Living at Cascades at Embrey Mill provides all sorts of benefits.

From the private Cascades Clubhouse, to the pickleball and bocce ball courts, to the weight room, there’s always something to make your life better here.

There are even all the parks, trails, green spaces, and the Grounds Bistro & Café in the larger Embrey Mill community to enjoy.

But one of the biggest benefits of living in Cascades at Embrey Mill is the ability to pursue the lock-it-and-leave-it lifestyle.

This is exactly what it sounds like: the ability to just grab what you need, lock the doors of your home, and take off on an adventure—all while not having to worry about all the maintenance that being a homeowner usually entails.

To celebrate all the adventures living (or soon-to-be living) in Cascades at Embrey Mill, here is a short list of some of our favorite—and most exciting—lock-it-and-leave-it day trips:

1. Bike Ride Between Presidents on the Mount Vernon Trail

This day trip will really test your leg muscles, but has many options based on your desires and fitness level. To begin, head out to Theodore Roosevelt Island in the middle of the Potomac River. This island itself is a marvelous place to spend a day, with a dense forest, miles of trails, and a monument that celebrates the love of the outdoors of our 26^th president.

Plus, Theodore Roosevelt Island is the beginning of the Mount Vernon Trail. This paved, multi-use trail stretches 18 miles to George Washington’s Mount Vernon (about 1.5–2.5 hours for the average 55+ cyclist, non-stop).  But here’s the great thing about the Mount Vernon trail: It connects to so many other places to visit. There’s the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, Jones Point Lighthouse, Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve, and Netherlands Carillon to name just a few. It also passes close to or through places like Crystal City and Alexandria, making stopping for a bite to eat at a great restaurant easy. And, you can even find a nice hotel or bed & breakfast to break up the ride (just make sure you park your car in an approved overnight location).

2. Take A River Cruise

We’re very lucky at Embrey Mill because there are so many important waterways nearby. And many of them offer cruises that can turn an ordinary day into a memory that will last a lifetime. Two rivers you can really focus on for an unbelievable excursion are the Potomac River to our north and the James River to our south.

There are many boat tours and river cruises on the Potomac River. If you want a 2-hour tour with the ultimate party atmosphere and a premium open bar, check out the 21+ Boomerang Yacht Cruise or Pirate Ship Cruise from Boomerang Boat Tours. These all-inclusive tours depart from the Georgetown Waterfront and party down the Potomac passing such sights as the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and Reagan National Airport.

If you want a unique waterway experience, head south to the James River in Henrico for a Bald Eagle Tour. Travel through Jefferson’s Reach and discover some of the 350 pairs of bald eagles that call the James River home. You’ll not only learn about how conservation efforts have succeeded in bringing these majestic birds back to the area, but you’ll also spy them in their natural habitat! Do note, these tours are early in the morning, so you’ll probably want to find a local B&B to stay at the night before for a more relaxed time.

3. Visit the Wild Horses

Whether you desire to see the Maryland herd in Assateague, the Virginia herd in Chincoteague, or both, the wild horses of these two islands have been delighting visitors for generations. Many legends and stories (including the Misty of Chincoteague series by Marguerite Henry) exist about where they came from, but the important part is that they are here now!

And in Assateague and Chincoteague, you can see them, photograph them, and witness them living their wild horsey lives. You can also enjoy beaches, swimming, kayaking, and camping (yes, you can camp on the same island as the wild horses). And on Chincoteague (the more developed island), you can enjoy some eclectic shopping and delicious dining in local stores and restaurants. Plus, if you don’t want to camp out, Chincoteague has a variety of hotels and B&Bs for you to prolong your stay in this coastal paradise.

4. Explore the History of Air Flight

You can always go into DC to explore the Air and Space Museum, but when the museum needed more space for their bigger exhibits, they built the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. And there’s no better place to spend a day with your head in the clouds and traveling to the stars!

Here, you can stroll amongst thousands of aviation artifacts, from the early days to our exploration of outer space. Through two large airplane hangars, you’ll explore such amazing sights as an acrobatic biplane, a supersonic Concorde, an F-14D Tomcat (think Top Gun), an SR-71 Blackbird, and even the Space Shuttle Discovery.

In one jaw-dropping place, you’ll be able to experience the evolution of air travel. And if you want to take it in even deeper, catch a flick at the Airbus IMAX® Theater. This is the largest IMAX screen in Northern Virginia (6 stories high!), and offers a wide assortment of educational films and a few Hollywood blockbusters. Spend a day at the Udvar-Hazy Center and you’ll not only leave with a renewed sense of wonder, but also a deep desire to come back!

5. Head to the Mountains and Plunge Underground

For this day trip, you’re going to go up before you go down. First, head about two hours west into the valleys of the Shenandoah Mountains—itself a beautiful day trip. There, you’ll find Endless Caverns. “Discovered” in 1879, when two boys went chasing a rabbit, Endless Caverns stretches six miles underground.

On your 75-minute tour of just some of the caverns, you’ll marvel at the natural beauty that forms when water and earth perform a delicate geological ballet and create such wonders as stalactites, stalagmites, and unique limestone formations. You’ll travel with a knowledgeable guide who will tell you stories of the caverns and teach you the science in how they were made.

And if you want to prolong the adventure with more exploring above ground, you can always rent a mountainside cabin and stay the night. With a camp exterior and a luxury interior (that can sleep up to 4 adults and 2 kids), you’ll have all the comforts of home in a setting that’s picturesque enough to write home about!

Cascades at Embrey Mill Celebrates the Lock-&-Leave Lifestyle

Cascades at Embrey Mill is a vibrant and welcoming community that perfectly showcases the joy of modern living with its lock-&-leave lifestyle. From your home here, you have the freedom to embrace spontaneous adventures and day trips without worry. Your thoughtfully designed home is crafted with convenience in mind, giving you the advantage to lock your doors and leave for a day of exploration.

The location of Cascades at Embrey Mill is another significant advantage, as it offers easy access to major highways and public transportation, making day trips hassle-free. The proximity to Washington, D.C., Richmond, and the natural beauty of the surrounding area, makes it an ideal home base for those who love quick getaways. Joy abounds at Cascades at Embrey Mill, and its lock-it-and-leave-it lifestyle makes it even more exceptional!