Expert Advice: 10 Great Escapes
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1. BEST URBAN GETAWAY
Jane Ockershausen, whose latest guidebook is "One-Day Trips Through History" (EPM Publications, 2000): "I would say both Baltimore and Philadelphia are wonderful urban escapes. Philadelphia is changing as we speak. If you haven't been there in five years, go back, because it's changed."
John Fitzpatrick, co-author of "Quick Escapes: Washington, D.C." (Globe Pequot Press, 2005), says: "It would be a tossup between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh . Philadelphia is more sophisticated; the restaurants are really good and it's easy to get to. I could go there four or five times a year." As for Pittsburgh, he says: "Some people find it confusing to navigate, but being from Washington, I don't. Plus, there are lots of things for kids to do."
Jim Hargan -- author of "An Explorer's Guide: The Shenandoah Valley & Mountains of the Virginias" (Countryman Press, 2005) -- recommends Charlottesville for its restaurants, museums and beautiful scenery.
2. BEST WATERY VACATION
Cunningham Falls State Park , near Thurmont, Md., is Fitzpatrick's choice. "It's just a quiet little lake, but it's far enough out of town" to feel like a vacation. "Plus there are plenty of other things to do there, both there and at Catoctin [Mountain Park]." Hargan: "It's hard to beat the New River Gorge area of West Virginia, with white-water rafting, family floats and kayaking on the New River. Nearby, if you want the real rough stuff, there's the Gauley River." To the north of New River Gorge is Summersville Lake, another favorite. Assateague Island is Ockershausen's pick: "That's so wonderfully deserted -- then there's Ocean City , with the boardwalk. So you've got the wonderful splendor of Assateague, then you've got the boardwalk honky-tonks nearby."
3. FUN FOR KIDS AND GROWN-UPS
"Growing up, I always liked Shenandoah National Park , " Hargan says. "There were rock-climbing trips that the rangers led, and you could go to Big Meadows and see deer. In terms of museum areas, I think living history museums are a good approach for kids," such as the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton, Va. Ockershausen recommends "anyplace where the child can actually do something and be part of the experience, like riding in a canal boat." Another close-to-home option is the National Capital Trolley Museum (in Colesville, Md.), "a great thing for grandparents to do with the kids, because the grandparents may remember riding trolleys when they were kids," she says.
