Summer Sizzling One-Tank Trips
There’s no need to plan an extravagant vacation when the best summer has to offer is right in our own backyard. And with so much to do, you can spread it out through the season by just hollering, “Fill ‘er up!”
- Richmond is wealthy with culture – Step back in time at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia and the American Civil War Museum. Then leap forward in time and out of the car for a 3-hour bicycle tour of the city’s landmarks and architecture. After dinner, and with time permitting, get tickets to a fabulous stage performance at Virginia Repertory Theatre. You’ll likely be home before the car turns into a pumpkin.
- Virginia is for Lovers … Lovers of Hiking – For a more daring daycation, Virginia.org reached out through social media, and the people have spoken. Hawksbill Summit, Mary’s Rock Summit Trail and Old Rag Mountain ranked highest at Shenandoah National Park. The Appalachian Trail to Spy Rock and Mount Rogers (the highest point in Virginia) are both great options for challenging hikes. And if waterfalls with swimming holes appeal to your sense of adventure, Whiteoak Canyon overflows with multiple choices.
- Roanoke is right in our backyard and right on track for fun – Let your palette do the picking with Roanoke Craft Beer and Food Tours. Explore the ins and outs of planes, trains and automobiles at the highly-rated Museum of Transportation. Or for the unique and interesting, visit Black Dog Salvage & Antiques. Then take it back to nature with a stroll along the Roanoke River at the Valley Greenways.
- Clarksville is a sleepy town with wide-awake beauty – Surrounded by water, Clarksville is a perfect place to enjoy everything a lake has to offer. Especially in July, when the annual Virginia Lake Festival (or LakeFest, as it known locally) brings in tens of thousands for food, entertainment, arts and crafts, the ‘Gathering of the Boats,’ hot air balloons and fireworks. Southeast Tourism Society voted it one of the Top 20 Festivals. The rest of the year, visit the Prestwould Plantation and Gardens and the Clarksville Regional Museum for some hometown flavor.
- Choose your length, choose your strength on the Blue Ridge Parkway – Thanks to the BlueRidgeParkway.org interactive map, determining how much of the 469-mile stretch to explore, and what to do along the way, is just a click away. Trails, tours, attractions, events calendar, food and lodging, as well as suggested itineraries are all available.
Need more ideas of places to visit in Central Virginia? We’re happy to help. Contact Spectrum Stone Designs today.
Spectrum Stone Designs is Lynchburg’s leading fabricator of natural stone countertops, surrounds and tiles for kitchens, fireplaces and baths. Serving Lynchburg, Roanoke, Charlottesville and all of Central Virginia, Spectrum Stone Designs imports top-quality granite, marble and other stone and expertly cuts and polishes before professionally installing in homes or offices. Spectrum Stone Designs strives for excellence in craftsmanship and customer service.
