Best of Virginia 2025

Flour & Water Bakery Brings a Taste of France to Woodstock

It’s surprising enough to find a European-style bakery tucked away on the Main Street of a small town like Woodstock—but customers are often even more shocked by the quality of the pastries at Flour & Water Co. “The biggest compliment we get is when a customer tells us it’s the best croissant or baguette they’ve […]

by Erica Jackson Curran

Discover Tsubo Tsubo at this Alexandria Spa

Discover the ancient art of “tsubo tsubo” at Alexandria’s Silk Rose Spa—a transformative Japanese head spa ritual that targets pressure points with expert precision. This sensory journey doesn’t merely pamper; it awakens dormant energy pathways through specialized scalp techniques that stimulate blood flow to hair follicles, encouraging vibrant growth while dissolving accumulated tension. Beyond the […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Ash & Olive Brings Flame-To-Table Cuisine to Ashland

Ash & Olive owner Gregg Brooks is serious about his Ashland restaurant’s commitment to “flame-to-table” cuisine. “Everything with the exception of french fries is cooked under a flame at 625°F in our stone oven,” says Brooks, who’s also a drummer with the yacht rock band Three Sheets to the Wind and who previously worked at […]

by Erica Jackson Curran

Music Theory Studios: Hampton Roads’ Musician Hub

What started out as a space for two 20-something friends to “bang [their] music extremely loud” has evolved into a professional studio that’s home to some of Hampton Roads’ most talented musicians. Norfolk-based Music Theory Studios offers a high-quality recording setup along with the Music Technology Academy, which supports and empowers young artists. MusicTheoryStudios.com This […]

by Erica Jackson Curran

Derek Shaw Crafts Real Leather Goods In-Store in Norfolk

Almost every time a shopper passes Werther Leather Goods in Norfolk’s Selden Market indoor boutique collective, a sign catches their eye. “Everybody is like, ‘Oh! Belts made while you wait,’” says Derek Shaw, owner and leathersmith. Shaw handmakes every product in Werther’s cozy stall, which doubles as his miniature warehouse, using well-worn tools like an […]

by Hope Cartwright

Explore Aviation History at the Udvar-Hazy Center Near Dulles

Named after aviation entrepreneur Steven F. Udvar-Hazy, whose $65 million donation made its construction possible, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center stands as one of the world’s premier aerospace museums. Near Dulles Airport and the companion facility to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., the massive, 760,000-square-foot facility opened in 2003 and showcases […]

by Madeline Mayhood

What to Know About Hiring a Life Coach

A quick Google search will show you life coaches all across Virginia—but looming questions remain: What do they do, and How do you know if you’re a candidate for what they offer? Unlike therapists, life coaches usually don’t cover mental health concerns or past issues. Instead, they’re forward-thinking, helping you create a plan for getting […]

by Erica Jackson Curran

Conquer Sleep with Valley Health Network’s Sleep Center Offerings

Sleep wellness is a real concern for many Americans—in fact, the Centers for Disease Control reports that one in three adults in the U.S. have reported not getting enough rest. Numerous medical centers in Virginia, including the Valley Health network in Shenandoah, operate sleep centers to tackle common sleep disorders and help patients reclaim a […]

by Erica Jackson Curran

Bay School: A Hidden Art Powerhouse in Mathews County

Tucked away among the rivers and creeks of the Chesapeake Bay, Mathews County packs an artistic punch that belies its small size: just 8,500 souls call its winding roads and fertile fields home. But this isn’t just another rural community—it’s an unexpected creative hotspot. At its core is the Bay School Community Arts Center. But […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Head to Wise County for a Springtime Getaway

Nestled in the rugged Appalachian Mountains, Wise County blends natural splendor with vibrant culture and genuine Southern charm. History buffs can stay in luxury at the Inn at Wise—a 1910 Colonial Revival that served as a courthouse, prohibition hideaway, and rumored coal baron sanctuary. Or, book an Airbnb in this epically scenic part of the […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Harrisonburg Warehouse Serves as a One-Stop Marketplace

Liberty Street Mercantile on Harrisonburg’s West Gay Street is a dream for booklovers, coffee maniacs, wine drinkers, and boutique browsers seeking a cozy shopping experience, rain or shine. Set in a charming renovated 1939 warehouse, the space houses Blakemore’s Flowers, Parentheses Books, children’s store Asdelia Mae Boutique, Chestnut Ridge Coffee Roasters, Dryad Cookery, and home […]

by Hope Cartwright

Inside Staunton’s Medieval Gift Shop

Few gift shops can claim an inventory of wax seals, chainmail armor, longswords, gambesons, cloak pins, and leather archery bracers—let alone ties to a Dragon Preservation Society. If such a place were to exist, it would belong in Staunton, settled among misty mountaintops and sprawling woodlands. Here, the postcard-perfect Beverly Street, watched over by a […]

by Hope Cartwright

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

Richmond’s Branch Museum Doubles Down On Design

The Branch House, the striking Tudor-Revival mansion designed by John Russell Pope, has been a fixture on Richmond’s Monument Avenue since 1919, but the museum that calls it home entered a new era in 2024. The 10-year-old Branch Museum of Design has a shortened moniker (they dropped “and Architecture” from the end), a savvy new […]

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

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

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Events

July 4, 2025

Independence Day Celebration

Yorktown VA

July 4, 2025

Fourth at the Fort

Fort Monroe

July 4, 2025

4th of July Family Forest Bathing

Potomac Overlook Regional Park

New Innovative Virginia Tea Rooms to Try

Around the world, as both a beverage and a pastime, tea is steeped in history and ritual. From the casual to the ceremonial, tea is a throughline for many cultures, and now, it’s enjoying a renewed interest from beverage pros who are drawn to tea’s unique flavor characteristics, health benefits, and cultural connections. Recently, two […]

by Stephanie Ganz

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

Best of Virginia 2025

Flour & Water Bakery Brings a Taste of France to Woodstock

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New Innovative Virginia Tea Rooms to Try

The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

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Best of Virginia 2025

Flour & Water Bakery Brings a Taste of France to Woodstock

Current Issue

Events

Independence Day Celebration

Fourth at the Fort

4th of July Family Forest Bathing

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Most Popular

New Innovative Virginia Tea Rooms to Try

The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

UVA Claims Top Spots Among Public Universities

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weekly newsletter: VL Today

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