Return to Virginia Business -April 2002

by Lisa Antonelli Bacon

Have you ever heard someone complain about spending too much time with their family - other than stay-at-home moms, that is? Let's face it, the demanding pace of business today makes it all but impossible to take a week-long vacation with the spouse and kids, much less the four full weeks the company supposedly provides. But with a little imagination and a smidgeon of planning, you can convert a routine business trip into three or four days of quality time with the ones you love.

According to the most recent studies, 27 percent of Virginia's travelers are business travelers. If you're one of those, and if you've ever thought about bringing the family along, you're on the front end of a trend. "Combining business and leisure travel, we know anecdotally, is growing in Virginia as it is everywhere," says Martha Steger, assistant director of public relations for the Virginia Tourism Corp. "It is very economical and appeals to the time-strapped household."

Even without quantitative research on the subject, the hospitality industry is beginning to package deals tailored to the harried executive who wants to combine business with leisure. According to Steger, Alexandria's "American Heirloom Meeting Package" provides local conference attendees with VIP tours of local attractions along with chartered transportation to and from. Elsewhere, to attract business travelers' families, Holiday Inn Olde Towne Portsmouth throws in a "kids stay free" deal for anyone under 19.

But you don't need a hotel to package your itinerary. You can do just about everything - from reserving a hotel room to planning your activities - on the Internet. Spend a few minutes cruising the information highway, and plan a work-play trip that you and your family will enjoy.

Virginia Business offers a few ideas to help get you started.

Hampton Roads: The Something-for-Everyone Strategem

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Hampton Roads is Virginia's tourism mecca for good reason. The area has more than beaches, more than history - it offers an incredible array of recreational options that will keep the bambinos amused and the better half entertained for days on end.

If you're lucky enough to be doing business in Virginia Beach, you've got a neon infrastructure of arcades, putt-putt golf courses, boat rides, biking trails, jet skis, T-shirt stores that will run the kiddies ragged during the day, and an array of great restaurants and nightclubs to take the spouse to during the evening. This option may be especially attractive during late spring and early fall - the off-season when businesses are open but not too crowded.

Chances are, though, you'll wind up in Norfolk, the region's financial and business center. No problem - you can keep the family busy within a stone's throw of your hotel. With its riverfront and harbor, strong support of the performing and visual arts and upscale retail in a central location, downtown Norfolk may offer one of the most varied family getaways anywhere in Virginia.

Overlooking the Elizabeth River, for example, Waterside Festival Marketplace, filled with colorful kiosks, shops and restaurants, is the centerpiece for visitors. Attractions emanate from adjacent Town Point Park, a seven-acre waterfront park that is easily accessible to any of the area's museums, shops and restaurants. And with 65 major outdoor events and festivals each year, the park affords an invigorating starting point as well as a great place to relax after a day of exploring all that the area has to offer.

It's too ambitious to take in all the attractions in just two or three days, but their close proximity makes it possible to squeeze in more opportunities than you could in many other big cities. A walk by the water from Town Point Park takes tourists to Nauticus, an interactive science and technology maritime center, featuring more than 150 exhibits and exotic aquaria on three floors. Just outside is the majestic battleship Wisconsin where, using up-to-the-minute multi-media technology, visitors can fire virtual salvos from the control spaces of the real ship.

Families love the Virginia Zoo, where more than 350 animals from other parts of the world - including baboons, rhinos and reptiles, as well as one of the finest tiger habitats in the country - are situated within beautiful botanical gardens. If it's "urbane" you're after, the Chrysler Museum of Art & Historic Homes offers 55 galleries of a world-class collection of 30,000 original works by artists from the grand masters to contemporary. Architecture and history buffs will want to add a visit to the historic Moses Myers and Willoughby-Baylor houses.

If you find yourself doing business on the north side of the river, you might consider making Hampton your base of operations. With its waterfront and marinas, downtown Hampton is a gem. Nearby, within city boundaries, you can enjoy easy access to historic Fort Monroe, the Virginia Air and Space Museum and the Hampton Roads History Center. Just a few miles down the Interstate, you can reach the Mariner's Museum, the Virginia War Museum and - for those rambunctious munchkins - Water Country USA or Busch Gardens theme park.

Holiday Inn Hampton Hotel & Conference Center
The Holiday Inn Hampton Hotel & Conference Center is conveniently located directly off Interstate 64 midway between Colonial Williamsburg and Virginia Beach, and is surrounded by restaurants, movie theaters and shopping malls. The hotel features an indoor and outdoor pool, whirlpool & sauna, jogging course and 13 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. Each room is equipped with coffee makers, hair dryers, irons and ironing boards. For conferences, the hotel has more than 16,000 square feet of flexible meeting and banquet space, which can accommodate groups from 10 - 1,100 people. Parking is complimentary.

