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D E S T I N AT I O N
WINTER 2017 RAILS TO TRAILS 27
Born and raised
in Colorado,
Scott Stark
enjoys the great
outdoors and
the wealth of
trail options
near his home
in Alexandria,
Virginia.
GETTING THERE
The Richmond International
Airport (RIC)
com) is just 8 miles from the
city; the Jamestown terminus
of the trail is an hour’s drive
from there along Route 5.
Free and ample overnight
parking is available.
WHAT TO SEE
The Jamestown Settlement
is a recre-
ation of 1600s life, showcas-
ing both English settlers and
native Powhatans. Colonial
Williamsburg’s
301 acres
tell the story of 18th-century
America. The National Park
Service maintains the Trede-
gar Iron Works
as part of Richmond
National Battlefield Park
and next
door is The American Civil
War Museum Nu-
merous plantations are acces-
sible from the trail, including
Sherwood Forest
home of President
John Tyler; Berkeley Planta-
tion
ancestral home of presidents
William Henry Harrison and
Benjamin Harrison—and site
of the first official Thanksgiv-
ing; and Edgewood Plantation
WHERE TO STAY
Historic Powhatan Resort
in Williamsburg is 4.5 miles
from the eastern terminus,
and Crowne Plaza Richmond
Downtown in Rich-
mond and the Omni Richmond
Hotel
are a mile or less
from the western terminus.
Edgewood Plantation
, near the
midpoint, is a Victorian B&B.
WHERE TO EAT
Immerse yourself in gusta-
tory history at Colonial Wil-
liamsburg
;
Chowning’s Tavern serves up
hearty fare in an 18th-century
alehouse. Cul’s Courthouse
Grille
near the midway point
in a circa 1870s building
offers American food at
reasonable prices. If the wind
is right, you’ll smell delicious
Ronnie’s BBQ
long before you see it.
BIKE RENTALS
Shift Bicycles
), 3 blocks from
the VCT, offers sales, rent-
als and repairs. Also just
blocks away is Adventures
in RVA
bike pickup/drop-
off is available for a fee.
The Kickstand repair shop
along the trail,
is run by the nonprofit
Richmond Cycling Corps.
Near Colonial Williamsburg,
Conte’s Bike Shop
offers sales,
service and rentals. James
City County Marina near
Jamestown offers bike, ca-
noe, kayak and paddleboard
rentals