Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/999395
B M & T ••• May/June 2018 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 28 in the Mid-Atlantic region. The Commonwealth is bordered by Washington, D.C., the nation's capital, and Maryland to the north; the Atlantic Ocean to the east; North Carolina and Tennessee to the south; and West Virginia and Kentucky to the west. Virginia State Parks are consistently rated the best in the nation. 2018 marks the 82nd year since Virginia's state parks opened, and they've been the backdrop for perfect family vacations ever since. The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, located in Richmond, presents the complex experi- ences of peoples of Africa and the African Diaspora, with an emphasis on Virginians, by collecting, preserving, and inter- preting historical and cultural artifacts. Other cities like Hampton and Virginia Beach are equipped with accommoda- tions as well as plenty of fun filled activities for leisure traveling and business traveling alike. NORFOLK If you're looking for a friendly, accessible and affordable destination for your next meeting, your search ends here – in Norfolk, the heart of the Virginia waterfront. Norfolk is the cultural, financial and entertainment hub of the mid-Atlantic coast, and will never disappoint! Centrally located on the Eastern Seaboard, Norfolk is only hours from two thirds of the U.S. population, making getting here and meeting here extremely convenient, not only for your travel needs, but for your budget as well. With the Chesapeake Bay, Atlantic ocean and countless rivers in the city's backyard, you are never far from the water. Norfolk's thriving arts community welcomes you into its stu- dios, galleries and up and down the streets of downtown, the NEON Arts District and beyond. If you're looking for world- class cuisine, look no further! From traditional Southern fare to a wide range of nouveau and international offerings Norfolk's eateries offer something for everyone – and every appetite. From full-service hotels to boutique inns and bed and breakfasts, Norfolk offers over 5,000 rooms with rates to Norfork Waterfront Convention Center Photo Credit: Norfolk CVB accommodate any meeting budget. Many hotel rooms are located within walking distance of the city's downtown meet- ing venues, shopping, dining, attractions and nightlife. With a variety of meeting and event venues to choose from – high- tech hotel facilities, university settings, theaters, even a world- class museum, your every need will be fulfilled. WEST VIRGINIA Each step away from the churn and burn of the daily rou- tine is a step closer to the place you belong. The place full of mystery, wonder and surprise. A remote, placid lake. A world- class trout stream. A luxury cabin in the mountains. In West Virginia, you'll feel far away from everything. And a little clos- er to heaven. Planning a visit to the Mountain State but not sure where to stay? From luxurious resorts to budget-friendly lodging, West Virginia has something for everyone! Charleston has the history you'd expect from a capital city but a growing arts scene and a spot along the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers makes it a hub for recreation and cul- ture, too. This mix between old and new, or "hip and historic" as the locals call it, gives way to an eclectic vibe. Quirky estab- lishments, like a market housed in a turn-of-the-century train station, pepper the downtown streets. The East End is an epi- center of cultural creativity, and is easy to find. The first stop on any tour of Charleston must be to that gold-domed capitol building. Learn more about West Virginia's coal and fossil history through interactive exhibits in a family-friendly atmosphere at the West Virginia Culture Center and State Museum. After exploring the landmarks around visit the Heritage Towers Museum & Culture Center, which celebrates the con- tributions of African Americans in West Virginia's history. If this sampling of Southern destinations makes you hungry to learn more, the state tourism offices listed with this article have lots of information to help get your meeting, incentive trip or reunion plans started. Harpers Ferry, West Virginia Photo Credit: Norfolk C.C