Great Escapes

By Natalie Kaar

Who says summer is the only time that’s ripe for getting away? Not us! On the next few pages, you’ll find sensational escapes, all well within driving distance, that will have you perfecting your—non-football—plans for fall.

After all, let’s hear it for less road construction, the natural beauty of changing leaves and mild temperatures!

Black Bear Resort
(toll-free) 1-800-553-BEAR (2327); www.blackbearwv.com

Located in scenic Canaan Valley, W.Va., Black Bear Resort—so named due to the area’s prevalence of black bears—is only about a three-hour drive from Northern Virginia, yet feels a world away.

The views of the enchanted mountains are magnificent, as the resort lies in the center of the valley floor, the highest elevated valley east of the Mississippi (3,200 feet)—with flora and fauna much like that of Canada. Surrounded by the Monongahela National Forest, adjacent to the Dolly Sods Wilderness and Otter Creek Wilderness areas, near the Blackwater Falls and Seneca Rocks, the area plays host to copious outdoor activities. Depending on the season, that’s everything from cross-country and downhill skiing to canoeing and rafting, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and wildlife viewing.  Plus, the resort itself features a children’s playground, fishing pond, mini-golf course, tennis courts and an outdoor pool, with over 75 of its unique pedestal homes and 12 suites at Black Bear Inn available for rent.

If planning an escape for fall, a great time to check out the fall colors of the Canadian-like heathers and cranberries atop the mountains, it’s best to book your stay 30 days in advance. Do so by calling (toll-free) 1-800-553-BEAR (2327).

Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa
(toll-free) 1-866-312-5596; www.cbresortspa.com

Located just 35 miles southeast of Alexandria in Chesapeake Beach, Md., Chesapeake Beach Resort and Spa is a prime destination for area residents who wish to enjoy a relaxing seaside escape from reality nearby. After all, whether they prefer to have their vacations chocked full of boating, fishing, romance, spa-pampering or water sports, their bases are covered. That’s thanks to the resort’s two marinas with slip rentals and charter fishing, luxurious overnight accommodations with views of the Chesapeake Bay and Calvert Cliffs, a full-service spa with scores of soothing treatments and more.

Owned by brothers Gerald and Fred Donovan, the hotel first opened in 2004, though the two have long-standing ties to the area. In fact, Rod ‘N’ Reel Restaurant, one of the resort’s three dining establishments, was founded by their family in 1946.

When it comes to the hotel, management is constantly thinking of new ways to improve guests’ stays. Just this past year, large flat-screen HDTVs with built-in DVD players were added to each of the 72 guest rooms of which 12 are suites and junior suites featuring Jacuzzi tubs and three-sided fireplaces.

The popular year-round vacation spot is also a well-regarded wedding venue. Ceremonies may be performed right by the water or in one of the resort’s indoor ballrooms, which feature bay views and seating for up to 250 guests.

 

Hershey—The Sweetest Place on Earth
(toll-free) 1-800-HERSHEY (437-7439); www.hersheypa.com

Over a century ago, Milton S. Hershey dreamed of building the perfect town for the employees of his world-famous Pennsylvania chocolate factory. Over the years, what began as an employee park has evolved into a world-class resort destination featuring select accommodations, including The Hotel Hershey (a AAA four-diamond hotel) as well as the family-friendly Hershey Lodge and Highmeadow Campground; premier golf on the four courses of the Hershey Golf Collection; indulgent spa treatments at The Chocolate Spa; and top-name entertainment to suit all ages at Giant Center, Hersheypark Arena and Hersheypark Stadium. That’s not to mention 11 roller coasters—including the new Farenheight coaster, which features the steepest drop in the U.S.—as well as dozens of other thrilling rides at Hersheypark.

And, still there’s more. Year-round guests enjoy a bounty of additional fun-filled activities including: free chocolate-making tour rides at Hershey’s Chocolate World, 11 acres of upfront animal viewing at ZooAmerica, over 23 acres of themed botanical splendor to explore at Hershey Gardens, touring Broadway shows and other renowned productions to take in at Hershey Theatre. Hershey also hosts unique seasonal extravaganzas such as Chocolate-Covered February, featuring over 300 chocolate-centric events and activities from chocolate-and-wine pairings to cooking demos, as well as special holiday events.

Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront
1-757-213-3001; www.hiltonvb.com

The four-star Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront , located in the heart of the Virginia Beach resort district, is a towering, 21-story hotel lauded for its high level of personalized service, luxurious accommodations, outstanding dining venues and breathtaking views. In each guest room, decorated with colors and design motifs inspired by the sea, guests enjoy deluxe amenities including upgraded linens, pillow-top mattresses and sleek baths with dual, five-jet showerheads.

