Weekend Guide: Fall 2009

Take a Hike, On or Off the Appalachian Trail

A hike in the calm Blue Ridge Mountains inside Shenandoah National Park serves to take a little of the urban tension out of city dwellers. What makes it even more relaxing is that the mountains are an easy day trip from D.C.

Harpers Ferry Has Sweeping Vistas and Charm

An excursion to Harpers Ferry, W.Va., is the ideal day trip for anyone with a love of history and the outdoors. This tiny town is only a 90-minute drive from Washington and offers a smorgasbord of museums, outdoor activities and ice cream shops.

Apple-Picking Farms Offer Crop of Fun

While the White House boasts a backyard garden that provides fresh produce for the first family’s meals, most Capitol Hill residents pick the freshest ingredients at local farmers markets or farm shares.

Music Is in the Air Around Town This Autumn

D.C. has never been known for its thriving music scene, aside from a short-lived jazz circuit that mostly migrated north to Harlem, a flourishing punk rock aesthetic that reigned during the 1980s and the hyper-local live hip-hop movement known as Go-Go that never caught on outside the District.

Jazz, Workouts, Wine and Food Add Up to Fun

Church, wine and pole dancing are the perfect combination for a weekend full of fun, food and great music, without regrets.