photo via Washingtonian

By Kathryn Martin

Just a quick note about some of my fave places in Rehoboth. Some are old, some brand new, but all are worth checking out if you are planning a trip here. Did I mention it only takes two and a half hours to get here from D.C.?

Lots of love for Hobo’s restaurant for vegan, vegetarian, and otherwise local food. On Baltimore Ave. (HRC supporter)

Go Fish on Rehoboth Ave. has great fish and chips and we made sure to visit yesterday for a pre-Olympic celebration dinner.

My newest find is (a)Muse also on Baltimore Ave. which blew me away with every single dish we tried. Foie gras mousse with cherries, pickled onion and more was divine. Scallops, chicken, rainbow chard (not all in the same dish) did not disappoint but a dessert called The Beach was a major highlight. Toasted nut ice cream, lemon salt water taffy, shattered grapes, and sea beans was unbelievable. And the limoncello mojito was delicious. I’m going back for more and definitely trying the margarita with jalepeno-infused tequila. Before they get their website up, check out http://www.thecombandwattle.com/ for info about the restaurant and the kick-ass chef, Hari. I have seriously not done a proper review of this place…. (HRC supporter)

Gidget’s Gadgets for fun toys especially the old-school Magic Eight Ball and Barrel of Monkeys which we picked up for rainy day fun.

Sole on Rehoboth Ave. for hip clothes and accessories (Theory, J Brand, Calypso, and so much more!). I picked up the cutest evil eye bracelet for just $46. I haven’t taken it off but it has also provided countless hours of “fun” explaining to my kids what an “evil eye” does.

Bad Hair Day? salon and spa for pedicures and, from what I can tell, for getting your hair “did,” too. They offer a variety of refreshments and read my chakra (for free!). My power chakra was out of balance but not for long so watch out! (HRC supporter)

That’s it for now but I’ll keep you posted as I continue to visit the great local businesses of my favorite beach town!

By Torey Vanek

Last weekend, I got to spend time away from Norther Virginia in lovely Charlottesville! Our drive was exactly two hours from Alexandria and it was really a perfect way to spend a gorgeous weekend. We were there to celebrate my sister’s upcoming wedding so we decided to do a wine tour.

We used Blue Ridge Wine Excursions for our tour and I highly recommend them! Since there was six of us, we had a nice SUV but they also have vintage cars and limousines available. We started the day at Bleinheim Winery (aka Dave Matthews’ place) and it is gorgeous. The views on the property were perfect and we had a nice lesson in grapes and wines. Plus, we each bought some bottles home to share with family and friends.

Next stop was Albemarle Ciderworks and I think this was my favorite stop because I was pleasantly surprised by the cider like wine. We learned a lot about apples, had delicious peaches and plums from the orchard and then sat down to our fabulous lunch that the tour company provided. Technically, it was a ‘snack’ but it had local cheeses, great bread, an assortment of salami, olives, more fresh fruit and great local chocolates.

Next we visited Pippin Hill Farm and Vineyard and this place looks like it belongs in a movie. It is one of the newer vineyards in the area and I see why it is so popular for weddings. We enjoyed sitting on the lawn and just enjoying the view.

We returned to Charlottesville after our tour for some shopping on the downtown mall and a nice dinner at West Main. If you are looking for an easy getaway from here, definitely put Charlottesville on the top of your list!
And, on a travel note, in a small town about halfway between Charlottesville and Alexandria is the Moo Thru This might be some of the best ice cream I have ever had. I had dark chocolate and banana and I wish I had packed a cooler to bring more home!

I recently took a family vacation to Virginia Beach. I’ve been there countless times because my husband’s family lives there. Here are some of my picks for Virginia Beach

What to Do:

Virginia Beach Aquarium and Marine Science Center (I liked this better than the Baltimore aquarium). Believe it or not I actually took that photo!

Shabby Antiques at Chartreuse on Mediterranean Ave

Half Moon Music – Don’t go out of your way but if you happen to find yourself on Pacific Ave stop in and browse the beads and tie dyes

Where to Eat:

Tautogs Restaurant for awesome seafood and the best key lime pie ever

Chicks Oyster Bar for great casual kid-friendly dining

Taste Unlimited for “coastal gourmet” sandwiches and to-go food

Where to Stay:

If you don’t rent a house stay at the Hilton

While we were there I also saw this cute b&b.

Photo By Torey Bryant

By Torey Vanek

During the holiday break my father-in-law was visiting and since he is a history buff, we decided to take him to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia for a day trip. It is only 75 miles from Alexandria and it was a great way to spend the day!

The historic town area sits on the point where the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers meet up and it has beautiful views all around. Harpers Ferry, made famous by  John Brown’s raid on the Armory in 1859 and its role in the American Civil War is now a historical landmark that offers a great look at history plus hiking, white water rafting, tubing and other great outdoor activities when the weather warms up.

We enjoyed a nice walk around town, visited the historically restored sites, climbed the steps to get a great view and just enjoyed the scenery. Our 2 ½ year old loved the bridge that goes across the river and the added bonus was the train that crossed while coming back across.

If you need a day trip to escape the city, Harpers Ferry is a good choice! The National Park entrance fee is $6 per car and gives you access to the park and historic town. Parking is available in both location (or you can use the shuttle bus to go between the two). Plus, there are nice local shops and restaurants!