Page 15 - DreamScapes Magazine | Winter/Spring 2023

Your Guide to
Road Tripping Through
Northern
VIRGINIA
The Ultimate Crossroads for Snowbirds
BY REBECCA DOSER
If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the unexpected delight of uncovering hidden gems along a good old-fashioned road trip. Snowbirds, I’m talking to you. That multi-hour journey south is just a monotonous straight shot to the Sunshine State if you’re not exploring your ideal crossroads: Northern Virginia. Located adjacent to the U.S. capital, Washington, D.C., the Northern Virginia region is far from just a pit stop off Interstate 95; it’s a distinctive destination of wonders, worthy of a multi-day excursion through its five eclectic des- tinations: Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Loudoun County and Prince William County.
Driving into Northern Virginia, you’re greeted by the breeze off the Potomac River, quaint neighbourhoods beckoning with local confec- tioneries and mouth-watering international cuisine, strollable streetscapes ready to supply retail therapy and charming boutique wineries and local breweries for when you’re ready to wind down. As the temperature warms, discover even more to love with the most sym- bolic sign of springtime in the region: cherry blossoms. Admire the fluffy pink and white marvels with guided bike and boat tours, along with festivities as part of The National Cherry Blossom Festival held in neighbouring Washington, D.C. (March 20-April 16, 2023). Don’t be sur- prised if your Northern Virginia detour leaves you wanting more!
GET ACTIVE IN ARLINGTON
Northern Virginia is the perfect homebase to a D.C. vacation, where you’ll find hotels to be, on average, 30 percent cheaper than hotels in the U.S. capital. With ample transportation options like Metro, bike and the water taxi to take you into other areas of the D.C. region, these des- tinations blend big-city excitement with small-town charm. My fondest memories of Arlington include visiting some of America’s his- torical treasures such as Arlington National Cemetery and riding along the 29-kilometre Mount Vernon Trail, gingham blanket and trail mix tucked aboard my bike ready for a picnic at Gravelly Point Park as I watched planes take off at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Today, I can’t help but notice the breadth of new outdoor activities and developments in the heart of this thriving urban centre. Arlington’s 121 kilometres of trails and 445 hectares of parkland complement its gleaming skyscrapers overlooking D.C. and its dynamic economic hub, home to companies including Amazon, Microsoft and Nestlé.
NEIGHBOURHOOD
ON THE RISE
Boasting three vibrant Arlington neighbour- hoods—Crystal City, Pentagon City and Potomac Yard—National Landing is Virginia’s largest walkable downtown and is generating buzz as one of the fastest-growing neigh- bourhoods in the region thanks to Amazon’s HQ2, 450 shops and restaurants, 5,500 hotel rooms and more.
WINTER/SPRING 2023 DREAMSCAPES 15
PHOTOS: VISIT LOUDOUN | KRISTIAN SUMMERER | WAYNE WARD
GRAVELLY POINT PARK, ARLINGTON
JIFFY LUBE LIVE, PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY