ENJOY FINE DINING AND FUN ENTERTAINMENT AT THESE 5 DINNER THEATERS

By Lisa Shames

Whether we like it or not, we live in a world where multitasking has become the norm. The practice of doing multiple things simultaneously, however, can have benefits beyond the inevitable saving of time.

Take, for example, dinner theater, where two wonderful forms of entertainment converge in one glorious and delicious evening. The dinner-and-ashow twofer has come a long way since its early beginnings in the Middle Ages.

Here, we celebrate five places in Virginia that let your group have their cake, er dinner, and theater too.

Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of southwest Virginia, Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre offers Broadway-style musicals paired with traditional German dishes and classic American fare. Audiences are seated in comfy lounge- style chairs and are served a four-course meal prepared by their in-house chef. Following dinner, guests can take in a lively musical featuring large production numbers and intricately choregraphed dance routines. Upcoming shows include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Coat, Million Dollar Quartet and Fiddler on the Roof

Since 1965, Swift Creek Mill Theatre has been offering its unique take on dinner theater in a historic grist mill turned distillery turned playhouse. The Mill, a not-for-profit organization, has become an important member of the community through its youth theater, educational programs, utilization of local talent and engaging entertainment. Upcoming shows include musical Keep It on the Sunny Side and The Sweet Delilah Swim Club Head to the Cabaret for a variety of live musical performances. Swift Creek Mill is celebrated for its soul-soothing comfort food as well as menus inspired by their corresponding performances. Pre-show dining is offered in the Mill Room or Granite Room.

Since it opened in 1998 with a performance of Oklahoma!, Riverside Center for the Performing Arts has featured more than 100 mainstage musical and dramatic productions and more than 120 musical adaptations of popular children’s stories for their Children’s Theater. The space offers 36,000 square feet of dinner theater and conference center and has attracted performers from Broadway stages and national tour casts, earning multiple awards in the process. In 2023, look for lively, professional performances of Ragtime The Musical, 42nd Street, The Bridges of Madison County and Miracle on 34th Street

Part pub, restaurant, historic center and home of the 155-seat Bradley Theater, there’s a lot going on at Hanover Tavern. Licensed in 1733, Hanover Tavern has since led many lives, including as part of a plantation and lodging to several big-name visitors. In 1953, six New York actors founded Central Virginia’s first professional theater, Barksdale Theatre, and went on to present plays from the era’s most progressive writers. In its current iteration, Hanover Tavern is home to a merger between Barksdale Theater and Theatre IV becoming Virginia Repertory Theatre. Enjoy Southern-style cooking and a quaint setting in the pub before heading to the theater.

At America’s largest interactive comedy murder mystery dinner theater anyone, and that includes guests, are part of the show and fun. From the start of the evening at The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show, actors are hidden in the audience adding to the mystery part of the evening’s events. Throughout the night, a crime occurs, hidden clues will be revealed, and the “detectives” will help everyone try and crack the case. Solve the case and win a prize.

All that sleuthing is accompanied by a stellar three-course meal with a wide selection of beer, wine and cocktails available for additional purchase. 1

Immerse yourself in the history of Charlottesville and Albemarle County, including homes of three Founding Fathers and a colonial era tavern, a wide variety of cuisine and top wineries. Add stops at amazing museums, cultural centers and art exhibitions for a memorable visit.

Charlottesville and Albemarle County are home to world-renowned historic sites, including the homes of three of the country’s Founding Fathers. Visit Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home, and the University of Virginia, both of which are a single UNESCO World Heritage site. Jefferson was the third president of the United States, author of the Declaration of Independence and the founder of the University of Virginia. Hundreds of thousands of visitors tour Monticello each year and learn about Jefferson’s legacy and complicated history.

Michie Tavern is a great spot to enjoy lunch and a tour on your way to or from Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Located just half a mile from Monticello, this historic tavern dates to 1784, giving visitors a glimpse into the past and the chance to enjoy an 18th Century, Southern dining experience. Michie Tavern’s popular lunch buffet features southern fried chicken, hickory-smoked pork barbecue, mashed potatoes, black-eyed peas, buttermilk biscuits, cornbread and more. Lunch is served daily from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. If you save room for dessert, don’t miss out on the delicious peach cobbler.

Teresa Lamb sales@visitcharlottesville.org

(434) 972-4138 www.visitcharlottesville.org

Not far from Monticello and Michie Tavern is James Monroe’s Highland, the home of another U.S. President and Founding Father. Highland was purchased by Monroe in 1793 and home to the Monroe family for nearly 25 years. This historical site was acquired by the College of William and Mary (Monroe’s alma mater) in 1974 and today they host events, offer daily tours, and have a great museum shop.

Enjoy dinner at the Dairy Market, a new group food destination located in the historic Monticello Dairy Building. Located in Downtown Charlottesville, not far from the University of Virginia, the space is home to 18 merchant stalls of varying cuisines, a brewery, restaurant, bar, and several retail shops.

Your group will start the day with a walking tour of the historic Grounds of the University of Virginia See and learn more about the Lawn, the Rotunda and UVA’s Memorial to Enslaved Laborers. This memorial honors the 4,000 to 5,000 enslaved people who lived and worked at UVA between 1817 and 1865.

