justburg

My husband and I are looking to get away for 4 days (Wed-Sat). We love the the moutains (and hiking-but nothing too crazy). We love B&B's but are also open to other types of lodging. We'd also prefer a small town with cute shops. Any ideas as to where to stay??

Thanks!

Thomas6

My hometown is Shepherdstown, WV - don't know where you are coming from but we are about 90 minutes from DC and/or Baltimore. One B&B, a few hotels, several excellent restaurants, an independent movie theater and boutique-y locally-owned shops all in about a 4-block radius. The C&O Canal Path is just across the river less than a mile away for easy hiking and more strenuous hiking can be had in Harpers Ferry, about 10 miles away and near the Appalachian Trail. We're not really into the mountains here but there's pretty scenery and historic sites nearby (like Antietam Battlefield) if you are interested in that.

SAnParis2

Are we talking WV, Va., NC, or Tn ? Where are you coming from for starters ? I have (literally) 100 suggestions so I'll need your help to narrow it down a bit. This may help get you started - www.blueridgeparkway.org

justburg

We're coming from New Jersey. I don't think we want to go as far south as NC or TN since they would be over 10 hrs. away I believe. But WV or VA is fine. We really want beautiful scenery, something relaxing, but not in the middle of nowhere. I've seen places like North Fork Mountain Inn which look wonderful, just concerned there aren't any nice restaurants around, etc. beside the Inn. It's not so much that we want shopping, it's that we want nice choices for eating-we like good food

Thanks Thomas6 for the recommendation-I'm assuming you are referring to the Thomas Shepherd Inn? Looks nice-and the prices at around $200 aren't too bad either.

SAnParis2

I'd probably look around the Staunton/Charlottesville area. There are several good B & B's there as well as a plethora of wineries. Staunton may be better suited if you wish to be out in the country a bit more.

Thomas6

Check out the www.ShepherdstownVisitorsCenter.com. If you are looking for a variety of restaurants to support 4 days, there are about a dozen eating establishments in Shepherdstown. Charlottesville, of course, has great restaurants and shops, but it's a pretty big town. Staunton has more B&Bs but not as many restaurants or shops as Shepherdstown, and it's two hours further south. The Thornrose House in Staunton is a nice B&B but a little off the main drag. The Virginia wineries are fun, and those are definitely better in the Charlottesville area. Arcady Vineyard outside Charlottesville has a nice B&B setup and a well-respected wine tour.

Cimbrone

I agree that the Charlottesville area combines elegance with proximity to the mountains. Monticello and area wineries are musts as are the downtown outdoor mall and University of Virginia campus. No specific recs on b & b's, but a search should turn up some nice ones.

kelticshaman

I highly recommend Skyland Resort in the Shenandoah national Park. Located on Skyland Drive this is a terrific place to relax and "get away." http://www.visitshenandoah.com/lodgi...and-resort.cfm. Be sure to ask for a room overlooking the Valley. The rooms do not have TV and may be a bit more sparse than a luxery hotel but they have the feel of a mountain getaway.

Close by are Luray, New Market, and Sperryville you are perfectly located to make trips down the drive to visit Elkton, Harrisonburg, and Ruckersville cough:cough: antiques cough:cough:

SusieQQ

You might like Berkeley Springs, WV. It has art galleries and and antique malls, spas and nearby hiking at Cacapon State Park. Sorry I can't recommend a B&B but check out this site:

http://www.berkeleysprings.com/

erinannie

I would recommend looking for something around Smith Mountain Lake in VA.