The DC Traveler

Fort Belvor is hosting its 13th annual Octoberfest just a 30 minute drive from downtown Washington, DC.
Enjoy authentic German umpapa bands and polka dancing, some great kids events and activities, along with a big carnival.
And don’t miss the great German food, like grilled brats and Rhinewurst sausages with Sauerkraut. And of course, treat yourself to a stein or two of German beer.  The whole experience may make you feel like you’re enjoying a part of this original Deutschland festival.
Fort Belvor 13th annual Octoberfest
Off Richmond Highway / US-1, and Belvor Road – Fremont Field
Fort Belvor, VA (map it)
Dates and Times – …read more

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“Here’s a bold Cabernet Sauvignon I created last season. Can you taste the raspberries and the hint of lavender?” That might be something you proudly state at your next wine tasting or dinner party. 
But even if you don’t own your own vineyard or winery in the South of France, Tuscany or the Napa Valley, you can still serve friends a personally created wine from the micro-winery, Carafe Wine Makers in suburban Alexandria, VA.
The concept of a boutique micro-winery or “brew on premise” winery is big in Canada, where over 600 micro-wineries are operating. Carafe Wine Makers, a franchise company with …read more

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One of the best and, best attended, neighborhood street festivals in Washington, DC is the annual Adams Morgan Day Festival. 
As the longest running street festival in DC (30 years), it brings a full day of live music and exciting dance performances, artisans selling their original and hand-crafted goods, interactive performance workshops, and food from around the world.
With two main stages feature live music from a wide range of genres from Rock, Latin, jazz to Americana, bluegrass and funk, and more. Plus dance performances from Bolivia to Africa , Cuba to Spain.
Located on a tree-lined street, Arts on Belmont …read more

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Cross under the Lion Arch and listen for the Vietnamese pop music coming out of the shops, as you enter what’s called by many locals, “the heart and soul of DC’s Vietnamese-American community”.
The Eden Center is DC’s Vietnamese-centric shopping mall and community gathering place.  Located in suburban Falls Church, Virginia, about 20 minutes from downtown Washington, DC, it seems to caters almost exclusively to the Vietnamese community.
Close to 30 Vietnamese restaurants and phở soup shops, along with another 17 bakeries, delis and cafes, with not a Burger Kings or Subway in site, draw many people to come Eden Center for …read more

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Travel back in time to the period of King Henry VIII and watch non-stop entertainment on 8 stages, ranging from performances for children to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet as well as swashbuckling pirate shows and William Tell…well…telling stories. 
All the the annual Maryland Renaissance Festival just out side of Annapolis, Maryland.  

Enjoy over 35 groups of musicians and dancers, or cheer for your favorite mounted knight during the exciting jousting match.  But don’t miss some of the faire’s classic Renaissance food – like the hot apple dumplings, steak-on-a-stake or a classic smoked turkey leg, fit for a king.
…read more

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Sure, Washington, DC may be a bustling metropolis and the center of democracy, but just an hour or so north of town, in Timonium, Maryland,  you can enjoy all that local farmers and ranchers have to offer, at the Maryland State Fair.
There are so many things to do at the Fair, so here’s the short list:

Pig races
Rodeo complete with bull riding
Watch a chainsaw sculptor in action
Travis Tritt in concert (Aug. 29),
Walk around the animal pens and see thousands of animals from alpacas to dairy cattle, chickens to baby lambs
Decadent chocolate contest
Horse and dog …read more

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I love donuts.  I think it’s a genetic thing.  I try to avoid them, but I have a weakness for them, a BIG weakness.
My father would start his day picking up fresh donuts just about every morning. If for some reason the shop was closed, or had run out of his favorites, his day was pretty much ruined.
Unlike most donut shops, the Fractured Prune Donut Shoppe lets you create your own.
You can select from 14 donut glazes including classics such as chocolate and maple, but some unique ones as well – banana, orange, raspberry, peanut butter, blueberry, mocha, and even …read more

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Be prepared for long lines during the exceptionally popular lunch hour (at times, close to an hour) at The Italian Store in suburban Arlington, Virginia.
It’s a Mecca for hungry lunchtime diners who flock to this Italian sandwich deli landmark, that’s been serving lovers of authentic Italian sandwiches since 1980.
The small Italian market and sandwich shop does a booming lunchtime business, thanks to its dozen-plus Philly-style sub sandwiches ($ 6.19-$ 7.69).  The sandwiches come in two sizes and are served on soft or hard Italian style rolls, along with sweet or hot peppers, lettuce, onions, oregano, and their own special …read more

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Join the good King Phillipe and his marry men for dinner and a jousting tournament at Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament in a medieval castle-like setting.
Besides a jousting tournament on a large, indoor field where the regally attired knights compete for the hand of the beautiful princess, watch and cheer for your favorite knight as they test their skills in swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, and displays of horsemanship.
You dine on long tables while the Medieval Times knights joust and pummel each other with swords, maces, lances and the alabardas. But be prepared to eat with your hands, as no silverware is provided. 
The meal, …read more

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Colvin Run Mill, in nearby Great Falls, Virginia is a working 19th-century water-powered gristmill, owner’s home and general store, set on a 38-acre historic site. There is also a recreation of a barn and blacksmith shop from the same era. The grain mill, powered by a waterwheel, was erected around the mid-1800s and ground grains for the local farming community.  Three grinding stones and various flour sifting apparatus are located in the basement of the mill, powered by three large wooden gears attached to the waterwheel. The miller’s house, just a short walk from the mill, was the residence …read more

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