Visit the Wildlife Center of Virginia

Back by popular demand we are offering a field trip to the Wildlife Center of Virginia a hospital for native wildlife located in Waynesboro, VA, approximately 10 minutes from the Best Western. Participants will get a behind-the-scenes look at how WCV operates. The tour includes a look at the state-of-the-art hospital and care facilities as well as outdoor facilities that house patients nearing release and education animals. You will hear about the veterinary process, the rehabilitation process, education programs, and on-going research at the center. The cost of this field trip is $10.

Tour of Monticello - March 14th 1-5 pm

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is a must-see for any trip to central Virginia. For this field trip, VATWS members will be able to tour the grounds around the house and visitor's center, and will also receive a walking tour of the surrounding property and mountain with Jason Young, Manager and Curator of Historic Gardens. See how this historic property has been transformed through hundreds of years of active and passive management. The cost of this field trip is $25 and. Participants will also have time to explore the Visitor's Center. House tours must be arranged separately. Dress appropriately for outdoor weather conditions.

Hike the Blue Ridge Tunnel

The Blue Ridge Tunnel was constructed between 1850 and 1858 beneath Rockfish Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains of central Virginia. CSX Transportation generously donated the tunnel to Nelson County in 2007. Traveling through the long, dark tunnel will be a stirring experience for a variety of visitors from across the Commonwealth and beyond: hikers and cyclists of every level, wildlife watchers, history enthusiasts, railroad buffs, heritage tourists, school children on field trips, and nearby residents.

The hike will commence from the east entrance. The round trip hike through the tunnel will be about 4 miles over relatively flat terrain. More information on the Tunnel can be obtained using this link. There is no charge for this trip