Check Off These Bucket List Items in Staunton, VA October 15, 2021 by StauntonVA We’ve rounded up Staunton-area bucket list ideas to brighten up your year. Read on to live your best life. Walk Under a Mountain The 2.25-mile Claudius Crozet Blue Ridge Tunnel trail has just opened for foot and bike traffic. At just under a mile, the tunnel was the longest railroad tunnel in North America when it was completed in 1858. Part spooky, part history lesson, part invigorating and just plain dark, the tunnel stays a temperate 50 degrees, so it’s a good way to get outside even on the hottest and coldest days. Make sure you bring your strongest flashlight and look for subterranean creatures like crawfish and salamanders. Complete Your Beerwerks Passport Need some motivation to get more beer in your life? Grab a Shenandoah Valley Beerwerks passport and taste your way through the best craft beer the Shenandoah Valley has to offer. Many breweries are located in Rockingham, Augusta, and Lexington/Rockbridge Counties, making Staunton an enviable jumping off point. You’ll enjoy taproom vibes that range from homey, to cool industrial, to alfresco with bucolic views. Get your passport stamped at 8 breweries and earn yourself a free t-shirt! Enjoy a Spa Day Feeling stressed and ready for some major relaxation? This is the time to book a spa day at the new spa at the Blackburn Inn. Choose from massage, skincare treatments, nail treatments, or go crazy and indulge in all of the above! Want to pamper yourself even more? Buy yourself a cute new outfit at Design@9 or the Fashion Gallery, where you can browse 25,000 square feet of high quality clothes, shoes, and accessories. Better Yourself by Learning Something New Beverley Street Studio School offers “year-round, non-degree, college-level art classes to the serious art student.” The public can register for classes, lectures, and workshops that are being delivered via Zoom as well as in person. Spring offerings include watercolor, art as exploration, and more. If you’re not ready to take a class just yet, get inspired by their gallery, which shares space with Co-Art Gallery at 22 W. Beverley Street. If you’d rather learn a skill that keeps you outside and active. Sign up for some private golf lessons or instructional clinics with the golf pro at Gypsy Hill Golf Club. Kayak Through a Whitewater Gorge Does racing whitewater make your heart thrill? Rack your kayak and head to Goshen Pass for six miles of powerful class II, class III, and class IV rapids. The gorge was created as the Maury River cut through Little North Mountain and the water that courses through is considered some of the best whitewater for intermediate paddlers in Virginia. Take that Hot Air Balloon Ride You’ve Always Promised Her Picture gliding smoothly through the air, gazing down as the Valley spreads out like a map below you. Enjoy the sunrise or sunset with up to three of your favorite people. Bridgewater’s Star Ballooning takes photos, provides champagne toasts, and can even arrange a special proposal flight, should the mood strike you. Spend the Night in Lodgings with a History Much of Staunton’s downtown dates from the Victorian Era, and there are several places to rest your head that date back 100 years or more. Travelers can choose between Hotel 24 South, which was where society ladies went to drink their tea in the early 1900s, or historic homes that have been re-envisioned as B&Bs. Travelers will also enjoy the luxurious Blackburn Inn, which has an institutional past, but is now an updated inn and spa, or Gibson’s Warehouse, which started its life as a warehouse that stored goods as they came off the train, but is now modern suites. Go on a Wildlife Safari You don’t have to travel to Africa to take your kids on safari. Virginia’s only drive-thru safari, Virginia Safari Park, is just a short drive down the highway in Natural Bridge. The 180-acre property includes three miles of gravel road through animal habitat. You can drive with your windows down and the animals will stick their heads into your car for feed. There’s also a walk-through section where you can see giraffes, tigers, penguins, birds, and farm animals. If you’re looking for an even rarer experience, sign up to spend a Saturday with a pair of cheetahs, penguins, or sloths and their handlers. You’ll learn how the animal-care specialists feed and interact with them. Eat an Entire Cake…or Quiche…or Pie all by Yourself You know you’ve always wanted to do it. Take that first delicious bite and keep on eating until it’s gone. Well, maybe you are capable of restraint, but you won’t want to after you taste a cake from Giancarlo Fine European Pastry. This tiny shop is tucked away, but once you discover it, you’ll return again and again for cakes, chocolates and tarts. Check Facebook for a taste of what’s available. Réunion Bakery & Espresso serves pastries, breads, and if you’re lucky, quiche. You can check out what they’re baking on Facebook and order at the window. And if pie is your weakness, Firkin Pie Company has something in the oven right now that will make you swoon. Pretend to Be in a Movie Parts of several major motion pictures were shot in Staunton! Step one is to watch the movie and try to spot Staunton. Watch the Civil War come to life in Gods and Generals or Wicked Spring. Get spooked on Sears Hill after watching Hearts in Atlantis or giggle along with Evan Almighty. Step two is to head to the location and snap your selfie there. Explore the area while you’re there!
