The following information is from the Travel Berkeley Springs office:

Crispy Berkeley Springs could be the slogan for these end of fall weekends. Color remains in the foliage although there are now bare limbs and trunks to be seen. The sky is a vivid blue and the air -- ahh, the air is sweet and sharp. Plus, it's Halloween so there are pumpkins everywhere and impromptu sidewalk strolls of costumed folks.

Before we start with Halloween events, let's talk about the outstanding concert at the Ice House on Friday at 7:30pm featuring award-winning songwriter and musician, Kate Long. Kate Long, an Appalachian treasure produced in concert by the Morgan Arts Council. Speaking about the Ice House and art, plan to visit the gallery there on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm to see the exquisite Magical, Mystical, Fantasy Creations show. Other non-Halloween music events include Dan Cronin hosting Jam Nite at Tari's Cafe on Thursday at 8pm, Revv at Earth Dog Cafe on Friday at 8pm and The Shifters performing at the Fairfax Coffee House on Saturday at 8pm.

Halloween themed fun is planned for both adults and kids.

Adult events start on Saturday afternoon at the Country Inn with a Halloween Beer Tasting from 1 to 4pm featuring seasonal and imported selections and appetizers plus the music of "The Whistle Pigs." The Mountain State Cruisers set up in the heart of town with classic cars giving out candy from 5 to 8pm on Saturday. If hauntings are your taste, visit Eeerie Acres just south of town up the hill from the Dollar General on Myers Rd off 522. Times are 7:30-10:30pm on both Friday and Saturday. The Troubadour Lounge is holding a Halloween Costume Party on Saturday with costume prizes and country dancing to the sounds of Lost Laredo beginning at 9pm. The Flashbacks are performing classic rock and roll at a Saturday night costume party at Earth Dog Cafe beginning at 8pm. Cacapon State Park is hosting a Halloween Masquerade and dance beginning at 8pm at the Bath House overlooking the lake.

It's R-rated if not strictly adult at the Star Theatre this weekend when "Zombieland" fills the screen Friday through Sunday at 8pm generating more laughs than screams. Plus, the Star's famous popcorn is the ideal treat for walking around town in costume or simply admiring them.

If you are bringing the kids, check out Rankin's Fitness Center south of town where from 6 to 8pm on Saturday, there are games and costumes and candy being handed out from the trunks of decorated cars. Trick or treating hours in town are from 6 to 8pm and certainly will make for excellent costumed-children watching if not participating.

Halloween is not to everyone's taste so come and feel free to hang out in the one activity that has made Berkeley Springs famous for more than two centuries -- taking the waters. Today, that means alot more than when George Washington and his cronies did it. Today, there are a half dozen locations for cutting edge bodywork as well as traditional baths. Check out Atasia, the Country Inn's Five Senses Spa, the Bath House Day Spa and Awakenings for everything from steams and scrubs to more than a dozen different types of massage. There are also facials, manicures and pedicures to be had. Berkeley Springs State Park is the home of the warm mineral springs that are the core of all this spa activity -- and you can dabble your toes in outdoor springpools 24 hours a day. If you want full immersion bathing in the spring water, sample the historic Roman Baths in the park. Although the main bathhouse is under renovation, basic massage services are still available in temporary park buildings. There are also individual practitioners including acupuncturist Tamme Marggraf, master massage therapist Michael Pushkin and the bring-it-to-your-lodging place Have Table Will Travel. Indulge in Berkeley Springs' spa treats and you will be immune to any Halloween frights.

The other escape route is outdoors. Play golf at Cacapon State Park or shoot clay there and at Sleepy Creek Sports. You can also hike at Cacapon, on the C&O Canal towpath or on the Tuscarora Trail accessed at Spruce Pine Hollow Park off WV9 east. If driving is your pleasure, follow the Washington Heritage Trail National Scenic Byway and absorb some history along the way. Make certain you make at stop at Panorama Overlook for spectacular views -- and take time to drop in to dine at Panorama at the Peak. Motorcycles are so welcome here that we've created seven mapped rides to take folks through the best parts of the area -- and the maps can be easily downloaded from the website.

Then there are dining pleasures and shopping excitement also. Special shopping adventures this weekend include Vintage Kitchen celebrating its 1st anniversary on Saturday and Sunday with door prizes, refreshments, book sale and reduced prices on milk glass collection. There are also great prices at Valley Caravan which is having a fabulous going out of business sale. Just hanging around sitting on the porch or deck of your lodging place is also an irresistible part of any visit. Check the specific pages for all these activities including Highlawn Inn’s web site for their Halloween special. We assure you, there is an ideal place for you to stay whether in town at an elegant Victorian B&B or historic inn, or out of town in a cabin, vacation home or lodge.

Come in costume. Come in hiking boots. Come with your favorite towel. Berkeley Springs is the perfect getaway this weekend -- and it's closer than anywhere.