10 Fall/Winter Road Trip Ideas From Baltimore or D.C.

Thinking about a fall/winter getaway? Me too! Whether you’re looking for a last quick beach getaway or an outdoor adventure, I’ve got you covered. All of these destinations offer something for everyone.

1. Adirondacks, New York features over 100 welcoming communities and twelve distinct regional destinations, each offering something different. From canoeing and kayaking, to hiking and biking, the Adirondacks is the epitome of outdoor relaxation. About seven hours from Baltimore and DC, head to upstate New York and spend a little one-on-one time with nature.

2. Asheville, North Carolina is a thriving city located in the Appalachian Mountains. It has an “eclectic downtown” with over 30-plus art galleries, thriving culinary and music scenes, and of course, gorgeous outdoors. After a six hour drive, spend a long weekend and explore one of North Carolina’s mountainous treasures.

3. Catskills, New York is the ultimate outdoor dream. The Catskills are made up of four counties: Delaware, Greene, Sullivan, and Ulster. Each offers hiking, biking, fly-fishing, scenic routes, and so much more. You can also aprés-ski here with farm-to-table restaurants, wine bars, and breweries.

4. Finger Lakes, New York is the second largest wine regions in the United States behind Napa Valley. If that’s not enough reason to visit, then the Finger Lakes’ beautiful outdoor scenery should do it! After a five-hour drive, you’ll be there before you know it. I spent a weekend here and I’ve been dying to get back ever since. Click here for my weekend guide.

5. Gatlinburg, Tennessee has so much to offer and is about eight hours from the Mid-Atlantic. Located in the Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg is a great destination for outdoor lovers and has plenty to do for the whole family. There are plenty of rental homes too so have fun with your favorite outdoor activities and then have a fun night in when you’re done.

6. Hilton Head, South Carolina offers 12 miles of pristine beaches and some of the best low-country food and drinks around. It’s also only about two hours from Charleston and one and a half hours from Savannah, so you can hit all three cities in one road trip! The eight-hour drive from Baltimore/DC will go by in no time.

7. Niagara Falls, New York is home to a natural wonder and is one of the fastest growing wine regions in the country. It is also one of the few regions in the world that produces ice wine, a sweet dessert wine that’s hard to find anywhere else. If you’re not interested in wine, Niagara Falls is great for relaxation and outdoor adventure. Just drive about six and a half hours to your next weekend getaway!

8. Outer Banks, North Carolina offers 100+ miles of shoreline and several quaint seaside villages. OBX is about seven and a half hours from Baltimore or DC so go and get your last bit of beach time in before winter is upon us.

9. Richmond, Virginia has miles of trails for walking and biking, a lively arts scene, and is known as one of the best foodie towns in the country. International visitors also recognize the city for its craft beer because of the Richmond Beer Trail. About two and a half hours from Baltimore/DC, an hour from Williamsburg, and close to two hours from Virginia Beach, Richmond is a world all its own.

10. Shenandoah Valley, VA and W. VA offers “Blue Ridge Whisky Wine Loop” located in the Northern Blue Ridge Mountains. The loop includes eight fine wineries, three distilleries and two craft beer breweries. Not interested in wine? There are plenty of farmers markets, orchards, biking and horseback riding trails. This regions is also known for its scenic drives. Only about two hours away, this is a must-visit destination especially at this time of year!

I hope this list gives you some inspiration for your next safe and socially distanced road trip!

The Corning Museum of Glass Is Cooler Than You Think

So a "Museum of Glass" may not sound all that interesting.  I mean, how fascinating can glass be? You eat on it, drink from it, look through it, and perhaps even sit on it.  But I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed visiting the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York.

During my visit to the Finger Lakes, I visited the museum and immediately fell in love with its open floor design and glass art displays.  I can barely even paint my nails within the lines, so the fact that these artists can create, mold, and sculpt such a fragile piece of medium is truly impressive.

Dress made of glass

As you walk through, you can't help but to be in awe of the glass art exhibits. One after the other, artists have used glass to express themselves and create beautiful works of art.

A tree within glass cups

Further in to the museum, I learned about the history of glass from all over the world.  Glass was first created by man about 4,000 years ago in Mesopotamia when craftsmen discovered the art of mixing sand, soda, and lime to make glass.  One of the most interesting facts I learned was that back in the 1800's, glass objects were made to replicate body parts for students to learn and practice.  You have glass to thank for helping to advance modern medicine!

After my tour, I sat in on a glass-breaking demo.  I was a little disappointed I wasn't chosen to break glass in the demonstration, but little 10-year old Timmy did a great job.  The instructor explained why some types of glass breaks in various patterns and quicker than others.

Glass-Breaking Demo

I also sat in on a Hot Glass Demo, where we saw artists use hot glass to create a vase.  At the end of the demo, they gave the vase to a lucky audience member.  For me, the coolest part of the museum visit was the 'Make Your Own Glass' class.  You're able to choose your design and color scheme and with the assistance of a qualified professional, make all of your glass dreams come true.  I created my very own glass flower that now proudly sits on my mother's mantle (and she loves it!). 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the Corning Museum of Glass.  Glass is much cooler than you think, so if you ever find yourself in the Finger Lakes, you must make time to visit the museum. You can also eat lunch during your visit, as they have a great cafeteria with plenty of option. On the ground floor, there's also a stellar gift shop that has glass gifts ranging from $6 to $4,000 or more, so there's literally something for everyone.  Just don't break it! 

Note: There's a shuttle that takes you from the Glass Museum, to The Rockwell Museum (American art Smithsonian affiliate, which I also highly recommend), and to Corning's downtown Market Street area.  You can spend an entire day enjoying everything Corning has to offer.  

For more information on the Corning Museum of Glass, click here.

Photo Credit: Ashlee Tuck