These are crazy days: As COVID-19 shuts D.C. offices, schools, restaurants & bars, and pretty much all daily life as we know it, isolation has become our scary new norm.
But just because we have to stay 6 feet away from everyone else and not touch anything doesn’t mean that we have to stay locked in our apartments (at this point at least!). There are some great escapes in the Washington D.C. area where you can hang out with nature — not other people! Here are some ideas to beat the quarantine cabin fever:
(First though, wash your hands before reading any farther!)
Visit the Ponies
Know who doesn’t have coronavirus? The wild ponies on Assateague and Chincoteague! (Ok, pretty sure they don’t … not a doctor.) Spring is foal season: baby ponies are definitely worth the 3 hour drive to the coastal VA/MD islands! Many park facilities are closed, but parking lots and trails are still open. Just note: for safety reasons it’s best to social distance up to 10 feet away from the ponies, too.
For more info on Chincoteague and Assateague, see Chapter 6 in Easy Weekend Getaways from Washington, DC.
National Parks are Free
Shenandoah is still open to visitors (as of this writing). Some park facilities aren’t open, but trails, bathrooms, and entrance stations are. You can drive the entirety of Skyline Drive’s 105 miles in a day, and can check out some of the park’s trails to stretch your legs after all that couch time. For now, they’ve paused all fee collections — and if they start those up again, remember that April 18-26 is National Park Week (aka free admission).
Update: As of 3/22/20 Shenandoah is seeing a large number of visitors who caused overcrowding at many popular park sites like Old Rag, Whiteoak Canyon, and Dark Hallow Falls. (The road to Old Rag is now closed.) If you visit the park, please visit lesser-known areas, park in designated areas, stay on trails and practice social distancing. Follow the park’s Instagram @shenandoahnps for the latest updates and safety tips.
For more info on Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park, see Chapter 27 in Easy Weekend Getaways from Washington, DC. For details on climbing Old Rag, see Chapter 10.
Take a History Road Trip
Celebrate Women’s History Month by learning more about one of the area’s most influential women: Harriet Tubman. You can drive a route through Maryland and Delaware that highlights parts of Tubman’s story and the Underground Railroad. There’s an awesome app you can download that’s basically a running docu-style narrative of what you’re driving past, and you can stay totally self-contained in the car.
For more info on driving the Harriet Tubman Scenic Byway, see Chapter 24 in Easy Weekend Getaways from Washington, DC.
More Outdoorsy Ideas
While some popular hikes, like Sugarloaf Mountain, are closed, others, including Sky Meadows State Park, Catoctin Mountain Park, and Jug Bay Natural Area still have trails open, even though visitors centers won’t be manned. (It’s best to call and confirm before driving out here, as conditions are changing daily!)
Restock Your Booze Stash (or Hand Sanitizer)
Running low on supplies? While breweries and the likes may not be serving sit-down, you can stop by after your hike and load up on cans or bottles.
Swing through Frederick for some great breweries and distilleries who are offering curbside pickup — Tenth Ward is even brewing up hand sanitizers for customers. Or hit up Front Royal Brewing Co. right near the entry to Skyline Drive; they’re offering beers to go.
