See the full Fall Weekends Guide >> Boar’s Head: Charlottesville, Virginia
Drive time: 2½ hours.
What sets it apart: State-of-the-art recreation and Southern charm.
Try not to miss: The indoor/outdoor tennis center and sports club where fitness professionals and a nutritionist can customize a weekend of wellness; some 55 fitness classes a week including Pilates, yoga, cycling, and interval training.
Great for kids? Not unless they’re tennis players.
More information: 800-476-1988; boarsheadinn.com.
Hotel Hershey: Hershey, Pennsylvania
Drive time: 2½ hours.
What sets it apart: Chocolate as a motif (think fondue wraps at the spa and roaming characters dressed as Hershey candies); a whole town’s worth of Hershey-related activities.
Try not to miss: Two new pools with water features such as a crazy slide and gurgling fountains as well as optional $200-a-day cabanas; Hersheypark, with its 11 roller coasters and water park; outdoor ice-skating year-round; the three good golf courses (this has been named in the past by both Condé Nast Traveler and Golfweek as one of the top 100 golf resorts in the country); room options from rustic lodge to elegant hotel to new luxe cottages with porch rockers, great rooms, microwaves, and mini-fridges.
Great for kids? Definitely.
More information: 800-230-4134; thehotelhershey.com.
Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay: Cambridge, Maryland
Drive time: About two hours.
What sets it apart: An airy, by-the-shore vibe and big windows framing glorious marsh and bay views; great package deals that often trump those of other nearby resorts.
Try not to miss: An 18-hole golf course that wends its way around the bay; s’mores at the outdoor fireplace on a starry night; family movies by the pool Friday and Saturday; a kids program in conjunction with National Geographic.
Great for kids? Definitely.
More information: 800-233-1234; chesapeakebay.hyatt.com.
Inn at Perry Cabin: St. Michaels, Maryland
Drive time: About two hours.
What sets it apart: Picturesque water views and nautical-chic decor; guests can sign up for a crabbing expedition; for $110 more per person, the inn will turn your catch into a multi-course extravagance.
Try not to miss: The chef’s crabcakes, braised lamb shanks, and breakfast lobster hash; seasonal spa offerings such as pumpkin scrubs and apple-cider massage.
Great for kids? Not really.
More information: 866-278-9601; perrycabin.com.
Keswick Hall: Keswick, Virginia
Drive time: 2½ hours.
What sets it apart: With just 48 rooms, lush grounds, and attentive service, Keswick is like the country estate of a wealthy friend—who has three pools. You’ll feel pampered and to the manner born.
Try not to miss: Tennis on clay courts; an infinity-edge pool, overlooking the Arnold Palmer golf course, that features underwater music and poolside service; dinner at C&O Restaurant’s cozy downstairs bistro, off Charlottesville’s lively pedestrian mall; tastings at nearby wineries such as Kluge Estate.
Great for kids? Not really.
More information: 888-778-2565; keswick.com.
Nemacolin Woodlands: Farmington, Pennsylvania
Drive time: About three hours.
What sets it apart: Out-of-the-ordinary activities, from off-road driving to winetasting to dogsled rides; lodging that ranges from a French-inspired chateau to a boutique hotel to an English Tudor–style lodge.
Try not to miss: The terrific Frank Lloyd Wright–influenced spa; the Kidz Spa with treatments such as up-dos and movie-star makeup; the challenging Mystic Rock golf course, designed by Pete Dye; cuisine that’s several cuts above that of most resorts—especially high-end Lautrec.
Great for kids? Definitely.
More information: 800-422-2736; nemacolin.com.
Omni Bedford Springs: Bedford, Pennsylvania
Drive time: Two hours.
What sets it apart: The hotel’s pastoral setting and historic authenticity evoke a genteel era when life was uncomplicated—especially for those who summered here.
Try not to miss: Golf on the celebrated Bedford Old Course; swimming in the historic indoor pool; the bath ritual (scrub, shower, steam, hot and cold plunges) before a spa treatment.
Great for kids? Best for children under 13.
More information: 814-623-8100; omnihotels.com.
Tides Inn: Irvington, Virginia
Drive time: 2½ hours.
What sets it apart: Overlooking tranquil Carters Creek, this intimate resort has drawn generations of boating families. Parents love the wholesome fun, from croquet to crabbing.
Try not to miss: A sailing school operating through mid-November (refreshing breezes make autumn a lovely time to sail); captaining your own cruise on an easy-to-operate, 16-foot electric Duffy; relaxing afterward with an aquatic-inspired spa treatment; the terrific Golden Eagle golf course.
Great for kids? Definitely.
More information: 800-843-3746; tidesinn.com.
Rocky Gap Lodge : Flintstone, Maryland
Drive time: About 2½ hours.
What sets it apart: At lake’s edge in a 3,000-acre state park, Rocky Gap has stunning mountain views at good rates. More than 30 outdoor adventures include fishing, canoeing, and nighttime owl walks.
Try not to miss: Horseback riding on wooded trails (a buddy saddle is available for little kids); golf without eco-guilt—the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course has been recognized for its environmental practices.
Great for kids? Definitely.
More information: 800-724-0828; rockygapresort.com.
Wintergreen : Wintergreen, Virginia
Drive time: Three hours.
What sets it apart: At this Blue Ridge Mountain resort, ridgeline condos are spacious with inspiring views—and offer the option of eating in or out at one of four top-notch yet casual restaurants. A daily activity schedule—golf to aquatics to skiing—and shuttles allow everyone to do his or her thing.
Try not to miss: Some 30 miles of hiking trails; terrific Devils Knob, a mountain golf course with fun elevation changes; lots for teens, including an arcade with Xbox and Wii, a rock-climbing tower, bungee trampoline, and mountain-bike rentals.
Great for kids? Definitely.
More information: 434-325-2200; wintergreenresort.com.
Sherri Dalphonse joined Washingtonian in 1986 as an editorial intern, and worked her way to the top of the masthead when she was named editor-in-chief in 2022. She oversees the magazine’s editorial staff, and guides the magazine’s stories and direction. She lives in DC.