Radisson Hotel Hampton
A floor-to-ceiling bay window welcomes you to your room at the Radisson Hotel Hampton. It's the ideal way to view the Hampton Harbor from a spacious waterfront guest room. This downtown location has great conference facilities, marinas, restaurants, unique shops, the Virginia Air & Space Center, an art gallery and antiques within a short walking distance.

Local seafood is available at Pier 21 Restaurant overlooking the marina, and Oyster Alley, the seasonal outdoor dockside patio restaurant. View your favorite sport in Signals Sports Bar waterside.
If you're coming to Hampton, why not have the best of both worlds, attend to business then relax waterside and take in the sights and sounds of downtown Hampton.

Ramada Inn and Suites at Oyster Point
The Ramada Inn and Suites at Oyster Point completed another multi-million dollar renovation in 2002 and now offers 70 two-room executive suites for the corporate traveler looking for a real suite and a home away from home with more than twice the space of a standard hotel room.

The Ramada offers two types of suites, each with a separate living room and bedroom and choice of king or two double beds. All suite kitchens feature a full-size refrigerator, microwave, stove, coffee maker, toaster oven, and either an oven or dishwasher. Living rooms offer a queen sleeper sofa in each suite with a television, VCR, work station with ergonomic chair and two separate phone lines. Efficiencies are also available with a microwave and refrigerator and all rooms offer a coffee maker, hair dryer, full-size ironing board/iron and safe (large enough for a laptop).

The renovations give travelers visiting the Newport News/Hampton area a new choice with upscale accommodations, and the services and amenities expected with a full-service hotel. Chatfield's Restaurant (on-site) is open daily for breakfast (6:00 a.m.), lunch, dinner and room service, and Chatfield's Bar & Grill opens daily at 4:00 p.m. Additional amenities and services include: 10,200 square feet of banquet / meeting facilities, an exercise room, indoor heated pool, guest laundry and dry cleaning services.

Ramada Plaza Oceanfront Resort, Virginia Beach
When your last meeting adjourns, the Ramada Plaza Oceanfront Resort offers plenty of support for a full agenda of leisure activities. Plan to invite your spouse along and extend your stay. The two of you can relax over a romantic dinner at Gus' Mariner Restaurant and spend the next day exploring nearby attractions.

The hotel's oceanfront location is perfect for family fun, too. The beach is just steps away from every room, and kid favorites like the Virginia Marine Science Museum are only minutes away by car.
At the Ramada Plaza Oceanfront Resort, combining business with pleasure happens naturally.

Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center
The Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center, located on the tranquil north end of Virginia Beach, is easily accessible on Shore Drive (Route 60) from 1-64 and Norfolk-Virginia Beach International Airport.

All of the 295 luxurious guest suites offer a spectacular view of the Chesapeake Bay. Each has separate living and sleeping areas, private bath, separate dressing area, wet bar, microwave and refrigerator, dining area and private balcony.

With 14,000 square feet of the finest meeting space available, the conference center can accommodate groups of up to 450 in theater-style seating and up to 275 for a banquet. In addition, there is a spectacular executive boardroom and concierge lounge on the eighth floor.

There are two restaurants. Cafe' by the Bay is casual, moderately priced and features quick service for guests on the go. TradeWinds offers fine dining in an elegant but casual atmosphere.

For recreation, this full service resort is unparalleled in Virginia Beach, complete with health spa, indoor/outdoor pool and large private beach. Golf is available at area courses. Our nearby tennis club has the most comprehensive facilities found from Delaware to Hilton Head.
For more information, call (800) 468-2722.

Williamsburg: The Blast-from-the-Past Gambit
Anyone who attends conferences in Virginia ends up in Williamsburg sooner or later. Here, you'll find a wide range of family fun packed into a concentrated geographic area. There's shopping, theme parks and nightlife, of course, but history is at the top of the list. We're not talking musty museums - we're talking living history at Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown.

While the hotel/motel industry has taken full advantage of the land surrounding the historic district, you can actually stay in a colonial residence, a tavern or a former dependency. (Your cozy room might once have been a laundry house.)

By staying within the confines of CW, as it's called, you don't have to worry about missing any of the attractions. Just walk the length of Duke of Gloucester Street, and you'll see the impeccably restored homes and shops where reenactors go about the daily business of colonial life, from baking to candle-making. Admission to some attractions is free, but for the total experience you'll need one of the three passes offered by Colonial Williamsburg, which range in price from $39 to $59.

The colonial dining experience can be had at any of four historic taverns. All offer menus straight from the history books, with the modern-day additions of children's sections and vegetarian appetizers. Each has its own ambience and history. Chowning's originally was an English alehouse for commoners, and continues to spoon up hearty fare such as Shepherd's Stew and Bubble and Squeak. Christiana Campbell's has a tradition of good seafood, while King's Arms, which once catered to the colonial aristocracy, is popular for its meat dishes. The older Shields Tavern offers comfort food, such as fried chicken and macaroni and cheese, in a rustic atmosphere.

