Blue Ridge Country - March/April 2017 - 19

Capitol Street (left) has come to be shaded by trees planted more than 20
years ago. The Capitol Market (right) is worth the mile add-on to the walk.

ates new tastes such as sticky bun, egg nog and almond
joy symphony. One of my earliest memories is my parents letting me answer the siren call of the aroma of
fresh-roasted peanuts wafting from the Peanut Shoppe.
Established in 1950, it's still making memories.
Two blocks northward are fresh-baked breads, pastries and cookies from the Charleston Bread Company,
while it's a bit farther to the Capitol Market, whose West
Virginia-based vendors offer commodities grown and
produced in the state. (Going all the way to the market
adds about a mile to the walk.)
Enhancing all of these attractions are the trees that
were planted more than 20 years ago on Capitol Street.
Their now-spreading branches and lush foliage cover
the sidewalks and roadway in a deep shade that gives
the city center a tranquility unusual in cities this size.
The final part of the westward walk by the river is
sandwiched in by two small parks. Next to downtown,
Haddad Park has a 2,500-seat amphitheater where concerts are given every Friday during the summer months.
Before turning around, I take a short rest break on Magic
Island, a five-acre park at water level sitting beside the
confluence of the Kanawha and Elk Rivers. 

The GOOD WALK

WHEN YOU GO
The Walk: An easy three-mile (six-mile roundtrip) walk along
Charleston, West Virginia's Kanawha River from the 35th
Street Bridge to the Elk River. Optional side trips add a little
over a mile. It's also your option to make the outing as long or
as short as you wish.
Getting There: Driving eastbound, take I-64 Exit 99, turn
left onto Greenbrier Street, go five blocks turn left onto
Kanawha Boulevard, make a left onto California Avenue,
turn right onto Washington Street and follow it to where it
ends at Kanawha Boulevard and street side parking. If you
are doing a car shuttle for a one-way hike, drive the second
car westward on the boulevard for three miles, cross Elk River
and park at Magic Island.

WELCOME TO

Bedford, Virginia

Beauty
in the Blue Ridge
There's LOTS to do and LOTS to see IN and AROUND

Amherst County,VA
Parks, Trails, Boating, Fishing, Camping, Festivals,
Arts, Museums, Sports, Wineries & more!

Experience award-winning wines along
the Bedford Wine Trail, pay homage
to the heroes who stormed the beaches
of Normandy at the National D-Day
Memorial, walk in the footsteps of
Thomas Jefferson at Poplar Forest,
explore the Blue Ridge Parkway with
breathtaking overlooks and the Peaks of
Otter Lodge. The Bedford Artisan Trail
and historic Centertown will delight
visitors with shopping, restaurants, art
galleries, and more. You need more
than a day to experience it all. Choose
from our many Bed and Breakfasts to
complete your vacation experience.

@VisitBedfordVA
Bedford Tourism and Welcome Center
SCOTT K. BROWN, VIRGINIA TOURISM CORPORATION

countyofamherst.com | 434-946-9371

816 Burks Hill Road, Bedford, VA 24523
540-587-5681 * 1-877-447-3257
visitbedford.com

March/April 2017 19

http://www.visitbedford.com http://www.countyofamherst.com

Blue Ridge Country - March/April 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country - March/April 2017