Chesapeake Bay

Must-Visit Museums

A round-up for your next family outing. It’s no secret that planning a family vacation is a full-time job. With little constructive input but lots of opinions, it can be hard to please everyone. On your next trip to Coastal Virginia, consider making room to explore some of our favorite museums. […]

by Staff

Chesapean Outdoors

Get outside and explore Virginia’s waterway playgrounds. At Chesapean Outdoors, their motto is simple: Get Connected. Unplug. And by offering activities for the whole family, their team makes it easy. This Virginia Beach-based eco-tour company is most known for their kayak dolphin tours. Visitors can paddle out into the Chesapeake Bay and, […]

by Staff

Seeing the Light

Virginia’s lighthouses still show the way. Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Ke U.S. Navy 041028-N-0318R-001 Lighthouses are quintessential coastal Virginia, with their towering beacons and systems of lamps and lenses used as navigational aids for sailors to find their way. At one time 37 lighthouses operated along the Virginia coast. Now, with nine […]

by Konstantin Rega

Plunge into Planet Shark

Sink your teeth into the newest exhibit at the Science Museum of Virginia. (Courtesy of the Science Museum of Virginia) Sharks first appeared on the earth more than 450 million years ago. There are currently about 400 species and they range from a foot long (the cookiecutter shark) to 40 feet (the whale […]

by Staff

Secret Gardens

With a little digging, Virginia yields five unexpected gems. As garden visitors know, the state’s showstoppers, like Norfolk Botanical Garden, Lewis Ginter in Richmond, and the State Arboretum in Boyce deserve their place in the limelight. But look a little deeper. These lesser-known gardens are equally welcoming, each fascinating in its own […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Make a Connection with Bay Direct

Now it’s easier than ever to eat local foods, supporting local merchants. Rob Ostermaier Consociate Media oylster fishing watermen 02262020 15 Billy Smith and Chris Coates dump oysters freshly pulled from the Rappahannock river onto the sorting table on the Guinea Girl. Finally, a way to find local seafood—fresh off the boat—without […]

by Konstantin Rega

Water Rodeo

In the Chesapeake Bay, extreme boat docking has long been a family tradition. They call themselves the Chesapeake Cowboys, but their herd is a fleet of boats. And when it comes to boat-wrangling skills, these guys take it to the next level. In water rodeo, also known as extreme boat […]

by Markus Schmidt

Knee-Deep in the Brine

Plucked fresh from the water and eaten raw, a wild oyster has the power to ruin you for any other kind. (Illustration by Stan Fellows) CRAVING OYSTERS AND HOPING TO cure cabin fever, I filled my car with camping gear and drove the four hours from Charlottesville to Cape Charles on the […]

by Jackson Landers

Dock ‘n Dine

The Hole in the Wall is the only waterfront grill in Mathews County. (Mark Edward Atkinson) The definition of a hole in the wall is a small, often unpretentious, out-of-the-way place with great food, and the Hole in the Wall Waterfront Grill fits that name to the T. Located at the entrance […]

by Staff

Sea and Sand

A new upscale retirement living community is opening in Norfolk. Senior Lifestyle Corporation Aspire NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART ACTIVE retirement living community is set to open in Norfolk this summer. Acclaim at East Beach will provide high-end, waterfront living in a resort-style setting, including amenities such as an indoor pool, fitness center, art studio, […]

by Markus Schmidt

Back to the Northern Neck

Travel writer Terry Ward returns to the river house she knew as a child and thought she had outgrown. Follow her as she reclaims a lost sense of wonder in this, one of the state’s most timeless and fascinating places.

by Terry Ward

Soul of the Bay

How devoted watermen have rescued some of the Chesapeake Bay’s most storied and historic buyboats.

by Taylor Pilkington

Rising Water, Sinking Land

Earl Swift paints a portrait of the determined and self-reliant watermen of Tangier Island.

by glose bill

Don’t Chuck That Shuck

The Virginia Oyster Shell Recycling Program is building a better, healthier bay.

by hubbard valerie

Gone Oystering

Experience an oyster harvest for yourself.

by hubbard valerie

A Chesapeake Bay Thanksgiving

Northern Neck chefs share hearty oyster recipes for your holiday table.

by Ashley Hunter

Half-Shell Shock

The heyday of the Chesapeake Bay oyster.

by caroline kettlewell

A Day Off in Poquoson

Editors’ picks for 24 hours at the shore.

by Jonathan Nichols

Quite a Catch

A concerted effort to rebuild the Chesapeake Bay’s crab population has preserved a way of life here that is as ‘summah’ as it gets.

by Christopher Pala

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Events

June 30, 2025

June – July @ Art Works!

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June 30, 2025

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July 1, 2025

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North County Governmental Center

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

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

Chesapeake Bay

Must-Visit Museums

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The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

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Chesapeake Bay

Must-Visit Museums

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The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

UVA Claims Top Spots Among Public Universities

Can’t-Miss Spots in Shenandoah National Park

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