Be forewarned: Best come with a reservation. Chowning's tavern doesn't take them, but elsewhere, if you don't have a reservation, you're probably in for a wait.

Radisson Fort Magruder Hotel and Conference Center
Williamsburg has always been famous for historic meetings and that tradition continues in the comfort of the Radisson Fort Magruder Hotel and Conference Center - superbly remodeled from the indoor/outdoor pools and guestrooms to the award-winning restaurant. We're within easy walking distance to beautiful Colonial Williamsburg and just a short drive from Jamestown Settlement or Yorktown Victory Center. You can play a round of golf at one of the many championship courses or shop at charming local boutiques and designer outlets. And the kids will enjoy the thrilling rides at Busch Gardens and Water Country USA. We'll help you discover Williamsburg for business or pleasure.

Roanoke: The Mountain Maneuver

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Roanoke is the business center for western Virginia and a significant second-tier conference site. If business takes you there, consider bringing along the rest of the clan. For starters, the setting is gorgeous. The Roanoke Valley is rimmed with mountains that you can see from every vantage point. Motorists flock by the thousands to Western Virginia every year just to travel the Blue Ridge Parkway and view the spectacular fall foliage.

But even before there were motorists, there was the Hotel Roanoke to provide respite from a long day's journey. Today, it's a good place to stash your family while you work. Founded by railroad barons when Roanoke was a 19th-century boom town, the facility now is administered by Virginia Tech. With one of the best conference facilities west of the Blue Ridge, it provides convenient access to Roanoke's delightful downtown.

A short walk across the Market Square Bridge lands you right in Roanoke's Center in the Square, the hub of arts, history and entertainment for the region. Theater, dance and opera companies are headquartered there. And there's a museum to satisfy each interest. The Art Museum of Western Virginia highlights regional arts and crafts, while the History Museum & Historical Society of Western Virginia uses artifacts dating back thousands of years to tell the story of the region's development. The Science Museum of Western Virginia and Hopkins Planetarium jets you back to the future with interactive exhibits that explore anatomy, light, color, physiology and other scientific concepts. Stroll the Historic Farmer's Market on the Square, which offers locally grown produce and flowers, browse through the boutiques and enjoy some of the best dining in the region.

For the adventuresome, there's plenty to do within a reasonable driving distance. Nearby, the Mill Mountain Zoo can entertain the children for hours with more than 55 species of mammals, birds and reptiles. Dixie Caverns provides a 45-minute tour of the most spectacular underground formations south of Luray. Up Interstate-81, the Natural Bridge Zoo offers a rare glimpse of wildlife reproduction at its breeding center for rare and endangered species. It also features more than 400 specimens of exotic reptiles, birds and mammals, along with a petting area.

Even if you don't stay at the Hotel Roanoke, you must see its grand Tudor architecture and its Florentine marble floors, and enjoy the peanut soup and cornbread that has brought back diners for generations.

Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center
Yes, Virginia, you can mix business and pleasure!
Wish you could stretch your weekday conference into a relaxing weekend getaway? Combine that work assignment with family adventure? Or turn an out-of-town trip into a romantic night-on-the-town?

The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center is a historic landmark in the heart of the Roanoke valley, with breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Enjoy weekend family fun or just bring your spouse along - he or she won't be bored while you're in the boardroom. Here are just a few ideas:
-- Linger over Friday afternoon tea in The Palm Court, drinks at the Pine Room Pub, or a fine meal in the Regency Dining Room
-- Enjoy the fitness center, pool, hot tub, nearby golf, tennis and sailing
-- Don't miss Roanoke's famous shopping and cultural activities

Want more ideas? Visit www.hotelroanoke.com

Northern Virginia: The Capital Caper

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If duty calls in Northern Virginia, there's more than enough to keep the ankle biters entertained: The Washington, D.C., area is one of the biggest tourist destinations in the country. Trouble is, it's also one of the biggest - and most spread out - metro areas in the country. Getting around can be time consuming and exhausting. If you're doing business in the region, your best strategy is to find a place with loads of appeal within walking distance.

One favorite is Old Town Alexandria. Few places in the country offer more pedestrian appeal than the neighborhood between Washington Street and the Potomac River. But if the little guys can't keep their hands off the antiques or stop squirming at the restaurant table, there are plenty of other options. Consider hanging out in the Crystal City-Pentagon City area: Not only is there lots of shopping, but convenient metro stops make it easy to take day trips into the district.

