About Perfect Saturdays
Looking for something to do this weekend? These great day trips are within a two-hour drive of DC.
You don’t need to journey far from the DC area to go chasing waterfalls: Great Falls Park in McLean features a dramatic display of cascading, crashing water. To see the Potomac River drop into Mather Gorge, start at the visitor’s center and take trails to three different overlooks; all are within a ten-minute walk. If you’re looking for a longer hike, the park also has 15 miles of trails. The River Trail is a moderate to challenging trek that runs 1.5 miles one way, taking you along the cliff edge. Hikers are rewarded with stunning views.
For another route to the falls, park at Riverbend Park in Fairfax and take the level path to the lookout points. The stroll is about three miles out and back and will save you the $20 parking fee at Great Falls. (There is a $2 recommended donation.)
After you see the cascades, head over to Jacques’ Brasserie, the more casual sibling to Alsatian restaurant L’Auberge Chez François. The ruby dining room is a 15 minute drive from Great Falls and 10 minutes from Riverbend Park. There you’ll find classic dishes such as saffron-spiked bouillabaisse, choucroute garni—a platter of meats on sauerkraut—and airy soufflés.
Looking for more day trip ideas? Check out our Perfect Saturdays series.
Daniella Byck joined Washingtonian in 2022. She was previously with Outside Magazine and lives in Takoma.
