DATE: Sunday, October 26, 1997              TAG: 9710240078

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E3   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: TRAVELWISE

SOURCE: STEPHEN HARRIMAN

                                            LENGTH:  132 lines

SHUCKS, IT'S TIME TO HEAD FOR URBANNA AGAIN

SINCE THE OYSTER (Crassostraea virginica) is Virginia's official state bivalve - well, official state shell - it's only appropriate that homage would be paid to it annually. That happens Friday and Saturday at the 40th annual Urbanna Oyster Festival.

So . . . start making up your mind now. What'll it be: raw, roasted, steamed, stewed, fried or frittered?

If you're not an aficionado of the Chesapeake Bay delicacy, there will be smoked turkey, roast beef, ham biscuits and other ``landfood.''

If you're going, go EARLY. This town of 750 has grown accustomed to accommodating about 75,000 festivalgoers, but it does take time to pack 'em all in. The state and local police do a good job of traffic control, and there is ample paid parking ($5 a car), all within easy walking distance of festivities.

Hours are 10 a.m. to midnight Friday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Besides lots of good eating, there is the Oyster Shucking Contest at 10 a.m. The winner is the state champion and goes on to compete in the National Championship at St. Mary's, Md.

Urbanna is about two hours (allowing for traffic) from South Hampton Roads via U.S. 17 on the Middle Peninsula. For Urbanna info: (804) 758-0368.

In case you're interested, Virginia also has an official state flower, the dogwood (Cornus florida), which doubles as the state tree. In addition there is an official state bird (cardinal), dog (foxhound), insect (tiger swallowtail butterfly), fish (brook trout), fossil (Chesapectea jeffersonius), beverage (milk), boat (Chesapeake Bay deadrise) and folk dance (square dancing).

Other November events worth making travel plans:

Steeplechase horses make their final run Saturday at the 63rd annual Montpelier Hunt races at Montpelier, James and Dolly Madison's home near Orange. There's serious tailgating in a beautiful setting, of course, and also Jack Russell terrier races. Info: (540) 672-2728.

If you can't make the oyster festival at Urbanna, or if you just can't get enough oysters, you have another chance from 2-5 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Reedville Oyster Roast. Reedville, a pretty little town on the eastern (Chesapeake Bay) tip of the Northern Neck, is about a three-hour drive from South Hampton Roads. Info: (804) 453-6529.

There's no more moving time to visit Arlington National Cemetery than on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. The presidential wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns is at 11 a.m. Info: (202) 685-2851. WOULD YOU BELIEVE SKIING?

Killington, in Vermont, has done it again. For the 37th consecutive year, it is the first ski resort in the East to open. After a dusting of snow Oct. 1, Killington's snowmakers laid down a blanket of snow, allowing skiers and snowboarders to take to the slopes. Killington, by the way, only closed for the season last June 22. FACT OR FANTASY?

Purists are wondering what's going on at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum. Opening Friday and running through October 1998 is an exhibit called ``Star Wars: The Magic of Myth.''

On the surface it would seem to be a crass and unabashed promotion for George Lucas' fantasy movie trilogy, which originally came out in 1977, 1980 and 1983, since they're being re-released this year. I mean, they really have very little to do with actual space travel and exploration.

But does anyone care?

The Air and Space Museum's excuse for the exhibition is that it is an examination of the trilogy's impact on American culture.

Well, OK. Culture it is. But while you're there take time to look at the real space stuff. The world's most visited museum is at Sixth Street and Independence Ave., S.W., on the Mall in Washington. Info: (202) 357-2700, or for recorded information only, (202) 786-2122. WASHINGTON WINTERFEST

From Nov. 15 through Feb. 15, most D.C. hotels will feature special rates as part of a ``Washington Winterfest'' promotion. Visitors also will receive a special values coupon book upon check-in. Rates for two range from $49 at the Holiday Inn Downtown to $199 at the Willard Inter-Continental; one of the best deals seems to be the $129 at the Renaissance Mayflower, which includes American breakfast for two, valet parking and 20 percent off dinner tab at the in-house Cafe Promenade. For list of hotel rates, call (800) 422-8644 or check them on the Web at www.washington.org. N.Y. HOTELS FILLING UP

Travelers whose December holiday plans include a trip to New York should consider booking now. Many popular hotels already are filling up, especially for weekends.

Last December, the city had its highest hotel occupancy levels in years, and this year promises a repeat. The city has shed much of its crime onus, and its flash factor is way up with attractions such as the Times Square renaissance and Disney's new presence there.

So, what's a person to do?

Try these hotel discounters: Accommodations Express (800-444-7666); Central Reservation Service (800-950-0232); Hotel Reservations Network (800-964-6835); and Quikbook (800-789-9887). Or consider a bed-and-breakfast stay. A good room for two with a private bath begins at about $85 a night. Two of the largest and oldest New York reservation services are City Lights Bed & Breakfast (212-737-7049) and Urban Ventures (212-594-5650).

Or . . . Try the peak season hotel hotline, (800) 846-7666, which tracks vacancies at 80 hotels through year's end. The visitors bureau, (800) 692-8474, also has a hotel guide available.

Those of you who frequently call about this might want to clip and save this info. YOUR MONEY'S WORTH

Shoney's Inns, with almost 100 properties nationwide, offers Fall Weekend program, from $29 to $49, at participating hotels Friday and Saturday nights through Dec. 21 (some blackout periods). Includes newspaper, local calls, free long-distance access, lobby coffee, cable or satellite TV with sports and movie channels, parking, choice of smoking or non-smoking rooms, and in most locations a swimming pool and adjoining restaurant. Info: (800) 222-2222.

Orlando's Universal Tower Resort Hotel & Inn offers a Fall Super Saver: $49/room/night in Tower, $39/room/night at Inn through Dec. 20. Includes breakfast at Inn, and transport from both to Universal Studios and Sea World. Up to four people per room. Info: (800) 327-1366.

St. Lucia's Orange Grove Hotel, set on a tropical hillside, is offering an all-inclusive plan for 1998. From $69/night/per person/double includes all meals, snacks, beverages and alcohol. Info: Clubs International (800) 777-1250.

Air France Holidays offers a Presenting Paris package for $644 per person/double if you book and buy by Oct. 31. Includes round-trip air from New York, transfers, three nights accommodations, breakfast. Additional nights available from $49/night/person. Travel valid Nov. 1-March 31 (holiday surcharges Dec. 13-24, Jan. 1-5, other restrictions apply). Info: A local travel agent or (800) 2-FRANCE.

Icelandair Holidays is offering a $398 per person package to Scotland from Baltimore (BWI), New York, Boston or Orlando that includes round-trip Icelandic air fare, a hotel room in either Glasgow or Edinburgh, and breakfast. Additional room nights are available for $51 in Glasgow and $55 a night in Edinburgh. Info: A local travel agent or (800) 223-5500.

Freebie. Hampton Inn and Hampton Inn & Suites fall directory for hotels in U.S., Canada, Chile, Thailand, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica, with rates guaranteed through Dec. 31. Call (800) HAMPTONS.

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