Michelle & Alfonso
Things To Do
Downtown Frederick
Historic Downtown Frederick is an arts and entertainment district with shops, cafes, restaurants, antique stores, and breweries. Walk the footpath along Carroll Creek, which connects Downtown Frederick to the nearby Baker Park. We suggest walking up and down Market Street and the streets that branch off of it. We usually find street parking on Carroll Parkway next to Baker Park. Carroll Creek starts here and it's a nice walk along the creek over to S Market Street. Alternatively, there are parking garages and street parking in the main town area too.
Warehouse Cinemas Frederick
Alfonso's favorite movie theater with big reclining chairs and a bar. You'll find him there on $7 Tuesdays!
DC's Wine Country
Loudon County, VA is known for its many wineries and scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, including our wedding venue Breaux Vineyards.
Antietam National Battlefield
Visit the Antietam National Battlefield Visitor Center, where a sword from Mike Malone's collection was on display until recently! The Battle of Antietam ended the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia's first invasion into the North and led Abraham Lincoln to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. Antietam is considered one of the best preserved battlefields in the country.
Great Falls
One of our favorite local places for a scenic walk or hike! The C&O Canal Trail is an easy flat dirt walking path along the canal. The Billy Goat Trail is a hiking trail along the Potomac River which runs parallel to the canal. It is moderately difficult involving climbing and rock scrambles. Wear good hiking shoes and bring water! You can park directly at the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center (11710 Macarthur Blvd, Potomac, MD 20854) to walk 10-15 minutes to the Great Falls Overlook. Our favorite is to park at the parking area across from the Old Anglers Inn (10790 Macarthur Blvd, Potomac, MD 20854) which is free and walk 2 miles along the C&O Canal Trail to the Great Falls Overlook and back. There is the option to split off the canal trail to hike the Billy Goat Trail there or back instead.
Georgetown
One of the best neighborhoods in DC! We typically park at the Georgetown Waterfront Park which has a walking path along the Potomac River, ending with some restaurants on the water. We like Nick's Riverside Grill but there are many great options. Walk up and down M Street and Wisconsin Ave for plenty of shops and restaurants, but we also recommend turning down some side streets to see the pretty townhouses and cobblestone roads of the neighborhood. Georgetown Cupcake is very popular and we recommend Call Your Mother Deli for bagels. The C&O Canal Path also begins here in Georgetown and extends up the length of the Potomac River (eventually leading to Great Falls). This is a flat dirt path along the canal for an easy walk.
U Street & 14th Street
The U Street NW & 14th St NW area is a fun DC neighborhood to walk around with shops, cafes, restaurants, and rooftop bars. Our favorite rooftops are Whitlow's, Takoda, and 801. Lulu's Wine Garden is a fun casual spot for brunch. Wydown Coffee Bar is a good stop for coffee and pastries. Some other restaurants are Gypsy Kitchen DC (Mediterranean), Barcelona Wine Bar (Spanish), Doi Moi (Vietnamese), the famous Ben's Chili Bowl, and Habesha Market Restaurant in the Little Ethiopia area.
Smithsonian National Zoo
We love the DC Zoo! Admission to the zoo is free for walk-in entry if you plan to find street parking nearby (we usually find parking on Connecticut Ave NW) or take the metro there (metro stop Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan on the red line). If you plan to drive and park at the zoo parking lot, you'll need to reserve a paid parking pass. Most up to date details can be found on the zoo website.
Harpers Ferry
Harpers Ferry is a historic town in West Virginia where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers meet, and where West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia meet. There are shops, restaurants, and a walking path across the Winchester and Potomac Railroad Bridge for some nice views. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park has 19th-century buildings and a Civil War Museum. Visit the Appalachian Trail Visitor Center for trails varying from easy riverside strolls, to 4 mile hikes across Civil War battlefields, to 8+ mile hikes on the tops of mountains.
Harpers Ferry Brewing
If you're not already joining us here on Thursday evening, Harpers Ferry Brewing is up on a mountainside with scenic views of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. In addition to beer, wine, and cider, they serve pizza, wings, soft pretzels and more, and sometimes have a food truck. They have live music depending on the day as well.
Shenandoah National Park
If you are staying in town for a couple days, Shenandoah National Park in Virginia is a beautiful place to visit. 200,000 acres of protected lands with wildlife and great views. Our personal favorite hike is the out-and-back Whiteoak Canyon Falls Trail. Park at the Whiteoak Canyon Falls Lower Trailhead. If you hike up to the Upper Whiteoak Falls and turn around, this is a 6 mile hike total and takes 3-3.5 hours to complete depending on your pace. Hiking alongside a river and waterfalls up and back down. This is a moderately difficult hike with steep inclines that you need to be well prepared for. Option to swim in the pools at the bottom of the falls on your way back down on a hot day! Note that there is not good cell service near the trailhead or along the last stretch of driving. Turn your GPS on while you have good service and keep it on.