Travel and Dish

Summer’s here and it’s time for an adventure vacation. Here are ten US getaways by state that will delight the senses and get you moving. Whether you love biking, hiking, rafting, star gazing, nature walks or boating, these destinations in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Tennessee offer visitors outdoor activities galore.

Virginia

Hiking, Wine and History in Delaplaine

Families will bond over a day in Delaplaine’s beautiful Sky Meadows State Park about 90 minutes west of Washington DC. The hiking trails offer a vista of farms, vineyards and the peaks of the Shenandoah Mountains. The park offers kids Discovery Backpacks with tools for self-guided nature discovery. Learn Beginning Birding and Geocaching. Use a GPS to find collector cards featuring the Virginia Civil War history. Try to time your visit around the dark sky program, Astronomy for Everyone. 

World Class Biking in Abingdon

Use the charming town of Abingdon to begin your epic bike escape. The rail-to-trails conservancy movement has constructed miles of gentle terrain for bike riders of every skill level. One of the most famous biking trails on the East Coast is the Virginia Creeper Trail located at the border of North Carolina and Virginia. Named for the plant that grows along the tracks, the 34-mile Virginia Creeper Trail begins at the top of Mount Rogers and is mostly downhill. There are lots of stops along the way, like taking a dunk in the river and grabbing a beer in the tiny town of Damascus. Hikers can take cross into the famous Balds in Grayson Highlands State Park to look for the wild ponies. Spend the night in the artsy/outdoorsy town of Abingdon.

Dark Skies in Southern Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains

So along with hiking and mountain biking around the 12,000 acres of wilderness, the guests at Lodge at Primland can participate in stargazing in the Observatory. When the silo’s roof slides open, a telescope reveals the mysteries of the Milky Way. Other outdoor activities include joining the chef on a foraging hike to source wild native plants for an upcoming meal. Depending on the season, there’s golfing, paddle boarding, horseback riding, fly fishing, ice skating, skeet shooting and driving an ATV up untamed mountain trails. 

Caverns and Mountains in Shenandoah County

Shenandoah County consists of a daisy chain of charming hamlets, each with a distinctive style of its own. Between the farms and fields, are two mountain ranges, Shenandoah National Park and the Allegheny Mountains. Also cutting through the county, the Shenandoah River’s seven hairpin turns called Seven Bends Park where you can hike or paddle. The top adventure destination is Bryce Resort, offering a plethora of recreational pursuits, from skiing and snowshoeing to trail biking and disc golf. Visitors can descend into Shenandoah Caverns, best known for its “bacon” formations and dark tunnels. Climb to Woodstock Tower or a tube down the Shenandoah River. Walk with alpacas at Point of View Alpaca Farm or a trail ride at Secret Passage Ranch. 

West Virginia

New River Adventures in Giles County

The Narrows is a picturesque town located at a sharp bend in the New River Valley. The AT passes through, and hikers often stop here for supplies. Despite its moniker, the New River is the second oldest river on the planet, and the popular New River Water Trail has boat-landing sites along the 37-mile stretch. Tangent Outfitters in Pearisburg rents paddleboards, runs kayaks, inner tubes and fishing trips, and will transport you to Class I and II whitewater rapids burrowed between towering bluffs. The most scenic peak is Angel’s Rest, a celebrated overlook with 360-degree views of North Carolina, West Virginia and Virginia. Giles County claims 63 miles of the AT’s ridgetop hiking, with dozens of Instagram-able overlooks.

Maryland

National Parks in Washington and Frederick Counties

Washington and Frederick Counties are located just north of DC and are crisscrossed by winding roads that cut through the pastoral countryside. One of the region’s top destinations is Catoctin Mountain State Park’s Cunningham Falls, a cascade measuring 78-feet high. It often freezes in the winter, turning it into frosty icicles. From there, you can hike or boulder climb to the top of three overlooks to see vistas of Frederick County. If it’s warm, take a dip in Hunting Creek Lake or rent a kayak. Animal lovers can visitCatoctin Wildlife Preserve to see the a collection of well-tended animals. Cutting through the region are the Potomac River and Antietam Creek, great or paddling, biking and tubing adventures. Hikers can scale the gentle slopes of South Mountain State Park for scenic more views and bikers can traverse the acres of hallowed ground in Antietam National Battlefield. 

Wild Ponies and Space Flight on Assateague Island National Seashore

This remote, undeveloped island north of the town of Chincoteague is a protected landscape known for the wild ponies that have lived here for centuries. Assateague National Seashore is located on the southern tip of the Delmarva Peninsula and maintained by the National Park Service. People come during fair weather months to camp, bird watch, kayak, swim and sun themselves on the pristine beaches. The windy beaches are a haven for kite surfers. The southern third of Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge is located on Assateague Island, and every July the world-famous Pony Swim takes place. The island’s pine forests lay on the migration path of many endangered wild birds, like the snow goose. Space enthusiasts should plan to visit Wallops Island, a NASA flight facility south of Chincoteague. 

Chesapeake Bay Beauty and Fun in Queen Anne’s County

Driving over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge leads to Kent Island in Queen Anne’s County, famous for its seafood feasts, especially blue crabs with local corn and Old Bay. Beyond great food, enjoy walks at Terrapin State Park, kayak tours in Eastern Neck Wildlife Preserve, sunbathing at Matapeake Park, or biking the Cross Island Trail. Queenstown Harbor and Blue Heron Golf Courses have beautiful waterfront scenery. Time your visit around the Bay Bridge Run, then end your weekend with a fishing charter or sunset cruise to Thomas Point Lighthouse.

Pennsylvania

Challenging Rapids in Laurel Highlands

Laurel Highlands is a region of central PA that feels world’s away. Nestled into those colorful mountains are world class outdoor adventures, especially navigating challenging Class IV and V rapids on the Youghiogheny River. Stay at Nemacolin Resort for the ultimate luxury experience where you can go off road driving over the deep ravines, rocky outcrops and shallow. Nemacolin Resort has zip lining, skiing, hiking and biking, but you can do those same activities in the Ferncliff Peninsula Recreation Area, including hiking to Cucumber Falls and Boughman Rock Overlook. If you have young kids along, don’t miss Idlewild & Soak Zone, a classic amusement park. 

Tennessee

Floating and Hiking in Knoxville

Knoxville is a college town with an abundance of creative activities, has a diverse dining scene, energetic historic downtown and unique attractions. It’s also an ideal homebase for outdoor adventure. Knox County is hailed for taking scenic drives from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Great Smokies, highlighting the area’s natural beauty. Knox County offers easy access to water recreation, with flatwater paddling routes like Meads Quarry and public launch spots along the Tennessee River for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. On land, House Mountain, the county’s tallest peak, provides a rewarding hike with panoramic views. Ijams Nature Center, a 300-acre wildlife sanctuary, connects to the South Loop, a 12.5-mile route linking parks and preserves for diverse outdoor experiences.

Do you have a favorite adventure destination? Check out the websites for more itinerary ideas, accommodations and outfitters.