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Week of February 1-5, 2012

Berkeley Springs is the ideal location to wile away a slow, quiet winter weekend whether your preference is stunning sunsets over mountain ridges or historic streets surrounding a picture perfect park. It is a place made for doing nothing as well as one where you can choose from a half dozen spas or even more fine dining establishments.

Let's start with the food since you'll venture out to eat even on a weekend devoted to doing nothing. Berkeley Springs has more destination dining than most towns 10 times its size. And by destination dining. we mean places with food so good you'll travel 100 miles to eat there -- not to mention crossing the street to go in while you're visiting Berkeley Springs. Even with winter vacations looming large, there are still plenty of options. Panorama at the Peak closed for a couple weekends but they'll be back to celebrate the birthday of our favorite president, George Washington. And why is George our favorite? We love him for all the usual historic reasons, PLUS he lived here, bathed here and owned lots of property here.

When one door -- or in this case, kitchen -- closes to take a break, another one comes back from vacation all refreshed and ready to serve and feed. Lot 12 Public House opens again on Friday with new dinner and dessert menus and choices such as coq au vin and lobster thermidore. Helmed by West Virginia's only James Beard listed chef, Lot 12's new menu promises to be as incredible as all that have come before. And don't forget the always exceptional Tari's Cafe serving lunch and dinner specials every day with their own celebrity chef! Ambrae House is another choice with an exceptional wine bar, steak specials, a daily Happy Hour from 4 to 6pm and Super Bowl specials built around shrimp. The Troubadour Lounge is celebrating Super Bowl Sunday in style, starting at 1pm and including a $1000 giveaway and plenty of prizes. It's the WV Country Music Hall of Fame and worth a visit even if you don't want to settle in for the big game. Come on out the ridge on Friday night and indulge in the Troubadour's steak special.

The list of eateries continues with barbeque and breakfast all day at Earth Dog Cafe; more steak and barbeque at Angus and Ale as well as an outstanding Sunday brunch. Make sure you're walking around downtown when you enjoy a famous margarita at Mi Ranchito. The Country Inn has full menus for all three meals and an inviting tavern for casual dining. Try Maria's Garden for Italian/American specials and a tour of the Marian Museum. Mark the restaurant at Cacapon State Park for any meal especially if you like dining with a outdoor view. Mountainside is perfect for an easy meal of burgers, pizza, ribs or more. If you simply want to get something and head back to your cabin, check out the amazing sandwiches and other prepared foods at Tony's Butcher Block or do what the locals do and grab some from-scratch fried chicken and homemade pies at Betty Lou's Cafe. Make Fairfax Coffee House your place for that beverage as well as other light fare. Check the dining page for winter hours and menus but be comforted, all choices are good ones.

If you come with the kids this weekend, make the Star Theatre a must-see place showing "Alvin and the Chipmunks - Chipwrecked" this weekend, Friday through Sunday evenings at 8pm and a special Sunday matinee at 2pm. The matinee means you can stop by for some of their famous popcorn with real butter while you visit the shops.

Shopping is another special activity that draws people to our tiny historic town. Nature Niche is offering free Valentine gift wrapping everyday until love day and gives you the chance to print your own discount coupon to use up to the day after Valentine's just in case you're a procrastinator. At Portals on Saturday and Sunday you have a unique opportunity to design your own pendulum or jewelry and have it made while you wait. CJ's Floral wants you to start getting in a romantic mood and offers to have flowers in your room or on your restaurant table. Just call and mention the Valentine's Special when you make arrangements (304-258-6683) Slow winter weekends are made for browsing in our two antique malls and several shops. Plan a stop at the famous Ice House Gallery Co-op with a special show and the work of more than two dozen local artists. Mountain Laurel Gallery and Heath Studio Gallery also feature local and American art. Plus you can buy local art off the walls at Tari's Cafe.

Nothing whispers Berkeley Springs and calm like our world famous warm springs and the several spas that use the springs both for inspiration and baths. You can see the springs "au natural" in the heart of Berkeley Springs State Park, their warm water often creating alluring mists on cool winter mornings. Spa opportunities range from the historic Roman Baths and main bathhouse at Berkeley Springs State Park to the alluring Atasia Spa. Other spas and practitioners include the Bath House Day Spa, Berkeley Springs Acupuncture, the Country Inn's Five Senses Spa and Awakening Health Center with their full spectrum of specialty bodyworkers.

Several of our lodging places want to make it easy for you to come and enjoy both the spas and food. The charming Highlawn Inn offers remarkable breakfasts with their Victorian rooms as well as an escape package that includes lodging, spa treatments at Atasia and dinner certificates for Tari's Cafe. Berkeley Springs Inn Best Western wants you to try their Pampering Package with lodging, breakfast and a deluxe manicure and pedicure. The Country Inn also has packages that provide all the services they have to offer from lodging to spa treatments to dining. Check the lodging list for a variety of inns, lodges, cabins and fully equipped vacation homes many with their own whirlpool tubs or outdoor hot tubs. All the rest of town and surrounding countryside then becomes your own package to prepare with dining and spa choices.

We've saved our best suggestion for last. Experience the mountains and hollows first hand. With foliage off the trees and underbrush at a minimum, this is the perfect time for hiking and Cacapon State Park has miles of maintained trails. Or you can simply drive the self-guided Washington Heritage Trail National Scenic Byway to admire the shapes of the ridges, see what is usually hidden from view, and learn a little about the history.

Berkeley Springs is a choice destination. It was the choice of colonial notables and remains the choice of knowing travelers today. You can choose solitude and comfort tucked in the mountains or welcoming adventures in and around town. Whatever your choice, Berkeley Springs remains closer than you think.