Best of Virginia Winners

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General

Best Gym

General

1st
ACAC
At ACAC in Charlottesville, you don’t have to choose between one-on-one personal training or large group classes. A small group training option offers activities like kettlebells or Pilates in groups of 3-6, in 30- or 60-minute sessions. For those who prefer larger groups, the gym offers classes, including Bodypump, Zumba and Cycle EX.
Address:
Phone Number:
434-984-3800

Best Gym

General

3rd
VCU Cary Street Gym
Address:
Phone Number:
804-827-1100

Best Gym

General

2nd
YMCA Downtown
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-644-9622

Best Fishing Guide Company

General

2nd
Albemarle Angler
Address:
Charlottesville
Phone Number:
434-977-6882

Best Fishing Guide Company

General

1st
Angler’s Lane Graves Mill Center at Route 221
Among Angler’s Lane’s guided trips is the Best of Virginia tour, during which fishermen spend five days in the Blue Ridge Mountains on the Jackson, Piney, James and Staunton rivers, casting for trout and smallmouth bass between chef-cooked dinners and overnight stays in cabins. Every trip features a 1-to-1 or 2-to-1 fisherman to guide ratio.
Address:
Phone Number:
434-385-0200

Best Fishing Guide Company

General

3rd
Orvis
Address:
Charlottesville
Phone Number:
434-975-0210

Best Family Entertainment

General

3rd
Amazement Square
Address:
Lynchburg
Phone Number:
434-845-1888

Best Family Entertainment

General

1st
Maymont
After a year of renovations, the Farm at Maymont re-opened last March. Along with its resident donkeys, ducks and goats that are always a hit with wee visitors, the completed project includes two large new classrooms; updates to restroom facilities (including changing tables); and new play and welcome areas.
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-358-7166

Best Family Entertainment

General

2nd
Wintergreen Resort
Address:
Phone Number:
434-325-2200

Best Museum

General

3rd
Amazement Square
Address:
Lynchburg
Phone Number:
434-845-1888

Best Museum

General

2nd
Science Museum of Virginia
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-864-1400

Best Museum

General

1st
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
In May, the museum opened Yves Saint Laurent: The Perfection of Style, the only East Coast venue for the exhibition celebrating the life and style of the late couturier. Running until Aug. 27, it will feature more than 100 pieces of the designer’s couture and ready-to-wear garments, including his iconic “Le smoking” tuxedo.
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-340-1405

Best Fishing Outfitter

General

3rd
Angler’s Lane
Address:
Phone Number:
434-385-0200

Best Fishing Outfitter

General

2nd
Bass Pro Shops
Address:
Ashland
Phone Number:
804-496-4700

Best Fishing Outfitter

General

1st
Green Top
Looking to keep in the know when it comes to local fishing conditions? Check out Green Top’s blogs. The retailer, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, offers weekly updates on the status of freshwater and saltwater bodies alike, including where specific species are most prevalent and the best bait to entice them.
Address:
Ashland
Phone Number:
804-550-2188

Best Art Event

General

1st
Arts in the Park Carillon at Byrd Park
“The show began as a way to bring a mix of neighbors together,” says event chair Jennifer Hulzing. Going into its 46th year, Arts in the Park now attracts 450 exhibitors from around the country in multiple disciplines. Proceeds help fund local organizations; last year, they helped build a tot lot in Byrd Park.
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:

Best Art Event

General

2nd
First Fridays
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:

Best Art Event

General

3rd
InLight
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-643-1708

Best Hunting Outfitter

General

2nd
Bass Pro Shops
Address:
Ashland
Phone Number:
804-496-4700

Best Hunting Outfitter

General

1st
Green Top
Green Top outfits hunters top to bottom, from dog training guidebooks and decoys to calls and drop point knives. Famously bustling on the weekend, shoppers have the option of purchasing online for in-store pickup. The store also sells archery equipment, survival tools and several hundred firearms at its 55,000-square-foot location.
Address:
Ashland
Phone Number:
804-550-2188

Best Hunting Outfitter

General

3rd
Sailor’s Creek Outfitters
Address:
Rice
Phone Number:
434-603-2803

Best Resort

General

2nd
Boar’s Head
Address:
Charlottesville
Phone Number:
434-296-2181

Best Resort

General

3rd
Keswick Hall
Address:
Phone Number:
434-979-3440

Best Resort

General

1st
Wintergreen Resort
Accommodations at Wintergreen include traditional hotel guest rooms as well as condos and single-family homes. Sports enthusiasts may play golf at Devils Knob or a game of tennis on one of the property’s 19 clay or three deco-turf courts, while those looking for a bit of R&R will find it in the resort’s spa.
Address:
Wintergreen
Phone Number:
434-325-2200

Best Movie Theater

General

2nd
Bow Tie Cinemas at Boulevard Square
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-354-6008

Best Movie Theater

General

3rd
CineBistro
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-864-0460

Best Movie Theater

General

1st
The Byrd Theater
Along with second run showings of blockbusters and indie darlings, Richmond’s nearly 90-year-old picture palace runs series, such as Big Screen and Family Classics, and hosts events, including the French and Richmond International film festivals. It remains largely the same as the day it opened, complete with an 18-foot chandelier lit by 5,000 crystals.
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-353-9911

