VA: Incredible Dog-Friendly Alexandria

Posted on April 20, 2016 by sandra

Alexandria, VA Exit 177: There is no shortage of dog-friendly things to do in Alexandria offering dog parks, doggy boutiques and even Doggy Happy Hours. Dogs are welcomed year-round so why not discover Alexandria with your canine companion.

Canine Cruises on the Potomac: Hop aboard the Potomac Riverboat Company’s popular 60-minute cruise touring the Alexandria Seaport for a howling good time with your four-legged friend. Dogs ride free! (Offered monthly, May-Sept)

More than half of Alexandria’s hotels are pet friendly. Hotel Monaco Alexandria lives up to its glowing reputation as the ultimate pet-friendly hotel. They accept any number of pets without size or weight restrictions and for no extra charge and they provide complimentary: pet toy, pet bed, and food & water bowls delivered to your room, plus a Tuesdays evening Doggy Happy Hour. monaco-alexandria.com/old-town-hotel/pet-friendly-hotels

Torpedo Factory Art Center: The anchor of the Alexandria waterfront, the Torpedo Factory also happens to be dog-friendly. Stop in for some art appreciation with your pup in this former World War II munitions factory turned 82 working artists’ studios.

King Street stroll: Old Town Alexandria is where dog bowls line the red brick sidewalks of the historic corridor of King Street. For an educational stroll, check out the dog-friendly Footsteps to the Past guided walking tours.

Treat Stops: Outside The Enchanted Florist on South Fairfax St., you’ll find free dog biscuits tucked into a stylized birdhouse. At Principle Gallery on King Street, doggy concierge Asher will show you to free treats on the checkout counter.

Frolick Dogs: To keep Fido fit, head to Frolick Dogs, Alexandria’s year-round doggy gym with agility training.  Purchase a day pass for access to the exercise facilities guaranteed to keep furry fellows in top shape.

Dog-friendly parks: Alexandria has 18 public, off-leash dog parks. To name a few,  Founders Park has riverside views, a dog exercise center and walking paths, and Montgomery Park offers a fenced dog run, tennis courts, parking and a playground.

For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitalexandriava.com

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CT: Enjoy an Italian Opera- Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto

Posted on April 18, 2016 by sandra

New London, Ct Exit : Connecticut Lyric Opera presents Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto, a spectacular fast-paced story of seduction, love, ridicule and tragic death, with powerful music, that has often been cited as Verdi’s best.

The fully staged production, with full orchestra, is sung in Italian with projected English subtitles, and features the acclaimed CT Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra conducted by maestro Adrian Sylveen. Based on a play by Victor Hugo, the opera is a brilliant example of music’s Romantic Period.

Location: Garde Arts Center – 325 State Street, New London, CT
Date: Sun, April 24, 2016
Time: 4 pm
Tel: 860-444-7373
gardearts.org

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SC: See Diving DockDogs or a Humongous Pot of Rice at Colleton County Rice Festival

Posted on April 13, 2016 by sandra

Walterboro, SC, Exit 53: The 41st Annual Colleton County Rice Festival commemorates the rice planting heritage that helped found Colleton County.

They claim to show off the worlds largest pot of rice along with a rice cooking contest. Other events include musical entertainment, arts and crafts show, children’s art show, car show, food concessions, cultural displays and performances depicting the local heritage, petting zoo, dog show, bicycle race, tennis tournament, soap box derby, festival parade, fireworks, a BMX bike show with riders performing tricks and acrobatics, and a crowd favorite  DockDogs® a sport in which dogs compete in distance or height while jumping from a 40 foot dock into water. Admission is FREE

Location: Downtown Walterboro, Hampton St., Walterboro, SC 29488
Date: April 22-23, 2016
Hours: Fri 10 am -10 pm, Sat 10-7pm
Tel: 843-549-1079
ricefestival.org

For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: walterborosc.org

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SC: 400 Southern Artists at ArtFields 9-day Art Competition

Posted on April 12, 2016 by sandra

Lake City, SC Exit 135 – US 378 East: ArtFields is an engaging art competition and festival where selected artists are invited to exhibit their work in one of the historic downtown Lake City venues for nine days.

