Great Weekends

Can a weekend getaway change your life? In this package, meet Washingtonians who had memorable trips and find ideas for escapes that may inspire you: great hikes, spiritual retreats, adventure outings, yoga getaways, old-fashioned small towns, romantic inns, cooking classes, and lots more.

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Five Inspiring Hikes

A walk to a pretty waterfall, a stroll along the surf, and other great paths to lose yourself on happily more

A Weekend of Silence Teaches One Man to Listen

Dick Browne says that after a silent retreat, he was less bothered by little things. more

A Simpler Life

You needn’t pull up stakes for a taste of small-town life. These towns are great escapes for a weekend. more

A Weekend Without Homework and Video Games Brings a Mother and Son Closer

Saturday dinner with her son—"walking tall in his navy blazer"—is the author's fondest memory. more

Getting Lost in the Woods Helped One Woman Find Herself

A wrong turn in the woods led Barbara Bradley Hagerty to a different career path. more

How One Man’s Dream Took Flight

Jim Kaplan had dreamed of learning to fly. A few years ago, his dream became reality after he read an article about paragliding. more

“Mom, Let’s Do It Again!”

Kids grow up quickly. On a parent/child trip, you can stop time a little and form wonderful memories. more

A Visit to a Small Town Sets the Stage for a New Life

A visit to Chestertown so moved John Schratwieser that he moved there. more

A Touch of Romance

Looking for a place to pop the question? Celebrate an anniversary? Get away from the kids? These inns set just the right mood. more

An Adventurous Life

Learning a new sport—whether sailing or skydiving or scuba diving—can get your heart racing. more

Sounds of Silence

Need a break from cell phones and honking horns? Consider a silent retreat. Some provide spiritual guidance; all offer calm where you may want it most—on the inside. more

Champagne, Chocolate—and More Chocolate

Twenty chocolate soufflés later, Keri Lowry said yes to Aaron Butler’s marriage proposal. more

Helping A Child Heal, a Police Officer Heals Herself

Edwina Williams still wears the green wristband she received at Camp Forget-Me-Not last summer. more

Making a Difference

Want a memorable weekend? Here are opportunities to volunteer and do good—from mentoring a child to helping seniors to saving the Chesapeake Bay. more

Taking a Deep Breath

Can a weekend of yoga and meditation lead to a happier and more relaxed state of being? It’s a good start. more

A Yoga Retreat Helps a Stressed Professional Find Peace

Relief work in Sri Lanka had left Irene Fraser feeling some sadness and guilt. A yoga retreat helped her deal with those emotions. more

Firing Up Creativity

Want to write a novel? Learn to paint? Speak Spanish? Here are getaways where you can learn something new and have fun doing it—from photo safaris to cooking classes to fly-fishing. more

Great Fall Weekends

Here are 36 effortless escapes—from fun day trips to one-night stays to adventures just an hour away. more

Can DC’s New Digital News Operations Replace the Once-Great Newspaper Bureaus?

Gone are the robust bureaus for the Los Angeles Times, Newhouse News, and other once-healthy news organizations. Digital media bureaus now are taking their places with as many reporters and plenty of swagger. more

Where & When: What to Do This Weekend

Sip some Beaujolais Nouveau, check out the Terra Cotta warriors, see a vintage murder thriller, and more this weekend. more