Regenerative Travel Experiences in the Mid-Atlantic

As tourism bounces back from the pandemic, travelers are reemerging with a new sense of responsibility to improve the destinations visited. They are looking for regenerative travel experiences that allow them to support a local business, impact a community or uplift the hospitality workers who make their travels worthwhile. Here’s just a few ways travelers can get an enriching regenerative travel experience across the Mid-Atlantic.

A one-stop-shop for unique travel ideas, roundups, and in-destination experiences to uncover and explore across the Mid-Atlantic region. Click here to view the photo gallery, and please provide photo credit to the appropriate DMO.

Kent
Come visit us in Kent County, Delaware to experience our warm hospitality and unique amenities our locals love and support! Visit our award-winning museums, breweries, wineries and distilleries as well as family fun venues such as Tre Sorelle Dolce’s Ice Cream Shop/Mini Golf and Fifer’s Orchards Farm Store and Kitchen. Delaware’s Quaint Villages, VisitDelawareVillages.com, Catherine Jenkins, [email protected]

Maryland

Calvert
Visit Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum and tour the Maryland Archaeological Conservation to learn about the work being done on-site for artifact study and preservation. Join a historical or archaeological hike on the scenic park trails and grounds or participate in a workshop such as making a bottle gourd birdhouse. Calvert County Department of Economic Development, VisitCalvert.com, Hilary Dailey, [email protected]

Howard
Looking to give back as you travel? Come to Howard County, where our local businesses succeed because of your patronage, and in return bring joy to your life! Whether you support charming boutiques, artisan shops, festival vendors or locally-owned restaurants, your visit makes a difference. Visit Howard County, VisitHowardCounty.com, Theresa Pickett, [email protected]

Kent
Enjoy sailing and kayaking with Chestertown’s Sultana Education Foundation, promoting Chesapeake Bay stewardship. Onshore, the Eastern Shore Food Lab offers wild edible plant foraging walks and cooking classes. Be sure to stop by the town’s renowned Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings to find fresh foods from local sustainable sources. Kent County Tourism, MD, KentCounty.com/visitors, Penelope Young-Carrasquillo, [email protected]

Pennsylvania

Allegheny National Forest Region
Forest Bathing is the practice of being in nature, connecting with our senses to the relaxing and regenerative atmosphere of the forest. The Allegheny National Forest offers over 513,00 acres of public lands where you can experience forest bathing along a remote trail or cabin nestled in the woods. Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau, VisitANF.com, Linda Devlin, [email protected] 

Bradford
There are various volunteer opportunities available with the Endless Mountains Heritage Region in Bradford County such as site preparation and assistance with events like the annual Susquehanna River sojourns, special presentations and Heritage Region workshops on a variety of topics. Help the efforts of this great organization and enjoy the great outdoors! Bradford County Tourism Promotion Agency, VisitBradfordCounty.com, Morgan Christopher, [email protected]

Butler
SurfSUP Adventures provides stand-up paddleboarding eco-tours in Moraine State Park for all ages and skills! Navigate narrow passages, circumnavigate isolated islands and stand up paddle through Eco-Tours at Lake Arthur. Personal instruction for new paddlers is followed by a relaxed exploration of the lake’s hidden gems and abundant wildlife. Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau, VisitButlerCounty.com, Jeff Martinelli, [email protected]

Endless Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania
The Friends of Salt Springs Park is a volunteer-based organization that uses volunteers to establish and maintain trails, run programs, paint buildings, plant trees and flowers, chop wood, raise money, help visitors, sit on the Board, and much more. In April, “Trail Day” is a chance for visitors to lend a hand at this wonderful site. Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau, EndlessMountains.org, Morgan Christopher, [email protected]

Laurel Highlands
Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial is the official nonprofit partner of Flight 93 National Memorial. The group welcomes all who would join in honoring the sacrifice and courage of the passengers and crew of Flight 93. Events include the Heroes Walk, plant-a-tree efforts and pints-for-parks fundraiser. Go Laurel Highlands, Flight93Friends.org, Eric Knopsnyder, [email protected]

Lawrence
The heartbeat of Lawrence County, PA is our local Mom & Pop shops and restaurants. Our businesses are generational and have roots deep in the community. They have continually given back with a smile and we encourage locals and tourists alike to support them. Visit Lawrence County, VisitLawrenceCounty.com, Ginny Jacob, [email protected]