Mill Creek | More than just a creek… October 15, 2021 by Giles County LET’S TALK ABOUT NARROWS… A little, rural town of a less than 2,000 residents, Narrows, Virginia is quite possibly the epi-center of easy-to-access, family friendly outdoor adventures. We’ll walk you through some prime examples of how to spend some time basking in the great outdoors… We start at Mill Creek Nature Park. Truthfully you could spend all day at Mill Creek Nature Park and be quite content. The options available to you are extensive. Mill Creek Nature Park is owned and managed by the Town. It’s free to access, but it never hurts to put a few dollars in the donation box to help offset the costs and maintenance of the park. Photo credit: Aspires Marketing Getting to Mill Creek is straight forward, but a little tricky. Coming via Route 460, at the Narrows stoplight, turn off 460 and head towards downtown. Coming this way, you’ll find options if you want to stop to pick up supplies or snacks. Once in Narrows you’ll turn left onto Main Street. In approximately one and a half miles turn right onto Northview Street. It’s important to note this is residential area and the road can be narrow, so be careful but you’ll find the entrance to Mill Creek at the end of Northview. The asphalt gives way to a gravel road that passes between a garage and house, go on through and follow the gravel road to the ample parking (and donation box) at the end. Seriously you could spend all day enjoying the picnic shelters and easy creek access within minutes of the parking lot. A favorite of mine is just below the first shelter at the creek, you’ll find two spots where you can get right down to the water. The water is cold, beware! There are benches along this section of trail and you’ll see signs for other trails throughout the property. I could spend a good chunk of the day enjoying the sounds of water, reading a book, with my toes in the water. Trout fishing is excellent in this little stream. Native species abound for fly or bank fishing. Don’t forget your license that can be purchased online or a local shop that sells gear. Other wildlife I’ve seen in these lower fields include deer and wild turkeys. I’ve also seen brown snakes and water snakes near the water, but not to worry, this is their home and they’re just hanging out. Starting up the waterfall trail you’ll follow an old road, but still hear the sounds of the rolling mountain creek. Then you’ll come to a very unique spot that also could make a perfect picnic location. They’ve built a sleeping shelter, because you’re on a spur trail off of the Appalachian Trail. Narrows is an AT Community and sees many hikers every year, either hiking the AT or the GET, Great Eastern Trail, of which both parallel near Narrows. You’ll also notice here that the water pools up behind a stone wall. In the olden days, this creek along with this reservoir provided all the water to town residents. The structure holding back the water is thought to be the oldest surviving engineered structure in Giles County. Again, the water is very cold, but some people have been know to take a dip in these mountain waters. You’re welcome to do so, but burrrrr. From here you have a lot of options to traverse the mountain. If you’re a family of mountain bikers, then you’ve found a great spot! Trails with single track crisscross the landscape providing fairly challenging treks and switchbacks. If you’d rather go on foot, I highly recommend the waterfall trail, because as the name suggests there’s a waterfall to enjoy! It’s only a 1.3 mile hike (overall about 3 miles parking lot out and back). From the reservoir follow trail markers to the Waterfall Trail. It’s considered a moderate trail, because you do have to navigate over rock outcrops and the trail becomes very narrow in spots as you go up the gorge. At one point, before the falls, you’ll also have to cross a branch that meanders down to the creek on a wooden single bridge. It’s beautiful and a work of art if you ask us… The waterfalls at Mill Creek are just that, multiple opportunities to take in the spectacular scenery. Some have even been known to take a picnic up to the falls. Between the upper and lower falls there is a nice flat rock you can sit between and enjoy a break or snack. The falls are in a gorge and from the trail you’ll have a few yards down a steep slope to get to this in between area, but completely doable, and worth it! Going beyond the falls you can hike all the way up to Sentinel Point. On a clear day this viewpoint of the Town of Narrows is amazing. The last quarter mile is steep and challenging, but overall the hike is gentle sloping through hardwood forests. Finding native wild flowers or fungi is as easy as looking down and around you. There’s a Shortcut Trail that I like to take