Over 400 masterpieces will be displayed through their 2- and 3-dimensional pieces in locally-owned venues, from renovated warehouses from the 1920’s to Smithsonian-qualified art galleries to upscale restaurants to hair salons and start-up boutiques, in a mutual celebration of art and community.

The 9-day event features live music, dancing, delicious Southern foods. Visitors are encouraged to vote, combined with top-notch jurors to award a handful of artists a share of the $110,000 cash prize. General admission is free.

Location: Various – calendar of events artfieldssc.org/attendees/events/
artfieldssc.org/venue-gallery/
Date: April 22 – 30, 2016
Tel: 843-374-0180
artfieldssc.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitflo.com
lakecitysc.com

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MA: Experience the “shot heard ’round the world” at Lexington Reenactment

Posted on April 11, 2016 by sandra

Greater Merrimack Valley, MA Exit 31: Each year thousands of people flock to historic Lexington and Concord and Minute Man National Historical Park to celebrate Patriots’ Day,  a special Massachusetts State holiday commemorating the opening battle of the American Revolutionary War, April 19, 1775.

Every Patriots’ Day (the third Monday in April), a band of Patriots and Redcoats gathers on Lexington Green at dawn to reenact the famous Battle of Lexington and the “shot heard ’round the world.”

The holiday (Officially observed on Monday, April 18, 2016), and the entire weekend, is celebrated with parades, reenactments and commemorative ceremonies.

The schedule of events for Patriots’ Day weekend includes a full range of activities including several battle reenactments, parades, the Liberty Ride, historic house tours, pancake breakfasts, and a road race. Other events occur in April along Battle Road.

Location: Lexington Green, Massachusetts Ave & Bedford St, Lexington, MA 02420
Date: Mon, April 18, 2016
Hours: 5:30 am (for other activities, times/dates pls check website)
Tel: 978-318 – 7825
nps.gov/mima/patriots-day.htm
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: merrimackvalley.org
tourlexington.us

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VA: Put Some South in yo’ Mouth at the Smokin’ Barbecue Festival

Posted on April 6, 2016 by sandra

Petersburg, VA Exit 52: Satisfy your inner foodie at the Smokin’ Barbecue Festival held in Olde Towne Petersburg.

Vendors will be serving up the tastiest of ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, pork tenderloin and great desserts. Included with the price of admission you get your choice of up to seven (7) FREE BBQ tastings throughout the festival.

Meander through the artisans and crafters tables and enjoy the live entertainment at the music stage behind the Farmer’s Market, highlighting local talent that will have you on your feet.
Kids 12 and under are FREE with accompanying adult admission. Come for the food, stay for the music!

Location: Historic Old Towne Farmer’s Market, 9 East Old St., Petersburg, VA 23804
Date: Sat, April 16th, 2016
Time: 10 – 5pm
Tel: 804-733-8131
smokinbarbecuefestival.com

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NC: Celebrate the First Official Declaration of Independence

Posted on April 4, 2016 by sandra

Halifax, NC Exit 173: Halifax, NC is the nation’s birthplace of independence. This is a celebration of the Halifax Resolves, the first official Declaration of Independence from England by any colony. The historic document Halifax Resolves was signed here on April 12, 1776, predating the Declaration of Independence by almost three months.

The annual Halifax Day Celebration, always memorialized on April 12th of each year and sponsored by the Historical Halifax Restoration Assn. There will be tours of historic homes, colonial craft demonstrations and revolutionary reenactors. Some of the festivities includes: military drill activity, corn husk doll making, rope making, colonial toys and games, quill writing, printing press demonstration

There is also a production of “First for Freedom” put on each year by Eastern Stage Productions. This outdoor drama depicts the events surrounding signing of the Halifax Resolves, based on a novel of the same name by local author, Max Williams.

