Outdoors

Breathtaking Hot Air Balloon Rides in the Shenandoah Valley

The Shenandoah Valley’s beauty stuns from any vantage point, but nothing tops the view from the clouds. Floating over treetops, farms, ponds, and winding roads—through misty morning fog or golden afternoon light—hot air ballooning takes the scenery to new heights. Several tours offer unforgettable airborne adventures: Blue Ridge Hot Air Balloons, Front Royal: Soar above […]

by Hope Cartwright

Breaks Interstate Park is the Grand Canyon of the South

Situated on the border of Virginia and Kentucky, Breaks Interstate Park is one of only two interstate parks in the nation. The 5,000-acre park was originally created in 1954 to protect the Russell Fork “Breaks” Gorge, where the Russell Fork River breaks through Pine Mountain, creating the largest canyon east of the Mississippi. “The park […]

by Erica Jackson Curran

Summer Safety For Your Pets

Sizzling sidewalks. Scorching cars. Sweltering backyards. Summer’s heat threatens our four-legged friends in sneaky ways. Never—not even for “just a minute”—leave pets in parked cars. That quick errand could cost a life as temperatures skyrocket inside vehicles. Those midday walks? Save them for cooler days. Exercise your pets during dawn or dusk hours when temperatures […]

by Madeline Mayhood

The Ultimate Guide to Cycling Virginia’s Northern Neck

I’ve chased adventure by kayak down the Mississippi and skied pristine slopes near and far, but nothing rivals the intimate freedom of a well-planned bike journey. There’s an intoxicating simplicity in compressing your world into compact panniers and surrendering to the rhythm of the road—no deadlines, no obligations, just the hypnotic spin of wheels against […]

by Eric J. Wallace

Historic Riding Program Evolves Into Learning Tool

Since 1939, horses have been woven into the fabric of Congressional School, a legacy that began with the founding family’s passion for equestrian life. The Devers’ love of horses not only shaped the school’s identity—inspiring the “Colts” team name and horse mascot—but established a tradition that continues to innovate today. During the warmer months, Congressional’s […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Immersive Learning Adventures at Sullins Academy

Sullins Academy transforms education through carefully crafted field trips that complement classroom learning while igniting students’ natural curiosity. These excursions, both local and further afield, blend academic enrichment with hands-on experiences that students remember long after they return to campus. Local cultural experiences include visits to the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, where literature comes alive […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Can’t-Miss Spots in Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park offers breathtaking views, scenic trails, and diverse wildlife—the perfect prescription for nature lovers. Some spots to add to your itinerary include: This article originally appeared in the Best of Virginia 2025 issue.

by Stacy Watkins

Virginia’s Top Outdoor Events Kicking Off Summer 2025

RICHMOND – Dominion Energy Riverrock May 16–18: The James River turns into an adrenaline-filled playground at this outdoor bash. Watch kayakers face whitewater, climbers scale boulders, slackliners defy gravity, and dogs take flight in the high-flying Air Dog competition—all set to a live music lineup. RiverrockRVA.com SMITHFIELD – Smithfield Arts Festival May 17: This Pagan […]

by Hope Cartwright

Virginia Educators Turn to Nature to Enhance Learning

Take a midday spring stroll through Virginia Beach’s First Landing State Park and you might happen upon a heartwarming sight: A group of about a dozen children aged 3 to 6 snoozing in a motley array of sleeping bags and hammocks beneath a canopy of live oaks, dripping with Spanish moss. The Lost–Boys–esque tableau repeats […]

by Eric J. Wallace

Mom Hiked the Appalachian Trail with 13 Kids in Tow

Nikki Bettis stood on the jagged summit outcrop of Shenandoah National Park’s 4,011-foot Stony Man, awed by westward panoramic views. Her heart swelled with emotion as she turned to watch her 13 kids shoulder their loaded backpacks and fall into a clamorous single-file line heading back to the Appalachian Trail (AT). “We were in an […]

