My Experience with Cork and Keg Tours + Review

***Please note that this My Experience with Cork and Keg Tours + Review will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the most up-to-date Virginia Wine scene. This guide was most recently updated as of June 2026.***

Cork and Keg Tours was proudly named one of America’s Top 5 Wine Tour Experiences, and I hope I can help share just why that is in my own review. Recently, I got to experience how Cork and Keg goes above and beyond for all guests that choose to experience one of their wine tours in the heart of the Washington, DC area’s Wine Country – in Loudoun County, Virginia. In this review, I will share my experiences on a Cork and Keg Tour and a bit about this incredible wine tour operator.

*Disclaimer: Please note that this page contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is sponsored, and all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting The Pink Chickadee.*

For more United States travel inspiration, check out my Exploring 50 States expedition page. For more Washington, DC area travel inspiration, check out my Exploring The DMV page.

My Experience with Cork and Keg Tours + Review

A Way To Save at Northern Virginia Wineries

Know Before You Go On A Northern Virginia Wine Tour with Cork and Keg Tours

About Cork and Keg Tours

Cork and Keg Tours Offered

My Experience

A Way To Save at Northern Virginia Wineries

Reserve Pass is currently the only app in the United States that is essentially a nationwide wine (and sometimes beer) tasting pass for you and a guest (see more here)! Memberships are available in monthly and annual formats. The key features of Reserve Pass are:

Explore – by simply downloading the Reserve Pass app, you can simply plan your wine tasting adventure within your own backyard or while on vacation.
Perks – as a Reserve Pass member, you get to enjoy exclusive perks while touring historical sites, strolling through vineyards, and tasting local wines.
Revisit – unlike just any old coupon, you can revisit any of the wineries you loved and get the same Reserve Pass deals with them time and time again.

Interested in getting your own Reserve Pass today?! Interested in trying Reserve Pass for yourself?!?! Use my discount code “ktwine40” for 40% off an annual membership today (value: $69). For more details on Reserve Pass, look no further than here.

Download Reserve Pass and sign up for YOUR membership today!!

Know Before You Go On A Northern Virginia Wine Tour with Cork & Keg Tours

Before embarking on your Northern Virginia Wine Tour experience, here are some things to know before you go:

Be sure to bring lots of water and snacks – the more wine you drink, the more you’ll need both! Afterwards, be sure to drink some electrolytes, too. My go-to electrolytes are from Liquid IV and come in several flavors.
Depending on the weather, you may want to have a mobile fan on-hand. This is my favorite mobile fan and it’s next-day delivery ready.
Bring a portable charger to ensure that your phone does not die during your experience.
Last but not least, be sure to have a designated driver or use a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft to ensure your utmost safety.

About Cork & Keg Tours

Specializing in leisure and corporate tours all around Loudoun County’s Wine Country, Cork and Keg Tours is a family-owned wine and beer tour operator that couple Nic and Julissa Kendall turned their local love into something special. With group wine tours that take you all to multiple local wineries and breweries and a van filled with water and snacks for you to enjoy throughout the day, Nic and Julissa (and their staff) truly open their doors to everyone who comes on a tour with them and treats them like family. Truly there’s no wonder Cork and Keg Tours has been named one of the Top 5 Wine Tours in the United States!

In addition to bringing guests along to local Northern Virginia wineries, Cork and Keg Tours has many deep local ties and proudly partners with several wineries, breweries, hotels, and restaurants in the area (see more information here). Cork and Keg truly focuses on the following:

Comprehensive Packages – enjoy special deals with local partners including hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, and restaurants
Exclusive Wine Tastings – savor private tastings at local wineries, including an opportunity to savor wineries’ premium wines
Gourmet Cuisine – try a delicious local lunch
Luxury Transportation – travel in comfort and style in one of Cork and Keg’s spacious vehicles and with a skilled driver
Personal Concierge – benefit from a dedicated local concierge who will ensure your tour runs smoothly and will cater to your group’s needs
VIP Treatment – given Nic’s and Julissa’s established relationships within the local community, your tour will be given exclusive experiences not available to the general public

See more information here to book your Cork and Keg Tours and to submit a quote for your tour.

