Food

MacDowell’s Beach channels Key West in Leesburg

Inspired by his family’s vacations in Key West, Gordon MacDowell decided to bring the island lifestyle to Northern Virginia. With a few tons of sand, picnic tables, and plenty of palm trees, he managed to create a little slice of the Florida Keys right in downtown Leesburg with MacDowell’s Beach. The restaurant’s menu features Gulf-inspired […]

by Erica Jackson Curran

Discover Spotsylvania County’s Wine Scene By Trolley

While the wine region surrounding Charlottesville has gained national acclaim, the Spotsylvania County scene is still relatively under the radar—for now. The Spotsylvania Wine Trail is a six-venue loop that includes spots like Fredericksburg’s Bacchus Winery, Vibin’ With Val, Mattaponi Winery, and Lake Anna Winery. No DD? No problem—the Fredericksburg Trolley offers half-day tours on […]

by Erica Jackson Curran

Four Places On the Shore For Outdoor Dining

Virginia’s Eastern Shore has no shortage of scenic beauty, and there are few better places to savor it than the region’s al fresco restaurants. From Cape Charles to Chincoteague, read on for some of the best places to dine and drink outdoors. The Shanty, Cape Charles: Situated right on the harbor in a storybook-sweet beach […]

by Erica Jackson Curran

Experience Food Delivery by Flying Drone in Christiansburg

DoorDash and Wing have launched drone delivery service at a Wendy’s in Christiansburg, bringing futuristic food delivery to this town of 22,000. Customers within 2.5 miles of the fast food chain’s North Franklin Street location can have their Frosties and fries delivered from above in about 30 minutes. Wing’s autonomous drones zip through the air […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Eat Your Way Along the Shenandoah Valley Food Trail

In addition to its famously spectacular scenery, the Shenandoah Valley has become known for its lineup of great breweries stretching from Botetourt County all the way to the West Virginia border. And while the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail is all about guiding beer lovers to the region’s best brews, it also happens to be the ideal […]

by Erica Jackson Curran

Aux Delices Brings Authentic Crêpes to Newport News

Is it possible to find an authentic French crêperie in Virginia? Mais oui! In Newport News, the Michel family has brought some of their favorite authentic French recipes from l’Hexagone to Hampton Roads. They’re known for a petite selection of signature crêpes, including best-seller Rochambeau: Biscoff cookie butter spread with bananas and strawberries. Their ice […]

by Erica Jackson Curran

4 Virginia Breweries With Destination Onsite Stays

Virginia’s craft beer scene offers an embarrassment of hoppy riches, with breweries spanning from the Chesapeake Bay to the Shenandoah Valley. Entire interstates, like Nelson County’s Highway 151—sometimes known as the Brew Ridge Trail—are now dedicated to this thriving industry. But while brewery hopping is a great adventure, especially with a designated driver, there’s something […]

by Kinsey Gidick

Celeste Farms Takes Farm-to-Table to a New Level

Ian Newell wanted to create something meaningful, something people needed—like oxygen, water, or food. The first two, he reasoned, were already handled by nature and the utilities department. That left food. The 38-year-old founder and owner of Goatacado, a fast-casual, health-focused eatery in Richmond’s Fan district, dreamed of a place where people could get to […]

by Hope Cartwright

Try Virginia’s cocktail of the year from Hotel Roanoke

Want to taste the official best cocktail in Virginia? The Hotel Roanoke can now claim that title, thanks to lead mixologist Henry Hill, Jr. The longtime bartender won the inaugural Virginia Cocktail Games in 2024 with his cocktail called “No Place Like Home.” The boozy concoction was inspired by the prompt: Why do you choose […]

by Erica Jackson Curran

The Most Loved Mayo Brands, According to Virginia Chefs

Of all the condiments in the door of your fridge, there is perhaps none as polarizing as mayonnaise. The sandwich spread evokes either devoted love or vehement repulsion, depending on whom you ask. Even among mayo lovers, there’s the issue of which brand is best, a debate that hinges on regional fealty, culinary posturing, and […]

by Stephanie Ganz

No Place Like Home: Virginia’s Cocktail of the Year

Try this recipe that won the Virginia Cocktail Games in 2024.

