Williamsburg Water Fun

The start of school doesn’t mean the fun’s over. Head for Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg (549 E. Rochambeau Dr.; 800-551-9653; greatwolf.com) to get soaked in this ultimate indoor waterpark; calm-seeking adults can go on a tubing water ride or sneak off to the spa or gym.

With this deal, exclusive to The Washingtonian, only your swimsuit gets soaked. September 7 through October 31, use the code WMag to get a family suite—it sleeps six, with a fridge, microwave, and coffee maker—plus four waterpark wristbands for $159 Sunday through Thursday, $209 Friday and Saturday (extra wristbands $40 each). This rate, a savings of 15 percent or more, doesn’t apply October 9 through 11; the waterpark is closed for maintenance September 13 through 17.

Crabs and a Sail

The best way to see the Chesapeake Bay is now a bargain thanks to Captain Ed Farley and his H.M. Krentz (410-745-6080; oystercatcher.com). The 70-foot skipjack sets sail through St. Michaels harbor from the Crab Claw Restaurant for two hours of seeing osprey and historic towns and dredging a few oysters.

Before or after, enjoy a crab feast and brews at the down-home, 44-year-old Crab Claw overlooking the water (Rt. 33 W./Navy Point; 410-745-2900; thecrabclaw.com).

The code WashDeal gets you 20 percent off a sail (usually $35 adults, $18 under age 12) and 10 percent off your food bill—no groups of 12 or more, please, at the restaurant—September 8 through October 31. No credit cards for either the boat or the restaurant.

Hot Times in the City

Spend a weekend exploring DC from the Embassy Circle Guest House or the Woodley Park Guest House. At either B&B this month, with the code DCinns, Washingtonian readers get 15 percent off a stay plus two free tickets to the Newseum, normally $20 apiece.

The Embassy Circle (2224 R St., NW; 202-232-7744; dcinns.com; $195 to $290)—a former embassy whose 11 rooms are named for their Persian carpets—offers king- and queen-size beds and a happy hour with wine, beer, and hors d’oeuvres. Breakfast may include salmon with cream cheese and capers, organic breads, and a 12-fruit salad.

The Woodley Park (2647 Woodley Rd., NW; 202-667-0218; dcinns.com; $130 to $230) is walking distance to the National Zoo, Adams Morgan restaurants and nightlife, and Dupont Circle galleries. Most of the 16 cheery rooms have a private bath. Over pastry, eggs, and fruit, you might meet the owner’s father, a former Smithsonian meteorite curator.

This article first appeared in the September 2009 issue of The Washingtonian. For more articles from that issue, click here.