Cork & Keg Tours Offered

Cork and Keg Tours offers a variety of tours for every and all occasions, whether it be:

Bachelor & Bachelorette parties
Brewery tours
Corporate outings
Custom designed tours
Group wine tours
Private events

See more information here to book your Cork and Keg Tours and to submit a quote for your tour.

My Experience

From being greeted to a van to meet my group with a ton of snacks and an air conditioned luxury van and guide ready to go to excellent commentary shared throughout the day as we sipped and savored the moment at 3 different wineries, my experience on a Cork & Keg wine tour was unforgettable! I felt we all hit the jackpot with my guide – Dana – who is a proud Loudoun County native and shared a plethora of stories growing up in the area as its evolved over the decades as well as basic information and history and local recommendations, too. Personally, I LOVED hearing about Dana’s experiences growing up in Loudoun County and learning about how the county has changed over the years from her local perspective. Dana truly made our experience such a special and great one for the books!

Highlight of our drive in Loudoun County!

Now, for the highlights of our Cork & Keg wine tour … the wineries we went to!!

We went to 3 Loudoun County wineries, where we had about 2 hours at (including time for lunch at one of them!):

Breaux Vineyards (36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Purcellville) – A family-owned winery nestled between the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with vines extending upward into Short Hill Mountain with close proximity to Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia. The Breaux family has proud Cajun ties and hosts an annual Cajun food festival. Breaux Vineyards has multiple resident cats!

8 Chains North Winery (38593 Daymont Ln, Waterford) – 8 Chains North Winery is a working farm, event venue, winery, and brewery near Leesburg, Virginia that gets is name from the first vineyard on its grounds that were used as a Civil War Crossing known as 8 Chains. This farm, event venue, winery, and brewery is also extremely dog-friendly with a fenced area for your four-legged friends to run around at while you savor a glass of wine.

Doukenie Winery (14727 Mountain Rd, Hillsboro) – With over 40 years of family-crafted wine-making experience, Doukenie Winery has been proudly owned by the Bazaco family – with deep Greek roots that are shared with all who come to sip and savor. There is a beautiful pond overlooking the beautiful mountains that this family-owned winery is nestled amongst!

Above all else, the common ground between all 3 wineries was … the people who make it happen. There are several distinct and incredible wineries nestled amongst Washington, DC’s Wine Country, but each is owned, run, and made up of a team of people that make each winery what it is (alongside many of each winery’s unique histories and stories, too!). Truly, the kind souls that welcome guests from around the globe into the winery (many of which are participating with the Reserve Pass app) to sip, savor, and enjoy time together is what makes a wine tour experience so special.

Wrap-Up

Cork & Keg Tours truly goes above and beyond to ensure all guests have a wonderful wine tour experience within the heart of Washington, DC’s Wine Country. Most importantly, the people – both Cork & Keg’s guides and those at each winery – make any and every Cork & Keg experience worthwhile and oh so special.

A special thank you to Reserve Pass and Cork and Keg Tours for coordinating my visit and sponsoring today’s blog post. Without their support, The Pink Chickadee wouldn’t be where it is today!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Let’s Talk About GOALS!

Have you ever thought, “oh wouldn’t it be cool to do …”?I know I have! For most of my life, I have consistently thought well, I’d love to do this, this, and this, yet I NEVER got down and in the dirt to actually make it happen until recently. The Covid-19 pandemic has left me with the opportunity to actually turn some of my dreams into a reality. One of the ways that I want to be able to achieve those dreams and live my best life while doing so is by creating my own goals!

My Goals!

Currently, I have quite a bit of things that I would like to achieve and make a reality for myself. I have started some of these goals listed this past year, while others I am just now striving to begin. Personally, it helps me to break down my goals into time frames for things I would like to accomplish within the next few weeks, months, the end of 2020, and into the next year. Below I have listed some of these goals for you to see, as well as some goals I have created in the past and am still working to keep a reality in my daily weekly routine.

