Opt outside and discover the Chesapeake

It’s not just the food that’s plentiful around Thanksgiving: between Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, there’s also a bounty of shopping opportunities. Now, there’s a growing movement to opt outside after the holiday, trading shopping for exploration.

What began as a campaign from outdoor retailer REI, which decided to close on Black Friday and provide employees paid time off to spend the day outdoors, quickly caught on and gained national attention. Millions of people have chosen to forego the holiday shopping chaos and instead use the weekend for some much-needed nature time.

Here are some ways you can get outside and enjoy all the Chesapeake has to offer.

• Hike: Take a hike or try geocaching, which combines hiking with treasure hunting.
• Paddle: Go for a paddle on one of the many rivers and streams throughout the Chesapeake region.
• Ice skate: There are plenty of outdoor rinks where you can fully embrace the cold weather by falling with style.
• Explore: Visit a nearby park. Many state parks have embraced the opt outside movement and offer free admission on Black Friday.
• Birdwatch: Even though it’s cold outside, winter is one of the best times to begin birding.
• Run: Keep the turkey trot energy going with an outdoor run. You can make your run extra Bay-friendly by “plogging”: bring a trash bag and pick up any litter you come across while you’re out.
• Play games: Get some family members or friends together for some backyard football.
• Walk: Take a walk with your favorite four-legged friend.

How will you be opting outside this holiday season? Let us know in the comments!