No one ever said the fun vacations had to stop when summer ends! Take a family weekend vacation without the long drive or expensive airfare this fall. These resorts near Washington, D.C. are so jam-packed with kid-friendly activities, you could spend your entire trip without ever having to leave the hotel. But if you do, you’ll find yourself near some of the area’s best attractions. Here are five options for awesome autumnal getaways at nearby family resort hotels.
Do not let the fanciness of the luxurious Middleburg resort fool you—this place is family-friendly. Kids are very welcome and it shows in their amazing family activities such as swimming, geocaching, kids’ golf, stargazing, paintball and hikes. The stables are especially gorgeous, and the equine experts tailor horseback riding (and pony riding) experiences to your children’s needs. There are also kids’ nights of drop-off supervised activities and babysitters can be hired for evenings so mom and dad can take advantage of the incredible on-site restaurants.
What to visit nearby: Salamander Tree Top Zip Tour
Lansdowne brings joy to both kids and parents with delicious restaurants, indoor and outdoor heated pools, evening s’mores roasting and an on-site playground. Children especially love the buffet at the Riverside Hearth (try the chocolate chip pancakes!). Kids Club evenings are available on select weekends or by request. Be sure to check out their special family pricing packages!
What to visit nearby: Leesburg Animal Park and Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum
Heading to Williamsburg to check out the colonial or theme park fun? A stay at Kingsmill will make the weekend even better. You can rent condominiums to accommodate large or multi-family groups, as well as experience family-friendly activities, pools, riverside views, delicious dining and a newly-renovated spa. Although the property feels ultra chic, Kingsmill often offers special value packages for families.
What to visit nearby: Busch Gardens and Colonial Williamsburg
4. Lancaster DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel
We love this pretty resort (formerly known as Willow Valley) in the heart of Amish country and a mere two hours from D.C. The Strasburg Rail Road and all of the children’s activities in Lancaster County are perfect for a weekend destination. The resort is close to an unbelievable array of kid-tastic destinations but the Lancaster DoubleTree is a destination in itself, with its onsite pool playground and organized family activities such as crafts and group movies. This time of the year is the perfect time for a visit as the resort really ramps up the organized fun around the autumn and winter holidays.
What to visit nearby: Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and Dutch Wonderland
5. Chesapeake Bay Hyatt Regency
Eastern Shore lovers can experience the beauty of the Chesapeake during the fall at this golf resort and spa on the Bay. Kids will love watching movies at night in the indoor pool while floating on a raft after playing rounds of Frisbee golf and fishing during the day. The resort has its own Wildlife Refuge and Blue Heron Rookery, a preserved area of lush vegetation and animals indigenous to the Eastern Shore such as the Great Blue Heron and American Bald Eagle. Kids can play in Camp Hyatt’s Pirate Cove during the day or night, while parents have a massage, take a yoga class, or enjoy an adults-only meal.
What to visit nearby: Harriet Tubman Museum
Photo credits: iStock/monkeybusinessimages
