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TRAVEL
Virginia
Harborfest Kayakers

With changing fall colors,

the harvesting of wine

grapes, and unique art

exhibits, autumn is a fine

season to turn over a new
leaf.Venture through the
vast variety of Virginia

venues, starting near the

coast, then wending your
way through the mountains,
before heading back to the
D.C. metro area.

PHOTO COURTESY VISITNORFOLKTODAY.COM

If you havent been to Norfolk in awhile, you have missed quite

a few changes. The biggest news is the renovation and reopening
of the Chrysler Museum of Art after a 16-month-long, multi-million
NORFOLK
dollar renovation. The museum has more space, and a new free
admission policy to boot. The Chrysler is best known for its glass, with more than 10,000
objects spanning 3,000 years.The highlight is one of the worlds most significant collections
of Louis Comfort Tiffany glassware. After examining the glass galleries, wannabe Tiffanys
can pop over to the museums glass studio for daily glass-blowing demonstrations (free)
or for classes (for a fee). Glass also plays a key role in a new exhibit opening at the
Hermitage Museum & Gardens on October 25. British installation artist Bruce Munro
uses LED-lit water bottles, fresnel lenses, and other reinvented materials to create his
unique, interactive displays.

This special advertising section was produced by The Washington Post Custom Content department and did not involve The Washington Post news or editorial staff. This article was written by Laura Powell, a freelance writer,
hired by The Washington Post Custom Content department. For more information please contact Magazine Account Managers Diane DuBois at 202-334-5224, Sherri Greeves at 202-334-5226 or Cheryl Wood at 202-334-7762.

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VIRGINIA TRAVEL

PHOTO COURTESY NEWPORT NEWS TOURISM DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

Virginias wine industry dates back four

centuries, when early settlers planted a
few English grapevines. Today, nearly 200
wineries have sprouted up around the
Commonwealth. Norfolk does its part
to celebrate Virginia Wine Month during
the Town Point Virginia Fall Wine Festival,
taking place on October 18 and 19. If you
miss the wine weekend, you can always
head over to the Mermaid Winery in the
Ghent neighborhood. Its the states first
urban winery, using grapes sourced from
Virginia vineyards.

Fishing in Newport News

KE

Harborfest Wine

Bergeys Breadbasket Corn Maze

EWS
NEWPORT N
Its easy to immerse yourself in the mild
temperatures and cool breezes that fall
brings to Newport News. Start the
season by attending a Revolutionary War

Port Warwick Art & Sculpture Festival in Newport News

PHOTO COURTESY NEWPORT NEWS TOURISM DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

Another place for wine lovers is the

Chesapeake Wine Festival. Held on
October 11, top Virginia wineries will
serve up samples with live music providing
the soundtrack. The festival is also a good
place to stock up on wine apparel and
accessories. The Chesapeake Waterways
Heritage Festival on October 11 and 12 is
more of a family-friendly affair. It celebrates
the citys historic waterways and rich
cultural heritage. Festival exhibitors and
vendors will be on hand selling crafts, and
demonstrating everything from beekeeping
and sheep shearing to soap-making and
wood-carving. Another popular family
event occurs every fall in September and
October at Bergeys Breadbasket. The onthe-farm-bakery hosts a five-acre corn
maze. After conquering the maze, guests
can follow the scent of freshly baked goods
inside the authentic Amish bakery. Breads,
cinnamon rolls and other mouth-watering
baked goods are available, as is homemade
ice cream. For a special autumn indulgence,
visitors can sample the dumplings baked
with just-picked Shenandoah Valley apples.

PHOTO COURTESY VISITNORFOLKTODAY.COM

CHESAPEA

PHOTO COURTESY NEWPORT NEWS TOURISM DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

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PXVWEHWKH

Fall Classic in Newport News

reenactment at Endview Plantation on

September 27-28. Living history programs
will depict the 1781 Siege of Yorktown.
The 7,700-acre Newport News Park is
home to a 188-site campground, a fivestar archery range and a 30-acre aeromodel flying field. But just as significant, its
the perfect setting for fall events, like the
41st Annual Newport News Fall Festival
of Folklife on October 4-5. On October
25, the park is the site of the Virginia
Fall Classic, a car-bike-truck show which
attracts hundreds of vehicles and thousands
of spectators. Another big outdoor event
is the 10th Annual Port Warwick Art &
Sculpture Festival on October 11-12. Set
against a canvas of festivity with live music,
family art activities, and gourmet food
vendors, the festival is recognized among
the best fine art and sculpture shows in
the Mid-Atlantic. Foodies can indulge their
appetites for fresh local shellfish from the
Rappahannock River at the Virginia Living
Museums Annual Awww Shucks Oyster
Roast on November 15.