Best Food Festival

General

2nd
Broad Appétit
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:

Best Food Festival

General

1st
Greek Food Festival
After loading up your plate with Hellenic favorites like souvlaki, moussaka and spanakopita at the annual spring festival, take in a guided tour of the beautiful Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, which this year celebrates its 100th anniversary. The fest also features traditional Greek music and dancing.
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-358-5996

Best Food Festival

General

3rd
Lebanese Food Festival
Address:
Glen Allen
Phone Number:
804-270-7234

Best Retirement Community

General

2nd
Cedarfield
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-968-5541

Best Retirement Community

General

3rd
The Summit
Address:
Lynchburg
Phone Number:
434-582-1500

Best Retirement Community

General

1st
Westminster Canterbury
Last year, Westminster Canterbury Richmond opened The Marketplace, a grill-like casual establishment serving lunch favorites like Chesapeake crab cake sandwiches and Reuben paninis. It also includes an ice cream parlor and billiards room. Open for more than 40 years, WCR offers “continuing care,” from independent living to assisted living and memory support.
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-264-6000

Best Bed and Breakfast

General

2nd
Chestnut Hill Bed & Breakfast
Address:
Orange
Phone Number:
540-661-0430

Best Bed and Breakfast

General

3rd
The Inn at Willow Grove
Address:
Orange
Phone Number:
540-317-1206

Best Bed and Breakfast

General

1st
Walden Hall
The name might conjure up images of 19th century literature, but the accommodations are Thoreau-ly modern: amenities include Apple TV and walk-in rain showers. The most popular rooms are the Walt Whitman Grande Suite, which includes access to a two-person hot tub on a screened porch, and the Longfellow Loft, featuring special reading alcoves.
Address:
Reva
Phone Number:
540-509-1440

Best Annual Charity Event

General

3rd
Children’s Hospital Foundation Ball
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-228-5814

Best Annual Charity Event

General

1st
Richmond SPCA Fur Ball
For nearly 20 years, the Richmond SPCA Fur Ball has been raising funds for furry friends like Elvis, a 5-year-old shepherd/basset hound who, through a spinal cord injury, lost the use of his back legs. Personalized care from the SPCA (and a custom wheelchair) helped Elvis take his first steps without assistance. This year’s ball will take place Nov. 4.
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-521-1300

Best Annual Charity Event

General

2nd
Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10K
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-285-9495

Best Hotel

General

3rd
Craddock Terry Hotel & Event Center
Address:
Lynchburg
Phone Number:
434-455-1500

Best Hotel

General

2nd
Quirk Hotel
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-340-6040

Best Hotel

General

1st
The Jefferson Hotel
A Richmond mainstay for more than 120 years, The Jefferson Hotel recently completed a three-year renovation. The hotel’s 262 guest rooms were converted into 181 suites all with entry foyers, marbled baths and dressing areas. The hotel’s iconic Rotunda, Palm Court and Lemaire restaurant were also updated.
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-788-8000

Best Fitness Program

General

2nd
CrossFit Addict
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
540-322-9275

Best Fitness Program

General

3rd
CrossFit RVA
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-313-9348

Best Fitness Program

General

1st
SEAL Team Physical Training
Residents of the River City frequently spot SEAL Team Physical Training participants around town; the outdoor program designs its workouts for specific locations, such as Belle Isle or Dogwood Dell, rotating instructors and muscle focus each session. Modeled after the workouts of Navy SEALS, the class is held rain or shine.
Address:
Glen Allen
Phone Number:
804-262-1894

Best Equestrian Event

General

3rd
Deep Run Horse Show
Address:
Manakin-Sabot
Phone Number:
804- 677-5691

Best Equestrian Event

General

2nd
Foxfield Races
Address:
Charlottesville
Phone Number:
434-293-9501

Best Equestrian Event

General

1st
Montpelier Hunt Races James Madison’s Montpelier
The Montpelier Hunt Races debuted in 1934, begun by legendary horse breeder Marion du Pont Scott and her brother William du Pont Jr. Today, the event is part of the National Steeplechase Association circuit and is held the first Saturday of November each year. 
Address:
Orange
Phone Number:
540-672-0027

Best Golf Course

General

2nd
Devils Knob
Address:
Wintergreen
Phone Number:
434-325-2200

Best Golf Course

General

1st
Independence Golf Club
For the golf enthusiast, Independence Golf Club offers an 18-hole championship course (with five sets of tees, ranging from 5,000 to more than 7,100 yards tip to tip), plus a less challenging 9-hole short course. Beyond golf, the club also offers on-site laser tag and hosts weekly concerts.
Address:
Midlothian
Phone Number:
804-601-8600

Best Golf Course

General

3rd
The Federal Club
Address:
Glen Allen
Phone Number:
804-798-4996

Best Charity

General

2nd
FeedMore
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-521-2500

Best Charity

General

1st
Richmond SPCA
Last year, the Richmond SPCA opened the Susan M. Markel Veterinary Hospital, a full-service veterinary care facility whose mission is to provide quality care to pets with low-income guardians. The 12,000-square-foot facility comprises four surgical suites, a surgical prep and recovery suite, an intensive care space, and recuperation rooms.
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-521-1300

