All of the Lights in the Mid-Atlantic December 2, 2022 by MATPRA Admin (December 2022) – Winter just wouldn’t be the same without stunning light displays. Maybe it’s the way they sparkle in the night, transforming ordinary buildings and trees into a downright magical spectacle. Or perhaps it’s because when those shimmering strands of bulbs go up it means that the holidays are upon us, bringing with it thoughtful DIY gifts, delicious food, and so many fun activities to share with friends and family. While travelers fly halfway around the world to see the lights illuminating European holiday markets, there are some exquisite displays right here in the Mid-Atlantic. Whether you prefer a sophisticated tea light-lined spectacle, a drive-through LED extravaganza, light shows in botanical gardens, entire neighborhoods decked out in colorful lights, or exhibits on race courses and amusement parks here are the must-see winter light displays to be found in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. For more information on any of the following, contact the destination marketing organization listed below. For general information on the Mid-Atlantic, visit MATPRA.org DELAWARE Greater Wilmington & the Brandywine Valley New this year is Riverbright Wilmington: Holiday Magic. Through the beginning of January, Christina Riverwalk is completely transformed into a walk-through holiday light display, with trees and light poles wrapped in seasonal décor throughout the almost 2-mile boardwalk. Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau, Jennifer Boes, VisitWilmingtonDE.com, [email protected] MARYLAND Annapolis & Anne Arundel Watch dozens of boats adorned with colorful lights process City Dock in the Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade. Enjoy 70 festive lights displays at Sandy Point State Park, and celebrate the magic as green garlands, red ribbons, and white lights transform Downtown Annapolis into a European town for the holidays. Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, Susan Seifried, VisitAnnapolis.org, [email protected] Calvert The grounds of Annmarie Sculpture Garden in Solomons, Maryland is transformed into an outdoor twinkling wonderland during the month of December! Annmarie Garden In Lights allows you to experience glowing “light sculptures” and wondrous light installations. Discover wild animals, wintery wonderlands, deep sea treasures, magical creatures, glowing trees, and more! Calvert County Department of Economic Development, Hilary Dailey, VisitCalvert.com, [email protected] Frederick Walk along Carroll Creek Park in Downtown Frederick and you’ll find more than 25 lighted sailboats with many creative designs. This winter display is not only a stunning sight – it’s also a fundraiser. Vote for your favorite boat and support local non-profit organizations connected to each sailboat. Visit Frederick, Jake Wynn, VisitFrederick.org/Sailing-Into-The-Winter-Solstice, [email protected] Harford Harford County is lighting up the town with Christmas trees, streetlights, and…tractors? That’s right! The Highland Tractor Parade is returning! Support local agro-tourism when watching the tractors make their way through town with twinkling lights. The parade ends at Falling Branch Brewery for a holiday celebration, bringing families together during the holidays. Visit Harford, Matthew Scales, VisitHarford.com, [email protected] Wicomico Head to Downtown Salisbury to see a Christmas tree, Hanukkah menorah and Kwanzaa kinara. Nearby at the Salisbury City Park is the Salisbury’s Winter Wonderland light display. There are also some residents that go all out at their homes, such as Winter Wonderland on Morris Road in Pittsville. Maryland’s Wicomico County, Vanessa Junkin, WicomicoTourism.org, [email protected] PENNSYLVANIA Allegheny National Forest Region Leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind. Escape to relaxation and simplicity by spending the holidays snuggled up in a cozy cabin in front of a fireplace from where you can enjoy the sparkle of light on the freshly fallen snow as you gaze out your cabin window. Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau, Linda Devlin, VisitANF.com, [email protected] Columbia-Montour Millions of lights, animatronics, Santa, & holiday fun! Visit Berwick & Elysburg this December to witness amazing drive-thru holiday light displays. A time-honored tradition, the Berwick Christmas Boulevard is celebrating its 76th Anniversary. Or start a new tradition at Knoebels Amusement Resort’s Joy Through the Grove, in its 3rd year. Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau, Linda Sones, ITourColumbiaMontour.com, [email protected] Endless Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania The Festival of Lights at Stone Hedge Golf Course serves as the centerpiece “must see” attraction for the annual An Endless Mountains Christmas celebration that draws visitors to the nostalgically welcoming 4-county region of Northeastern Pennsylvania each year. Visit and discover that you have come “Home for the Holidays” to the Endless Mountains! Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau, Morgan Christopher, EndlessMountains.org, [email protected] Juniata River Valley Starting in early December, Shining Light in the Darkness will light up Kish Park through the new year. Thousands of lights and multiple displays will be spread around so guests can safely and easily stroll through the park to view the lights. Free entertainment, food, and other activities for the whole family take place throughout the month-long attraction. Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau, Buffie Boyer, Facebook.com/KishParkShiningLight, [email protected] Lancaster Lancaster County features wonderful holiday light displays, including the transformation of its famous children’s theme park into Dutch Winter Wonderland with thousands of lights among its rides, the luminous drive-thru experience at Clipper Magazine Stadium, and the various ways to enjoy Refreshing Mountain Retreat’s light show – from ziplining to walking. Discover Lancaster, Joel Cliff, DiscoverLancaster.com, [email protected] Lehigh Valley Light up the night enjoying twinkling lights across Lehigh Valley, PA. Head to Lehigh Valley Zoo for the Winter Light Spectacular, Allentown for Lights in the Parkway, and Easton for the Winter Village. A horse-drawn carriage will take you to see the sights and the lights in the Christmas City. Discover Lehigh Valley, Alicia Quinn, LehighValleyHolidays.com, [email protected] Potter-Tioga The gaslights along Wellsboro’s historic Main Street harken the images from the holiday classic “It’s A Wonderful Life” and serve as the backdrop for two of the area’s huge holiday annual events – dickens of a Christmas (the first weekend of December) and Christmas on Main Street (second weekend of the month) which celebrates the invention of Shiny Brite ornaments here. Visit Potter-Tioga, Morgan Christopher, VisitPotterTioga.com, [email protected] Reading & Berks County Christmas in Pennsylvania’s Americana Region begins with the spectacular light displays of Koziar’s Christmas Village. Visitors love Koziar’s dazzling lights, holiday shops, and jolly atmosphere. One visit to this wonderland, and you’ll know why it’s a Christmas tradition for so many. Open weekends in November, then daily through the new year. Reading & Berks County, PA’s Americana Region, Lisa Haggerty, VisitPaAmericana.com, [email protected] VIRGINIA Hampton Tis the season to sparkle! Check out the 2022 Downtown Hampton Lighted Boat Parade, the Phoebus Illumination & Craft Market and the Holiday Wonder Walk this December. The American Theatre will also be hosting Lightwire Theatre: A Very Electric Christmas. Come get your shine on in Hampton (we’re sleighing it!). Hampton Convention and Visitor Bureau, Mahogany Waldon, VisitHampton.com, [email protected] Loudoun While historic Leesburg and Middleburg light up for season, the slopes of the Blue Ridge in western Loudoun steal the show, with some 15,000 glittering lights strung through 10,000 grape vines for Bluemont Vineyard’s annual Lighting of the Vines. See them every Thursday to Sunday evening until January 1st. Visit Loudoun, Jen Sigal, VisitLoudoun.org, [email protected] Norfolk Norfolk is full of holiday spirit with WinterFest on the Wisconsin, where the Battleship Wisconsin is decked out with over one million lights. Looking for even more spectacular holiday lights, then head to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens for the Dominion Energy Garden of Lights for a festive walking light tour. Visit Norfolk, Paige Hawsey, VisitNorfolk.com, [email protected] Stafford Come for the lights, stay for the art! Visit the home and studio of American artist Gari Melchers in Stafford, VA. Explore his techniques from realism to impressionism during the 19th century. With holiday lights and décor surrounding the house’s original artwork and furniture, discover Gari’s love story and works as historic Belmont Estate. Tour Stafford, Virginia, Courtney Swenson, TourStaffordVA.com, [email protected] Staunton Staunton’s famous Gypsy Hill Park is again a fairyland of holiday wonder. This 214-acre park will be aglow with festive lights and decorations. Take a stroll through the decorative holiday deer or the field of trees. Come experience the Celebration of Lights this holiday season in Staunton, Virginia. Staunton, VA, Jessica Williams, VisitStaunton.com, [email protected] Virginia’s Blue Ridge The mountains aren’t the only thing that shine in Virginia’s Blue Ridge during the holidays. Right off the Blue Ridge Parkway, enjoy 650,000+ dazzling lights on a half-mile wooded walking path during Illuminights at Explore Park in Roanoke, VA. Accessible to both strollers and wheelchairs. Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, Kathryn Lucas, VisitVBR.com, [email protected] Take a look at even more images from across the Mid-Atlantic. Please be sure to provide photo credit to the appropriate DMO. About the Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance The Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance (MATPRA) is a cohesive unit of regional tourism partners encompassing Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. The group serves travel journalists by creating a regional resource that ignores geographical boundaries to better promote common threads, offering story ideas about the Mid-Atlantic region as a whole. For more information, visit MATPRA.org.
