Staycationing
Now that the days are getting longer and kids are getting out of school, it’s time to start planning that summer “staycation”. The price of a round-trip plane flight has spiked in recent months, and gas prices are only just beginning to come down. You can save money and reduce emissions at the same time by choosing to remain in Arlington and go on a Car Free Diet instead of traveling out of town. AIRE set the ambitious goal of reducing the Arlington County government’s greenhouse gas emissions by 10% from 2000 to 2012. Secondary to this goal is our mission to encourage residents in the county to make their own choices to reduce energy use and emissions. Following the below tips on how to vacation locally is just one such way to do so, along with the other suggestions we highlight every Thursday in our blog.
Are you looking to spend some time outdoors? There are a variety of different parks in Arlington and many of them offer summer programming. You can view the full list at the Department of Parks and Recreation’s website. Long Bridge Park is brand new, if you haven’t had the opportunity to check it out yet. Personally, I love the Custis trail. Hop on for a long bike ride and take a break in one of a number of parks along the way to have a picnic lunch!
What about some activities for the kids? The Artisphere in Rosslyn offers a variety of family friendly events. Arlington County also has four public pools. Arlington Cemetery, the Pentagon Memorial and the Iwo Jima Memorial are all conveniently located national attractions.
And, if you and your significant other are looking for some romantic one-on-one time, you can escape the heat by going ice skating at Kettler Capitals IcePlex. There are over 154 restaurants and clubs in Arlington, so you are bound to be able to try some new foods no matter what you might be craving. Stay out even later by catching a movie or some live music in town.
Whichever local spots you choose for your staycation adventures, be sure to take alternative transportation to get around, and to turn off air conditioning and electronics while away from the house for the day and not in use. Arlington County Commuter Services provides resources for walking, biking and busing around Arlington. In addition, WMATA provides real time information about metro train arrivals, and now allows you to refill your Smartrip card online. Capital Bikeshare offers four different membership lengths, so you can shop around to find the one most suited to your needs.
We hope that this inspires you to see a little bit more of what our beautiful county has to offer. Please share any pictures of your Arlington staycations on our Facebook page!
By: Kelsey Kerle-O’Brien