Location : Downtown Halifax North Carolina
Date April 12, 2016
Time: 9 – 4pm
Tel: 252-583-6571 (Always call and confirm events.)
historichalifaxnc.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: www.exit173.com
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RI: See a Working Cotton Gin at Slater Mill

Posted on March 30, 2016 by sandra

Pawtucket, RI Exit Exit 28N or 29S: Slater Mill Living History Museum – In 1789, 21-year-old Samuel Slater left England with some knowledge of textile machinery, having been a manager in the Arkwright Mills in Derbyshire. With financial support from Moses Brown, he built this water-powered mill in 1793, and within the year was able to produce cotton yarn.

One of these machines could supply a weaver with the same amount of yarn as 10 hand weavers. This was the first water-powered factory in America, and it helped transform the area so much that by 1820 processing cotton became the backbone of Rhode Island’s economy. Besides the mill, the museum displays the history of US textile manufacturing, including a real live cotton gin.

On site is the Wilkinson Mill, built of rubble stone in 1810, and it is used as a machine shop and textile mill. Moved to the site is the Sylvanus Brown House (1758), which is now used for spinning and weaving demonstrations and which sports a textile and dye garden. 

Location: Slater Mill Living History Museum, 67 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02860
Hours: Mar, Apr, & Nov: Sat & Sun, 11 – 3 pm
May, June, Sept, & Oct: Tues- Sun, 10  – 4 pm
July 4 thru Labor Day: Open 7 days, 10 – 4 pm
Tel: 401-725-8638
slatermill.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: tourblackstone.com

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DE: Learning Fun at Delaware’s Children’s Museum

Posted on March 28, 2016 by sandra

Wilmington, DE Exit 5C: You cannot miss this giant yellow clad building, and you shouldn’t miss the fun inside Delaware Children’s Museum.

First you get to climb the giant Stratosphere, then you go on to the interactive exhibits where you can try virtual rowing, a dance studio, an operating table, climb a rock wall and see yourself on TV. The Power of Me lets you test your body and mind. In ECOnnect you can go into an Eco green House and then play with water and wind power.

An original concept is the Bank On It exhibit, where you learn about how to earn money, use it wisely and save it. Training Wheels is for the toddlers and preschoolers, where they can try out all kinds of transportation. Structures is about the building industry and how to build. Studio D is an art workshop, and there’s an educational gift shop. Fridays after 5pm admission is just $5.

Location:550 Justison Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
Hours: Tues-Thurs 10 -3pm, Fri 10-8pm, Sat & Sun 10 -5pm
Tel: 302-654-2340
delawarechildrensmuseum.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitwilmingtonde.com

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MD: Hands-On Aviation Museum for Whole Family

Posted on March 23, 2016 by sandra

College Park, MD Exit 23: How appropriate to house an aviation museum at the oldest continuously operated airport in the world. At College Park Aviation Museum the first person to greet you is Wilbur Wright – who else? This animatronic man tells you how he came to this airfield in 1909 to teach military officers how to fly.

The gallery contains historic and reproduction aircraft associated with the history of the airfield, as well as hands-on activities for children of all ages, including a 1911 Model B Flight Simulator where you can fly over this airport using hand controls and state-of-the-art visuals.

Look for exhibits on the first US Postal Air flight in 1918 and the first controlled helicopter flight by H. Berliner. The airport runway is just outside the rear glass windows of the museum, so you can watch take-offs or landings as today’s pilots take to the sky.

Every 2nd Saturday of the month- next being April 9th, at 1 pm there is a guided tour with a Museum Educator exploring aspects of the Museum’s collection .

Location: 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive, College Park, MD 20740
Hours: Daily 10 – 5 pm
Tel: 301-864-6029
collegeparkaviationmuseum.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitprincegeorges.com

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