Unique Feasts in the Mid-Atlantic November 1, 2022 by MATPRA Admin (November 2022) – With tidings of cooler temps comes an influx of autumn-inspired dining experiences across the Mid-Atlantic, all dedicated to celebrating the bounty of the season. Farm-to-table dining and regionally sourced produce, along with hearty and sometimes historic recipes, are all as comforting as the fiery fall foliage across Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. You’re sure to leave these unique fall feasts happy and full. For more information on any of the following, contact the destination marketing organization listed below. For general information on the Mid-Atlantic, visit MATPRA.org DELAWARE Greater Wilmington & the Brandywine Valley Surprise that special someone in your life with a Picnic Harvest-themed luxury pop-up picnic by Harp and Hare. All picnics come with curated themes, unique decor, set-up, clean-up, games, and a selfie stick. Enjoy the crisp late fall weather or choose an indoor location. Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau, Jennifer Boes, VisitWilmingtonDE.com, [email protected] MARYLAND Allegany An iconic Mountain Maryland tradition is gifting Engles Mountain “Frostburg” Bologna from B&B Country Meats. This local butcher and deli has been serving the region for more than 100 years and is famous for its gourmet bologna, available in three flavors and made with freshly cut lean beef and seasoning. Allegany County, The Mountainside of Maryland, Mindy Bianca, BandBFrostburg.com/bologna, [email protected] Calvert Partake in a great number of fun classes and events at No Thyme to Cook in Solomons, Maryland this November including Traditional Maryland Stuffed Ham, a Bourbon Dinner, Italian Appetizers, Pies & Tarts, a Murder Mystery, Soups and Stews, Literary Bites, Fresh Pasta, Dinner and a Movie and more! Calvert County Department of Economic Development, Hilary Dailey, VisitCalvert.com, [email protected] Harford Change up your dining routine in Harford County. Experience unique and authentic dishes at Uncle’s Hawaiian Grindz, savor the taste of the Caribbean at Island Spice, pair your favorite wine with our Italian restaurants’ signature dishes, and satisfy that sweet tooth at our cow-to-cone creameries. Time to find a new go-to dish you’ve never experienced! Visit Harford, Matthew Scales, VisitHarford.com, [email protected] Talbot During cold weather months oysters flourish in the chilly Chesapeake Bay waters where local watermen harvest them at the peak of flavor with plump meat, mild brine, and buttery finish. The Talbot County Oyster Trail helps visitors find their favorite dishes including stew and pot pie, or just slurp raw. Talbot County Office of Economic Development and Tourism, Krista Boothby, TourTalbot.org, [email protected] PENNSYLVANIA Allegheny National Forest Region Here in the higher elevation of the Allegheny Mountains of northwestern Pennsylvania, within the Allegheny National Forest Region, as the temperatures drop and the snow begins to blow, thoughts turn to dining in front of a warm fireplace where both the entrees and the beverages will cast off your chill. Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau, Linda Devlin, VisitANF.com, [email protected] Butler Della terra’s Chef Saul has explored the area for the ingredients to curate an imaginative 7-course Fall Foraging Dinner. Join the crowd at this Zelienople restaurant game and enjoy a meal featuring wild spiced venison sausage that you will be sure to leave your talking! Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau, Jeff Martinelli, VisitButlerCounty.com, [email protected] Lancaster You can enjoy tasty smorgasbord dining in Lancaster County anytime of the year, especially at the biggest & most wide-ranging of them all – Shady Maple in East Earl. Featuring the founding family’s favorite recipes prepared fresh daily in the traditional Pennsylvania Dutch way, the restaurant also offers premium, made-to-order items. Discover Lancaster, Joel Cliff, DiscoverLancaster.com, [email protected] Raystown Attention Foodies! Come to the Raystown Region to experience our fall feasts! Stop by Standing Stone Coffee Company and enjoy Thanksgiving on a sandwich with The Gobbler. Or, take part in the Harvest Dinner Series as Steele Farm, an authentic farm-to-table experience. Find these and more on our website! Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau, Matt Price, Raystown.org, [email protected] VIRGINIA Norfolk Time to get festive. We all know Thanksgiving is around the corner but if you need an early it’s the perfect time to explore Norfolk’s culinary scene. Serving up festive sandwiches and soups to spiced beverages from pumpkin lattes to pear sours, fall is in the air in Norfolk. Visit Norfolk, Paige Hawsey, VisitNorfolk.com, [email protected] Stafford During the holidays, experience and tour George Washington’s Boyhood Home at Ferry Farm in Stafford, Virginia. Walk through his replica home and sit at the table where he would’ve feasted during holiday dinners or lay in the bed where he would’ve taken his turkey-day nap. Experience the holiday George’s way. Tour Stafford, Virginia, Courtney Swenson, TourStaffordVA.com, [email protected] Staunton The Shack is located one block outside of downtown Staunton offering the best ingredients grown by local farmers from the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and surrounding area. Chef Boden’s modern cooking combines his Jewish eastern European roots with the traditions of the region. Come taste for yourself! Staunton, VA, Jessica Williams, VisitStaunton.com, [email protected] Virginia’s Blue Ridge Celebrate the season with historic dishes in The Hotel Roanoke’s AAA Four Diamond-rated Regency Room. This restaurant has been serving iconic Virginia peanut soup and spoonbread for over 80 years. Across the lobby, the Pine Room Restaurant offers locally-sourced dishes prepared in an open kitchen. Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, Kathryn Lucas, VisitVBR.com, [email protected] Take a look at even more images from across the Mid-Atlantic. Please be sure to provide photo credit to the appropriate DMO. About the Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance The Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance (MATPRA) is a cohesive unit of regional tourism partners encompassing Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. The group serves travel journalists by creating a regional resource that ignores geographical boundaries to better promote common threads, offering story ideas about the Mid-Atlantic region as a whole. For more information, visit MATPRA.org.
7 Places to Get Your Oyster Fix in Norfolk, VA October 12, 2022 by Visit Norfolk 7 Places to Get Your Oyster Fix in Norfolk During your next visit to Norfolk, grab some friends and nosh on a freshly-shucked batch of Virginia oysters. However you like to eat them – raw, steamed, baked or fried – we’ve got you covered! When you are in the mood for shucks and fun, check out these seven local favorites to get your oyster fix! Saltine Hilton Norfolk’s The Main hotel houses three restaurants in including the seafood restaurant Saltine, located at street level. Saltine offers an airy, open environment, with garage door windows that open to the main streets of downtown Norfolk. Their happy hour oyster deal is all the rave at 50 cents per oyster! Todd Jurich’s Bistro This downtown bistro has been open since 1992 and offers rotating seasonal menus. Chef Todd Jurich uses fresh ingredients from local vegetable gardens and Virginia produce farms. The Bistro holds the Triple AAA Four Diamond Award and serves hand-harvested oysters from Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Byrd & Baldwin Steakhouse A traditional steakhouse located in a historic building built-in 1906. Executive Chef Carlton Spurlock brings his culinary expertise to every dish served. Byrd & Baldwin serves up the tastiest James River oysters. A.W. Shucks A casual raw bar & grill specializing in oysters, seafood and an array of specialty craft beers. Their oyster menu features favorites from up and down the East Coast. Take a seat at the bar and learn more about the oysters from the bartender, who also tends to the raw bar. Captain Groovy’s Raw Bar This wharf-themed eatery offers regional seafood dishes and casual cuisine with a full bar and patio. Captain Groovy’s proudly serves an array of Virginia oysters in many variations; from oyster stew to East Beach style (topped with spinach, onion, bacon and parmesan cheese). Norfolk Seafood Company & Big Easy Oyster Bar Simply a seafood lover’s heaven, Norfolk Seafood Company & Big Easy Oyster Bar is the quintessential seafood restaurant without the fancy prices. Each night, this oyster bar serves up four to seven different types of oysters from the Chesapeake Bay to New England. Small’s Smokehouse & Oyster Bar Offers freshly caught seafood from Virginia’s Eastern Shore, along with dynamite BBQ. Enjoy a relaxed, down-home family atmosphere and daily promotional specials.
Spooky Specials in the Mid-Atlantic October 11, 2022 by MATPRA Admin (October 2022) – Travel throughout Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia to find the most ghoulish and gruesome attractions that All Hallows’ Eve has to offer. Get your spook on with spine-tingling ghost tours and thrills at haunted sites, or attend a spooky event! For those looking for a less eerie Halloween, check out family-friendly corn mazes and pumpkin patches, or plan a road trip to check out the best local candy stores and chocolate shops. There’s enough tricks and treats for everyone across the Mid-Atlantic. For more information on any of the following, contact the destination marketing organization listed below. For general information on the Mid-Atlantic, visit MATPRA.org. DELAWARE Greater Wilmington & the Brandywine Valley Be part of an actual paranormal investigation at Fort Delaware. Well known for its hauntings, this former Union fortress on Pea Patch Island once housed as many as 12,000 Confederate prisoners at one time. Head over to Historic New Castle for a tour of its cobbled streets and a glimpse into its darker side. Who knows? You may encounter the “Woman in Blue.” Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau, Jennifer Boes, VisitWilmingtonDE.com, [email protected] MARYLAND Allegany Taking a show on the road and putting the “fun” into funeral, a theatre group in Allegany County, The Mountain Side of Maryland, escorts participants of the “Not So Spooky Ghost Tours” on a guided walking tour through Cumberland’s favorite haunts. These family-friendly tours are offered on Thursdays in October. Allegany County, The Mountain Side of Maryland, Mindy Bianca, MDMountainSide.com, [email protected] Baltimore The International Edgar Allan Poe Festival celebrates Baltimore’s icon of macabre every October with performances, art, vendors and food. Highlights of Poe Fest include the Black Cat Ball, a cognac and roses graveside masquerade, Poe impersonators and a tour of Poe’s Baltimore. Visit Baltimore, Tracey Johnson, Baltimore.org, [email protected] Calvert Join us for a family-friendly Halloween festival at Annmarie Sculpture Garden, a beautiful 30 acre park. More than 50 local businesses and organizations will be here handing out treats for the kids, plus there will be fun and games, a DJ dance party, food trucks, and more! Calvert County Department of Economic Development, Hilary Dailey, ChooseCalvert.com, [email protected] Harford Do you believe in ghosts? Find out if you do when you journey back in time to experience the tales of Bel Air’s spooky history during their Haunts and History Walking Tours. Need less of a scare? Pumpkinfest at Falling Branch has scarecrow making, corn mazes, and hayrides every October weekend. Visit Harford, Matthew Scales, VisitHarford.com, [email protected] Maryland (State of) Hocus pocus, haunts and howls abound this October in Maryland. Run amok across the state with ghost tours through historic towns, giant corn mazes and frightful attractions for all ages. Maryland Office of Tourism, Claire Aubel, VisitMaryland.org, [email protected] Prince George’s Once upon a time, in an eerily dark setting flanked by goblins and ghouls, gremlins and ghosts, the thrills and chills of Halloween came to life! Enjoy a sweet, and spooky great time at Six Flags of America Fright Fest, Laurel’s House of Horror, National Harbor’s Halloween, and our farms packed with festive, family fun! Experience Prince George’s, Kaletha Henry, ExperiencePrinceGeorges.com, [email protected] Talbot Each fall, throngs of kids and young-at-heart ring in fall at Councell Farms in Easton. In the Field of Fun, kids enjoy the combine harvester slide, scarecrow slingshot, straw maze graveyard, and jumping pillow. Adults select fall decorations from numerous varieties of pumpkins and gourds, Indian corn, and mums. Talbot County Office of Economic Development and Tourism, Krista Boothby, TourTalbot.org, [email protected] Wicomico Celebrate Halloween with fun, family-friendly activities in Wicomico County. New this year is a Fall Fest & Trunk-Or-Treat at Pemberton Park, and the Salisbury Zoo will also host its annual events. Pick a pumpkin at one of many farm markets, and enjoy festivities at Wright’s Market and Adkins Farm Market. Maryland’s Wicomico County, Vanessa Junkin, WicomicoTourism.org, [email protected] PENNSYLVANIA Allegheny National Forest Region October is fall foliage season! The Kinzua Sky Walk and the scenic byways within the Allegheny National Forest offer stunning vistas in northwestern Pennsylvania. Visit the dungeon of the McKean County Jail for a spooky introduction to their resident ghost. Download seven scenic driving tours and color-coded map from on our website. Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau, Linda Devlin, VisitANF.com, [email protected] Bradford Head to Towanda when The Keystone Theatre presents “Hale’s Haunted Weekend” October 21-23 – a ghost walk and live performance event! Enjoy spooky fun on guided one-hour tours to discover the ghosts, legends, and lore of some of Towanda’s most famous (and infamous!) residents. Then experience the comedy play: “Blithe Spirit” live onstage at the historic theater. Bradford County Tourism Promotion Agency, Morgan Christopher, VisitBradfordCounty.com, [email protected] Columbia-Montour Every October, when crisp fall winds begin to blow and Halloween approaches, Knoebels Amusement Resort transforms into a spooktacular place for ghosts and ghouls of all ages! Get in the spirit of the season during the park’s Hallo-Fun weekends; experience tasty seasonal treats, thrilling games, spooky rides, and fall fun. Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau, Linda Sones, ITourColumbiaMontour.com, [email protected] Endless Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania Discover one of the Endless Mountains favorite Halloween thrills when you take part in a Ghost Walk at the historic Old Mill Village in Susquehanna County! Take a spine-tingling nighttime candlelight tour of the Village, while being thrilled by tales of ghosts and hauntings from our area and around PA. Your shivers will not be from the chilly weather! Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau, Morgan Christopher, EndlessMountains.org, [email protected] Erie Get spooked in Erie Pa! Eerie Horror Film Fest, ZooBoo, Haunted History Tours of Union Station, Candlelight Historical Ghost Walks, Sparrow Pond Haunted Hayride/Walk of Darkness, Axe Murder Hollow Escape Game and more! Visit Erie, Christine Temple, VisitErie.com, [email protected] Juniata River Valley Get ready for a full day of fall fun! Wind your way through the complex paths of At the Barnyard Corn Maze before relaxing on a scenic hayride around the farm in their wheelchair-accessible, covered wagon. Be sure to visit the pumpkin patch to pick your own perfect pumpkin and the play yard for even more fun times! Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau, Buffie Boyer, JRVVisitors.com, [email protected] Laurel Highlands Ever had a nightmare about having to “place the lotion in the basket?” You can do just that at Buffalo Bill’s House, the property featured in “The Silence of the Lambs.” Owned by a horror-movie lover, it’s open for tours, features a replica of the basement pit and offers overnight stays. GO Laurel Highlands, Eric Knopsnyder, GoLaurelHighlands.com, [email protected] Lawrence Haunted Hill View Manor offers paranormal investigations and tours of a former nursing home /poor farm built in 1926. In the month of October the back yard is transformed into Scare Manor which consists of a Haunted House and grass maze field behind the main building.Visit Lawrence County, Janet Falotico, VisitLawrenceCounty.com, [email protected] Lehigh Valley Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton come with their share of ghost stories. Stay in a haunted or spot the former hostess haunting the lobby of Historic Hotel Bethlehem. Avoid the random swinging doors at The Museum of Indian Culture or hear the footsteps of “J. Fred Osterstock” at the State Theatre. Discover Lehigh Valley, Alicia Quinn, DiscoverLehighValley.com, [email protected] Potter-Tioga Take a truly terrifying stroll through a section of the Austin Dam Memorial Park if you dare!!!! There will be ghosts and ghouls lurking around each turn, in every shadow, to show you their scariest scares!!!! Head to Potter County October 21st and 22nd to be part of this fun event. A Halloween themed movie will be projected on the Dam as well! Visit Potter-Tioga, Morgan Christopher, VisitPotterTioga.com, [email protected] Raystown Region Visit the Raystown Region this fall for a hauntingly good time! Experience Lincoln Caverns and Whisper Rocks’ Ghost and Goblins Tour, ride the Phantom Trolley at the Rockhill Trolley Museum, and visit Fort Roberdeau for their haunted Halloween Adventures. Find these and more on our website. Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau, Matt Price, Raystown.org, [email protected] VIRGINIA Hampton Have a frightfully fun October in Hampton! Get ready for the return of Hampton Horror Tours from October 25-30. These ghastly tours include eerie tales of Old Hampton and the Coastal Virginia area. Visitors can also enjoy the spooky Fort Monroe Ghost Walk, Where History Meets Mystery from October 21-23. Hampton Convention and Visitor Bureau, Mahogany Waldon, VisitHampton.com, [email protected] Shenandoah As if giant parade floats weren’t scary enough in the dark, be prepared for ghouls and goblins at every turn! It’s a real scream! American Celebration on Parade at Shenandoah Caverns turns into a 40,000 square foot haunted attraction on American Fright Night during weekends in October. Check out our website for dates and times. Visit Shenandoah County, Brenda Black, VisitShenandoahCounty.com, [email protected] Stafford Get costume ready in Stafford, VA. Dress up in your favorite Halloween costume and come ready to run! Change into your lederhosen or fall attire and attend multiple Oktoberfests, fall festivals, and events. Experience the crisp fall weather and celebrate cooler temperatures in Stafford with local events happening every weekend. Tour Stafford Virginia, Courtney Swenson, TourStaffordVA.com, [email protected] Staunton Black Raven Paranormal’s Ghosts of Staunton Tours explore the most haunted spots by candlelight. Not only will you learn the best places for sightings in this “hub for paranormal activity,” you’ll get a healthy dose of history as well. Discover the ghostly tales about eerie spirits lurking in Staunton, VA. Staunton, VA, Jessica Williams, VisitStaunton.com, [email protected] Virginia’s Blue Ridge Blue Ridge Nightmares, a new haunted attraction in Roanoke where a 60,000 sq. ft. warehouse is transformed into a city with its own characters and story. Created by Anthony Giordano, a Hollywood designer who worked on multiple Academy Award nominated projects and specializes in makeup, special effects, and costuming. Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, Kathryn Lucas, VisitVBR.com, [email protected] Waynesboro If you’re looking for a fright, check out Madame Redrum’s Nine Gates of Doom for a haunted house experience you won’t soon forget. For a more family-friendly fall adventure, visit Troyer’s Fruit and Produce Farm for a pumpkin patch and corn maze, or the 6-acre Skeeter’s Cornmaze at Creative Works Farm, along with other fall-themed things to do. Visit Waynesboro, Jennifer Kiser, VisitWaynesboro.com, [email protected] Williamsburg From terrifying haunted houses to frightful ghost tours, round up your crew, and check out some of Williamsburg’s most thrilling and chilling events of the season. Varying degrees of bravery are required at Busch Gardens’ Howl-O-Scream, and with all of the area’s history, guided ghost tours allow you to explore the haunted streets of the region under a cloak of darkness. Visit Williamsburg VA, VisitWilliamsburg.com, [email protected] Take a look at even more images from across the Mid-Atlantic. Please be sure to provide photo credit to the appropriate DMO. About the Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance The Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance (MATPRA) is a cohesive unit of regional tourism partners encompassing Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. The group serves travel journalists by creating a regional resource that ignores geographical boundaries to better promote common threads, offering story ideas about the Mid-Atlantic region as a whole. For more information, visit MATPRA.org.
