Food

Hopewell’s First Brewery Opens with Good Ship Brewing & Eatery

Donnie Barber was born and raised in Hopewell and “always felt like every city in America deserved a brewery,” he says. So for the past 10 years, Barber worked to open the city’s first brewery. On New Year’s Eve 2025, that dream came to life with Good Ship Brewing & Eatery—a centerpiece of social life, good […]

by Hope Cartwright

Virginia Distillers Release Limited-Edition VA250 Spirits Collection

As the birthplace of American spirits, Virginia knows a thing or two about what it takes to craft exceptional liquor. Distillation methods have changed a bit since 1620, when George Thorpe unlocked the mash bill, or formula, that would create North America’s first whiskey, but that pioneering spirit lives on through today’s distilleries. In honor […]

by Sylvie Baggett

Virginia Waterfront Restaurants with the Best Coastal Views

Delicious fresh seafood and expansive waterway views are a match made in heaven. These coastal dining destinations offer both in droves. Amber Lantern Restaurant, Chesapeake: Pick from an array of tapas or indulge in entrées like a seared, Cajun-style ahi tuna filet served in a pool of ginger-soy Beurre Blanc at Chef Carmelo Muroni’s staple. […]

by Eric J. Wallace

Dine Like It’s 1776 at Colonial Williamsburg’s Taverns

Fare at Colonial Williamsburg taverns is downright revolutionary. Colonial Williamsburg’s historic taverns serve more than meals—they serve history. At Shields Tavern, the oldest operating tavern site in the Historic Area, guests enjoy hearty colonial fare in a candlelit setting where revolutionaries once gathered. The menu is anchored by fried chicken based on an authentic 18th-century […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Inside Halcyon Days Cider Co. Near Lexington, Virginia

There’s a reason why Halcyon Days Cider Co., nestled just outside Lexington, has quickly become a must-visit for those seeking the authentic taste and spirit of Virginia’s Blue Ridge. It’s not just the cider that draws you in—although unique flavors like s’mores certainly could. It’s the story of a family who, with little more than […]

by Valerie Shepherd

Explore Virginia’s Bottoms Up Beverage Trail

You don’t need to travel abroad to experience an unforgettable journey—sometimes it’s waiting for you in your own backyard. For those with a thirst for adventure, the Bottoms Up Beverage Trail offers delicious pit stops nestled within scenic landscapes across Clarke and Warren counties. Whether you’re relaxing after a hike or simply taking in some […]

by Sylvie Baggett

Middleburg Vintner Masters the Obscure Norton Grape

The largest planting of Norton grapes in the world covers 40 undulating acres in Middleburg, about a mile from the Bull Run Mountains. That’s around the size of the parking lot of a Walmart Supercenter. The fact that such a small planting is the world’s largest tells us a lot about this elusive grape. The […]

by Craig Stoltz

Picnic Essentials for People Who Take Leisure Seriously

Acrylic stemless wine glasses with dragonflies, $24, set of 2. DesignsByLolita.co Mediterranean Blue salad/dessert paper plates, $5.95, set of 8. CaspariOnline.com Lacquered “Basketweave” backgammon set, $425. JonathanAdler.com House matches with sliding drawer, $16. ShopOddBird.com Apéro wine and cheese rattan picnic basket, $125. WovenShop.com Fieldbar hardcase cooler box is insulated and portable, $249. ShopCremeDeLaCreme.com Blue-checkered water-repellent […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Best Spots, Foods & Tips for a Perfect Summer Picnic

Nothing says summer quite like picnics—choosing the perfect grassy spot under a shady tree while the sunlight dances over a comfy blanket; life can’t get better than that. Whether it’s at a park or in your own backyard, a picnic spells a perfect idyllic afternoon. It’s no wonder so many master painters have been inspired […]

by Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves

The History of Ice Cream in the Commonwealth

On a sweltering summer day, few things taste as satisfying as a scoop of ice cream. Like chocolate chip cookies and Boston cream pie, ice cream is the all-American treat. But the frozen delight is not a native. The dessert’s journey to American tables may have begun in antiquity, possibly in ancient Rome or in […]

by Caroline Kilborn

The State’s Best Barbecue that Virginians Swear By

Online rankings will only get you so far. The real BBQ gems in Virginia are the ones your neighbors have been quietly guarding for years—the roadside spots, the family-run smokehouses, the places without a single influencer photo on the wall. These are the ones worth knowing about. Virginians are serious about tasty barbecue, and not […]