by Erica Jackson Curran

What’s Behind Cirrus Vodka’s New Richmond Tasting Room Menu

The sun-warmed stone patio at Ballast, the new mixed-use development off Summit Avenue in Richmond’s Scott’s Addition, beckons passersby with its striped umbrellas, outdoor seating galore, and inviting sounds of chatter. Cirrus Vodka’s new tasting room, which opened April 24, sits beside the bonny courtyard across from specialty food shop Yellow Umbrella—evoking Mediterranean beach town […]

by Hope Cartwright

Top Tea Rooms and High Tea Experiences in Virginia

High tea is the bread and butter—or rather, the scone and clotted cream—of Great Britain, yes. But who says Virginians can’t join in on the tea frenzy across the pond? This extended list of Virginia tea rooms spotlights classic high tea experiences, bringing a touch of old-fashioned charm as well as delicious teas, pastries, and […]

by Hope Cartwright

Colonial America’s Favorite Cocktails, From Virginia Distillers

In their mission to recreate the libations of yore, Williamsburg-based 8 Shires Distillery dove deep into historic records—ledgers, ship manifests, journals, and personal diaries—to uncover the drinking habits of Colonial America. Through all their research, one fact stands out: “For the most part, everybody drank all day long,” says general manager Tucker Casanova. All that […]

by Hope Cartwright

Time Travel to 1950 at This Diner in Natural Bridge

With its namesake car right outside and baby pink everywhere, the Pink Cadillac Diner is a hidden gem in Natural Bridge. Fifties-style checkerboard tile, heavily decorated walls, a jukebox, and plenty of Elvis memorabilia cement this diner’s place as an iconic time capsule. They serve up all the American classics you can think of, from […]

by Katie Farthing

Dirty Sodas Arrive in Virginia at Coco’s Sodas + Sweets

It’s not your standard big gulp that you can get from 7-Eleven,” says co-owner Ben Cichelli of the tricked-out drinks at Coco’s Sodas + Sweets in downtown Vienna. The shop caters to “soda purists,” as Ben might say—those who know the fizz difference between a fountain-pour drink and a bottled 2-liter, and who might be […]

by Hope Cartwright

Gluten-Free and Tasty Bakeries In Virginia

Gluten-free bakeries may sound like an oxymoron to some. After all, isn’t flour supposed to be the star of the show? Determined to set the record straight, dedicated GF bakeries around the state, however, are deftly baking delicious gluten-free delectables—from cakes and muffins to cookies and scones—ratcheting up competition with traditional bakeries. These dedicated GF […]

by Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves

This Gluten-Free Soy Sauce is Made in Henrico

“As a child, soy sauce was such a familiar part of my life that I never considered it extraordinary,” says Takashi Sato, president and eighth-generation member of the founding family of San-J, an international soy sauce brand. Yet, the unassuming 10-ounce bottles of soy sauce have become just that: extraordinary. San-J produces those bottles at […]

by Hope Cartwright

Coastal Virginia’s Distilleries Embrace Seaside Inspo

A sun-warmed beach and an ice-cold cocktail: what is it about the pair that make such a perfect match? When the two adored relaxation rituals meet, magic happens—especially inside of Coastal Virginia’s distilleries. These distillers take oceanside inspo and bottle it, bringing the beach vibes to you. Blue Sky Distillery: The Blackbeard’s Point Rum reminds […]

by Hope Cartwright

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Events

June 23, 2025

Waitress at Virginia Repertory Theatre

Virginia Repertory Theatre

June 24, 2025

Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace

Carlyle House Historic Park

June 24, 2025

Exposure: In Bloom, Return to Seoul (2022)

Institute for Contemporary Art

The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

Eight Virginia schools received the National Blue Ribbon 2024 award for their high performances. The Exemplary High Performing Schools are Spring Hill Elementary in McLean, Green Run Collegiate in Virginia Beach, Bethel Manor Elementary in Hampton, and St. Andrew the Apostle School in Clifton. The Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are Central Academy Middle […]

by Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves

UVA Claims Top Spots Among Public Universities

The University of Virginia has climbed to No. 4 among public universities in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges rankings, advancing one position from last year. The university maintained its No. 24 overall ranking, tying with Emory and Georgetown universities. UVA’s commitment to accessibility and student success stands out in several key metrics. […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Small Town, Big History: The Stories of Abingdon

Long before the first European settlers ventured into the American wilderness, the Delaware and Catawba tribes tracked a buffalo trace through the Shenandoah Mountains. Abingdon—once known as Wolf Hills—emerged along this trail, today’s Route 11. Frequented by westward expansionists on the Great Valley Road, Main Street grew. Today, the city of 8,336 residents hugs Route […]

by Michael C. Upton

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MacDowell’s Beach channels Key West in Leesburg

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Waitress at Virginia Repertory Theatre

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Exposure: In Bloom, Return to Seoul (2022)

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The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

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