Recurring Goals:

To cook and try a brand-new recipe each week (being that I am in my apartment or am able to cook for others a recipe of my choice)
Post regularly and keep up with posting and sharing content on The Pink Chickadee‘s social media platforms as well as on the blog and to engage with y’all who follow along and support this amazing platform of mine
To be able to write my own to-do lists and cross off most if not all of which I have set myself out to achieve in that given day
Maintain a physical regime, by walking or running each day in order to stay active, fit, and healthy
To travel to new places both near and far
Eat breakfast each morning (even if it is small), as I used to really struggle with this simple yet so keen to our health meal
To continue to advocate and speak out for the inclusion and wellbeing of others as well as myself
Make connections with other influencers and like-minded Lilly lovers and bloggers on my platform
To grow more in my Christian faith through praying each day for others and starting a daily devotional
Be the best classmate, friend, sister, daughter, blogger, and leader that I know that I am and am capable of doing
To be the best student in the classroom and in my leadership positions that I can be and strive to put as much as I can into all that I do
Adulting and doing big girl things on my own
Know my own capability and self-worth, even if I do not see it everyday within my own self and to encourage others to see their own
For the time being, to wear a mask and practice social distancing, in order to not only prevent to spread of Covid-19, but to help keep my friends, family, and the community around me safe and healthy
Consistently work on being my best self in all that I do

End of 2020 Goals:

Start running and be able to work my way up to run on hilly trails for 20+ minutes without taking a break
To expand my platform here on The Pink Chickadee even more than I already have in the past almost 6 months
Try some new crafts, such as creating handmade signs among other exciting things
Host a giveaway (or a few) on The Pink Chickadee in collaboration with other small businesses or influencers and bloggers
To continue to share new and exciting content on this platform
Make memories with my friends at college, even if it is in a social distanced manner for the time being, and get creative with how to make them
Be able to successfully finish out my final Fall semester as an undergrad (!!!) and most likely one of my most academically intensive one’s
Start searching for summer internships and networking with others in my industry, in order to broaden my search as well as potential opportunities
Get matching masks and shirts with my Meredith friends
Apply to graduate school for Fall 2021
Explore new hiking trails and parks in the Raleigh area as well as in North Carolina along with in the Northern Virginia-Washington, DC tristate area
Begin scrapbooking memories from past family trips, such as those that we took to Maine
*Finally* get my driver’s license
Begin a brand-new and super exciting endeavor (more to come on that in the next few weeks!!!)

2021 Goals:

Get an internship for Summer 2021
Be able to go on a graduation trip hopefully with some college friends
Get accepted and commit to attending graduate school in Fall 2021
Sign the lease on my first-ever post-grad apartment
Host a girl’s weekend at one of my family’s places as well as go on a little trip with my Big and Lil’s
Finish up my Honors Thesis and present it at my school and maybe at a research conference as well
Take a road trip with one of my best friends to Maine (we were trying to go there this Summer but due to Covid-19 we postponed)
Be able to successfully run at least a 5k and maybe even do a local race and/or fundraiser race
Visit new places in North Carolina such as Asheville, Charlotte, Boone, Winston Salem, Greenville, Emerald Isle, and Wilmington along with Charlottesville in Virginia
Graduate from college with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Mathematics and minors in Data Science, Statistics, and Web Development
Attend the Lilly Pulitzer Pink Retreat in Palm Beach, Florida *if not in 2021 then in the next few years*
Participate in one of Disney World’s runDisney events at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida
Go parasailing or on a hot air balloon ride
Wherever I go after graduation, continue to maintain connections with each of my friends and family and make time to see them
Begin another exciting and brand-new endeavor (hopefully to come in Summer 2021!!)

