Berkeley Springs greets approaching winter with lots to do inside and out....and much of it revolves around the holiday season.
A great event for participatory fun is the Murder Mystery at Cacapon State Park on Saturday at 6:30pm. You can come for just dinner and the mystery or get a whole package that also includes a room at the lodge and buffet breakfast the next morning. No telling where you will wake up if you turn out to be the murderer -- or the victim. Music, dancing, playacting -- all led by the New World Theater Company.
The Country Inn becomes Christmas Central the next couple weekends offering carriage rides around the historic town on Saturday from noon to 5pm and Victorian Carolers from 5 to 6pm. From 1-3pm on Saturday folks can get their picture taken with Santa in Berkeley Springs State Park with all proceeds benefitting Parks & Rec. More holiday music can be heard at Union Chapel on Saturday at 7pm when the Community Choir presents its 3rd annual Home for the Holidays concert.
The Star Theatre chooses action and laughs with Eddie Murphy and Ben Stiller in the crime caper "Tower Heist."
It may not be holiday but it is great music -- bluegrass at Fairfax Coffee House on Saturday at 7pm played by the acoustic trio Banana Express. Rock out with The Main Street 3 at the Troubadour Lounge's Deer Hunters Dance on Saturday starting at 9pm. You don't have to be a deer hunter or even a dancer to head on out the ridge.
Needless to say, this weekend, like the next two, are all about holiday shopping -- and we have several suggestions in addition to encouraging you to explore the shopping page to see offerings of more than two dozen downtown area shops. Frog Valley Artisans, a little out of town begins their annual Christmas sale on Saturday and Sunday with all the art items from pottery and glass to metalwork and more reduced 15%. Jules Enchanting Gifts and Collectibles welcomes shoppers with excellent homemade chocolate chip cookies and milk all weekend. Sunday from 10am to 2pm marks the move of the Morgan County Farmers Market into the north end of the Old Factory Antique Mall. A special seasonal treat are the handmade evergreen wreaths. Buying local is easy in Berkeley Springs everyday especially with local artists on display in several locations from the outstanding Ice House Co-op Gallery to the equally alluring Heath Studio Gallery at the north end of town. And nothing beats an antique mall for discovering a tiny stocking stuffer. Fortunately, we have two malls as well as several individual shops -- you could spend all day just browsing for that special something from another time. One of those individual shops is Vintage Kitchen on Green St. where they are holding a Christmas Open House Friday through Monday and offering 25% off very collectible Homer Laughlin china made right here in WV.
In case you want to make a holiday gift that will stun and amaze your family and friends, plan to stay a little longer and stop by the Ice House for three great art classes. On Sunday, Baltimore paper artist David Kandel teaches two classes. From 10am to noon it's origami fabric folding and from 2-4pm, it's innovations in origami known as tessellation. On Monday from noon to 3pm, fabric artist Mary Klotz conducts a 3D paper sampler that is a "make and take" for a paper tree, pop-up word and a pop-up holiday card.
One excellent suggestion for a special holiday present is a gift certificate for spa treatments -- and you should sample the offerings first before choosing. So plan to spa hop this weekend trying out steams, baths, massages, facials and other unique bodywork treatments -- more than 50 different choices from five spas and several individual practitioners.
As you stroll through town, you'll notice historic structures including most of the downtown shops. Take the self-guided waking tour for information about what you are seeing and stop in at the museum on the second floor of the Roman Bath House to get oriented. Follow the Washington Heritage Trail National Scenic Byway for an outstanding driving tour that brings you drive-by looks at the splendid panorama of approaching winter. Speaking of panorama, that's a view not to be missed just west of town.
The outdoors remains a great place for adventure in between shopping sprees (or for the partner who rates shopping right up there with root canals as fun.) It's the final week of deer hunting season and there are plenty left as area drivers can tell you. Sleepy Creek Hunting and Fishing area is the largest public hunting ground is the county perched atop Sleepy Creek Mountain. Less deadly in intent is hiking through Cacapon State Park (off-limits to hunters) or, since the weather remains mild, playing a round or two of golf. You're guaranteed to see deer on the course.
Hungry yet? or is it still? Fortunately, our restaurants are year 'round so no worries about what is open. Whether it's breakfast, lunch or dinner you can find the perfect menu from barbecue ribs at Earth Dog Cafe and Angus and Ale to delectable seafood at Temptations Cafe and Tari's Cafe. Sample the delectable wares of Lot 12's award-winning chef, Damien Heath or choose the Country Inn. Panorama at the Peak captures you as you go to see the natural splendor -- and they keep you with more award-winning regionally-sourced food. Ambrae House is the place to be for Sunday football with a ste amed shrimp and beverage special.
You'll only be able to try a small slice of all the great food, shopping and spas if you come for the day so plan to stay at least one night. Check great prices and packages at several lodging places including the Berkeley Springs Inn/Best Western. There are elegant B&Bs as well as fully equipped vacation homes all on display on our lodging page. A place to stay is another great gift certificate idea as you assemble the ideal visit to Berkeley Springs -- ask at the place or places of your choice.
Whatever your reason for coming, and especially if it's to capture a final moment of peace and sanity before the holiday season gets into full swing, Berkeley Springs is the place to come. The country's first spa is closer than you think.
(Information courtesy of Travel Berkeley Springs)