The “Dog Days” of Summer came early this year, with all but two days since the June 20 Summer Solstice exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and an extended forecast that looks more like Florida than Virginia. As the heat envelops The Little City, many residents are eagerly awaiting long-planned trips, while Summer’s not-so-shy onset has prompted others to begin seeking last-minute destination ideas for the coming months. We asked several Falls Church residents about their planned trips for 2024, as well as their favorite vacation destinations and traditions.

For many, if not most, the Summer provides an opportunity to travel to see distant family members. For new city council member Justine Underhill, this means a trip to Seattle and Vancouver, concluding in a trip with her dad to a campsite somewhere in the Pacific Northwest. Their annual camping trip has become a tradition, as has the way they plan — or don’t plan — the trip. Underhill says last year, after driving to a campsite on Mount Rainier, they received a last minute spot only because another camper didn’t show up. “It was definitely risky, as we didn’t have anywhere to sleep.”

After visiting relatives in Rhode Island this month, FCCPS superintendent Peter Noonan and his family will embark on their big vacation — and quintessential Summer excursion — a fun week at the beach in Sandbridge, VA. Other popular beach destinations within a few hours’ drive include Rehoboth Beach, DE and Virginia Beach, VA, with many opting for the slightly longer haul to the Carolinas, seeking the seclusion of the NC Outer Banks or the abundance of entertainment activities in Myrtle Beach, SC.

The beach isn’t the only way to escape the summer heat. Ross Litkenhous, founder and managing partner at Cavalry Real Estate Advisors and vice-chair of the F.C. Economic Development Authority, and his family just returned from an early-summer trip to Deep Creek Lake. Traditions the Litkenhous family will enjoy later this season include a week at the beach in Lewes, DE, and a week at a family lake house in Alabama. For their big trip this year, they will be traveling to Switzerland and Southern France.

For those seeking local relief from the heat, at least six local water parks can be enjoyed in Northern Virginia, including Great Waves (Alexandria), the Water Mine (Reston), Atlantis (Centreville), SplashDown (Manassas), Pirate’s Cove (Lorton), and Signal Bay (Manassas Park), all with admission under $20.

The Litkenhous family started off the season with another common summer activity: a visit to one of the six major amusement parks within 150 miles of Falls Church, opting to enjoy the sweet rides at Hershey Park (Hershey, PA, 140 miles). Other nearby amusement parks include Six Flags America (Upper Marlboro, MD, 40 miles), Kings Dominion (Doswell, VA, 85 miles), Dutch Wonderland (Lancaster, PA, 120 miles), and Busch Gardens (Williamsburg, VA, 130 miles).

For Sarah Snyder, marketing and communications manager at Creative Cauldron, Williamsburg isn’t about an amusement park — it’s about ghosts! “We always go to Colonial Williamsburg and go on ghost tours,” Snyder says, who says the trip has become a family tradition. “We’ve done it so many times that I could recite [the tour] myself!”

For Tori McKinney, CEO and realtor at Rock Star realty group, summer is about outdoor music! McKinney says she normally travels to music festivals in MD, WV, and CO during the summer — though this year’s itinerary includes sailing around the Greek Islands.

The Little City provides multiple local options for outdoor music throughout the summer, including the well-attended and free Summer Concerts in the Park series, co-sponsored by the City’s Recreation and Parks department at the Village Preservation and Improvement Society (VPIS), every Thursday through August 8 at Cherry Hill Park. Thursdays through July 25, the Founders Groove series brings free live music to Founders Row.

Creative Cauldron is also offering a series of summer concerts, most Fridays and Saturdays through August 24. Tickets to shows start at $30, with the full lineup and sales available at creativecauldron.org.
For many, including this writer, the best kind of vacation is often a “staycation” — taking a little time to unplug and relax in the comfort of your own home. “I like to clear my schedule, put away my computer and phone, and just read or enjoy Falls Church,” said Underhill. “There’s a lot of great things to do here, too!” After a long trip to China in the spring, city council member and FCCPS director of strategic planning and community engagement Marybeth Connolly is also planning to enjoy her summer locally. “I’m staying in F.C. this summer and enjoying the slower pace with family and friends,” she said, saying she plans to fill her time with Jazzercise, backyard gardening, the Farmers Market, and outdoor walks and entertainment.

In the midst of our busy lives, summer getaways offer a chance to unwind, reconnect with loved ones, and create lasting memories. Whether seeking relaxation on a sun-drenched beach or adventure on a coaster, residents of Falls Church are clearly enjoying an array of summer activities, reflective of the vibrant and diverse community we enjoy in our day-to-day lives.