Another family-friendly destination is Reston Town Center. Set amid one of the top technology centers on the East Coast, this planned community has the heart and spirit of Pleasantville, USA. What it lacks in history, culture or resort amenities, it makes up with low-key fun and excitement within easy walking distance. The focus of the 450-acre town center is a beautiful plaza rimmed by great stores and restaurants. A centrally situated skating rink, open November through March, makes Reston double fun during the winter months.

The shopping tends toward upscale, with national names as well as specialty boutiques. When it's time for dinner, there are a dozen restaurants to argue over. And a 13-screen movie theater is sure to silence dissenters who don't want to see the same movie. Paved sidewalks take you anywhere you want to go.

Lansdowne Resort
Lansdowne Resort is the capital region's premier, full-service resort and executive conference facility. The resort's unique set of attributes include a relaxed environment, world-class golf, spa, tennis, outstanding conference facilities, award-winning conference planning team and a location near Washington, D.C., and just 15 minutes from Washington Dulles International Airport. The resort is the perfect spot for a productive meeting and vacation with family all in one.

Lansdowne Resort balances "living, learning and leisure" to create an inspiring setting for productive meetings. Our spacious 45,000-square-foot conference wing offers 25 comfortable meeting rooms, a ballroom, an amphitheater and an extensive audio-visual center. Our conference concierge and professional staff assure the success of every business agenda. For the technology minded, we offer T-1 access throughout the conference center and in our full-service business center.

Lansdowne offers the perfect complement to a hard day's work with fun and relaxing recreation. Discover the challenge of Lansdowne's 18-hole championship golf course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. and considered one of the finest in the capital region. Work out in the state-of-the-art health club, swim in the indoor or outdoor pool, explore the nature trails or play tennis, racquetball or volleyball.

Prefer to take it easy? Sink into the whirlpool, enjoy a sauna or pamper yourself at the spa at Lansdowne with your choice of salon services, soothing body treatments or massage therapies.

Extend any business trip and include the family over a long weekend. With the Resort Rascals program, kids can be busy with organized activities including sports, crafts or cooking classes while mom and dad relax in the spa or on the golf course. Explore the surrounding countryside with great wineries, antique shops, outlet malls or working farms.

Whatever you choose, Lansdowne Resort makes living learning and leisure a part of everyday life!

Richmond: Ambling Through History
Sooner or later your job will require a visit to the capital of the commonwealth. Don't worry. Despite what the national media would have you believe, Richmond is not still fighting the Civil War. In fact, while the Old Glories - the Virginia Historical Museum, the Museum of the Confederacy, and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, to name a few - are still alive and kicking, Richmond and environs are promoting a new vision of the war. Tredegar National Civil War Center Foundation is developing an exhibition site that presents the war from the perspectives of the Northern, the Southern and the African-American experiences. And Pamplin Historical Park with its National Museum of the Civil War Soldier near Petersburg offers a realistic look back combining artifacts, reenactors and modern technology.

The once-vibrant downtown riverfront has reawakened with the opening of the Canal Walk. The winding paved path that runs from Tredegar Iron Works at Fifth Street to 17th Street is studded with markers noting historic people, places and events of the area. If you don't want to walk, ride in a canal boat. For a heartier aquatic experience, two local companies, Adventure Challenge and Richmond Raft Co., offer excitement of varying degrees. Whitewater lovers come to kayak, canoe and raft down the river, but you can spend a lazy afternoon on a flatwater trip, too.

Serener moments can be found at the lush Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, north of the city. There, ambling walkways connect a series of vastly different gardens, from the Four Seasons to the Perennial Garden to the Asian Garden. Something is always being added or altered at the botanical gardens, so you can return again and again to an ever-changing landscape.

Virginia Crossing Conference Resort
When your business brings you to a Harrison Conference Center in Virginia, you'll find many reasons to extend your trip to relax. Enjoy weekend family fun or just bring your spouse along - he or she won't be bored while you're in the boardroom.

The Virginia Crossing Conference Resort near the intersections of Interstates 95 and 295 is Richmond's newest and finest meeting place - and also a luxurious resort.
-- Enjoy the fitness center, squash courts and pool
-- Experience the dining room's delicious cuisine - and The Yellow Tavern's cozy pub ambience
-- Play a round at The Crossings Golf Club
-- Visit local Civil War battlefields, Kings Dominion, or Colonial Willamsburg
Want more ideas? Visit www.virginiacrossingsresort.com

So, what are you waiting for? Here are some helpful Web sites for cities in Virginia, where business and fun easily dovetail:

www.virginia.org
www.norfolkcvb.com
www.visitnorfolk.org
www.discoverrichmond.com
www.adventurechallenge.com
www.richmondraft.com
www.colonialwilliamsburg.com
www.restonvirginia.org
www.roanoke.com
www.roanokeonline.com
www.vbfun.com
www.hamptoncvb.com

Return to Virginia Business - April 2002