Tips for Creating Your Own Goals

When it comes to crafting your own goals, it can definitely take some time for them to become a full reality, but little by little it can happen. For example, one of my goals for 2021 is to participate in a runDisney event at Walt Disney World, which would require me to be in shape to run at least a 5k. That being said, I am going to work my endurance up to be able to run at least a mile without taking breaks, two miles, and then three miles. I will start with running on flat streets and then working my way up to running up and down hills. Slowly but surely, I will make it across the finish line at Walt Disney World. Here, I have listed some tips on how you can strive to create and achieve your own goals moving forward!

When something comes to mind that you have always wanted to do, then WRITE IT DOWN!!! Whether it be on your phone or in a journal, if you have it in writing saved somewhere, then there is a better chance that you will remember it moving forward.
Have a bucket list?! Turn those list items into your own reality. Make that dream trip of yours to Europe a reality or finally go skydiving. While hopping on a plane is clearly not a reality at this moment, use this time to save up for that dream trip or activity of yours while keeping in mind a budget that you would aim to have.
Make an effort to try something new every week – whether that be a brand-new recipe or a new restaurant or trail in your city or even a craft. Trying new things is always good for the soul, and having those new things be apart of a goal however big or small it may be!
Dedicate some time to spend doing things for yourself. Beyond our goals within our academic and career lives which we should strive to put our time and effort into, we should also make time for our own personal goals. While our academic and career goals may be tied to some of our personal goals, it does not mean that we still cannot take time for ourselves such as to try a new craft, recipe, or a workout regime.
Make a to-do list and include aspects of your goals on it. Each and every day, I have my to-do list set on my laptop for what I hop to accomplish for the day. I typically map it out for a given day a few weeks in advance for it to alter a bunch and have many additions and even subtractions until the day arrives. Having items on your list related to your goals, such as taking a walk or reading part of a book you want to finish by the end of the month can help you to get even closer to achieving your goals. My to-do lists helps me check off what I need to do for the day as it pertains to academics and career-wise along with getting closer to my set goals.

Using and writing down goals for things that I want to achieve has really allowed me to use the time that I have in this world to my own benefit. Each of my goals is helping shape me into the best Katie that I can be. In fact, setting goals for yourself will only help you dig deeper into loving and caring for yourself. They say that self love is the best love, and goals can help you do just that. All I got to say is when it comes down to it, be a goal-getter!

XOXO – Katie <3

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My Experience at The Winery at Bull Run + Review

***Please note that this My Experience at The Winery at Bull Run + Review will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the most up-to-date Virginia Wine scene. This guide was most recently updated as of May 2026.***

Whether for a girl’s, family, friend group, or mother-daughter outing, a vineyard is an excellent place to catch up with some of the people that you care about. One of the things that I have looked forward to the most was the many outings that I would have at vineyards. So, this blog post will focus on a The Winery at Bull Run review as well as my experiences there over the past 6 years, which is located right next to the Manassas National Battlefield Park in Centreville, Virginia.

For more United States travel inspiration, check out my Exploring 50 States expedition page. For more Washington, DC area travel inspiration, check out my Exploring The DMV page. For a comprehensive guide on Northern Virginia Wineries, look no further than here.

My Experience at The Winery at Bull Run + Review

How To Save at Virginia Wineries (and Beyond!)

Getting There

About The Winery at Bull Run + Plan Your Visit!

My Experience

How To Save at Virginia Wineries (and Beyond!)

Want to save on wineries in Virginia (and beyond!!), including at Effingham Manor & Winery?! Download Reserve Pass and sign up for YOUR membership today!! Reserve Pass is currently the only app in the United States that is essentially a nationwide wine (and sometimes beer) tasting pass for you and a guest (see more here)! Memberships are available in monthly and annual formats. The key features of Reserve Pass are:

Explore – by simply downloading the Reserve Pass app, you can simply plan your wine tasting adventure within your own backyard or while on vacation.
Perks – as a Reserve Pass member, you get to enjoy exclusive perks while touring historical sites, strolling through vineyards, and tasting local wines.
Revisit – unlike just any old coupon, you can revisit any of the wineries you loved and get the same Reserve Pass deals with them time and time again.

Interested in getting your own Reserve Pass today?! Interested in trying Reserve Pass for yourself?!?! Use my discount code “ktwine40” for 40% off an annual membership today (value: $69).