by Janelle Alberts

Autumn Olive Farms’ Pork Playbook

A chilly fall breeze rustles through the Waynesboro cornfield as Autumn Olive Farms heir apparent Tyler Trainum grabs a 12-foot stalk and shakes hard. The ears rattle like strange bells. “It’s insane how straight and strong these guys are,” he says, grinning. The 36-year-old—blaze orange cap, thick beard, flannel shirt, jeans, and leather boots—points to […]

by Eric J. Wallace

Petit Domaine: Virginia’s First Sparkling Winery

Virginia is no longer wine’s best-kept secret. Imbibers have caught on to the state’s diverse terroir and unique grapes. For all the accolades, however, there was one thing lacking: a winery devoted to sparkling wine. J. Snyder, a Loudoun County native and wine connoisseur, recognized this opportunity. He sought to create a winery that emulates […]

by Sylvie Baggett

Short Lane Ice Cream’s Retro Charm

A trip to Gloucester’s Short Lane Ice Cream, an old-timey ice cream parlor, is like stepping into a bygone era. The beloved sweet treat shop is housed in a vernacular, stick-style former general store and post office that dates to 1937. Hand-painted lawn signs point the way to original, swinging shop doors and a space […]

by Eric J. Wallace

Virginia Singles Are Turning to Beer Pong for Love

Are your fingers at risk of falling off from constant swiping on dating apps? Consider throwing your phone into the sea—or simply playing a round of beer pong. For singles who are sick of never making it past the texting phase, insert Beer Pong Speed Dating. Founded by University of Richmond grad Jeff Hunt, these […]

by Sylvie Baggett

Virginia’s Vegan and Vegetarian Must-Trys, According to Influencers

Just starting your plant-based journey? Virginia’s food-fluencers are here to help. Ray’s Favorite Vegan Dishes in Virginia Lauren Z. Ray, based in Richmond, shares all the ins and outs of vegan eating across the Commonwealth on YouTube, Instagram, and more. She also covers lifestyle, events, and adventure recs. Her social club, Vegan Club RVA, founded […]

by Hope Cartwright

Show Pony: Jeff Farmer’s Roanoke Hit

Few have done more to help put Star City on the culinary map than veteran chef and restaurateur Jeff Farmer. He launched and helmed Italian standout Fortunato; legendary fine-dinery Lucky Restaurant; and the Scandinavian-style Stock Bistro & Bar. Never one to sit still for long, Farmer has once again shifted directions to open a new, […]

by Eric J. Wallace

Café du Soleil Expands in Alexandria’s Old Town

Francophiles in Alexandria’s Old Town had reason to celebrate when the beloved tiny gem announced it would open a sister café on Jefferson Street in 2025. Both Café du Soleils sit about a mile from one another and both offer a rapturous mix of simple but delicious French-inspired cuisine, gourmet coffee drinks, local culture, and […]

by Eric J. Wallace

Savor Puts Southwest Virginia’s Culinary Scene on the Map

If “Southwest Virginia” conjures visions of misty mountain slopes, folksy acoustic strumming, and majestic waterfall sprays, but not world-class culinary mastery, then you’re woefully mistaken. The region bears some of the richest fruits, meats, honeys, and talents the Commonwealth has to offer—and Mountain Lake Lodge in Pembroke is shining a spotlight on that at its […]

by Hope Cartwright

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All Aboard: Virginia’s Summer of Steam Celebrates America250

This summer, the legendary Norfolk & Western 611 steam locomotive is firing up her wheel—and she’s bringing history along for the ride. Built in 1950 in Roanoke, Virginia, the 611 is the last surviving member of the “J-Class” fleet, widely regarded as the pinnacle of steam technology. With her iconic bullet-shaped nose, Tuscan Red stripe, […]

by Abby Borgeson

Sail250 Virginia Brings Tall Ships From Around the World

When more than 60 tall ships and military vessels from 30 countries glide into Virginia waters this June, they’ll carry centuries of seafaring history—and usher in one of the most ambitious celebrations America has ever staged. Sail250 Virginia, the Commonwealth’s landmark commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary, runs June 12–23, transforming Norfolk and 11 affiliate […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Atlantic Park Surf Brings a New Era to Virginia Beach

In 2017, Virginia Beach architect Alec Yuzhbabenko was two years out of college when a company principal pulled him into a meeting with one of Hampton Roads’ biggest real estate and development firms. The topic? How to transform 10 acres of blighted parking lots in the heart of the resort area into a signature, place-defining […]

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