Posts Tagged ‘zipline’

How To Have The Best Winter Vacation Ever

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

Not long ago, a visit to the New River Gorge in the winter wasn’t high on many folk’s list. Although that has changed somewhat over the years, it’s still not common knowledge that this place is pretty amazing in the wintertime too. That’s why winter is a wonderful time to visit and take advantage of all the Gorge has to offer this time of year.

Skiing at Winterplace

Great lodging rates and amazing cool weather mean that the Gorge is a special place to visit during what most call the “off season.” Let’s look at some of the reasons to make a trip to the Gorge before summer rolls back around.

Cozy Cabins

Winter availability at many of the area chalets and cabins is easy to find, even on short notice. That means that at the last minute, you can check the weather (“Hey, it’s going to snow!  Let’s go skiing!) and easily find a cozy West Virginia cabin.

One of the best parts about visiting the New River Gorge is the peace and solitude in your surroundings. Many of the cabins or chalets are fairly secluded.  In fact, many times in the winter you may stay a day or two at a cabin in the woods and not see another soul. People from the city may find this concept foreign, but trust us, you’ll love it.

Winter Adventures

Winter in the Gorge doesn’t mean sitting in your cabin and playing board games all day to pass the time. You’re in the heart of an outdoor adventure hub, so get active! Try some of these winter outdoor activities:

 

And after a day on the slopes or trails, there are lots of interesting places to stop for dinner, shopping, and entertainment.

Finding a reason to plan a winter getaway shouldn’t be hard. Are you visiting the Gorge soon?

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How to Plan Your Bridge Day Stay

Friday, July 15th, 2011

It’s only July, but believe it or not, people are already planning their Bridge Day trips.  That’s because lodging and activities tend to book up quickly for that weekend.  Have you started to plan?  If not, here are some tips for planning the best Bridge Day vacation ever.

New River Gorge Lodging

We’ve got it all here in the New River Gorge.  You just have to decide what kind of accommodations you want.  From luxurious cabins to rustic camping, you can make the outdoors part of your stay.  If that’s not quite your style, there are some great hotels in the area.

Taste of Bridge Day

Looking for something more quaint? Choose one of our area Bed and Breakfasts.  The Historic Morris Harvey House in Fayetteville is a local favorite.

New River Gorge Dining

You might be surprised by the diverse dining choices available in the Gorge.  There is something for everyone.

Do some homework and scope out locals’ favorite haunts.  Fayetteville, Hico, and Oak Hill have an awesome variety of options – hand-crafted pizza, American cuisine, unique Mexican food, cajun-style fare.  If you stop by Swirl, be sure to try the Blueberry Pie ice cream.

Since it’s nearly impossible to try all of our local restaurants when you’re here, think about coming to the Taste of Bridge Day.  Sponsored by our local Fayetteville and Oak Hill Rotary clubs, it’s on Friday, October 14 at Adventures on the Gorge.  You’ll have the chance to sample a signature item from several local eateries.  And you can bet you’ll run into some local rafting and Bridge Day pioneers.

Plan An Adventure

Bridge Day coincides with the end of Gauley Season.  If you’re thinking of rafting the Gauley, make sure that you’re experienced enough to handle the class IV, class V, and class V+ rapids that you’ll be facing.  And if the Gauley’s not for you, rafting the New is a great option.  This is a really busy weekend for outfitters, so be sure to book your trip in advance.

If you don’t want to get on the water, try a canopy tour or zip line.  These trips have quickly become a favorite adventure for locals and visitors alike.  Autumn is a pretty spectacular time to soar through the trees.

And why not go for the ultimate adventure – tandem jump off of the New River Gorge Bridge! Only 10 spots are available for a brave and lucky few, so you should make the call quickly if you’re up for jumping.

So go ahead and start making your Bridge Day plans.  It’s never too soon.  Besides, who doesn’t like looking forward to a vacation?

See you there!

 

 

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A Family Guide to the New River Gorge

Tuesday, June 21st, 2011

This time of year parking lots throughout the New River Gorge fill up with cars hailing from New York to Florida and all parts in-between.  They come for the fun, the adrenaline rush, and for getting back to nature with the ones they love.

Photo Courtesy of Hard Rock Climbing

Family Fun - Rock Climbing!