Fairfax County’s Haunted Places & Urban Legends in Virginia October 5, 2022 by Visit Fairfax Bunnyman Legend – Fairfax, VA Legend has it that, each October, the veil between this world and the spirit world grows thinner leading up to All Hallows Eve, aka Halloween. It is a time to remember the dead. And some believe it is a time for the dead to visit us. Over the centuries, however, October 31st changed into something less somber—a holiday filled with candy, pumpkins, scary stories, and haunted trails. Whatever Halloween means to you, you’ll find it in Fairfax County. Some of our most historic sites have been witness to unexplainable encounters with things that go bump in the night. Then there are the urban legends that get dusted off every October to add spice to our lives. And, finally, there are sites that have been carefully engineered by live humans to frighten you into thinking ghouls really do exist. Put it all together and there’s something for everyone, young and old, brave and frightened, living and…well, you get the point. Let’s start with the spooky stories. Founded in 1742, Fairfax County’s roots go deep into American history. A revolution was led from here. Battles were fought here. Founding fathers lived here. And a lot of hardship and triumph took place on our soil. Some say the echoes of these times remain at some of our historic sites and manifest as visions, scents and sounds that can’t be explained. Here are just a few of those tales. George Washington’s Mount Vernon Image courtesy Mount Vernon Going back as far as the 1890s, stories abound. Victorian era members of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association who spent the night in George’s chamber swore his brooding spirit appeared before them in the still moments of the night. In the 1980s, an interpreter saw a full-body apparition of a young woman on the stairs with flowers who disappeared when she reached the bottom. In 2012, a security employee had already emptied the house and locked up when he heard the jingling of a large set of keys moving across the floor in the Washington bedroom. In life, George was known for being heard all over the house, jingling his heavy set of keys. These are just a few of the dozens—if not hundreds—of stories from interpreters, staff and visitors over the years. While you may not be able to be inside the mansion at midnight, Mount Vernon does host a popular trick-or-treating event each year, as well as a Fall Wine Festival and Sunset Tour and Fall Harvest Festival. Who knows what you’ll encounter? George Mason’s Gunston Hall Image courtesy Gunston Hall George Mason was one of our founding fathers and the author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which was used as the basis for the US Bill of Rights. His estate, Gunston Hall, was built in the south end of the county near the Potomac River’s Gunston Cove. Visitors have seen George’s apparition in mirrors, unexplained footsteps have been heard in the halls and staff have seen apparitions of people dressed in period clothing inside and outside the house. It has been suggested that having costumed interpreters working in the home triggers the entities to come forward. While not Halloween-themed, there are a couple of upcoming events at the estate. Try your hand at cooking in a hearth fireplace at the Hearth Cooking Workshops on October 8 and 22, 2022. Or attend Revolutionary War Day on November 5, 2022. The Winery at Bull Run Image courtesy The Winery at Bull Run During the Civil War, two major battles were fought in Manassas/Bull Run. And The Winery at Bull Run is located adjacent to Manassas National Battlefield Park on grounds that were once used for battle. Ghost stories are rampant on the battlefield. Visitors say they see soldiers, smell gunpowder, hear cannon fire and see lights where there are none. And at the Winery, it has been said that some soldiers still visit to this day. They play with lights, appear as apparitions and make their presence known. From now until November 6, 2022, you can attend a haunted wine tour where you can taste wines, “meet” the ghosts through costumed interpretation, learn history and hear the Winery’s ghost stories. But these sell out quickly, so don’t delay! Get in the Halloween mood with this urban legend. Urban legends are a form of folklore, describing events that are rarely ever experienced first-hand, rather they happened to a “friend of a friend.” While there may be a grain of truth in them, most are manufactured to scare and are passed down through word of mouth. The Legend of the Bunny Man is one such tale. It is said that a man in a bunny