WHAT’S NEW FOR 2011 IN THE MID-ATLANTIC

(U.S. MID-ATLANTIC – November 23, 2010) Travelers to the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States will find plenty of exciting new attractions, festivals, and other celebrations in 2011 – showcasing that there’s always something new to discover around the Mid-Atlantic! From exploring new trails to celebrating favorite brands, the members of the Mid-Atlantic Tourism PR Alliance (MATPRA) invite travelers to discover this unique and exciting region of the country.

 Here’s a preview of what’s new for 2011 around the Mid-Atlantic:

Delaware

The Delaware Tourism Office launched the Delaware Wine and Ale Trail to showcase the growing craft brew and wine industries in Delaware.  A unique collection of twelve locations across the State, visitors can follow the trail, take a tour, and taste award-winning wines and craft brews.  Delaware Tourism Office,  www.visitdelaware.com/wineandale

There are lots of exciting developments in Greater Wilmington:  live table games at Delaware Park, Delaware Children’s Museum, Delaware Art Museum’s year-long exhibit celebrating the 100^th anniversary of Howard Pyle’s death, Winterthur’s major exhibit on Southeastern Pennsylvania Painted Furniture and the debut of the nation’s largest living wall at Longwood Gardens. Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau, www.VisitWilmingtonDE.com

Climb 30 feet into the sky atop an authentic Aircraft Control Tower and watch C-5 airplanes fly! The Air Mobility Command Museum will give visitors a bird’s eye view of Dover Air Force Base. The museum showcases airlift history with a collection of vintage aircraft exhibits free to the public.  Kent County Tourism, www.visitdover.com

Delmarva Board Sport Adventures now offers a variety of stand-up paddleboard (SUP) adventures, for the novice or the experienced, including rentals, guided specialty excursions, personal lessons, SUP yoga classes, and special events throughout Southern Delaware’s breathtaking waterways and state parks. Windsurfing coaching is also available with DBSA’s experienced coaches. Southern Delaware Tourism,   www.visitsoutherndelaware.com

 Maryland

 Maryland unveiled a new interactive component to our state tourism website that enables travelers to easily locate scenic byways; heritage sites; arts, culture and entertainment; parks, waterways and outdoor trails; and places for farm fun and locally-grown produce. Click to find these and the myriad of new attractions in Maryland. Maryland Office of Tourism,   www.visitmaryland.org

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the destination with Annapolis Urban Adventures. Taste the region’s most delicious brews during a Craft-Brewed Beer tour. Toast Annapolis’ colorful past on a Historic Pub Crawl, and follow in the footsteps of past and present celebrities with a Historic Annapolis Museum tour. Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau,  www.VisitAnnapolis.org

Dejon Vineyards (www.dejonvineyards.com), the newest addition to Baltimore County’s wine-making community is located just a short distance from Boordy Vineyards. The 45-acre farm and 20 acres of wetlands provide the perfect setting for DeJon’s regionally-recognized wines and events including Ladies Nights, Cigar Nights, and Wine in the Wetlands. Baltimore County Conference and Tourism, www.enjoybaltimorecounty.com

 Visit the newly renovated paleontology hall at the Calvert Marine Museum.  Featuring an array of fossil specimens,informative movies and interactive touch computers, learn about the treasures we have found in the Calvert Cliffs.  Don’t forget to visit our 37½ foot Megalodon shark skeleton!  Calvert County Tourism, ,www.ecalvert.com

The recently launched Carroll Wine Trail offers superb wine along back roads and in historic towns of Carroll County, MD. The three wineries on the trail (Cygnus Wine Cellars, Galloping Goose Vineyards, and Serpent Ridge Vineyard) are within 20 miles of each other and easily accessible from I-70 or I-83. Carroll County Tourism, , www.carrollcountytourism.org

The Newcomer House Exhibit and Visitor Center at Antietam National Battlefield tells the story of Maryland’s Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area. The center, located in a circa 1830’s farmhouse, includes displays on the themes of “On the Home Front,” “In the Heat of Battle,” and “Beyond the Battlefield.” Hagerstown-Washington County CVB,  www.marylandmemories.com

Congressional Country Club has been selected by the United States Golf Association (USGA) to host the 2011 U.S. Open, June 13-19, 2011. The U.S. Open, which was first conducted in 1895, is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the USGA. Mark your calendar now for this elite event. CVB of Montgomery County,  www.visitmontgomery.com

 Pennsylvania

From a new interpretive center detailing Pennsylvania’s majestic elk herd to new entertainment complexes and museums, there’s never a shortage of new and exciting things to explore in Pennsylvania. Discover a new festival, soar above the treetops on a zipline, or investigate new artisan trail, just to name a few! Pennsylvania Tourism Office,  www.visitpa.com

 The Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival (August 12-14, 2011) celebrates Butler as the birthplace of the Jeep.  This first-ever annual event features Guinness Book longest Jeep parade and cruise; jeep history exhibits and WWII encampments; off-road trails and playground; vendors; and entertainment. Jeep enthusiasts from across the nation will attend. Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau,  www.visitbutlercounty.com

Longwood Gardens, adds another extraordinary space with the opening of the East Conservatory Plaza, featuring the first terraced lawn in the United States and the largest indoor green wall in North America. This dynamic new exhibit continues Longwood’s legacy of creating unique spaces that integrate into the natural landscape. Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau, www.BrandywineValley.com

The Columbia-Montour region of central Pennsylvania is a haven for visual artists who regularly show in major metropolitan galleries. In 2011 visitors can interact with the artists by participating in workshops or visiting with them in their studios. View and/or purchase their works on the CMVB’s online gallery. Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau (CMVB),www.iTourColumbiaMontour.com

Waggoner’s Gap Hawk Watch will be growing and developing into a visitor-friendly tourist hot spot this coming year. With increased parking, handicapped accessible additions, and a rock amphitheatre, Waggoner’s Gap will allow more people to view the 19,000 migrating raptors that fly over this beautiful ridge outlook each year. Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau, www.visitcumberlandvalley.com

Erie Art Museum celebrated the opening of their newly
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