Best Charity

General

3rd
The Doorways
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-828-6901

Best Art Gallery

General

3rd
Gallery 5
Address:
Phone Number:
804-510-0488

Best Art Gallery

General

2nd
Glave Kocen
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-358-1990

Best Art Gallery

General

1st
Quirk Gallery
“We don’t think the gallery experience should be intimidating, serious or stuffy,” says Adam Dorland, general manager of Quirk Gallery. To put visitors at ease, the hotel’s gift shop, filled with jewelry, gifts and prints, serves as a gateway to the gallery where recent shows have featured photographer Kip Dawkins and mixed media and collage artist Pam Sutherland.
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-340-6036

Best Historic Site

General

1st
Hollywood Cemetery
In California, a Hollywood tour might consist of movie star mansions: In the Commonwealth, it means a visit to the final corporeal home of some of history’s most significant figures. Hollywood Cemetery is the resting place of presidents James Monroe and John Tyler, as well as Virginia governors, media figures and Confederate generals.
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-648-8501

Best Historic Site

General

3rd
James Madison’s Montpelier
Address:
Orange
Phone Number:
540-672-2728

Best Historic Site

General

2nd
Monticello
Address:
Charlottesville
Phone Number:
434-984-9800

Best Outdoor Adventure

General

2nd
James River Park System
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-646-8911

Best Outdoor Adventure

General

3rd
Riverside Outfitters
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-560-0068

Best Outdoor Adventure

General

1st
Wintergreen Resort
The Discovery Ridge Adventure Center takes full advantage of the resort’s location in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Guests enjoy archery, zip lining and plunge tubing. In the summer, guests may purchase a Mountains of Adventure pass, which includes two water adventures, five outdoor adventures and unlimited hiking and mini golf.
Address:
Wintergreen
Phone Number:
434-325-2200

Best Music Venue

General

3rd
John Paul Jones Arena
Address:
Charlottesville
Phone Number:
434-243-4960

Best Music Venue

General

2nd
The Broadberry
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-353-1888

Best Music Venue

General

1st
The National
Built in 1922 as a movie theater, The National began its second act as a music venue nearly a decade ago. Today, it adds up to 10 new shows a week. Recent performances have included Eli Young Band and The Decemberists. Get into the show early when you dine at the nearby Vagabond restaurant beforehand. 
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-612-1900

Best “Do Not Miss” Tourist Attraction

General

3rd
Monticello
Address:
Charlottesville
Phone Number:
434-984-9800

Best “Do Not Miss” Tourist Attraction

General

2nd
Red Rocker Candy
Address:
Troy
Phone Number:
434-589-2011

Best “Do Not Miss” Tourist Attraction

General

1st
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
After four years touring the globe, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ Fabergé Collection returned last fall. The VMFA owns the largest public collection of the ornate objects (outside of Russia), including five Imperial Easter Eggs, which are on view in the newly renovated Fabergé and Russian Decorative Arts galleries.
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-340-1405

Best Hunting Preserve

General

1st
Orapax
This year marks Orapax’s 30th anniversary. Located 30 minutes west of Richmond, the dedicated hunting preserve provides 350-acres of quail, pheasant and chukar hunting on 10 fields as well as mallard-release duck hunting in its marshland areas.
Address:
Goochland
Phone Number:
804-556-2261

Best Hunting Preserve

General

2nd
Powhatan Wildlife Management Area
Address:
Henrico
Phone Number:
804-367-1000

Best Hunting Preserve

General

3rd
Rasawek Hunting Preserve
Address:
Goochland
Phone Number:
804-467-9000

Best Summer Camp

General

3rd
Passages
Address:
Midlothian
Phone Number:
804-897-6800

Best Summer Camp

General

2nd
Richmond SPCA Critter Camp
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-521-1300

Best Summer Camp

General

1st
Westview on the James
Throughout July and August, campers ages 7-14 take to the water—and the trails, the mountains, and the fields—for Westview on the James’ junior and senior residential camps. Canoeing, climbing and wilderness survival are on deck as well as more unusual activities such as water trampoline and disc golf.
Address:
Goochland
Phone Number:
804-457-4210

Best Performing Arts Company

General

3rd
Passion Academy
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-412-8100

Best Performing Arts Company

General

1st
Richmond Balle
Richmond Ballet’s 2017-2018 season kicks off with performances of Portrait of Billie and Tarantella in September, followed by Trio (Gloria, Silence and Journey) in November, its annual production of The Nutcracker in December, and The Sleeping Beauty (with the Richmond Symphony) in February, among others.
Address:
,
Phone Number:
804-344-0906

Best Performing Arts Company

General

2nd
Virginia Repertory Theatre
Address:
Richmond
Phone Number:
804-282-2620
September 13, 2024

Wine & Brine

Williamsburg Winery
September 20, 2024

Wine & Brine

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September 27, 2024

Wine & Brine

Williamsburg Winery