Plus, free cherry blossom events.
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Pack your bags, it’s day trip time

A dock in Woodstock, Virginia.
Don’t miss the natural beauty of Woodstock. | Photo by RICtoday
There’s nowhere we’d rather live than NOVA, but sometimes we feel the itch to get out of town.

Here are eight driveable day trips to check out the next time you want a low-investment, short-notice getaway.

Charlottesville | Sure, this central-Virginia spot is growing in commercial size and popularity, but if you know where to go, you still get that small-town feeling. Charlottesville checks all the boxes, with hikes, thrifting + farmers market shopping, Southern barbecue, and locally made sips. We suggest a detour to Potter’s Cider.

Harper’s Ferry | Okay, okay, we know this is in West Virginia. But it’s the perfect spot for a summer day trip. We recommend spending the entire day lying out on a tube floating down the Shenandoah River. After you’ve baked in the sun, grab a beer from Harpers Ferry Brewing as you take in the views.

Woodstock | Set in Shenandoah Valley, there are many activities to check out, especially when it comes to exploring the outdoors. Don’t miss the views from the Woodstock Tower, or maybe take a stroll at Seven Bends State Park. Our pick? Grabbing a glass of wine at Muse Vineyards.
Plus some eccentric finds

Asked

🚗 What’s your day trip of choice?

Choose your fighter

JBG SMITH

Events

Tuesday, March 10

Tuesday Night 5K | 6-8 p.m. | Wakefield Park, Annandale | $22+

Wednesday, March 11

St. Patrick’s Party with the Seán Heely Celtic Band | 7:30 p.m. | Jammin Java, Vienna | $40+

Thursday, March 12

John Moreland + Patterson Hood | 7:30 p.m. | The Birchmere, Alexandria | $40+

Friday, March 13

Super Pet Expo | Friday, March 13-Sunday, March 15 | Times vary | Manassas Mall, Manassas | $10+

Saturday, March 14

Clarendon’s St. Paddy’s Day Bar Crawl | 3-10 p.m. | Clarendon Ballroom, Arlington | $7

Sunday, March 15

Keyboard Conversations with Jeffrey Siegel: “Mozart and Friends” | 7 p.m. | George Mason Center for the Arts, Fairfax | $38+

Monday, March 16

Washington Wizards vs. Golden State Warriors | 7 p.m. | Capital One Arena, Washington, DC | $70+
See our full events calendar
Feature your event here, or make a bigger splash
JBG SMITH

News Notes

Open

The Richmond-based restaurant Wood & Iron is now open in Arlington’s Virginia Square neighborhood. Along with tasty food and good drinks, there are also plenty of TVs inside and on the outdoor patio for you to catch your game of choice. (ARLnow)

Civic

A proposed constitutional amendment about new congressional districts is on the ballot for Arlington County. Early voting is taking place through Saturday, April 18, and election day is on Tuesday, April 21. Here are other important dates.

Try This

Here we go again. The Taco Bell 50K will be back this fall, and registration is open. The premise includes running about 31 miles while stopping at eight different Taco Bells throughout Alexandria, Arlington, and DC. On the fence? It’s free… so why not try? (ALXnow)

Closing

After six years, Leesburg Gourmet is closing its doors. Set on the corner of Loudoun Street and South King, the shop specializes in wine, beer, and chocolate. Through the rest of March, everything will be 20% off, while supplies last. (The Burn)

Biz

A new grocery store is coming to Arlington. The supermarket chain Sprouts Farmers Market is expected to open this September on Langston Boulevard. A Haymarket location recently opened in January. (ARLnow)

Arts

The Oscars are this weekend, and a local composer is in the running for Best Animated Short. Isaac Wardell of Arlington composed the score for the film “Forevergreen.” Watch the short film here. (ARLnow)

Quoted

“There’s a lot more variety with the restaurants... especially compared to when I first started working in the city.” Those are the words of Anthony Jones, executive chef at Marcus DC, who is representing NOVA in the new season of “Top Chef.” He’s not the only NOVA chef on the show. (ALXnow)

Ranked

The Wharf in Washington, DC is competing with 19 other riverwalks nationwide for a spot in the USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. You have until Monday, April 6 to cast your vote here. (USA Today)

Shop

Looking for the ultimate treat in National Landing? Stop by Drybar for a luxe blowout, then head to Surreal for inventive, globally inspired eats. Whether it’s a self-care day or a night out, these spots make it easy to feel good and indulge a little.*
Skip the regret, bloating, and hangovers when you shop this clean, women-owned cannabis brand, which offers bestsellers like THC pineapple gummies + mini THCA pre-rolls. This March, get 20% off sitewide and a free sample pack of Buzzed Gummies with code POTOFGREEN.*

Tech

AI has completely changed the cybersecurity game. Scams are smarter, malware is faster, and phishing emails look shockingly real. Protect your devices, privacy, and identity with a leading digital protection plan from Webroot. Save 60% and get protected today.*

Post of the Day

If you’re on the hunt for free, local cherry blossom events, mark your calendars for these three in National Landing. Plus, don’t miss our guide on where to see cherry blossoms around NOVA.

If you want some non-cherry-blossom-related events, take a scroll through this month’s event roundup.
Want to be featured?

The Buy

A science-backed supplement that supports healthy aging, cognitive function, and muscle growth + recovery. Momentous creatine is developed by leading human performance experts and trusted by professional athletes and longevity seekers alike. Try it now and save 35% with code WELLPUT at checkout.
Sharpen your mind + body

The Wrap

Did you like today’s story about day trips near NOVA? There’s so much to do in and around NOVA; however, sometimes it’s nice to get away. That’s why we have a weekend trip guide coming soon.

Make sure to send us your favorite weekend trips — you may see your recommendation in a future newsletter.
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