suit once roamed a neighborhood in Fairfax carrying an ax. Some stories have him scaring off trespassers in the neighborhood. As the legend grew, he was said to harm children who misbehave. Some say he still walks the woods of the neighborhood, armed with his ax and a bad attitude. What makes this urban legend special is its staying power. According to Fairfax County resources, it dates back to the 1940s and some of the sightings were documented at the time. Rather than go searching for a man dressed as a bunny and wielding an ax, however, we recommend the next best thing—Bunnyman Brewing. Themed around the urban legend, the folks at this new microbrewery can fill you in on all the spooky deets of the “real” Bunny Man and you can even wander into their woods for a selfie with the Bunnyman from their logo. Hot tip: Before you head out, sign up for the new Fairfax County Locally Poured Field Guide to get discounts on your beer! Find guaranteed ghosts, ghouls and frights this Halloween. Real-life hauntings are unpredictable. Urban legends are rarely experienced first-hand. But haunted houses and trails of terror always deliver the Halloween frights you seek. Here are the region’s best. None of it is real, but all of it is real scary! Workhouse Haunt: Nightmare Harvest Image courtesy Workhouse Arts Center The Workhouse Arts Center is an arts community filled with working studios and exhibits. It is also set in a former penitentiary. This adds to the creep factor for their annual Workhouse Haunt. This themed walk-through event takes visitors through spooky scenes with costumed characters, then to the site’s abandoned buildings and into the dark woods where terrifying ghouls await. Now through November 5. Not recommended for children 12 and under. Cox Farms Fields of Fear Image courtesy Cox Farms Cox Farms turns dark at night. Its normally friendly Imaginature Trail transforms into the half-mile long The Forest: Back 40 where madmen with chainsaws, creepy spiders and tales of the occult rule the night. If you survive this fright, Fields of Fear will then take you on a Dark Side Hayride or set you loose in the Cornightmare. It’s an evening your screams will never forget. Now through November 5. Not recommended for children under 12. Clifton Haunted Trail Image courtesy Clifton Haunted Trail website After a three-year hiatus, the Clifton Haunted Trail is returning to the woods of Clifton on Saturday, October 29. Explore eight acres of haunted woods featuring scary skits and spooky scenes. The trail itself is half-mile long. This one-night-only event is highly popular and tickets go fast, so keep an eye out for on-sale dates in early October. If you’re planning a visit this October, be sure to check out all our Halloween events. You’ll find pumpkin painting at Sully Historic Site, goblin golf at Burke Lake Park, a Haunted Pond at Hidden Pond Nature Center, and of course, the longstanding tradition of the Vienna Halloween Parade in the Town of Vienna. See you among the spooks! Originally published for Visit Fairfax/FXVA.com
Celebrate Virginia Wine Month and experience Stafford, VA’s Tuscany-Inspired Winery October 5, 2022 by StaffordVA Calling all wine lovers to Stafford, Virginia! Whether you’re looking to relax and unwind, get dressed up, or a little bit of both, consider visiting Potomac Point Vineyard and Winery in Stafford County, Virginia. Potomac Point is situated along interstate 95 and offers a taste of Tuscany in Northern Virginia. This Mediterranean estate offers an up-scale ambiance with award winning wines. Recently featured on the front cover of the Washingtonian for the best Winery Day Trips in the DMV area, this winery offers an escape from your everyday. This winery showcases a variety of unique experience. The hard part? Choosing which one to do first. Potomac Point leans in to each of the seasons, and fall is no different. This fall, make a reservation and taste your way through their new fall bistro menu, highlighting local flavors and your favorite fall cuisine. Put a spin on traditional Halloween traditions with their Fright Flights – where experts at Potomac Point have paired their wines with popular Halloween candies. Take the experience outside and capture your memories onsite. Participate in multiple photo-op locations. Take a picture in front of the wine-inspired butterfly wings known as the “Winery Wings”, the Virginia LOVE barrels, or stroll through the vineyards and capture the rich green color of the vines. During Virginia Wine Month, Potomac Point is offering two complimentary bonus wines to taste as part of the Premier Cru and Grand Cru tasting experience. Make your reservations and cozy up at one of their fire pit tables throughout the season, or book your wine tent reservations from November 23rd through the end of March. Want to bring your best furry friend? You’re in luck! Potomac Point Winery was named one of Virginia’s friendliest wineries for pets. On your way out, don’t forget to purchase your specialty Virginia Wine Month and Halloween custom labels that will make each bottle of wine perfect for you! Whether you’re looking to gather with friends and family or take your experiences on the road, make a day-trip or weekend getaway and tour Stafford, Virginia.