on the way back, take the long way going up… One of my other favorite spots is crossing over Mill Creek just before the Shortcut Trail. The rhododendron thicket provides unusual lighting and the illusion of a secret spot along the trail. It’s pretty flat here and when it’s been rainy this could be muddy and difficult to cross, but when it’s not, it’s a really neat spot tucked away up in the hills. Well, we said we’d talk about Narrows, but I’ve only talked about Mill Creek. We’ll have to save the rest of the fun stuff for another day. You can learn more about Mill Creek on the Town’s website http://townofnarrows.org/. Check out the other waterfall hikes in Giles on our website, including Dismal and Cascades, https://virginiasmtnplayground.com/dismal-falls/. If you and your family take advantage of Mill Creek or other trails throughout Giles be sure to check in on Facebook or Instagram. Use #GilesCoVA for us to share your adventures. Stay safe and have fun in Virginia’s Mountain Playground!
8 Ways to Enjoy the Water When Visiting Norfolk April 18, 2021 by Visit Norfolk Summertime is the perfect time to make a splash with a visit to Norfolk, one of the world’s great port cities. With 144 miles of shoreline waiting to be explored, with the Chesapeake Bay, Atlantic Ocean and countless rivers in our backyard, you’re never far from the water in Norfolk. Here are a few great things to do on the water during your visit. Go Sailing Discover sailing at Sail Nauticus, the Norfolk-based sailing school and community sailing center on the Elizabeth River. Set sail for two relaxing hours with one of the captains at the rudder or take a class from a certified instructor and learn how to tack, jibe and steer. It’s a great way to unwind or just give yourself a unique treat. @rylantuohy, Instagram Join the Party at the Water’s Edge Celebrating its 43rd year in 2019, Norfolk Harborfest® is three explosive days of tall ship visits, national, regional and local entertainment, electrifying fireworks – and the biggest outdoor dock party in Hampton Roads. The June 7-9 weekend festivities include more than 130 hours of live entertainment on multiple stages featuring national, regional and local musical acts, a Craft Beer Garden, pirates, mermaids and so much more. Hit the Beaches in Ocean View & East Beach Ready for a swim? Norfolk has three beaches in the low-key Ocean View area that are perfect for swimming. These include Sarah Constant Beach Park, just east of 4th View Street, Community Beach Park, and Ocean View Beach Park, farther east near Norfolk Avenue. @marstravelsearth, Instagram Go Fishing! No matter what your choice of the fresh catch may be, you’re sure to find it in the nearby Chesapeake Bay, Atlantic Ocean or Elizabeth River. The Chesapeake Bay is home to a host of saltwater fish, including trout, flounder, cobia, croaker, red drum, and striper. The Ocean View Fishing Pier offers a unique and enjoyable experience, with fishing license included in the cost of admission, equipment available for rent, on-site facilities and restaurant, and head boat excursions departing once or twice daily. @coopdeville_, Instagram Board and Tour a Tall Ship Want to get a lay of the land from the water? Then you’ll want to set sail aboard Norfolk’s own Tall Sailing Ship, The American Rover. This three-masted topsail schooner with its familiar red “tanbark” sails has been a signature sight along the Elizabeth River and Hampton Roads Harbor since 1986, offering 1½- and 2-hour narrated Harbor or Sunset Cruises, April through October. Experience the Spirit of Norfolk See incredible views of the Norfolk Harbor and the Navy’s Atlantic Fleet aboard the Spirit of Norfolk. Enjoy delicious new menus and specialty drinks. Then, dance to DJ entertainment or relax on the rooftop lounge. It all adds up to the perfect Norfolk experience. Cruising year-round from downtown Norfolk, Spirit offers lunch, brunch, dinner, cocktail, moonlit cruises and more. @toddimbriaco, Instagram Step off the Garden Path Norfolk Botanical Garden offers more than strolls through beautiful landscapes. This must-see attraction also offers Guided Kayak Tour-Sunset Paddles and other waterborne adventures on the adjoining Lake Whitehurst. Visit their website for details and tour schedules. Cruise by the Base The Victory Rover is your front row seat to the U.S. Navy’s Norfolk-based fleet. Departing from a berth just a short walk along the Downtown Norfolk Harbor from Nauticus, the Victory Rover offers a 2-hour narrated naval base tour, an enjoyable alternative to the bus tours offered on base. Passengers will witness the majesty of the Navy’s aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines, guided missile cruisers, and other vessels that make up the world’s most powerful sea-going armada.
