The following information is from the Travel Berkeley Springs office:

It's officially summer and we celebrate that in Berkeley Springs with everything from al fresco dining to splashing in springpools.

We urge you to come early so as to not miss a moment of all the fun. Add a Thursday night to your weekend stay and you'll find lodging owners very accommodating. Starting this week, the Sunday Farmers Market is joined by a Thursday afternoon one from 2 to 5pm located street side of Berkeley Springs State Park. When you finish storing up fresh veggies for your weekend stay, quickly head south to Tony's Butcher Block (open until 6pm) for an impressive array of fresh meats and seafood as well as made-in-the store salads and soups. You can easily make a meal of their sandwiches made on fresh baked French bread. Then come back to town in the evening for the long running Thursday Jam Nite at Tari's Cafe, this week hosted by Thomas Roue. Chef Devon regularly whips up original appetizers and a prime rib special for Jam Nite. Thursday nights also finds Panorama at the Peak, Ambrae House and Lot 12 opening their tasty doors for the weekend.

OK, we've convinced you to come up on Thursday, now what about the rest of the weekend.

The Star Theatre is showing "Shrek, The Final Chapter" Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 8pm as well as a special Sunday matinee at 2pm. The matinee means their outstanding popcorn is available as a Sunday afternoon treat to passers-by. For entertainment some may consider more "grown-up," there is music Saturday night. Garryowen, a traditional and contemporary Irish band performs at the Fairfax Coffee House starting at 8pm while later, the scene heads to Earth Dog Cafe where noted bluesman Billy Thompson starts playing at 9:15. This week Billy has a trio with him. The Troubadour Lounge offers a popular steak night on Friday along with karaoke plus a live band performing for country dancing on Saturday.

Other weekend specials include Happy Hour at Ambrae House from 4 to 6 on Friday and Saturday and 1-6 on Sunday. They may not be able to tell time well enough to know that's TWO hours but they do get it straight about half price appetizers and drink specials. Saturday afternoon finds wine tasting on the porch at Wilkes Street Wine Shop. Friday evening is a Fresh Fish Frenzy served up at Temptations Cafe from 4:30-9pm. No matter what the day or meal, it's always good eating at the Country Inn. Try their risotto -- it's to die for. It's also the perfect season for ice cream overlooking Warm Springs Run at Creekside Creamery.

Shopping is our featured activity this week. It has everything: you can stroll the charming historic streets of Berkeley Springs, be pleasantly surprised by treasures and bargains, and meet interesting shopkeepers. Bracketed between a pair of antique malls at both ends of town are nearly two dozen owner-operated shops selling everything from local and American art to birdfeeders and recycled American goods. One of the shops that you would never expect is the authentic Himalayan Trading Company with clothes and artifacts from the East.

What people do expect after nearly three centuries is a devotion to the famed warm mineral springs. You can drink them and bathe in them and swim in them and splash around in them or just contemplate them bubbling up in stone pools . Find it all in Berkeley Springs State Park which doubles as the village green -- and offers free wireless so you too can send email from George Washington's Bathtub. The water sources all the taps in town and all the spas. You can learn all about the water and its impact on life here at the Museum of the Berkeley Springs on the second floor of the Roman Bath House in the park.

The list of other attractions is long ranging from golf and a sand beach lake at Cacapon State Park, to hiking along the C&O Canal and through the Paw Paw Tunnel to a gallery show at the Ice House to driving back roads following in George Washington's footsteps.

Best of all is the opportunity to stay in special places throughout the county. There is the Country Inn as the anchor location in town as well as several alluring B&Bs. You can stay along the Cacapon River or on top of a mountain. You may choose a rustic cabin at Cacapon State Park or a fully equipped vacation home. You can find places that welcome your pets and your children. There is truly somewhere for everyone all waiting to welcome you for a magical time in Berkeley Springs, the country's first spa.