Potter-Tioga
Lyman Run State Park is a 45-acre lake for fishing, six miles of perfect-for-strolling hiking trails, a quiet campground and a warm sand beach invites visitors to enjoy nature. The Friends of Lyman Run offer volunteers a chance to “lend a hand” to support the park mission. Next on the agenda is a new playground. Get involved! Visit Potter-Tioga, VisitPotterTioga.com, Morgan Christopher, [email protected]

Virginia

Giles
Make your next trip good for the soul and good for the environment. Giles County invites you to explore Virginia’s Mountain Playground and participate in ReNew the New. With over 400 volunteers this river clean up effort is a day full of camaraderie and scenic views and doing good. Giles County, VA Tourism, VirginiasMtnPlayground.com, Cora Gnegy, [email protected]

Hampton
Escape to Hampton’s exciting communities like Phoebus or Downtown Hampton. These bustling areas offer visitors a regenerative experience where they can support local businesses, listen to local historians and engage with residents. Visitors can explore Fort Monroe, the Hampton History Museum, and local restaurants like Drexler’s or Guilty Pleasure Coffee. Hampton Convention and Visitor Bureau, VisitHampton.com, Mahogany Waldon, [email protected]

Harrisonburg
Harrisonburg, Virginia has many socially conscious businesses from 10,000 Villages to Gift and Thrift where proceeds benefit local non-profits assisting homeless and refugees. One independent boutique, New Creation, is a non-profit organization whose mission is to creatively counteract human trafficking selling unique items from 60 partner organizations from 5 continents. Harrisonburg Tourism & Visitor Services, VisitHarrisonburgVA.com, Jennifer Bell, [email protected]

Lexington & Rockbridge
Natural Bridge State Park offers monthly opportunities to enjoy a guided program in which visitors view the moon, stars, and meteors at this certified IDA Dark Sky Park. Rangers educate about the dangers of light pollution and the importance of dark skies to nocturnal environments. Lexington & Rockbridge Area Tourism, LexingtonVirginia.com, Patty Williams, [email protected] 

Loudoun
Purcellville’s Graffiti & Silk, latest addition to Loudoun’s glittering antique and vintage store scene, is more than a cool retro thrift store. Profits go to local youth homeless charity Mobile Hope and the store hosts regular community events such as Storyteller evenings and Social Stitching – sewing and crochet gatherings for women. Visit Loudoun, VisitLoudoun.org, Jen Sigal, [email protected]

Norfolk
Norfolk has plenty of opportunities to get involved while you explore. Enjoy the outdoors with volunteer opportunities at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, Elizabeth River Project or the Elizabeth River Trail. Support the arts through the Virginia Arts Festival or give back to the community with organizations dedicated to serving people experiencing homelessness or hunger. Visit Norfolk, VisitNorfolk.com, Paige Hawsey, [email protected]

Shenandoah
Every year volunteers keep the North Fork of the Shenandoah River clean for future generations. A healthy, forested buffer bordering rivers and streams is important for the health of waterways. Make an impact as our Friends of the North Fork of the Shenandoah do with a river clean-up travel experience. Visit Shenandoah County, VisitShenandoahCounty.com, Brenda Black, [email protected]

Stafford
Deciding between a frozen mocha, iced americano, or classic cappuccino? Why choose when you can have it all! In D.C.’s backyard, discover local coffee shop, Grounds Coffeehouse, and taste innovative coffee flights and shop locally sourced products. Tour Stafford, Virginia and discover unique activities and experiences off the beaten path. Tour Stafford, Virginia, TourStaffordVA.com, Courtney Swenson, [email protected]

Virginia’s Blue Ridge
Take a car-free vacation to walkable downtown Roanoke beginning with a trip on Amtrak’s Northeast line. Rent a bike from Roanoke Mountain Adventures to get around outside downtown and take the new shuttle to the trailhead of McAfee Knob. Virginia’s Blue Ridge is an official Leave No Trace Community Partner. Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, VisitVBR.com, Kathryn Lucas, [email protected]

 

About the Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance
Our goal is to make your job as travel journalists easier! These once-a-month emails provide a one-stop-shop for unique travel ideas, roundups, and in-destination experiences to uncover and explore across the Mid-Atlantic region. We work directly with destinations across D.C., Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia to put together roundup stories. Understanding your timelines and lead time needs, we’ve preplanned hot industry and travel topics months readily available to you.

We encourage you to reach out to each destination contact above if you’re interested in covering their story, and also welcome you to email us at [email protected] if you’re looking for a roundup on multiple destinations or a different story topic altogether.

The Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance (MATPRA) is a cohesive unit of regional tourism partners encompassing D.C., Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. For more information, visit MATPRA.org.