Trail Mix Tour
By Chesapeake CVB
05/27/2008
Pack your trail mix to explore Chesapeake, Virginia’s great outdoors: canoe or kayak along the historic Great Dismal Swamp Canal or bike its adjacent paved path; go birding at Northwest River Park, part of the Virginia Bird & Wildlife Trail; or stay up late for an Owl Prowl in the Great Dismal Swamp; enjoy an al fresco dinner before watching the sun set over picturesque Lake Drummond; join a specialty class at Chesapeake Arboretum.
Contact Information:
t: view phone 757/502-4898
e: view email kmurden@cityofchesapeake.net
w: view URL http://www.cityofchesapeake.net
i: view contact details
- Canoe or kayak along the historic Great Dismal Swamp
- Go birding at Northwest River Park
- Enjoy an al fresco dinner before watching the sun set
- Join a specialty class at Chesapeake Arboretum
Tour Dates:
Number of Days: 3
DAY 1: Chesapeake, Virginia
Arrive in Chesapeake just after lunch and head out for a boat cruise
along the Great Dismal Swamp Canal. We’ll enjoy an al fresco
catered dinner at the campground of the National Wildlife Refuge
before departing for a sunset cruise across spectacular Lake
Drummond, one of only two natural lakes in the commonwealth. As
night falls, a guide will help us navigate through the dark refuge in
search of several species of owl on an Owl Prowl before we turn in
for the night. [D]
DAY 2: Chesapeake, Virginia
The early bird gets the worm, so we’ll get an early start on an
escorted birding tour of Northwest River Park, part of the Virginia
Bird & Wildlife Trail’s South Chesapeake Loop. We’ll try to add the
rare Swainson’s Warbler or some of the neo-tropical migratory
species that frequent the park to our life list. Visit the park’s
fragrance garden before we break for a light lunch. Enjoy some
afternoon free time before we visit “nature’s classroom”–the
Chesapeake Arboretum. The 48-acre campus, gardens and trail
system hosts us for a wine and cheese reception and special
seasonal gardening course. We’ll enjoy a delectable dinner at
Sterling’s, run by a father-and-son team, before exploring the night
sky during a special program in the Chesapeake Planetarium. [L,D]
DAY 3: Chesapeake, Virginia
Enjoy the popular sport of kayaking along the smooth waters of the
historic Great Dismal Swamp Canal. Ride solo or tandem with a
buddy as we meander toward the commonwealth’s southern border,
tempted to return only for a picnic lunch on the shore. If we’re
still feeling adventurous, we’ll explore the new Canal Trail, a paved,
flat path which takes us into the heart of the Refuge and enjoyable
by bike or on foot. Return to the hotel to recharge and freshen up
for dinner in TownePlace, a new lifestyle destination center in the
heart of the city. A short stroll will make room for homemade
cheesecake amidst shopping for the finest kitchen tools and
gadgets at Simply Culinary. [L,D]