Best Outdoor Things to Do in Norfolk, VA April 16, 2021 by Visit Norfolk With an abundance of outdoor activities, Norfolk is the perfect destination to enjoy some sunshine. From exploring our gardens to setting sail along the Chesapeake Bay, there is a variety for you to explore. You won’t want to miss these unique ways to get outside! Photo above, @anastasiau , Instagram Parks and Gardens Elizabeth River Trail The Elizabeth River Trail or as locals call it, the ERT, is a 10.5-mile biking and pedestrian urban trail that will satisfy the highly active. Rental bikes (Pedego) are located downtown so you don’t even have to worry about having a bike! Poplar Hall Park Poplar Hall Park Disc Golf Course is one of Norfolk’s several public parks. Friends and family can enjoy the park with a picnic and toss the frisbee, but if you’re ready to get competitive the frisbee course awaits. Botanical Garden @shaundanecole, Instagram The beautiful Norfolk Botanical Garden has over 60 themed gardens on the property and there is always something to explore. Most blooms can be spotted during the spring and summer months, but make sure to check out their year-round gardens too. The Sensory Garden is year-round and filled with plants that will please all of your senses. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the sights, textures and smells of this space. Hermitage Museum and Gardens The Hermitage Museum and Gardens offer visitors a dose of history, art and horticulture all in one spot. With the Hermitage sitting right on the Lafayette River it’s a perfect backdrop for a day spent outdoors! During the warmer months, be sure to check out their “Sunsets on the River” (postponed due to COVID) event, for an evening of outdoor entertainment including local music, food trucks, art, local craft beer and wine. Best part yet, they allow your well- behaved dog to join in on the fun! Eat and Drink @cheersto757, Instagram The mild weather in Norfolk allows foodies to enjoy patios and rooftops from March to November. Breweries are equipped with patios and beer gardens that make for the perfect afternoon outing. On the Water Norfolk has 144 miles of shoreline! Needless to say, there is no shortage of water access. Sailing With the Elizabeth River and the Chesapeake Bay running along its west and north borders, Norfolk is the ideal home for a Nauticus’ sailing school and its informative boating excursions. Sign up for a weekend course emphasizing on the water instruction and earn a US Sailing Basic Keelboat certification. Fishing The Chesapeake Bay is home to a whole host of saltwater fish including trout, flounder, cobia, croaker, red drum and striper. Norfolk has two fishing piers – the Ocean View Fishing Pier and Willoughby Fishing Pier – both are open around the clock. So, drop your line in the water and see what’s biting! Self-Guided Tours and Guides Cannonball Trail @erikdeseanbarrett, Instagram This self-guided tour marks 400 years of Norfolk and American history. The Cannonball Trail winds along the shoreline of the Elizabeth River and through the districts of downtown Norfolk. Pay attention to the historic sites noted on this tour for bonus history lessons on this walking trail adventure! Must-See Outdoor Public Art Norfolk’s public art not only distinguishes us from other cities, but also brings great awareness to our community’s values. Giant sculptures, iron statues and a life-size kaleidoscope are all pieces that are scattered throughout our city for your enjoyment. While there are more than 50 pieces of public art (and counting), we’ve rounded up the must-see pieces for you.
