Candyce H. Stapen - Explorers Guide Virginia

Welcome to the first edition of a comprehensive guide to Virginia, a state whose attractions stretch from the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the peaks of the Appalachian Mountains in the west. U.S. history in Virginia spans more than 400 years, dating from the 1607 establishment of Jamestowne, the first permanent English settlement in the New World. You can also explore contemporary Virginia in the art galleries, trendy shops, and restaurants in the states big cities, as well as enjoy the old-time music and country culture and crafts in the southwestern mountain towns.

Virginia: An Explorers Guide is designed to appeal to a wide range of visitors: beach lovers, birders, crafters, eco-adventurers, hikers, history buffs, arts enthusiasts, music lovers, museum-goers, foodies, families, solo travelers, couples seeking romantic getaways, as well as those simply curious about what the next bend in the road reveals. This book is designed to enable you to find what you want quickly and to discover something new easily.

Please note that no attraction, lodging, restaurant, outfitter, or shop has paid to be in this book. All entries were chosen for their merits. Heres a quick guide to the book.

WHATS WHERE

As the title suggests, this introductory section presents a quick summary of where you can find items of particular interest, whether you are searching for crafts, historic plantations, gardens, wineries, Civil War sites, and much more.

LODGING

Whenever possible, the lodging section presents a choice. Sometimes a bed in a budget chain is fine. For other occasions, you may want a big city hotel, a historic lodge, a secluded bed-and-breakfast home, or a romantic inn. The properties included reflect these options. The prices listed for rooms are the rack rates exclusive of taxes. Prices change and properties create money-saving packages. Be sure to check with any prospective hotel and search for deals online and with travel agents.

RESTAURANTS

A range of restaurants is included as well. After all, you may want a quick bite at a local diner, a moderately priced lunch at a caf, or a leisurely dinner at the regions top dining room. The listed prices are for dinner entres.

KEY TO SYMBOLS

Bar/Nightspot. Look for this symbol when searching for nightlife. The symbol appears next to dance venues, clubs, and restaurants that have popular bars,

Child-friendly. This symbol indicates an attraction, lodging, or restaurant thats especially appealing to kids.

Eco-friendly. We have used this symbol sparingly. Because eco-friendly is the new buzz word, and because the criteria for receiving an eco-friendly label varies, we indicate only those establishments that have made significant efforts in reducing their carbon footprints by using recycled/eco-friendly materials and also by employing alternative energy sources.

Extra value. This indicates places that are great budget-stretchers.

Pet-friendly. If you like traveling with your petsprimarily dogs and catslook for this symbol. Some lodgings are more pet-friendly than others and most places that accept Fido or Fluffy limit the number of rooms available to pets and restrict the size and the number of animals that can bunk with you. Always call ahead.

Weddings/Civil Unions. Some inns and hotels specialize in weddings or offer a particularly good venue.

Wheelchair accessible. Places that are partially or completely accessible by wheelchair feature this symbol. Please remember that even though this symbol appears, wheelchair accessibility may be limited. In a historic building, access may be restricted to the first floor. A national or state park may feature just a few, short accessible trails and frequently a lodging may have only one or two accessible rooms. Its always wise to call ahead to be sure that whats offered meets your needs and, in the case of an accommodation, is available.

Wi-Fi. This symbol prefaces places with wireless Internet connections that are either free or available for a fee.

We would appreciate any comments or corrections. Please write to: Explorers Guide Editor
The Countryman Press
P.O. Box 748
Woodstock, Vermont 05091

Thank you and we hope you enjoy this book as much as we have enjoyed researching and writing it. Happy travels.

M y fascination with Virginia started in grade school, when I wrote a book report on Patrick Henry. The fiery patriots Give me liberty or give me death speech amazed and inspired me, although at age nine I didnt have any particular rebellion of my own planned. I did, however, nag my parents to take me to Colonial Williamsburg with a zeal that Mr. Henry would have recognized. That trip fueled my fascination with all things colonial, especially candle making, wig wearing, and blacksmithing. I am still captivated by crafts and history (less so with wigs). Growing up, I gained an appreciation for wildlife sanctuaries, craggy mountains peaks, rolling farmlands, vineyards, and country roads. Virginia has all these in abundance plus 400-years of history that reach back to the first English settlers who established a permanent foothold in the New World at Jamestown in 1607. Alexandria was a flourishing seaport in 1749, long before rebelling from the Crown was even a whisper.

ALEXANDRIA WATERFRONT
Virginia Myers

As a resident of Washington for more than 30 years, I have had the good fortune to spend time exploring Virginia. It is easy in Virginia to combine history with a soothing natural setting. In Virginia, you are never far from a hiking trail, a bicycle path, a river perfect for canoeing and kayaking, or a sunlit beach. Virginia has two of Americas great roadsSkyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The rich land nurtures more 170 wineries. Virginia has much to offer, from seacoast to mountains and history to space-age science. There are intriguing museums, underground caverns, fertile farmlands, wildlife sanctuaries, and thrill parks with gut-wrenching roller coasters. The mountain heritage of handcrafting and old-time music remains alive and well in the Blue Ridge Highlands and southwestern regions. Drive the back roads to discover artisans fashioning fine furniture and jewelry, quilts, pottery, and contemporary sculpture. In Galax and Floyd, join a jamboree where pickin and playin of old-time and bluegrass music pulls you into dancing. You will enjoy Virginia. The terrain is diverse; the people, friendly; and the resorts and lodges, inviting.