Spring Break 2016
It’s the BEST TIME OF THE YEAR. Even if you aren’t in the school system and aren’t getting mandatory leave from work, it’s still an amazing time because it’s the promise of an end to this terrible Winter and a break in what always feels like the longest month of the year. But not all of us can swing a trip to some far away land like Panama City. So if you’re spring broke and can’t afford an epic vacation, there are a bunch of things you can do without having to purchase plane tickets.
Hike Shanendoah
It’s a free activity for those of you who are not looking to break the bank. It’s also a pretty amazing place if you’ve never been before. I mean LOOK AT THAT PICTURE – it’s beautiful! And it’s only 2 hours away! Why not change things up and get out while you have the mandatory time to? Don’t want to commit to driving all day? NO EXCUSES: they have nearby lodging and a ton of other things to do besides observing nature.
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Avoid the Crowds
Because who wants to be a SHEEP and do what everyone else is doing? Go Somewhere during the week that you’d normally only get to see on a busy Saturday or Sunday. Our choice: the Smithsonian museums. Always. They’re free, SO close to the surrounding DC metro areas, and are even more enjoyable when a stroller isn’t running over your foot or a field trip isn’t pushing you through the exhibits.
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Deep Creek Lake
So maybe not all the snow has melted quite yet like in the picture, but it’s still just as fun and nice of a getaway as you think. Bonus: they have really sweet rentals you can grab for the week if you go with a big group or just a few people.
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Hit the slopes before the snow melts
Lucky for you, we’ve already compiled a whole list of places you can go for this. Spring break makes for the most perfect conditions: warm weather, cold ground. Enjoy the outdoors and the snowy slopes while you can during this possibly tiny window. With the DMV weather, you never know if it’s going to be Winter for 2 more months, Summer on Friday, or 4 feet of snow next week.
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Go out on a Tuesday night
Or Monday. Or Wednesday. Or all of the days just because you can. And because why not? No work + nowhere to be = no reason to turn down a good time. Tuesdays at Soundcheck are always fun if you want to start there (but we may be a bit partial).
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VA Beach or Ocean City
Who says you have to go all the way down south to enjoy some sun? Grab some friends and road trip to a semi local beach for a good time.
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Renwick Museum
More of an indoors person? Totally cool. The Renwick Gallery reopened after a massive 2-year renovation and has some amazing exhibits to show off what it’s been up to. Refer back to our earlier idea of avoiding crowds – the weekdays are prime for super popular places like this. Get lost in some awe-inspiring art (like the one above by Patrick Doughery, courtesy of si.edu) with Wonder, the large scale installation exhibit that’s only around until mid-Summer. Did we mention this one is also free? We’re sold.
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Netflix and chill
No but literally, though. Put on your favorite pair of 5-day pants, order some take-out, and watch Frank Underwood take over the world in the next season of House of Cards, which released early this month. Or watch every episode of Parks and Rec from start to finish. Or watch 7 movies without a break from the couch. The point is: calm down and tune out the world for a week, it’s good for you. Staycations are actually the best.
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Get out of the house! Or stay in it. It’s up to you. But whatever you do: do what you want. Because you can.