10 Fun Things To Do in Hampton, VA Over 3-Day Weekend April 16, 2021 by Visit Hampton VA As the weather warms up, take time to slow down and enjoy it in Hampton, Virginia. Spend time relaxing at the beach, rent a canoe at Sandy Bottom Nature Park, and enjoy a delicious meal outdoors. Even when summer ends you will always have the memories that were created during your time in Hampton. Enjoy a long weekend with these 10 outdoor activities: 1. Visit the animals at Bluebird Gap Farm Goats, cows, and turtles, oh my! The animals at Bluebird Gap Farm are patiently waiting to greet you. With a large variety of animals, and beautiful landscaping, Bluebird Gap Farm is perfect for a family outing and spending time outdoors while the weather is still nice. 2. Rent a boat at Sandy Bottom Nature Park Rent a canoe, kayak, paddle boat, or jon boat from Sandy Bottom Nature Park to paddle around their lakes. Just $4 and hour to rent, this is a great activity if you are looking for fun on a budget! After you paddle, and hopefully stay dry, go for a hike on their 11 different trail systems. The trails include soft surfaces, wild life, water views, and beautiful scenery. 3. Walk around Air Power Park Free to all visitors, history buffs can walk around vintage aircraft and experimental space launch vehicles from the 1950s and 60s. Each aircraft is also accompanied by historical markers to explain the history and importance of each plane and space vehicle. If you are looking to stay cool, make sure to visit Air Power Park’s air conditioned museum open daily from 9 am – 4:30 pm. 4. Set Sail on Miss Hampton II Miss Hampton II Harbor cruises take you on a 3 hour ride to Norfolk Naval Base and back. Pass by locations only accessible by water, and learn fun and interesting facts about Hampton and the Naval Base. Cruises set sail Tuesday-Saturday at 11:00 am and Sundays at 2pm. For Labor Day, they will have special hours on Monday, with a cruise leaving the dock at 11:00 am! Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride! 5. Paddle along the Chesapeake Bay Hampton Water Sports, located at Buckroe Beach has Paddle Boards, kayaks, and Jet Ski’s for you to rent. With 4 square miles to paddle and ride, it is a safe and fun activity for the whole family. Reservations are recommended! 6. Explore Historical Fort Monroe As the largest stone fort in America, visitors can walk around and explore Fort Monroe‘s 63 acres at their leisure. Learn about the fort’s history from its completion in 1834 to 2011 when it became an official National Monument. After your exploration you can soak up the sun and cool off in the water at Outlook Beach! 7. Spend the day at the beach Beach lovers can spend Labor Day weekend soaking up the sun on Hampton’s public beaches. Cool off in the Chesapeake Bay, build a sand castle, or throw a football around with friends. Beaches at Buckroe, Fort Monroe, Salt Ponds and Grandview are ready to welcome you for a day of fun in the sun! 8. Watch the sunset or sunrise Whether you are at Buckroe Beach, Downtown Hampton, or Sandy Bottom Nature Park, take time to watch the sunset light up the night sky. Surrounded by water, Hampton is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the beauty of nature. Early risers can watch a beautiful view of the sunrise over the Chesapeake Bay at Buckroe Beach and Fort Monroe. 9. Hit the Links The Hamptons Golf Course and Woodlands Golf Course are both open for the public to “hit the links”. Maintained by the city, these two courses are perfect for any golf lover. Grab your golf clubs, and spend a quiet day among these fun courses. 10. Dine Outdoors With many outdoor dining options, there is a restaurant for everyone to enjoy. After a long day of soaking up the sun, exploring the trails at Sandy Bottom, or playing a round of golf, refuel with a delicious meal. Discover everything Hampton has to offer as you create lasting memories over Labor Day weekend. As summer winds down, take time to relax and enjoy the outdoors with those you love most.