And if you’re traveling with children this year, here’s a quick guide to finding things everyone can (and will love) to do:

8 and under

  • Rock Climbing – There are plenty of climbing spots that kids can tackle, and guides who can show them how to do it.
  • Whitewater Rafting (special boats) – Talk with one of the area rafting companies about a trip that will work for your family.
  • Horseback Riding (certain trips) – Even if your kids have never been on a horse, there are some beginner trips that are lots of fun.
  • Tram and Jetboat Ride - At Hawks Nest State Park, you can take a tram to the bottom of the Gorge.  From there, catch a ride with New River Jetboats and get an up-close view of the New River Gorge Bridge.

 

10+

  • Canopy Tours and Ziplining – There are lots of options in the Gorge; just remember, many canopy tours and zip lines have weight and height guidelines.
  • Bridge Walk (new!) – Take your family under the Bridge and look 876 feet down into the Gorge!
  • Whitewater Rafting (special boats)
  • Horseback Riding (certain trips)
  • Paintball – Local outfitters will provide you with the gear and tips on how to have a safe, fun time.
  • Mountain Biking – There are plenty of Gorge trails that kids will enjoy.  You can bring your own gear or go out with one of the Gorge’s local guide companies.
  • Standup Paddleboarding (new!) - A cross between surfing and kayaking, standup paddleboarding is a fun water sport that everyone can learn together.

 

12+

  • UTVing – Some local outfitters allow children ages 12 and up to be passengers in UTVs.
  • Wild Caving - Take a cave tour to the next level by going off the usual path, with a guide of course.  Warning – you will get muddy!
  • Kayaking – Many area outfitters teach the basics of kayaking and then take groups on guided tours.

 

13+

*Please note some activities also have a weight requirement. Many activities also require an adult or parent to be present.

What other activities do you and your family enjoy doing together?

 


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When Jumpers Leave: The New River Gorge in Winter

Thursday, February 3rd, 2011

So, Mother Nature has given the New River Gorge a bit of snow lately…ok, somewhat more than a ‘bit‘.  But does snow in the New River Gorge mean that the streets are rolled up to tourists?  Heck no.

Snow in the New River Gorge

Winter is a great time to visit for three distinct reasons:

Hawk’s Nest State Park
Hawk’s Nest is the state park of the New River Gorge and has rooms perfect for a winter getaway.  Its Corner Suites offer a great view of the canyon during snowfall and the Deluxe Suite offers a fireplace in-room.  Lucky for all of us, Hawk’s Nest is also a must for winter events, with dinner theatre already filling their calendar for the winter months!

Ziplining
Ziplining may not seem like a winter sport at first, but it can be a great way to get outside and enjoy Old Man Winter’s handiwork. 

Nearby Skiing
And finally – who could mention Winter Sports in West Virginia without mentioning our nearby ski resort – Winterplace.  Lots of folks travel to the Gorge in winter to stay in our cozy cabins and travel the 40 or so miles over to the ski mecca of Southern WV.  Don’t ski?  No problem.  Winterplace also offers a mad set of tubing runs.

Thinking New River Gorge in winter?   You should.  Contact the official NRG tourist information center for help in planning your winter getaway.

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Bridge Day Zipline Tour

Friday, July 24th, 2009

The New River Gorge Bridge Zipline Is Now Open To (A Very, Very Small Portion Of) The Public
If you believe the advertising, there are tons of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. That last sale at the used car place. Those QVC collector’s plates. I’m pretty sure the McRib®, last time they offered it.
This is different.

To help celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Bridge Day in West Virginia, we’ve planned a special opportunity for a very few people.

Let me tell you how few:
80,000 people come to Bridge Day. There are 10 spots open.

That’s once-in-a-lifetime.

What I’m talking about is a tour. More than a tour. An experience. Walk across the New River Gorge Bridge catwalk, leave via a 700 foot zipline. Here are the details:
• Your van will pick you up and take you to the south side of the bridge where you will be met and escorted out onto the catwalk.
• You get to walk through the girders and superstructure of the bridge along the catwalk, 840 feet above the river.
• You will be strapped into a harness for a 700’ zipline to the road below.
• Your van will pick you up on the road below and escort you down to the bottom where you’ll be able to view the BASE jumpers as they leap 876’.
• You will be provided with a snack of yummy goodness.
• Cost: $125/person (not bad at all for once-in-a-lifetime stuff).
• Only ten spots available. Really.
• You have to be 18 or over, and under 250 lbs.
• To reserve your spot you’ll need to call 800-927-0263.
• Hurry. Seriously.

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