For more details on Reserve Pass, look no further than here. For a comprehensive guide on Northern Virginia Wineries, look no further than here.

Getting There

The Winery at Bull Run is located in Fairfax County, Virginia – a county located just south of Washington, DC in Northern Virginia. Just off of Lee Highway (I-28) on the edge of Fairfax County adjacent to Prince William County, The Winery at Bull Run is centered in history with close proximity to the nation’s capital. Something unique about The Winery at Bull Run is that it is the closest winery to Washington, DC that is a grape to glass farm and Winery (aka all wines are produced on their grounds) and 1/2 of the wineries within Fairfax County, Virginia! While not easily Metro accessible like most wineries in Northern Virginia, The Winery at Bull Run is nearby I-66 and could potentially be reachable by Uber (from a nearby Metro station) or rental car. Although closer to Washington, DC than most wineries in the region, you totally will not want to leave The Winery at Bull Run upon entering its gorgeous grounds – filled with tons of Civil War history, a lively event venue, a place to learn about locally made wines, and MORE!

Address: 15950 Lee Hwy, Centreville, VA 20120

About The Winery at Bull Run + Plan Your Visit!

The Winery at Bull Run is open Saturday-Wednesday 11am-7pm, Thursday 11am-8pm, and Friday 11am-9pm. Please note that walk-ins are welcome, too. If you are coming with a large group, then be sure to make a group reservation here. Pets are welcome onsite and must be kept on a leash. The Winery at Bull Run is a family-friendly winery, however, children must be supervised at all times.

The 2012-established winery stands on 225 acres and is located right next to the Manassas National Battlefield Park and an equestrian farm. To represent the historical significance of Northern Virginia, the winery was construct to symbolize two types barns in the area. Today, the Winery at Bull Run is the largest working farm in Fairfax County, Virginia – a primarily suburban county. It also serves as a venue for many events, such as weddings. Check out more information on the history of The Winery at Bull Run here.

My Experience

Upon pulling into the winery, I was in awe at how gorgeous it was! With its luscious acres and acres of grapevines to barns galore and a few murals, I knew that I was in for a treat. Excitedly enough, the drive in was only just the beginning of a spectacular afternoon out!

One of the highlights of visiting The Winery at Bull Run is that all wine tastings are guided tastings within their tasting room by one of their staff members. All guests can take home their wine glasses post-tasting. Truly, I find the guided wine tasting at The Winery at Bull Run one of the best and a great way for Virginia winery first-timers to learn more about the Virginia Wine Country. Highlights of my guided wine tasting include:

2024 RMR Sauvignon Blanc – With 0% residual sugar and aged in 100% stainless steel, this Sauvignon Blanc has an underlying scent of lemon grass and citrus which lingers with a smooth mineral enhanced finish. It pairs well with shrimp ceviche, Mediterranean dishes, Summer pasta salad, and fresh mozzarella.
2023 RMR Viognier – Containing 0% residual sugar and aged in 100% neutral Acaia wood, this Viognier has light aromas of pear, green apples, honeydew melon and contains naturally sweet tastes of apple blossoms and raw honey. It pairs well with seafood appetizers like shrimp cocktail and calamari, soft cheeses, and spicy seafood pasta.
2025 Delaney – Having 3% residual sugar and aged in 100% stainless steel, this Delaney has notes of stone fruits and hints of almost ripe honeydew beginning on the nose and palate. It pairs well with sharper cheeses like parmesan or Irish cheddar, mixed nuts, and spicier foods.
2023 Cabarnet Franc – With 0% residual sugar and aged in natural French and American Oak, this Cabarnet Franc has notes of cherry, plum, blackberry, and slight orange peel lead. It pairs well with lamb, brisket, pork, barbecue, and sharp cheeses.
2022 Meritage – Containing 0% residual sugar and aged in American Oak, the aromas of this Meritage are ripe with a red and dark berry fruit medley with hints of cola and brown sugar. It pairs well with beef stew, short ribs, shepherd’s pie, and pork chops.
2020 Norton – Having 0% residual sugar and aged in American Oak, this Norton has a fragrant nose of sweet cola, dried wildflowers, and cedarwood with a palate full of burnt cedarwood and toasted oak. It pairs well with the timeless peanut butter and jelly sandwich, Reese’s peanut butter cups, and sauteed mushrooms.