In terms of dining, the hotel features three restaurants/bars on site. First, there is Catch 31, popular with hotel guests and locals alike for its hardwood grilled fish, succulent steaks, extensive raw bar, decadent desserts and amazing ocean views. As for those times when a more upscale experience is apropos, there’s Salacia, with menu selections such as Wagyu Kobe beef, prime filet mignon, veal chops and lamb porterhouse—not to mention an award-winning wine list. And, at the top of the hotel lies Sky Bar, which not only boasts a lovely list of fine cocktails and light fare but incredible views of Virginia’s Eastern Shore to the north, the North Carolina border to the south, downtown Norfolk to the west and the Atlantic’s horizon to the east.

As for entertainment, the Hilton lies adjacent to Neptune’s Park, which hosts nightly events throughout the summer, and the Shoppes at 31 Ocean, which provide boutique retail therapy year-round.

Marriott Ranch
540-364-2627; (toll-free) 1-877-324-7344; www.marriottranch.com

Nestled in the Blue Ridge foothills of Fauquier County’s picturesque Hume lies Marriott Ranch—an escape like no other in our area. Discovered by Marriott International Founder J. Willard Marriott, Sr. in 1951, the 4,200-acre ranch remains as unspoiled today as the day he purchased it, back before he had his first hotel. Given that fact, after all of these years, the ranch remains a treasured meeting place for the Marriotts to return to for family gatherings. And, for regular guests, the destination provides the same great hospitality.

As a working farm with over 1,500 heads of cattle, recreational activities at the ranch abound—from horseback riding, cattle driving and four-wheel-drive Jeep tours to Iron Chef-inspired cooking competitions. Given such a wide variety of exciting activities, not to mention three private event sites, the destination is considered ideal for team-building corporate events as well as for large family reunions. Add welcoming overnight accommodations and scrumptious fare at the ranch’s historic bed and breakfast, The Inn at Fairfield Farm—which in the fall provides 360-degree views of peak Blue Ridge foliage—and you’ve got the recipe for romance.

For more information about Marriott Ranch, The Inn at Fairfield farm or Fairfield Farm Caterers, visit www.marriottranch.com or call (toll-free) 1-877-324-7344).

National Museum of the Marine Corps
(toll-free) 1-877-635-1775; www.usmcmuseum.org

From marines and marine family members to those simply fascinated with the more than 200 years’ history of the few and the proud, the nearly 2-year-old National Museum of the Marine Corps has guests enthusiastically saying, “Ooh-rah!” Not only are museum visitors able to follow in the yellow footprints that young recruits must fill in bootcamp, but they are able to follow in the boot prints left in the Pacific Island sand during World War II, in the snow of the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War and in the red dirt of Hill 881 South in Vietnam.

Beyond the central Leatherneck Gallery, there are four permanent galleries, two temporary exhibitions and various traveling exhibitions—not to mention upfront views of the Harrier, Jenny and Corsairs, which should thrill any aviation buffs. What’s more, refreshments are provided in the Mess Hall and Tun Tavern. And, to make the memories last, plenty of gifts and gear are offered in the museum store.

The National Museum of the Marine Corps is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Christmas. Admission is free, as are docent-led tours, which begin daily at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.—no reservations needed. To plan your visit, call (toll-free) 1-877-635-1775, or check out www.usmcmuseum.org.

Virginia Beach
(toll-free) 1-800-VABEACH (822-3224); www.vbfun.com

Though certainly a popular summertime destination, Virginia Beach—blessed with mild weather and home to exciting attractions year-round—actually welcomes 63 percent of its visitors during the shoulder season.

While fisherman are thrilled to experience successful fishing at Virginia Beach throughout the year, both inshore and offshore (with two inlets and four fishing piers), golfers delight in teeing off on courses designed by masters such as Couples, Palmer and Nicklaus. Meanwhile, the area offers general outdoor enthusiasts over 18,600 acres of state parks and wildlife refuges to explore, as well as over 121 navigable miles of waterways—which play host to whale-watching boat tours each winter.

Another reason guests flock to Virginia Beach: coastal cuisine. At the Town Center, the area’s new place-to-see-and-be-seen downtown, exclusive dining establishments are aplenty, as are upscale retail and nightlife venues. The Town Center is also home to the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, which spotlights local, regional and national performers of dance, music and theater.

When it comes to the kids (of all ages), Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, with over 300 hands-on exhibits and an IMAX theater, is a top pick. There visitors are able to splash around with a harbor seal, pet a stingray and spot impressive sharks.

(September 2008)

Tags: Great Escapes, Travel