VIRGINIA
GETAWAYS
BY JAYNE CLARK
WHY HIDE FROM WINTER WHEN
THERE ARE SO MANY DELIGHTFUL
WAYS TO EMBRACE IT? NOT FAR
FROM WASHINGTON, DOWNHILL
SKIING, EAGLE-WATCHING AND
MORE, AWAIT THOSE EAGER TO
GET OUT AND ENJOY THE SEASON.
WHERE: HARRISONBURG
DISTANCE FROM DOWNTOWN D.C.: 130 MILES
Site of Virginia’s first recognized arts and culture district, this
small Shenandoah Valley city is big on cutting-edge creativity.
Among the dozen-plus art galleries is Oasis Fine Art & Craft,
a cooperative of 45 artists working in sculpture, fiber art,
pottery and other media. Or take in a live show at the Forbes
Center for the Performing Arts at James Madison University.
The perfect antidote to a cold winter’s day: wood-fired
pizza or handmade pasta at Bella Luna, set in a cozy historic
livery. Lodging options include By the Side of the Road Inn &
Cottages, with four B&B suites in a circa-1790 manor house,
three luxury cottages with fireplaces and whirlpool tubs, and
two modern pond-side cottages with shower rooms.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Credit: Buddy Secor
DON’T MISS: Massanutten Resort, 11 miles east of the city. Its
snow-making capability guarantees downhill schussing on 14 ski
trails. The resort also sports two terrain parks and a downhill
tubing park. If you’re not into skiing or snowboarding, get a
bird’s-eye view of the action via the 800-foot dual-racer Mega
Zip. When nature delivers, cross country skiers head for one
of the resort’s two golf courses. And when it’s time to come
in from the cold, head for the indoor water park featuring
multiple aquatic amusements in water heated to an ahh-
inducing 84 degrees. Afterward, relax with a hot toddy, local
wine or craft beer at Base Camp, a 5,000-square-foot slope-side
patio under a giant umbrella roof.
INFORMATION: VisitHarrisonburgVa.com
WHERE: CALEDON STATE PARK, KING GEORGE
DISTANCE FROM DOWNTOWN D.C.: 58 MILES
Winter is prime time for bald-eagle viewing in this National
Natural Landmark near Fredericksburg. Known for its old-
growth forest, the 2,579-acre haven is home to resident
eagles year-round. But in winter, they’re joined by migrating
birds, making the site home to one of the East Coast’s
largest concentrations of bald eagles. Fun fact: The tract
FLYWASHINGTON.COM 66 WINTER 2017/18
Caledon State Park