Local Ish: Day Trippin’ in the (Shenandoah) Valley

A post by "Stacks " To see more posts click here

Last week we hit up Vegas and highlighted some of the hook-ups you can get just by being a reader of this wonderful website.  This week we’re bringing it back (closer to) home…it is called ‘Local Ish’ afterall.  Let’s be honest here…with the economy being what it is, a lot of people can’t afford a nearly cross-country trip at the moment.  And in addition to a decrease in spending there is a general consensus that no one’s job is 100% safe.  As a result, a lot of people are afraid to use (earned) vacation days because they think that if they do, they may be in the next round of layoffs.  Combine the 2 and traditional vacations are often shelved in favor of a couple of months worth of food on the table.

While it is always best to cut out some luxuries first in times of financial strife, it may not always be necessary to eliminate the family trip completely.  That is, if you are able to open your mind to the idea that a vacation doesn’t always require that you first make a trip to the airport.  It is possible to save yourself a substantial amount of money while still creating those lasting memories by taking the time to experience some of the things that are going on less than a full tank of gas away.

Plus, you’re a lot less likely to hear “are we there yet?” when you can legitimately use the threat of making them sleep in a haunted house if they don’t behave (more on that later)…

Distance:  79.4 miles from DC (about 1 hour, 32 minutes)

This week’s day trip takes us to a part of the Shenandoah Valley along Route 11.  The largest of the cities out here is Winchester, but this area also includes other parts of Frederick County.  I have included a few of the places that I personally went to, but believe me there is plenty more to be done.  The point of this is more to highlight the area so you can create your own experience rather than to tell you what you should do.  I hope you enjoy and please feel free to share your experiences with us.  I am actually looking for some restaurant suggestions for my next trip, so let me know what’s your favorite….

My initial reason for choosing this area (other than the fact that you can make it a day trip if you so choose) is that this is where the closest operating drive-in movie theater is to the DC metro area.  The Family Drive-In Theatre, located on Route 11 in Stephens City, originally opened in 1957 and features a playground along with a concession stand and 2 movie screens.  When I went, they were showing 2 different double-headers, each for less than the cost of a single movie around here.

Normally wouldn’t think of Winchester, VA as a place to get authentic Caribbean food, but Peckish could very well change your mind.  Tucked away down a side street (674 N. Loudon St.) off one of the main roads, this tiny little restaurant can probably seat only about 10 people, but don’t let its small size fool you…the food packs big flavor.  The specials rotate daily but some of the more popular items include banana porridge, jerk pork, curry goat, and oxtail.  For dessert I would recommend trying the pineapple cake, and make sure that you sample as many flavors of the Jamaican sodas as possible.  Average cost of meal is under $10 and the full menu is available here.

Even people outside of the DC metro area are familiar with Winchester if they have even cursory knowledge of the Civil War as it was the site of many of the war’s epic battles.  Just walking through the historic city it is clear that the preservation of this history was important to them which makes a historic sightseeing tour a pretty enjoyable experience.  You don’t even need to spend money on a guide or to take a tour, all you have to do is walk along the streets and you will see historical markers almost everywhere which detail many of these key events.

photo credit: John Gordon

As I mentioned before, you are close enough to home that this can be a day trip, but if you really want to experience as much as possible it may make sense to stay a night or two.  Plus, you have to follow up on your earlier threat or your kids will think you’re soft.  This is an adventure, so why not stay in the historic (and haunted) Wayside Inn?

The Inn, which was opened in 1797 has been serving the public for over 200 years.  Originally a stagecoach stop during the Civil War, the Inn served soldiers from both sides of the battle lines.  Anyone who was in search of a refuge from the perils of war was welcome to stay.  As the proprietors offered comfort to all who came, the Inn itself was spared from the ravages of the war (even through Stonewall Jackson’s famous Valley Campaign swept past only a few miles away).

photo credit: John Gordon

Now, the Inn (which features 22 guest rooms and suites), blends the past (each room is uniquely decorated with rare antiques, fine art, and other memorabilia) along with the modern comforts that you expect in order to be comfortable (private baths, individual climate control).  The rooms do not have televisions, but you’re not here to waste your time with that anyway.  If you absolutely must get your daily boob tube fix however, there is a television downstairs in the “media room”, but if that is the case…why did you even decide to leave your house in the first place?

The rooms run $99 per night and the suites are $169.  There is a meeting and conference center (for those on business), a tavern attached to the side of the Inn, and 7 antique dining rooms that serve authentic regional cuisine.  Look out for a farmer’s market held out in the parking lot on the weekends and make sure not to leave without trying their fantastic Sunday Brunch (Note:  Checkout is at 10:30 & brunch doesn’t start until 11:30 so be prepared to kill some time…maybe in the media room?)  Here is where you can make reservations or ask any questions that you may have.

I plan on making another trip back soon and next time will plan to make it a winery tour so I’ll make sure to update this when I do.  But until then, I recommend that you check the area out for yourself in a way that suits your interests and let us know what you find.  Here’s some more info to get you started.

udothedishes…

Related posts:

1. Local Ish: Local Action, Local Results
2. Local Ish: Local Artist Spotlight – The Potentials
3. Local Ish Halloween Guide: Ghost Tours
4. Local (Free) Ish: 7/17-7/19
5. Local Ish: Local Artist Profile – DJ Beanz
6. Local Ish: 9/11-9/13
7. Local Ish: 1/8-1/10
8. Local Ish: Go Outside & Play (8/28 – 8/31)!
9. Local Ish: Your Alternative 4th of July
10. Local Ish: The Vegas Hook-up

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.