As gas prices rise, families may take staycations

By Christa Desrets

Published: July 4, 2008

With gas prices setting new records almost daily, area attractions are hoping more locals will seek out fun that’s close to home this holiday weekend.

“We’re hoping to see some people from our backyard,” said Karen Gorham, administrator at Red Hill, the Patrick Henry National Memorial in Brookneal. “We’re looking forward to having a good crowd, and I think wherever people are, they’re going to be staying (close to) home because of gas prices.”

Another historic attraction, Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, hasn’t seen a dramatic increase in local numbers but officials there anticipate such a possibility.

Anna Bentson, director of public relations and marketing, said many state tourism groups have encouraged attractions to market to the local audience.

“It’s definitely a trend in the tourism community right now,” she said, “but we’ll see how it pans out. Usually people do leave town (for Independence Day), and hopefully they’ll stick around and explore what Central Virginia has to offer.”

Danny Johnson, owner of the Peaks of Otter Winery in Bedford, said he has seen a recent surge in visitors that may relate to high gas prices.

“There’s 25 to 30 people right now in our tasting room,” he said when reached mid-afternoon Tuesday, “and this is the middle of the week.”

Usually, he expects six to eight people at a time, he said.

“The whole year has been a little good, because I think people are traveling more close to home … I’m doing the same thing.”

Wintergreen Resort also anticipates a busy holiday weekend, with nearly fully booked accommodations, said Public Relations Manager Anne Marie Jones.

“The buzz around the office is that things are picking up and people have been staying closer to home, and coming here instead of going to the beach,” she said.

On the Blue Ridge Parkway, the most visited National Park in the U.S., a combination of local patrons and those from around the world total about 20 million visits annually, said Roanoke-based Park Ranger Peter Givens.

“We’re watching numbers this year with the gas prices, as is everybody in the tourism industry,” he said. “Right now the jury is still kind of out as to what our visitation is going to be like this summer, but it seems like there are more local people visiting.”

Shannon Brooks, associate for research and publications at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, reported higher than usual visitation in the spring, particularly among schoolchildren from around the state.

“Whether that’s due, in part, to gas prices or other reasons, we’re unsure,” she said. “With gas prices being high, you’re not necessarily wanting to pile in the car and take off to the theme park.”
The Lynchburg Museum System also reports a recent increase in visitation, and hopes to see that trend continue this weekend, said Director Doug Harvey.

“It also helps that the Fourth is on a Friday, which gives most people that three-day weekend,” he said.

But museums aren’t always a hot spot on Independence Day, he said.

“So many people do family and outdoor activities,” he said. “Sometimes museums don’t fit that pattern, but we’ll just have to see.”

Children play on the grounds of Red Hill on Friday.

Earl Copes and his daughters, Lillian and Eliza Anne, tour the stable and carriage house on the grounds of Red Hill.