What’s new?

A Ferris wheel overlooking Norfolk’s waterfront. A 31-story-high observation deck with sweeping views of Washington, D. C.  A water park on the Eastern Shore.

These are some of the attractions in Virginia scheduled to open in time for the summer tourism season. Whether it’s a new outdoor attraction, like the 12-story SkyStar wheel towering over downtown Norfolk’s Waterside District, or a 70-room boutique hotel in Farmville, people are on the lookout for new adventures and places to stay. 

So, grab your sun hat while you review a short list of “what’s new to love in Virginia.” That’s the name of a publication from the Virginia Tourism Corp. that contains a more expansive breakdown, by region, of the state’s attractions. 

Arlington – The Observation Deck at CEB Tower 
The deck is atop the Central Place office building in Rosslyn that’s soon to be the home of CEB Inc. The steel and glass building at 1201 Wilson Blvd. offers the highest public point in the Washington, D.C., area with an outdoor cantilevered terrace. At 31 stories up, the 12,000-square-foot space provides panoramic views of the District, Virginia and Maryland skylines. There are plans for beverage and dining service.

Farmville – The Hotel Weyanoke
Scheduled to open in late April, this 70-room boutique hotel at 202 High St. is across from Longwood University. A project by Williamsburg-based Cornerstone Hospitality, the property offers dining at two eateries — an Italian restaurant and a wood-fired pizza restaurant. Plus, there’s a coffee shop and a tapas menu at the rooftop bar.

Eastern Shore   
There are several new developments here. The Northampton Hotel in Cape Charles, which dates back to 1938 and fell into disrepair, has been renovated and is expected to open May 1. It has added a tearoom and small restaurant. Maui Jack’s Waterpark on Chincoteague Island is expected to open on Memorial Day with a lazy river, slides, cabanas for rent and a beach bar and restaurant. The island also has a new brewery, Black Narrows Brewing. Started by a local couple, it’s located in a renovated oyster-shucking house.

New hotel openings:

• Hotel Madison, Harrisonburg, 230 rooms, May 18
• Homewood Suites, 168 rooms, Arlington, opened in mid-February
• Northampton Hotel, five rooms, Cape Charles, May 1.
• The Blackburn Inn,  49 rooms, Staunton, late April 
• The Bristol Hotel, 65 rooms, Bristol, spring 
• The Cavalier, 85 rooms, Virginia Beach, reopened March 7.
• The Draftsman, 150 rooms, Charlottesville, spring
• The Hotel Weyanoke, 70 rooms, Farmville, late April
• The Western Front, 30 rooms, St. Paul, opened Feb. 12. 
• The Virginian Hotel, 150 rooms, Lynchburg, early May