Do your kids have a fall break coming up? Check out these 10 FUN family weekend getaways for their next break!
Most schools in our area close in November for voting and Veteran’s Day too! Usually Fall sports have wrapped up for the season and it’s a great time to get away before the holidays with just the fam and reconnect. I have listed ten ideas below for family weekend getaways all within driving distance from the Washington, D.C. area.
Virginia Getaways
- Massanutten Resort in Massanutten, VA is roughly two hours from the D.C. area located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. They offer hotel and condo accommodations where you can be near all of the action! They have an indoor/outdoor waterpark, two golf courses, restaurants, recreation options and a day spa too! Another perk is James Madison University is just down the road…maybe you can snag tickets to a football game and cheer on the DUKES!
- Omni Homestead Resort, Hot Springs, VA is about four hours from Washington, D.C. This resort is located on more than 2,000 acres in Bath County, VA. Two major hot springs flow onto this property and you can experience these springs at their full-service spa! The Omni offers recreation activities such as golf, horseback riding, paint balling, zip lining, clay tennis courts, and even an indoor pool! They have nightly movies at their onsite theater too. They also have multiple restaurants onsite. This is a perfect getaway to enjoy the fall foliage!
- Primland Resort in Meadows of Dan, VA looks like an amazing destination with the family (or just as a couple too!). This is a longer drive but still doable…five hours or so from the metro area. While the A Team has not yet been to Primland Resort, it is on our list! They even have treehouses! This resort offers lots of outdoor recreation from hiking, golf, horseback riding, kayaking, tomahawk throwing, stargazing and smores there is something to do for everyone! Here is a family activity guide which gives you a good idea of what this resort offers for the whole crew!
- Williamsburg, VA is one of our family’s go to destinations for weekend getaways no matter the season! It’s about a three hour drive from Northern VA give or take depending on traffic. Here are some ideas for Fall…
- Great Wolf Lodge indoor waterpark!
- Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Amusement Park – Always be sure to check the dates/hours as they vary from year to year.
- Colonial Williamsburg offers so much in way of tours where you can enjoy the autumn weather and learn about Virginia history too!
- Our favorite hotels in Williamsburg are the Marriott at Ford’s Colony and Kings Mill Resort. You really cannot go wrong at either!
Maryland Getaway
- Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa & Marina is one of my favorite getaway destinations with the kids! This place is NOT a getaway for couples (been there tried that). You must bring your children here as it is made for them! This resort is so much FUN! It is situated on the Choptank River which offers amazing water views. For Fall your family will enjoy a glass enclosed indoor pool that is so nice! They have miniature golf and frisbee golf too! Yes, of course you can golf, play tennis, boat, explore Maryland’s Eastern Shore or just relax. There are six restaurants on site. There are activities each day at the resort too that you can participate in. This is a great getaway!
West Virginia Getaway
- Capon Springs & Farms All-Inclusive Mountain Resort is a hidden gem only an hour and a half from Northern Virginia. We spent Labor Day weekend at this mountain resort and enjoyed every minute. There is so much to do as a family. The kids are safe to run and play without you having to worry too! (Well we will always worry, but you know what I mean). There are game rooms (board games, legos, etc.), ping pong houses, shuffleboard, basketball, badminton, tennis courts, fishing, frisbee golf, two nine hole golf courses – a regulation and a short par 3, lots of trails and even a spa where your whole family can enjoy a spa bath in the Capon spring water! There are different lodging options. All of the cooking is taken care of and the food is delicious! Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner and snacks in between. Trust me you will not go hungry! A long weekend was the perfect amount of time for our family at this destination. It’s like a family sleep away camp! So much fun!
Pennsylvania Getaways
- Pittsburgh, PA is an easy four hour drive from the Washington, D.C. area and there are lots of fun options to do with the fam! We went at the end of August last summer for a final hurrah before school started back. What a FUN city. There are so many great museums to explore. There is a highly rated children’s museum, science museum, museum of natural history (this one is a must if you have a dinosaur lover in the family) all with great exhibits for the kids to explore. The Pittsburgh Zoo is outstanding! The A Team loves their zoos and this one was awesome. You can get SO close to the animals in their enclosures (safely of course). We spent an entire day here and loved every minute. If you want a great view of the city you have to take a ride up the funicular. If you are a sports fan Pittsburgh has the best team spirit I’ve ever witnessed. We attended a Pirates game and had an an amazing experience. We stayed in an AirBNB when we visited but there are lots of hotel options right in the city center so you can be around the action. Lots of great food options too!
- Kalahari Resorts Poconos is a 4.5 hour drive from Washington, D.C. Head to this new indoor water park that offers much more for your family than just water slides! While we have not yet visited this resort I know a few families who have enjoyed their stay and would consider going again. They offer mini golf, mini bowling, ropes course, zip lines and more! There are lots of events going on to include arts & crafts. It looks like the perfect family getaway where the kids will have the best time!
- Skytop Lodge is also located in the Poconos. This is definitely on the A Team’s list of places to check out as soon as we have a long weekend available. They have various places to stay to include the lodge, the inn and cabins too! They have a lot of activities available in the Fall listed here! From hiking, golfing, archery, an indoor pool (a favorite for our family) and a lot more. There are plenty of places to eat at the lodge too from fancy to casual. I think my kids will be making a bee line for the Tea Room! This looks like a great place to go to have family time and enjoy the season too.
- Hershey & Lancaster, PA are about a 2.5 hour drive from the Washington, D.C. area making it totally doable for even one night! We like going here because it really is a step back to a slower pace from the bustle of Northern Virginia. There are so many options for touring to include horse drawn buggies! This site offers a lot of great information on things to do in Amish Country. Another fun adventure is to take a train ride! If you have young children you could consider riding on Thomas the Train! We did this and it was a great time. Our next trip we will book a ride on the Strasburg Railroad and enjoy lunch while riding through the beautiful countryside. After you have explored Lancaster head over to Hershey Park. We started with a tour of Hershey’s Chocolatetown and then hit the park for lots of thrill rides! It was a great day of fun. Hershey Park also celebrates Halloween with Hersheypark in The Dark. Be sure to check the site for dates and hours.
Fall Weekend Wrap Up
I hope you found some new places you are interested in checking out this Fall or next! Of course many of these places offer lots year round too so keep them in mind for that next long weekend. What is your favorite Fall getaway? I would love to hear from you if you decide to try any of these destinations or if you already have…tell me what you think!
