Best of Virginia 2025

Must-Visit Stops on the Steins, Vines, & Moonshine Trail

Just 30 miles outside of Washington, D.C., in Prince William County, the Steins, Vines, and Moonshine Trail includes more than 20 independently owned breweries, wineries, and distilleries. An app invites thirsty explorers to earn prizes while exploring the boozy trail, which extends from eastern Prince William near I-95 to western Prince William near I-66 to […]

by Erica Jackson Curran

Dine in a 19th-Century Church at Freemason Abbey

Housed in a 19th-century church in downtown Norfolk, Freemason Abbey offers visitors a uniquely hallowed dining experience. The structure, built in 1873, was originally home to the city’s Second Presbyterian Church congregation, then later the First Church of Christ Scientist and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Since a major renovation in the 1980s, Freemason […]

by Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves

Best NoVa Flea Markets for Bargain Hunters

For bargain hunters and antique lovers alike, Northern Virginia has a host of standout flea markets worth traveling for. Here are some of our favorites. This article originally appeared in the Best of Virginia 2025 issue.

by Erica Jackson Curran

Discover the LOVEwork Signs of Northern Virginia

Love is all around, and we mean that literally here in the Commonwealth. LOVEwork signs started as a tourism branding program, but this labor of love turned into a state staple as signs popped up all over. From recycled materials in Airlie, beautiful murals in Occoquan, a steam train in Warrenton, and a seasonally decorated […]

by Katie Farthing

This Alexandria Spa is Just For Kids

With an extensive menu—from spa treatments to parties and glam packages—Unique & Special Kids Spa in Alexandria is tailor-made—just for kids. “One thing that stands out in every child is their desire and need to feel unique and special,” says owner Martia Clark. “This spa is dedicated to kids, a place of their own, where […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Crazy Mason Takes the Cake—or Milkshake

Desserts at The Crazy Mason in Old Town Alexandria are anything but ho-hum. Mind-boggling shakes, splits, and ice cream cookies, accessorized with waffles, donuts, candy bars, cupcakes, cookies, pretzels, fruit, and plenty of sprinkles, turn otherwise ordinary desserts into crave-worthy flavor parties. Crazy Mason’s combinations and never-before-seen inventions like Sweet Cheesus (get ready …)—strawberry cheesecake […]

by Katie Farthing

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

Pages: 12

Events

July 25, 2025

An Artist’s Journey: The Bay School’s Annual Student Art Show

Bay School Community Arts Center/Art Speaks Gallery

July 25, 2025

“Earth to Table” Invitational Exhibition

Workhouse Arts Center

July 25, 2025

Learning at Lunch: Troublemakers of the NWP

Workhouse Arts Center

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

Why Virginia Is Becoming a Major Tech Hub

Everyone knows tech geniuses are around every corner in Silicon Valley or Seattle. But don’t underestimate Virginia. The Commonwealth is becoming an increasingly major player in the tech industry, appearing on top techy lists worldwide. Hyperscale Hub From projected fusion plants to 3D-printed houses, it’s never a slow news day in the Old Dominion’s tech […]

by Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves

Virginia’s Top 10 Summer Festivals and Events 2025

STAUNTON – Festival of Concerts June 26–Aug. 2: The stunning strums and resounding chords of classical music echo through Staunton’s mountain landscape as Heifetz International Music Institute students from around the world take the stage, with new concerts every day. HeifetzInstitute.org GLOUCESTER – Food Truck Frenzy July 13: Virginia’s most mouthwatering food trucks descend on […]

by Hope Cartwright

Best of Virginia 2025

Must-Visit Stops on the Steins, Vines, & Moonshine Trail

Current Issue

Events

An Artist’s Journey: The Bay School’s Annual Student Art Show

“Earth to Table” Invitational Exhibition

Learning at Lunch: Troublemakers of the NWP

Most Popular

New Innovative Virginia Tea Rooms to Try

Why Virginia Is Becoming a Major Tech Hub

Virginia’s Top 10 Summer Festivals and Events 2025

Best of Virginia 2025

Must-Visit Stops on the Steins, Vines, & Moonshine Trail

Current Issue

Events

An Artist’s Journey: The Bay School’s Annual Student Art Show

“Earth to Table” Invitational Exhibition

Learning at Lunch: Troublemakers of the NWP

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Most Popular

New Innovative Virginia Tea Rooms to Try

Why Virginia Is Becoming a Major Tech Hub

Virginia’s Top 10 Summer Festivals and Events 2025

Get our most popularweekly newsletter: VL Today

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weekly newsletter: VL Today

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weekly newsletter: VL Today