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ISNT IT TIME FOR A LITTLE

U.O.U.
Cant remember the last time you enjoyed a You Owe You experience? Then come to the heart of Coastal Virginia and
visit Chesapeake. Relax amid the natural splendor of wooded preserves and miles of shoreline. Dine overlooking the famous
Intracoastal Waterway. Tap your toes at an outdoor music festival. Shop til you drop.
And choose from accommodations ranging from cozy B&Bs to avant garde.
Your U.O.U. is herein Chesapeake.

www.visitchesapeake.com Toll free (888) 889-5551

Waterways Heritage Festival

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VINTAGE VIRGINIA

WYTHE
Of course, with the leaves turning all
shades of beautiful, October is the perfect
time to explore Virginias mountains.
Hopping a motorcycle and heading to
the Appalachian Mountains and the
backroads of southwest Virginia is one of
the best ways to see states most brilliant
fall colors up close. The Claw of the
Dragon is a popular trail for motorcycle
enthusiasts. It meanders through seven
Virginia counties and a variety of terrain.
Its easily accessible from Interstates 77 or
81. Wytheville serves as the trails hub, but
the route ventures as far as Marion to the
west and Galax to the east. One challenging
loop is just outside Wytheville, where riders
can take a 16-mile scenic ride to the top
of Big Walker Mountain. Once there, riders
can hop off their bikes and climb a 100-foot
tower to look out over the palette of fall

Back of the Dragon riders.

colors below. Another anticipated segment

of the trail is the Back of the Dragon, a twolane ribbon winding over three mountains
between Tazewell and Marion. Upon
arrival in Marion, bikers can brake for a

break. The General Francis Marion Hotel

is a good place for a bite or an overnight.
Wytheville also has a variety of lodging
accommodations, which will come in handy
if planning to ride all 350 miles of the trail.

DISTINCTLY NORFOLK.

Discover 144 miles of shoreline offering waterfront cruises, delicious cuisine

and world-class attractions in Norfolk. Eclectic neighborhoods throughout this
vibrant coastal city feature local craft breweries and Virginias first urban winery
and tasting room. Take a guided food tour and taste everything from coastal
cuisine caught fresh from the Chesapeake Bay to decadent desserts all just a
short drive away or a relaxing ride on Amtrak.
Plan your getaway today at visitnorfolktoday.com.

1-800-368-3097

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Great for Fall Motorcycle Rides!

Multiple Loops from 62 to 224 miles!

ALEXANDRIA

Just off I-77 and I-81 in Southwestern Virginia

Ghost Tour

PHOTO COURTESY R NOWITZ FOR ACVA

Enjoy the Beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains while

testing yourself on the Claw and the Back of the Dragon!
Back of the Dragon
is the western most
loop of the Claw
an unforgettable
driving excursion
across three
mountains!
32 miles - 260
curves - elevations
up to 3500 feet!
Cameron Davidson

Closer to home, Alexandria brims with

art-filled festivities, seasonal nibbles and
spooky, family-friendly Halloween events
come autumn. If you havent ventured
to George Washingtons Mount Vernon
in some time, head over the evenings
of October 3rd, 4th or 5th. The Mount
Vernon Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour
celebrates the fall harvest. Enjoy live blues,
tour the basement where Washington
stored his wine, and sample a glass or
two yourself. Just remember to purchase
tickets in advance. Art on the Avenue
brings hundreds of artists, families and funseekers to the streets of Alexandrias Del
Ray neighborhood on October 4th. The
festival features art for sale and four stages
of live entertainment, plus activities for kids
and food vendors. Art appetite whetted,
head to the Torpedo Factory Art Center
on October 11th for the Alexandria Arts
Safari, a day of hands-on craft activities
for all. Play with clay, create a collage, ogle
origami or help sculpt a giant papier-mache
animal. At the end of the month, Alexandria
celebrates Halloween in style, with trickingor-treating at George Washingtons Mount
Vernon, ghost tours of Old Town, and a
festive costume parade along Del Rays
Mount Vernon Avenue. n

.
D
Aerial Photos and Maps at

clawofthedragon.com

Free Trail Brochure Available

Featuring Detailed Maps.
cvb@wytheville.org
for more information

Marion
I-81 Exit 45 to Highway 16

ron@visitvirginiamountains.com
877-255-9928 276-646-3306

e
l
l
i
v
e
h
t
y
W

Intersection
I-81/I-77
SW VA

Toll Free 1-877-347-8307

www.VisitWytheville.com

Ships,History
Great
Outdoors
AND

THE

Join us as we welcome 150

fine artists from all over the
country on the streets
of downtown Waynesboro.

visitwaynesboro.net
Virginia

888.493.7386 newport-news.org