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ESCAPE KEYS: Sweet Briar
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GETTING THERE: Sweet Briar is about 165 miles southwest of Washington, straight down U.S. Route 29. Plan on at least 3 1/2 hours for the drive, which gets a little easier after Charlottesville.
STAYING THERE: To get the full Sweet Briar experience, stay at the Florence Elston Inn & Conference Center, on campus near the quad. Rates start at $122 double, including a (somewhat spartan) continental breakfast. Lynchburg, 12 miles to the south, offers an array of hotels and motels.
EATING THERE: If you're not especially into student dining (can't blame you), you'll have to head off campus for meals (Elston Inn has no restaurant). Travelers (202 S. Main St.), a homey establishment in downtown Amherst, is a favorite local hangout that serves good, moderately priced pub-style fare. We had Sunday brunch there for about $40. A little closer to the college is the Briar Patch (883 S. Main St.), with a similar but larger menu and even cheaper prices. Lunch for two was $30.
For dinner, we hit the trendy Main St. Eatery (907 Main St.) in Lynchburg, which serves New American and continental cuisine; most entrees are less than $25. Our bill, with wine, was around $100.
PLAYING THERE: There's plenty on campus to keep you busy, including touring Sweet Briar House, the original plantation house (be sure to take in the lovely gardens). Call the Sweet Briar Museum (434-381-6246) to arrange a tour. The museum houses a collection of American decorative arts from the 19th and 20th centuries and artifacts from the Fletcher family. The Babcock, Benedict and Pannell galleries offer rotating art exhibits. If you stay at the Elston Inn, your parking pass lets you into the college gym and pool. Or you can strike out on any of the numerous trails for a hike or bike ride. The Woodland Field Loop and Wetlands Educational Trail offer more leisurely walks.
INFO: Sweet Briar College, 434-381-6100, http:/
