Spring break is just around the corner and that means a whole lot of people will descend on a whole lot of popular locations around the country. Here’s a clever idea – get a jump on the spring breakers and take a trip to some of those hot destinations before the spring crowds arrive.
Oregon Wine Country
May is the big season here as it is designated as “Oregon Wine Month” and of course, harvest time comes in the fall so a trip to the Oregon wineries in late February or early March promises the opportunity to sample some great wines without having to deal with lots of other “tasting tourists.”
To orient yourself, you’re heading to the Willamette Valley area which runs from Portland south towards Eugene. Conveniently, there are wineries near all five of the Thousand Trails RV campgrounds that dot the Oregon coast so you can explore them all. Visit www.oregonwinecountry.org to check out the wine trails in the area.
Winery highlights include Live Music Sunday at the Brooks Winery in Amity or Food Truck Fridays at Hawks View Winery in Sherwood. Check out the stunning location of The Flying Dutchman Winery in Otter Rock or the unique “Wine Cave” at Depoe Bay Winery.
Colonial Williamsburg
During the month of February, Colonial Williamsburg will celebrate Black History Month retelling the stories of the African-Americans residents who lived here during the 18th century and actually accounted for half of the population of Williamsburg at that time. In March, Women’s History Month will be celebrated and special programming will look into the lives of the women who played important roles in the history of Colonial Williamsburg. For full details, visit www.colonialwilliamsburg.com. If you want to feel fully-immersed in life at Colonial Williamsburg, consider taking one of several weaving workshops that are offered or attend an evening concert at the Palace that showcases 17th and 18th-century music.
San Antonio
The weather is at its best this time of year (Texas summers are notoriously hot) so you can expect average daily temps to hover around 72 degrees, which is perfect weather for enjoying the plentiful outdoors sights of this south Texas city full of history and heritage.
Stroll along the San Antonio River and explore the shops, restaurants, museums, galleries and more on this walkway that runs through downtown. From March 1 to March 3, the Mardi Gras Artisan Show will take place and will feature pottery, textiles, jewelry, paintings and more at this free event. Another top Mardi Gras event is the Bud Light Mardi Gras River Parade & Festival scheduled for March 2. Live jazz, food trucks and of course, a river parade with Mardi Gras-themed floats highlight this event.
Remember the Alamo and take part in the commemorative events scheduled to mark the 183rd anniversary of the 1836 siege and battle. Check out www.thealamo.org to see a full calendar of events set to run February 12 through March 6.