Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/3108
Black Meetings & Tourism April/May 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater and the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. First Landing State Park, the Chesapeake Bay Center and the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge have facilities for outdoor recreational activities like hiking, fishing and kayaking. Several area visitor sites, including the Virginia Aquarium, the Chesapeake Bay Center and the Contemporary Art Center, offer space for after-hours events. Top shopping venues include The Town Center — a com- plex featuring 17 city blocks of upscale retail and residential space — Lynnhaven Mall, Pembroke Mall, Hilltop Shopping Center and Atlantic Avenue. WEST VIRGINIA West Virginia is noted for its crafts industry, and one of the best places for viewing some of the hand-made products is Tamarack, a 50,000-sq. ft. arts and crafts complex in the New River/Greenbriar Valley. Along with featuring the works of some 1,200 working artisans, the site also includes restaurants and a gourmet food shop. Charleston, West Virginia's capital city, is home to several Black heritage sites, including Garnet High School; the Mattie V. Lee Home, the residence of the first Black female physician in West Virginia; and the Samuel Starks House, home of the first Black state librarian in America. In nearby Malden is African Zion Baptist Church, where Booker T. Washington was once a member. Huntington is home to Douglas Senior High School, whose graduates include Carter G. Woodson. Camden Park — West Virginia's only amusement park — and Heritage Farm Museum & Village are also located in Huntington. As you can see, there is a wealth of compelling history, diverse culture and fun adventure waiting to be discovered in a wide choice of Southern destinations. The state tourism offices listed at the end of this article are great sources for more information to get you started in planning your group's Southern journey. 105 Virginia Beach Convention Center Photo Credit: Virginia Beach CVB African Zion Baptist Church, where Booker T. Washington was once a member Photo Credit: Charlerton CVB Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel (800) ALABAMA www.800alabama.com Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism (800) NATURAL www.arkansas.com Visit Florida/Florida Tourism and Marketing Corp. (888) 7-FLAUSA www.visitflorida.com Georgia Department of Industry, Trade & Tourism (800) 847-4842 www.georgia.org/Travel Kentucky Department of Tourism (800) 225-8747 www.kentuckytourism.com Louisiana Office of Tourism (800) 677-4082 www.louisianatravel.com Mississippi Division of Tourism Development (866) SEE MISS www.visitmississippi.org North Carolina Division of Tourism (800) VISIT NC www.visitnc.com South Carolina Department of parks, Recreation & Tourism (888) SC SMILE www.discoversouthcarolina.com Tennessee Department of Tourism Development (800) GO2TENN www.tnvacation.com Virginia Tourism Corp. (800) VISITVA www.virginia.org West Virginia Division of Tourism (800) CALL-WVA www.wvtourism.com G E T T I N G I N T O U C H