by Eric J. Wallace

Breaks Interstate Park Brings Bugles From The Past

A repurposed school bus turns onto a gated gravel road deep in the far Southwest Virginia mountains. It climbs for 10 minutes through dense thickets and woods into a long, grassy meadow with soaring, 360-degree views of the surrounding Allegheny Mountains. We climb higher and higher until the starboard hillside drops away in a stupendous […]

by Eric J. Wallace

Up Close with a Raptor

Virginia offers several places to see birds of prey in flight and even interact with them. Read on for details on three: BOAR’S HEAD RESORT, Charlottesville: Interact with a variety of captive-bred, trained birds, including owls, falcons, and hawks. Falconry at the Boar’s Head includes both beginner and introductory levels where participants learn about the […]

by Larry Bleiberg

About the Virginia Falconers’ Association

The statewide organization works closely with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources to train falconers and regulate the sport. The group holds three annual public events. Two hunting outings include a winter meet typically held in Harrisonburg, and a New River Valley Field Meet, usually held in March near Blacksburg. Each has educational activities and […]

by Larry Bleiberg

Sport of Kings

Falconry has a long and noble history, stretching back more than 4,000 years. The practice is believed to have begun in the Arabian Desert, where hunters learned how to work with birds to catch prey. Merchants, traders, and Crusaders brought the practice to Asia and Europe, and, over time, it became popular with nobility, giving […]

by Larry Bleiberg

Outdoor Adventures in Tazewell

Experience the heart of the Appalachians firsthand. Appalachian Trail: For amazing views, check out the section of the AT along the south rim of Burke’s Garden. However, the access road is steep and rutted, requiringa four-wheel drive vehicle. Cavitt’s Creek Park: This 300-acre park with a 54-acre lake has lots of opportunity for recreation, equipment […]

by Amy Brecount White

Take a Moonlit Trip Into a Wild Shenandoah Valley Cave

Moonlight falls bright and dappled through the cedars as we shimmy into a narrow passage beneath the overhang of a hillside boulder that, in the shaky glow of my 13-year-old daughter Zoë’s headlamp, looks like the probable home of a rogue mountain lion. “Don’t worry, I’ve been in here a thousand times and can assure […]

by Eric J. Wallace

The Natural Wonder of The Channels Natural Area

The tough, three-mile hike winds through stands of maturing oaks, hickories, and near-magical rhododendron thickets. It opens abruptly onto a boulder-strewn, 4,200-foot outcrop and a startling panorama of forested Appalachian peaks and valleys that hill unremittingly into Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia. There is the indifferent clamor of wind in leaves as sunlight daggers through […]

by Eric J. Wallace

Virginia Falconers Preserve an Ancient Sport

On a chilly January morning, Jacob Roberts steps into the woods off a country road outside Harrisonburg and begins hitting brush with a long stick. “Ho, ho, ho,” he yells, and a moment later he gets a response. A squirrel jumps from the growth and darts into the snow-covered forest. Athena, Roberts’ red-tailed hawk perched […]

by Larry Bleiberg

Ten Best Virginia Hikes

These Virginia views are worth the hike. The stunning natural beauty of Virginia was one of the great charms to the early settlers, so much so that places like Natural Bridge were seen as New World wonders. To photographer and hiker John Henley, they still are. Henley, a commercial photographer with studios […]

by Staff

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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

Outdoors

Breathtaking Hot Air Balloon Rides in the Shenandoah Valley

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Waitress at Virginia Repertory Theatre

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The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

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Small Town, Big History: The Stories of Abingdon

Outdoors

Breathtaking Hot Air Balloon Rides in the Shenandoah Valley

Current Issue

Events

Waitress at Virginia Repertory Theatre

Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace

Exposure: In Bloom, Return to Seoul (2022)

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Most Popular

The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

UVA Claims Top Spots Among Public Universities

Small Town, Big History: The Stories of Abingdon

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weekly newsletter: VL Today

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