Learn About Explore Hampton’s Historic Black Churches April 16, 2021 by Visit Hampton VA Following the Civil War, many African Americans in Hampton received their education in concert with religious studies through the programs of the American Missionary Association, a philanthropic society dedicated to teaching people of color. But while the presence of the association brought new religious ideas to their communities, Hampton’s African American population soon broke away. Forming their own congregations, they were able to worship more inclusively. The churches were also the source of moral and social advancement, initiating and sustaining temperance organizations, fraternal groups, a YMCA, and a host of social gatherings. The following churches are significant because they represent some of Hampton’s first African American sanctuaries. Learn more about these historic Hampton churches: St. John’s Episcopal Church 100 West Queens Way Hampton, Va 23669 The Elizabeth City Parish was formed in 1610, the same year the first English – speaking settlement was established in Hampton. This parish would become that of St. John’s Episcopal Church in 1728. It helped other Episcopal parishes organize, including the first Black Episcopal congregation in Hampton, St. Cyprian Episcopal Church. Little England Chapel 4100 Kecoughtan Road Hampton, Va 23669 Built in 1879, Little England Chapel is Virginia’s only known African American missionary chapel. Exhibits interpret the religious lives of post-Civil War African Americans in Virginia and include handwritten Sunday school lessons, photographs, a 12-minute video, and 19th-century religious books. Call ahead, (757) 660-8646, to tour this State and National Historic Landmark. St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church 1242 West Queen Street Hampton, Va 23669 Formed in 1905, The St. Cyprian group was small at first, numbering just 10, and moved from location to location until a permanent sanctuary could be raised. For a short time the Black congregation met in the parish hall at St. John’s. In 1907, the first Cyprian’s Church was built on Lincoln Street and remained there until 1963, when it moved to a new church on the campus of Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute. The congregation now resides at 1242 West Queen St. First Baptist Church 229 North King Street Hampton, Va 23669 First Baptist Church grew out of Hampton Baptist Church, the city’s oldest congregation. Before the Civil War, White and Black people shared the same worship space, with White parishioners utilizing the main sanctuary while Black parishioners worshiped from the balcony. In 1863, Black churchgoers separated from the parent body to establish their own place of worship. First Baptist found its permanent home in 1889 on North King Street. Zion Baptist Church 125 West County Street Hampton, Va 23663 Established in 1863, the congregation held house-to-house prayer meetings and open-air assemblies. The Reverend William Thornton, who was formerly enslaved, was its first and only pastor for 39 years. Drawn by his powerful sermons, membership soon grew and a large structure was raised on County Road in 1869. Zion Baptist Church was instrumental in organizing several other churches in Hampton. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church 2521 N Armistead Ave Hampton, VA 23666 Historic Bethel AME was organized in August 1864, at Camp Hamilton, New Tabb’s Field by Father Peter Sheppard. After many years of persistent labor, the first brick church was erected on Lincoln Street in 1887. After 85 years of service, and numerous repairs and additions, the present sanctuary was completed in 1972 under the leadership of the late Reverend R. W. Wisner. In 2020, Bethel AME parish moved to its present location on Armistead Avenue. Queen Street Baptist Church 190 W Queen St Hampton, VA 23669 First known as Second Baptist, Queen Street Church was established in 1865 by African Americans from Williamsburg. The group worshiped at various locations including the Hampton Court House and at Butler School near the site of Emancipation Oak. Eventually land was purchased and the church was raised “in town”before eventually moving to its present address on West Queens Way in 1893. Memorial Church Hampton University Campus Located on the campus of Hampton University, Memorial Church is an Italian-Romanesque structure that features an 150-foot tower and four-faced illuminated clock. Built in 1886, the elaborate building was designed by New York architect J.C. Cady. One of six National Historic Landmarks on campus, the chapel is still used for services when the campus is open. Tour the chapel virtually with the Hampton University Virtual Tours! Antioch Baptist Church 1563 Old Buckroe Rd. Hampton, Va 23664 Antioch Baptist Church was organized on September 1, 1895 when the Herbert Family donated land for a school, lodge, and church to be constructed in Buckroe. The church founders originated from Zion Baptist Church in Phoebus and Queen Street Baptist Church. Services were held in the lodge until plans were formulated for the church.