About Summer Escapes
Whether you want a day trip or a weekend away, here are fun outdoor adventures that are an easy drive—including scenic hikes, sunset kayaking, treetop ziplines, and a relaxed bike ride around an island.
Unwind in a Hot-Spring Pool
Dip into the 99.7-degree spring-water pools at the Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia, about four hours from DC. You can book a 50-minute soak ($25) in the recently renovated Warm Spring Pools, located in bathhouses with open skylights to let in the elements. For access to the Octagon, the outdoor geothermal pool, stay at the Allegheny Mountain resort or get a $75 day pass.
Go Birding in a City Escape
Bring your binoculars to birdwatching walks at DC’s Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens on Tuesdays at 8:30 am. A birding pro leads strolls around the marsh and lily ponds to look for warblers, kingfishers, hawks, and more.
Find Peace Among Plants
Forest bathing is the Japanese practice of being mindful in nature. DC Forest Bathing offers two-to-three-hour outings at area parks, gardens, and woods. Guides provide prompts to help participants tune in to their surroundings.
Icons by Niky Chopra.
This article appears in the May 2023 issue of Washingtonian.
Before becoming Research Editor, Damare Baker was an Editorial Fellow and Assistant Editor for Washingtonian. She has previously written for Voice of America and The Hill. She is a graduate of Georgetown University, where she studied international relations, Korean, and journalism.
