’ From an action-packed Kid’s Night Out to Kids’ Kamp, the experienced staff on site plans tons of child-friendly activities that are parent-approved, too.
Book a room along the James River with two double beds, a balcony or patio and Wi-Fi starting at $239 per night, or a one-bedroom suite, including a living room with sleeper sofa, kitchen and dining room, from $289 per night. kingsmill.com
Courtesy of Sesame Place
Week-long Escapes
So you’ve saved up that hard-earned vacation time, and you’re ready to really get out of town? Here are our picks for a few East Coast Saturday-to-Sunday trips.
First up, a visit to the City of Brotherly Love. Explore the historic town of Philadelphia, and discover more than just the Liberty Bell. Stop by The Franklin Institute, one of the oldest and most beloved science museums in the nation, for tons of hands-on exhibits and momentous memorials.
See how The Sports Challenge uses technology advances to demonstrate the science behind athletic endeavors, and jump in the Space Command’s simulated research station for a new appreciation of intergalactic work.
Opened in 1824, The Franklin Institute was built to honor Benjamin Franklin and boasts a towering marble statue of the namesake in the museum’s rotunda.
Anyone who grew up watching Sesame Street will appreciate Sesame Place, a one-of-a-kind theme park based upon the popular television series. Located about 30 minutes from Philadelphia, the park offers guests the once-in-a-lifetime chance to hang out with Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster and the whole gang during the “Neighborhood Street Party” and reach great heights by climbing in Big Bird’s Court.
Embrace our nation’s history by exploring the city’s historic district. Head over to the Independence Visitor Center to join a walking tour through the birthplace of our nation. Check out the Liberty Bell, take a walk through Betsy Ross’s home, and see where Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. Tours are free, self-guided three-mile treks with more than 30 historical highlights. Cell phone and Philly MP3 Audio Tours are also available. Featured stops include Independence Hall, the National Constitution Center and, of course, the infamous Liberty Bell. visitphilly.com
If a trip to the Deep South is more of what you have in mind, give Savannah, Ga., a whirl. With its friendly Southern drawl and undeniable hospitality, called “The Hostess City of the South,” Savannah welcomes you to come, sip some sweet tea and stay awhile.
The Roundhouse Railroad Museum (Courtesy of Coastal Heritage Society)
Experience the antebellum appeal of Savannah by taking a tour of The Roundhouse Railroad Museum. As one of the most all-encompassing rolling stock and machinery collections in the state, the museum houses seven year-round exhibits on site that include everything from locomotives and model railroad layouts to rail car tours and children’s activities in the Baggage Car.
With construction dating back to 1808, Old Fort Jackson, which protected the city in the War of 1812, also served as Civil War headquarters for Confederate troops. Today the fort operates as a site for daily cannon firing demonstrations and a great opportunity to view military exhibits right alongside the Savannah River.
To really get a sense of Savannah’s natural beauty, book a trip with Dolphin Magic Tours. Docking off from River Street Marketplace, the tour is a two-hour jaunt through some of the city’s most well-known sights—Fort Jackson, the Waving Girl and Fort Pulaski—before ending in the water near Tybee Island and Lighthouse. For over 13 years, Dolphin Magic Tours has offered visitors the opportunity to spot Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins splashing in the water. The best part? They guarantee you’ll see one of the playful animals along the way. savannahvisit.com
Carnival Breeze (Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines)
For a truly relaxing week-long getaway (all inclusive is the way to go for headache-free vacationing), book a trip on Carnival Cruise’ s newest ocean liner: Carnival Breeze. Since its first voyage in June, the Breeze has shown guests just how state of the art and luxurious cruising can be.
On the top deck you’ll find SportSquare, the new sports complex that includes a two-level mini golf course, table tennis, foosball, plus the first at-sea ropes course.
Looking to get wet? Jump on the deck-top Twister and DrainPipe waterslides to twist and wind down into a refreshing pool below.
If you’re looking for a little kid-free space, the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat is just the spot, offering grownups the opportunity to be, well, grownups. Relax on the deck chairs, or jump in a hot tub, and let relaxation set in.
Meanwhile, children on board can hang out in one of the ship’s great teen hot spots: Camp Carnival for some arts and craft time, Circle “C” for dance parties and video games or Club 02 for shore excursions and movie nights.
And since cruising comes with your meals planned, it is nice to know you have a plethora of options—sushi, steakhouse, BBQ and more.
The 1,004-foot-long ship weighs in at 130,000 tons and can hold up to 3,690 guests, double occupancy. A 12-foot-by-22-foot jumbo-sized LED screen is mounted on the upper deck and plays everything from sporting events and movies to concerts and news. Grab a deck chair and bask in the summer sun as the Breeze heads across open waters and your worries are whisked away. carnival.com
(July 2012)