Learn more about wines offered onsite as well as The Winery at Bull Run’s Wine Club here and here.

Along with amazing wine and gorgeous barns, The Winery at Bull Run also offers historical tours and tastings alongside concerts and other lively events, which are super popular amongst visitors.

Wrap-Up

Ever since I rode through the main entrance of the winery, I knew that I was in for a treat. The wine was delicious and the opportunity to bring your own food to go with it at a fraction of the cost was such a plus. Besides the food and wine, there were breathtaking views everywhere that I turned! Hopefully, my The Winery at Bull Run review inspires YOU to add this incredible winery to your “to visit” list!

A special thank you to Reserve Pass for sponsoring today’s blog post. Without their support, The Pink Chickadee wouldn’t be where it is today!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Traveling During the Coronavirus Pandemic

At the beginning of this year as any other year, I got real giddy about all of my possible upcoming travels. As it has affected us all, something that starts with a C, known as the coronavirus pandemic has put a halt and has risen a lot of uncertainty on our anticipated travel plans. This year, I had trips in the works to Bethany Beach, Delaware for girl’s and family trips at our family beach house, Charlottesville, Virginia & Charleston, South Carolina for my 21st Birthday, East Grand Lake, Maine & North Lake, New Brunswick, Canada for a family reunion, Emerald Isle, North Carolina & Greenville, North Carolina to visit my roommate in a summer program, Boston, Massachusetts with a hopeful day trip to Newport, Rhode Island to visit my cousin, and a September trip to Asheville, North Carolina with my Honors Program for their annual Fall Trip (luckily, that one has been pushed back to Spring 2021 so fingers crossed!). However, each of those plans has been put on halt. Personally, I hate to say “cancelled”, as I believe that we will ALWAYS have opportunities to travel to the places that may have been crossed off of our bucket lists this year – 2020 is just not the year for some of our trips. While it may be saddening to watch many of our travel plans get put on halt, it DOES NOT mean that we cannot travel; we just have to travel in a different way. Although 2020 may not be the year for us to pack our bags and hop on a plane to someplace far away, it is for sure the year of traveling to places in our own backyards!

Dealing with Travel Uncertainty

Photo taken at Prince William Forest, Triangle, Virginia

I know that for myself, I have experienced the worries of when my next trip will be. For most of us, it appears as if most of our travels will be postponed and/or eventually put off for the 2020 year. While it is extremely hard to not know when your next big trip will be, do not dwell on it. Instead, focus on what you can control and try and explore some place nearby your home or go and visit a friend or family member in a different area (only if you both are comfortable and discuss precautions taken before the visit). Most importantly, remember that you are NOT alone. In fact, pretty much everybody is struggling with the extreme uncertainty that the coronavirus pandemic has brought upon us all, especially as it has affected many of our much-anticipated plans of all kinds. Through it all, we are a community of people that are each going through similar things during this coronavirus pandemic, even if you cannot see it on the surface.

Use This Time as an OPPORTUNITY

Photo taken in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Even though it is a real damper to see many of our trips be put to a halt, it is definitely not good practice to remain in a rut. Remember that it is OKAY to grief and you have every right to feel all the feels. On the contrary, those sad feelings should not keep you from living your best life, especially when it comes to planning new adventures. In commemoration of some of the trips that you were supposed to take this year, it may be fun to plan a day trip nearby or an overnight trip at a friend or family member’s place to still keep those travel feels going strong! Ever want to explore a trail nearby your house or even a State or National Park within a day trip’s reach?! Then, this is the time do it! Having limited time to travel leaves most of us to choose trips to places that are much further than our own homes, which leaves us with not much time (if any) to explore places nearby. For example, I took a day trip to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia – somewhere I’ve always wanted to visit yet never had the time (more on that later!). If you cannot think of any cool places near your house that you’re interested in visiting, then you may want to try Google searching places within a day trip reach of your hometown and see what pops up. You never know what you can find!

