Continuing through Coastal Virginia Magazine's Summer Bucket List (read part 1 here), you are sure to want to add these great local activities to your Summer schedule:
9. Cruise the Colonial Parkway.
Roll down the windows and head to the Colonial Parkway. This 23-mile stretch of scenic splendor starts at the York River at Yorktown and winds its way to the James River at Jamestown. The roadway connects Virginia’s Historic Triangle—Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown—and was built specifically to honor the area’s natural beauty and culture. Sounds like a perfect way to hit the road and enjoy a lazy day joy ride.
10. Stay at a bed and breakfast.
Virginia is home to hundreds of adorable B&Bs, and you’re missing out if you don’t take the opportunity to stay at one. There are tons in mid and northern Virginia, but you don’t even have to go that far to find one. There are several in Coastal Virginia, including the Freemason Inn in Norfolk, Meadowbrook Farm in Suffolk and Irish Isle Bed and Breakfast in Chesapeake.
11. Bike the Capital Trail.
Pedal the past and present on the Virginia Capital Trail, a paved pedestrian and bicycle thoroughfare along the tree canopied, Route 5 scenic byway. This summer, you can begin at Colonial Williamsburg and bike a total of eight miles in James City County, finishing at Chickahominy River State Park. It will be great practice for when the entire trail is complete and enthusiastic cyclers can continue all the way to Richmond, a total of 55 miles.
12. Pick your berries, and eat ‘em, too.
Summer never quite tastes right unless there are fresh, straight from the vine, gushing sweet berries from Pungo. From the start of the summer on Memorial Day weekend, Pungo kicks off the warmer weather with their 31st annual Pungo Strawberry Festival celebrating all things strawberry. A handful of farms offer the “U-Pick” option to gallivant up and down the aisles of berry heaven to pick to your heart’s content. Bring your own basket, and make sure it’s big! Don’t forget to show up earlier than later during the season as the fields tend to get picked over quickly. Look no further; there’s jam, tart and popsicle making in your future! Pungo farms Cullipher Farm Market and Brookdale Farm are currently open for the season.
13. Have a picturesque picnic.
Pack a basket of your favorite fare and find a picnic table in one of the naturally wooded areas at the 550-acre Mariners’ Museum Park in Newport News. Setting up your feast at one of the overlooks allows fantastic glimpses of Lake Maury. Then, you can walk off that lunch on the park’s 5-mile Noland Trail. Cross the Lion’s Bridge dam for amazing views of the James River and a look at the four stone lion sculptures by artist Anna Hyatt Huntington.
Make sure to look for tomorrow's post as we highlight even more of the Coastal Virginia Summer Bucket List!
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