What to Do, Where to Stay Near Polyface Farm in Swoope, Va.

ESCAPE KEYS

Getting There

Swoope, Va., site of Polyface Farm, is about 166 miles southwest of Washington. Take Interstate 66 west, then I-81 south, to Va. Route 275/Woodrow Wilson Parkway. For directions to the farm, visit http://www.polyfacefarms.com.

Where to Stay

At Montclair Bed & Breakfast (320 N. New St., 877-885-8832, http://www.montclairbnb.com), in historic downtown Staunton, 11 miles northwest of Polyface, owners Mark and Sheri Bang use farm-fresh eggs, produce and meat for their delicious breakfasts. Rooms $95 to $200. Another option is the newly refurbished historic Stonewall Jackson Hotel (24 S. Market St., 866-880-0024, http://www.stonewalljacksonhotel.com); weekend rooms start at $125.

Where to Eat

You're likely to find Green Fence Farm quail, eggs or berries in dishes at Staunton Grocery (105 W. Beverly St., 540-886-6880), which serves Southern fine dining focusing on local produce and meat from two dozen small-scale farms (which rules out Polyface). Try the pork "pon hoss" appetizer ($10) and grilled heritage pork ($28). At Zynodoa Restaurant (115 E. Beverly St., 540-885-7775), you'll find Polyface on the menu, including yummy roasted chicken breast with herbed risotto ($19).

What to Do

Free guided tours of Polyface Farm (43 Pure Meadows Lane, Swoope, 540-885-3590, http://www.polyfacefarms.com) are monthly through Oct. 2 and fill up quickly. Visitors can drop by for self-guided tours Monday through Saturday or reserve group tours for $800 to $1,000. The farm store is open Saturdays 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and by appointment. From April to November, Saturdays 7 a.m.-noon, the Staunton Farmers' Market (Wharf Parking Lot, Johnson Street, http://www.safarmersmarket.com) is in full swing. On Saturdays 2-5 p.m. from spring to fall, you can stop by Green Fence Farm (801 Broadhead School Rd., Greenville, 202-215-7868, http://www.greenfencefarm.com) for a free tour. (Green Fence is also at the market.)

-- D.D.