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Food & Drink: The region excels in local seafood, including oysters and blue crabs, and in the traditional cuisine of the cities. Local wines have become increasingly well known. Richmond, both an old Southern capital and a college town, offers cheap student eateries, thoughtfully-prepared regional cuisine and every type of ethnic food. Visitors can pick up their own fresh fruit and vegetables at the Farmers’ Markets. At Williamsburg, the Williamsburg Shopping Center offers a colonial culinary experience, fast-food places and many pancake houses. There are many fast-food restaurants along the boardwalk at Virginia Beach, where outstanding seafood restaurants can also be found.
Theatres & Concerts: Theatres abound in Virginia and many have historic and outdoor settings. The Richmond State Ballet and Virginia Opera offer a rich and varied programme of events. Traditional mountain music and dance is popular, and the world’s largest fiddlers’ convention is held every August in the small town of Galax. Top-name folk musicians play at the Birchmere in Alexandria. Jazz and rock music are on offer in Charlottesville and Richmond.
Nightlife: Richmond’s comedy clubs, theatres, rock and jazz venues and pubs offer a diverse nightlife. In Virginia Beach, Peabody’s and Hot Tuna are popular clubs.
Shopping: Among the top attractions for visitors to Virginia are the quality and the quantity of its shopping, particularly in the discount and outlet categories. A wide range of shops is found in the malls throughout Virginia, notably at The Fashion Center at Pentagon City in Arlington, Tysons Corner Center and the Potomac Mills outlet mall in Woodbridge.
Sport: The whole eastern coastline of the region is lined with long golden sand beaches – at Virginia Beach alone, these stretch for 45km (28 miles) – with plentiful watersports opportunities. Buggs Island Lake and Smith Mountain Lake are Virginia’s largest boating lakes. Whitewater canoeing is popular on the Shenandoah, Maury and James rivers; rapids as high as Class IV are found along urban Richmond’s stretch of the James River. Virginia is one of the richest saltwater sport fishing areas in the world. More than 25 species of freshwater fish are found in the State’s waters, although a licence is required to fish. Cycling is popular: one of the longest US rails-to-trails bikeways (72km/45 miles) is located in Northern Virginia. For hikers, the Appalachian Trail offers 720km (450 miles) of winding pathways through Virginia. Bryce Mountain, The Homestead, Massanutten and Wintergreen are the four downhill ski areas in Virginia. These resorts offer accommodation ranging from the rustic to the luxurious with skiing to cater for all levels. Grass skiing is available at Bryce Resort.
Special Events: The following is a list of special events taking place in 2003: Mid-Jan Historic Birthday Parties, Lexington. Apr Historic Garden Week in Virginia (more than 250 of the State’s finest houses, gardens and landmarks open). May Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, Winchester; Virginia Gold Cup, The Plains. Jun Seawall Festival, Portsmouth; Harborfest, Norfolk; Boardwalk Art Show and Sale, Virginia Beach. Jul-Aug Virginia Highlands Festival, Abingdon. Aug Old Time Fiddlers Convention, Galax. Late Sep-early Oct State Fair of Virginia, Richmond. Oct Waterford Homes Tour and Crafts Exhibit, Waterford. Nov Virginia First Thanksgiving Festival, Berkeley.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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