Visit Virginia for Car-Free Vacations
The Virginia Tourism Corporation is offering "Park the Car Getaways" for gas price-conscious travelers seeking sensational summer vacation values. Adventure seekers with a passion for filling a shopping bag or an empty stomach instead of a gas tank can find the "Park the Car" trip ideas at Virginia.org. Virginia's convenient location, just 2-6 hours from major cities such as D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and Raleigh make it the remedy for gas pump blues, with dozens of walkable cities, all-in-one resorts and other destinations that require little or no driving.
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Old Town Alexandria is a
boutique shopper's haven.
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Walkable Cities
Some of Virginia’s best towns and cities are also the most foot-friendly. “Old Town” Alexandria, with its blocks and blocks of sensational shops, boutiques, restaurants and art galleries is entirely do-able on foot. Hop on the King Street Trolley for free transportation up and down Alexandria’s main street or board the new Potomac River water taxi to visit George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
The city of Staunton, one of Virginia’s many walkable Main Street communities, combines historic charm with a modern arts vibe. The Stonewall Jackson Hotel sits next to the American Shakespeare Center where professional actors present the best of “the Bard” in a recreation of the famous Blackfriars’ Playhouse. Art galleries and outstanding restaurants line the city’s streets. Drop into Sunspots for fine glass art and live glassblowing demonstrations.
Roanoke, once Western Virginia’s railroading center, is experiencing a new wave of excitement. Stay at the majestic Hotel Roanoke adjacent to vibrant downtown. Catch a play at Mill Mountain Theatre, shop for art, fine jewelry and accessories and dine at some of Virginia’s most popular new restaurants. Keep an eye out for the new Art Museum of Western Virginia, opening Fall 2008.
Historic Richmond is easy to love, with many hotels right downtown, so visitors can walk up and down the cobblestone streets to lively restaurants, historic sites and shops, or take a hotel shuttle to the “Mile of Style” in Cary Town.
Virginia Beach is a summertime favorite and perfect place to park and play. Stay at one of the many oceanfront hotels lining America’s longest pleasure beach hugging the Atlantic Ocean. The three-mile-long boardwalk has separate lanes for pedestrians and cyclists and is a sunny conduit to sand castles and salty breakers. Stroll leisurely or rent a bicycle or 4-wheel surrey to and from Virginia Beach’s excellent restaurants, shops and outdoor adventure outfitters for biking, fishing, parasailing and more.
Close and Convenient Locations
The early residents of Virginia’s Historic Triangle – Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown, – did just fine without cars, and so will visitors today. Stay at the legendary Williamsburg Inn, the splendidly renovated Williamsburg Lodge or The Woodlands. The entire historic district of Colonial Williamsburg is within easy walking distance. Browse historic buildings, artisan shops and taverns and keep an ear open for the famous Williamsburg Fife and Drum Corps. At the Visitor Center, board a shuttle that takes visitors along the scenic Colonial Parkway to Jamestown or Yorktown for exceptional modern looks at American history.
Stay-n-Play Resorts
Virginia’s luxurious resorts are destinations unto themselves that pamper visitors so much that cars are unnecessary. Charlottesville resorts such as Keswick Hall and Boar’s Head Inn are fine destinations to luxuriate in hospitable surroundings, rejuvenate with spa treatments, golf and indulge in delicious dining. How about a chance to take a hot air balloon ride? Balloon adventures embark right from the Boar’s Head Inn’s front door and soar with the breeze over area wineries and even Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.
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Lansdowne Resort Pool Complex |
Lansdowne Resort in Northern Virginia has Greg Norman golf and the 12,000 square-foot Spa Minerale. The resort’s fine dining is accentuated by its star sommelier, Mary Watson-Delauder, whose passion for wine makes the resort’s food and wine camps a must for wine lovers. The historic Homestead Resort in the Alleghany Mountains of Virginia has been a respite for travelers long before vehicles existed. Since 1766, travelers have vacationed in luxury at the resort known for legendary golf, classic cuisine and natural warm springs that once soothed the “soles” of Thomas Jefferson himself. Williamsburg’s Kingsmill Resort has a spectacular riverfront setting, a full-service spa, fine dining and championship golf. For guests seeking nearby adventures, Kingsmill also offers in-season shuttles to neighboring Busch Gardens and Water Country USA and regular shuttle service to and from Colonial Williamsburg.
“Park It” at Virginia’s State and National Parks
Put it “in park” at Virginia’s state and national parks for a vacation low on fuel but big on fun. Virginia’s State Parks are consistently recognized as America’s best. Reserve a comfortable cabin, a tent site or even a yurt and spend a weekend fishing, canoeing, nature hiking, bird watching or simply unwinding. Check ahead for guided ranger programs for the whole family.
Shenandoah National Park includes lodging from rustic to ultra-comfortable. Choose from more than 500 miles of scenic hiking trails, take a guided horseback trail ride or explore local flora and fauna in special park ranger programs.
For more information visit Virginia.org.
If You Go…
Stonewall Jackson Hotel
24 S. Market Street
Staunton, Virginia 24401
540.855.4848
American Shakespeare Center
13 West Beverly Street, 4th Floor
Staunton, Virginia 24401
1(877)MUCH-ADO
Sunspots Studios
202 South Lewis Street
Staunton, Virginia 24401
540.885.0678
info@sunspots.com
Hotel Roanoke
110 Shenandoah Avenue
Roanoke, Virginia 24106
540.985.5900
information@hotelroanoke.com
Mill Mountain Theatre
One Market Square SE
Roanoke, Virginia 24011
Theatre: 540.342.5730
Ticketing: 540.342.5740
Long Distance Ticketing: 800.317.6455
boxoffice@millmoutain.org
Art Museum of Western Virginia
Center in the Square
One Market Square
Roanoke, Virginia 24011
540.342.5460
info@artmuseumroanoke.org
Colonial Williamsburg Tourism
757.229.1000
geninfo@cwf.org
Keswick Hall
701 Club Drive
Keswick, Virginia 22947
888.778.2565
Boar’s Head Inn
200 Ednam Drive
Charlottesville, Virginia 22905
434.972.2232
reserve@boarsheadinn.com
Lansdowne Resort
44050 Woodridge Parkway
Lansdowne, Virginia 20176
877.509.8400
The Homestead Resort
1766 Homestead Drive
Hot Springs, Virginia 24445
866.354.4653
Kingsmill Resort
1010 Kingsmill Road
Williamsburg, Virginia 23185
800.832.5665
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
One Busch Gardens Boulevard
Williamsburg, Virginia 23187
800.343.7946
Water Country USA
176 Water Country Parkway
Williamsburg, Virginia 23187
800.343.7946
Shenandoah National Park
3655 Hwy 211 East
Luray, Virginia 22835
540.999.3500
Source: Virginia.org |
