Autumn is in full swing, so head to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia for a wilderness weekend, escape to the warmer environs of the San Francisco Bay Area for concerts and kayaking, or kick back and imbibe some beers at the Midwest Beerfest in Wichita, Kansas.
Autumn is in full swing, so head to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia for a wilderness weekend, escape to the warmer environs of the San Francisco Bay Area for concerts and kayaking, or kick back and imbibe some beers at the Midwest Beerfest in Wichita, Kansas.
By Diane Kahng and John Cookson
Wilderness Weekend, October 17-18
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Get out and see the firework-bursts of autumn foliage this weekend at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Clusters of red-purples and orange-yellows spread out for mile after mile. Start by cruising the Skyline Drive, a scenic 105-mile byway running the park’s length, peaking and dipping along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Cut the engine at any of the seventy-five overlooks and, there, take in the broad Shenandoah Valley to the west and the rolling Blue Ridge piedmont to the east.
This October Shenandoah marks the 33rd anniversary of the act that made forty percent of the park, nearly 80,000 acres, federally designated wilderness. Make sure to stop in at the Byrd Visitor Center at milepost 51 for special “Wilderness Weekend” events, including a chance to try your hand with some of the authentic tools park rangers use to maintain trails.
For the more adventurous, leave the pavement behind and trek out on foot into Shenandoah’s 196,000 acres of backcountry. Explore the 500 miles of trails. Get face-to-face with the park’s wealth of plant and animal life, including deer, wild turkey, and black bear.
Travel and Accommodation
It is a short seventy-five miles from the nation’s capital to Shenandoah’s northern Front Royal entrance (see here for directions). Cabins for rent are constellated along the Skyline Drive, as are four designated campgrounds. Or, spend the night out in the wilds by picking up a backcountry camping permit, which is available at park entrances and at the Byrd Visitor Center.
Treasure Island Music Festival & Kayaking, October 17-18
San Francisco, California
Fall has brought falling temperatures across much of the country, which makes this the perfect time to escape to the reliably temperate climate of the California Bay Area.
Join a few thousand of your new closest friends this weekend at the Treasure Island Music Festival, held on Treasure Island in the San Francisco Bay. The two-day festival features The Flaming Lips, The Decemberists, MGMT, and a host of other popular and up-and-coming bands. (Tickets are $65 for one day, $115 for both Saturday and Sunday.)
Then, slip away from the crowds and into the bay itself. City Kayak runs tours and rentals from Pier 40 at Fisherman’s Wharf and from Pier 39 at the South Beach Harbor. Kayak past the waterfront AT&T Park, home of the SF Giants and origin of the occasional long ball arcing out into the bay. Circle around along Fisherman’s Wharf and, paddling eastward toward the Bay Bridge, take in the outcropping of Alcatraz to the north and the spans of the Golden Gate Bridge to the west. Sign up for the Sunset Tour for stunning views of the San Francisco Bay and skyline at dusk.
Travel and Accommodation
Fly into San Francisco airport and then head for the waterfront. Shuttles from AT&T Park to Treasure Island run beginning at 11:00AM both Saturday and Sunday. The Mosser Hotel is offering a discounted rate of $129 for the Treasure Island Festival, or check out Bay Area camping sites here.
Midwest Beerfest, October 16-17
Wichita, Kansas
If you love beer, beer food, or you’re in Kansas, pick up the phone and dial 316.219.4TIX. The Wichita Chapter of The American Institute of Wine and Food is hosting its 9th Annual Midwest Beerfest and that means the opportunity to join locals on Saturday between 1-4pm to support the AIWF Culinary Scholarship while sampling hundreds of handcrafted, domestic, and imported brews ($30). A silent auction featuring theater tickets, gift certificates and assorted prizes will also take place to benefit Starkey Inc., a non-profit organization in Sedgwick County helping adults with mental and developmental disabilities.
After you’ve tried all 350 brews, hearty beer food is available. Local specials include The Anchor’s 3 Slider Hot Dogs ($3.50) and Bubba’s Nekked BBQ’s savory 4 Smoked Chipotle Lime Wings ($2.00). There is a beer dinner on Friday with tasty cuts of beef, but tickets are going fast.
Travel and Accommodation
For those of you flying, Wichita Mid-Continent Airport is conveniently located by a few Bed & Breakfast options. If you’re looking for something more luxurious, try the Castle Inn Riverside. Rooms start at $125 and it’s cool to say you slept in a castle.
Print this article
October 15th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Shenandoah sounds great but have you seen the weather forecast?
[Reply]
Pat K Reply:
October 15th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
ohh, not a pleaseant thought, snow before haloween!
[Reply]
October 16th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Have you considered doing a “weekend” of college visits? My son is looking at schools right now and using AcceptEdge to narrow down his list so we can plan some trips, but maybe you could post some suggestions of other places to look…
[Reply]
Josh Reply:
November 5th, 2009 at 1:34 am
Isn’t that the new mychances clone? My son was showing me his profiles on both of those sites the other day.
[Reply]
October 18th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Stewart, the thought hadn’t crossed my mind, but we could see what the editor has to say… I remember visiting 25 colleges in one week, so I can understand your position. Best of luck to you and your son.
[Reply]
October 22nd, 2009 at 3:55 pm
@Stewart — what’s acceptedge?
[Reply]