Ironically, I wrote this blog as I prepare to head off on travel for the long Labor Day weekend! BUT I discovered this article online last week, ahead of a fantastic staycation. In case you haven’t been introduced to this wonderful idea, a staycation is exactly like a vacation except you don’t get anywhere; you stay where you are! I think they are INVALUABLE when it comes to recharging, resetting, and even in some instances, still getting some work done (when appropriate and defined!).

As I have gotten older, I have absolutely mastered the art of the staycation. I’ve learned that I don’t NEED to have plans every single weekend and, in fact, staying in has brought me some of the most interesting weekends since I relocated just outside of our nation’s capital.

So when I discovered this article last week, t was a few days before my birthday, my roommate was going to be out of town, and I was taking that as an opportunity to have the condo to myself, do whatever I wanted, dance around the house naked…you get the point.

I actually I ended up doing a handful of items on the list. If you’re in the Washington, D.C./Northern Virginia area, the items that I would most heavily recommend are:

• Any of the many brewery, distillery, or winery tours and/or tastings
  • My 2 favorites in the area? Catoctin Creek out in Purcellville and One Eight Distilling in D.C.
• Union Market (and their many pop up shops! Dolcezza is a NOVA favorite of mine for both their coffee AND unique gelato flavors!)
• Smithsonian’s Museum of Asian Art
• The United States Botanic Garden

So, the next time you’re feeling a bit of wanderlust like I am at this very moment, heed the advice you just read! There’s so many great things to do in this region/area, for miles and miles, between the entire DC-Maryland-Virginia trek, that sometimes staying at  home and not worrying about travel, logistics, etc. can be more relaxing than a getaway.