Looking for a fall getaway that doesn’t break the bank? City Cast DC contributor Tim Ebner was recently on the podcast and talked with Bridget about how this color-filled season is the perfect time to get away. Here are some of his suggestions for the best fall trips you can take from D.C. — all for around $150.
📸 Best for Picturesque Views:
📍 Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
If one of your favorite things about road trips is experiencing a beautiful scenic drive, Tim says you have to experience the road leading through the national park: Skyline Drive. “It’s almost as if you’re driving through the clouds on top of the mountain,” he says. For overnight stays inside the park which help you beat the crowds getting in, Tim says consider the Skyland and Big Meadows Lodge. September and early October rates ranged from $140 to $160 per night, but expect prices to go up in mid-October to coincide with peak leaf-peeping season.
🏕️ Best for Glamping:
📍 Firefly Ridge, West Virginia
Glamping is ideal if you want a weatherproof, comfortable outdoor experience. This charming and peaceful retreat offers glamping pods that are set up on wooden platforms, so you don’t have to worry about bugs crawling into your space. Plus, they do all of the work for you, which is a perfect camping experience if you don’t have the equipment or don’t enjoy setting up tents. Rates are around $150 a night. (Plus, subscribe to their newsletter for 10% off your first night!)
🏖️ Best for Beach Fun:
📍 Assateague Island and Ocean City, Maryland
Our host Bridget Todd loves experiencing the waves during the autumn, and Tim agrees: Beach season does not have to end on Labor Day. Hotels along the strip lower their rates substantially in shoulder season, so you can find dozens of hotels along the strip for around $70 a night — rates you won’t find in the summer. Ocean City plans a lot of festivals during this time of year, and is upping its game with great golf courses and restaurants (Bridget and Tim especially love Seacrets and Liquid Assets). Head to Assateague Island for the ponies!
