Berkeley Springs flows with art and spring water.
The rolling mountains of northeast West Virginia cradle one of the region’s best-kept travel secrets. Visitors lucky enough to discover them will find solace and inspiration among the artisans and natural spas located in the town of Berkeley Springs.
Art and culture thrive in this seat of the Morgan Arts Council, located in the Ice House Co-op Gallery. Moreover, body and spirit are renewed by partaking of the natural springs’ cleansing waters enjoyed since the early 1800s by young and old. Galleries, breathtaking scenic overlooks, homey cafes, historic inns, a history museum, day spas and bath shops dot the winding streets like so many intriguing spices in a pot of chowder.
The Examiner spoke with Jeanne Mozier, vice president and founder of the Morgan County Visitors Center, which is located in the heart of Berkeley Springs. Her enthusiasm was contagious, as she touted the “perfect getaway.”
What makes Berkeley Springs an ideal family destination?
Families find Berkeley Springs an ideal place for a “tame” wilderness adventure that even the youngest can enjoy. Summer is great with lake and pool swimming. The most unique water attraction, especially for [kids], is the very splashable and wadeable spring channels and pools in Berkeley Springs State Park. Other family attractions include affordable vacation homes so kids can bring their friends, family-friendly eateries and the popular 1940s-style Star Theatre with a first-run movie every weekend, the best popcorn in four states and prices that mean the whole family can go without taking out a mortgage.
And for the adults?
Berkeley Springs is also a great getaway for both romantic couples and gangs of girlfriends. What could be more appealing than a town with three times as many massage therapists as lawyers [as well as] blocks of “retail therapy” from nearly two dozen shops? Dozens of B&B and inn rooms have whirlpool tubs filled with the famous mineral waters.”
What can art and culture lovers expect?
[They] can expect an authentic working art town with fine crafts as well as fine art. It’s easy to meet the artists at regular gallery show openings and two annual Studio Tours in spring and fall. Come on any summer weekend and enjoy a free concert in the park, and weekends year-round boast several locations for local music. And be prepared to be surprised at the art density. Some weekends it seems like everybody in town is doing “art.”
If you go
Where: Berkeley Springs, W. Va.
Distance: 100 miles from both Baltimore and D.C.
Annual events: Morgan County Fair in August, a celebration of local life; Apple Butter Festival on Columbus Day weekend
Accommodations: The Country Inn in Berkeley Springs (866-458-2210; www.thecountryinnatberkeleysprings.com)
Info: www.berkeleysprings.com
Heading out? Here are the stations with the lowest gas prices at press time according to AAA Fuel Finder.
City of Baltimore (21201)
Royal Farms 92, 1140 Key Highway, Baltimore – $3.959
Baltimore County (21136)
Royal Farms 34, 15 Hanover Road, Reisterstown – $3.959
Anne Arundel County (21402)
Texaco, 245 West St., Annapolis – $4.059
Harford County (21009)
7-Eleven, 3506 Philadelphia Road, Abingdon – $3.949
Howard County (21797)
7-Eleven, 7627 Woodbine Road, Woodbine – $4.079
Carroll County (21771)
7-Eleven, 1610 Ridgeside Drive, Mount Airy – $4.059
High Dairy Store, 109 Ridgeside Court, Mount Airy – $4.059
Editors? note: The Examiner takes no responsibility for changes or incorrect information. For fuel prices in your ZIP code, go to aaa.midatlantic.com. Look for the ?For Your Car? column on the left-hand side of the page. Scroll down to ?Drive It? and click on the third link ?Fuel Finder.? This is a free and public service from AAA. For more information, go to AAA.com