Be Sure You Can Keep Your Social Distance

Photo taken at Burke Lake Park, Burke, Virginia

While a trip to a big city may sound like an appealing day trip if you’re near one, I would not recommend putting it on your 2020 trip radar. The Covid-19 pandemic is still looming upon us, and it is not going away at least for now. That being said, it is important to take social distancing precautions while you travel. ALWAYS bring a mask with you no matter where you go, as you never know when and where you may need it. Consequentially, I would suggest keeping a bottle of hand sanitizer with you in your car and/or in your bag as well. Some of the best trips to take to social distance involve walking and hiking trails as well as parks that may offer opportunities for each. However, I wouldn’t discount towns that may have ice cream shops, cafes, or restaurants where you can social distance and still take a stroll. If you choose to explore a town, I recommend going to one that has some sort of outdoor activities or scenic views where you can still maintain your social distance. Additionally, vineyards/breweries are also a great way to take a fun and scenic day trip while keeping your distance.

My Summer 2020 Travels So Far!

Photo taken in downtown Clifton, Virginia

Although my summer travels do not look anything like I anticipated them to, it does not mean that I have not made the best of the current situation. Instead, I have decided to use 2020 as an opportunity to explore where I live. So far, I have explored: Burke Lake Park in Burke, Virginia, the town of Clifton, Virginia, Sugarloaf Mountain & Sugarloaf Vineyard in Dickerson, Maryland, Fountainhead Regional Park in Fairfax Station, Virginia, the town of Harpers Ferry along the Appalachian Trail in West Virginia, and Prince William Forest in Triangle, Virginia. While they are close to home, I have really loved getting to explore each of these destinations. In fact, Harpers Ferry has been a place that I have been dying to see for a few years now, and little did I know, it is such a gem and a great day trip from Northern Virginia. I never truly knew how great the non-suburbia parts and outskirts of the Washington, DC-Virginia-Maryland tristate area were until just a few weeks ago. Personally, I really wish I got to know my backyard outside of the city a lot sooner!

Photo taken at Sugarloaf Mountain, Dickerson, Maryland

Photo taken at Fountainhead Regional Park, Fairfax Station, Virginia

Photo taken in downtown Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Photo taken at Sugarloaf Vineyard, Dickerson, Maryland

Future 2020 Travels

Photo taken at Holts Landing State Park near Bethany Beach, Delaware

Having traveled to various places close to home, I am very excited about some of the upcoming travels that I have planned for the remainder of 2020. While past the summer is up in the air at the moment, I do have some exciting adventures planned for the rest of the summer. I will be spending about two weeks including the Fourth of July at my family’s beach house in Bethany Beach, Delaware. After a few weeks of relaxing seaside, I will be heading for the mountains for an unplugged few days in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia right nearby Shenandoah National Park. My Big Sis (essentially a mentor and potential best friend for life) from college and I are also planning a vineyard outing in the upcoming week. There is also a creek right by my house that I’m hoping to plan more outings to with family and friends as well (social-distanced of course!). Excitedly enough, I am planning to share posts on my travels to Bethany Beach, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the vineyard that my Big Sis and I visit in the coming weeks!

With most of us scratching to get out of our homes, I highly suggest taking a day trip (or two or three) whenever you can. Travel may not look the same right now, but it does not mean that you cannot get out and explore. What the coronavirus pandemic has taught me is to always prioritize travel. Travel has been one of my biggest passions and has taught me SO much about different people and cultures. At the same time, you do not have to go far to meet and see a new culture – there are so many places within a day’s reach that can provide you with just that! Whether you’re in a small town in Virginia or a big city in Europe, there is always room for learning, growth, and exploration along with culture. Just look around: there is SO MUCH adventure out there!

XOXO – Katie <3

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Tag: Northern Virginia Day Trips