The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center is an important place where your group can explore a permanent art exhibit, a rotating contemporary art gallery, and a robust calendar of events. These exhibitions and events highlight Charlottesville and Albemarle County’s African American history and culture of the African diaspora.

The nearby Downtown Mall is a historic, pedestrian mall that is a great spot to enjoy lunch, shop and stroll. Many restaurants offer outdoor dining and groups will be able to choose from a variety of cuisines and price points.

A visit to the Charlottesville area isn’t complete without a stop at one of the 40+ wineries on the Monticello Wine Trail. Experts at one of our regional wine tour companies will plan a customized route suited to your group’s interests and safely transport you from winery to winery.

Waterfalls can be found throughout the heart of Appalachia.

Groups can visit this hidden gem in the Appalachian Mountains

By Isabella Wilkes

The natural beauty of Virginia is hard to compare to any other region in America. Driving along Blue Ridge Parkway, every turn around the winding bends will open up to picture-perfect views of rolling hills, lush forests, calm estuaries, or stunning coastline, all enveloped by the aweinspiring Blue Ridge Mountains. If your group is looking for an unforgettable opportunity to immerse yourselves in scenic experiences, you’ve definitely come to the right place.

Dark Sky Parks are few and far inbetween, with about 60 located across America. The state of Virginia alone has four parks as designated locations where light pollution is so low, visitors can view much of the galaxy’s wonders with a naked eye. Staunton River State Park, James River State Park, Natural Bridge State Park, and Sky Meadows State Park are all located in different regions of the state. Groups can participate in guided stargazing and planet viewing nights, led by local astronomers who come equipped with high-power telescopes, at any one of these parks throughout the year. Or, plan your group trip around a peak day for observing meteor showers, as designated by park astronomers.

Virginia’s 70-mile Atlantic coastline is the backbone of the state, providing much of the cuisine, culture, and biodiversity that makes this state a must-visit. During the winter months, Virginia is the peak location to catch a glimpse of migrating whales as they make their way north. Many whaling tours can easily accommodate large groups on their tour boats. Groups will be taken off the coast to try and catch a glimpse of whales feeding or breaching, all while keeping a safe distance from these endangered creatures. Dolphins are in the coastal waters from the spring through Fall. For groups looking to take part in Virginia’s legendary fishing scene, there are a multitude of fishing boat charters located along the coast that can accommodate groups.

Another costal staple in Virginia is the state’s fabulous oysters. Groups will have no problem locating a

restaurant to slurp up these delicacies throughout the state, but for a more immersive experience, groups have to head to the tributaries where these oysters are harvested. Pleasure House Oyster Farm Tours allows groups to see the inner workings of oyster farming. Groups can choose from three experiences of various interaction. The least interactive will have you taking a brief tour with a tasting. Another tour has your group standing in waders, knee-deep in the Lynnhaven River at a table set up in the water at the oyster farm. The most interactive group experience allows groups learning from the farmers to pick their own oysters, ending with a tasting.

Virginia’s rolling hills and mountainous landscape have created the conditions to host an array of breathtaking waterfalls. However, hiking to these cascades doesn’t have to entail a challenging multi-mile trek into the deep forest. In Virginia, waterfalls are so abundant that there are plenty of easilyaccessible waterfalls for groups of all ages and abilities.

Waterfalls designated as easy access by Virginia state parks - with hikes under one-mile round trip with relatively flat terrain - include Statons Creek Falls, Falling Spring Falls and Dismal Falls. For groups with more extensive ability, there are, of course, a multitude of waterfalls in Virginia with challenging hikes and equally rewarding views.

Virginia is home to more than 4.18 million acres of protected land, and many have been developed with walking trails and other amenities to increase accessibility to the state’s most scenic views. Many of these trails are designated as ideal locations to view an array of the state’s protected species. Groups can increase their chances of seeing a bald eagle at Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, or Caledon State Park. For avid birders, there are multiple state parks located along the Atlantic flyway, including Matthews Birding & Wildlife Trails and the Savage Neck Dunes Natural Area Preserve. At the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, visitors will get incredible coastal views alongside wild pony sightings.

For a guided group experience, Breaks State Park offers elk tours, where groups can hope to spot these majestic creatures, hear their powerful and haunting bugle calls, and learn about the state’s tireless efforts to restore the elk’s natural population levels. For active groups, there are an abundance of guided kayak tours to choose from in natural parks across the state.

Virginia’s vineyards are located across the state, no longer confined to the well-known and historic wine regions of Shenandoah Valley and Central Virginia. Groups can book a private vineyard bus tours that are available in every region of the state. Tour leaders will guide your group to a number of vineyards in the area, leading to a relaxing afternoon of taking in the breathtaking views while enjoying world-class wine.

For groups looking for self-guided tours of Virginia’s wine country, there are a few vineyards in particular that go above and beyond to deliver an experience that immerses you in the natural beauty of the region. Chatham Vineyard offers a relaxing 45-minute paddle tour that includes a wine tasting as you float down Church Creek. Greenhill Winery offers carriage rides through their vineyard and often hosts polo matches. Glass House Winery hosts a stunning tropical conservatory on their vineyard, which transports visitors from Virginia to a tropic oasis during their tasting. 1