Culture

Top Summer Mountain Events in Virginia

Making the most of summer’s fleeting sweetness reaches new heights in a mountaintop setting. From the Blue Ridge to the Alleghenies, sun-soaked adventures unfold among soaring trees and peaks. Discover what Virginia’s ridges offer at mountain venues this summer. Chairlift Sunset Sessions, Roseland July 12 & Aug. 16 Take in sunset views of misty blue […]

by Hope Cartwright

Heritage Meets Innovation at the Branch Museum in Richmond

The Branch Museum of Design in Richmond unveils its captivating Re-Think Design series with Re-Think Landscape Design, a dual exhibition, through June 8, celebrating both the storied past and sustainable future of landscape architecture. Genius by Nature in the Main Gallery highlights the masterful legacy of Charles Gillette (1886–1969), whose “Virginia Garden” style transformed the […]

by Madeline Mayhood

What to Do in Virginia for the Fourth of July

From rockets’ red glare to Revolutionary flair, Virginia brings the boom to the Fourth of July. With parades, pageants, pomp, and plenty of fireworks, the Commonwealth cranks up both the colonial charm and the modern-day merrymaking for America’s birthday bash. It’s never too early to start planning your star-spangled fun—here are some Virginia Fourth of […]

by Gracie Hayden

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

How Service Dogs are Breaking New Ground in Healthcare

Stephen Colbert asked Dr. Jane Goodall a big question. “What’s your favorite animal?” he wondered when the world’s most famous primatologist was a guest on a Late Night episode last September. Given Goodall’s groundbreaking research and conservation advocacy in Africa, he assumed her answer would be the chimps she’s worked with throughout her seven-decade career. […]

by Madeline Mayhood

A New Chapter for Virginia’s Independent Bookstores

“ Think about when you read a book you really, really loved,” prompts Paige Williams, owner of Downtown Books in Lexington. “Where were you? Does it tie you to a beach? Does it tie you to a cozy chair by a fire at your grandparents’ house? What makes you love that book?” As an independent bookstore […]

by Hope Cartwright

Controlled Burns are Virginia’s Environmental Superpower

I’m guessing you don’t have this in a smaller size?” I ask the day’s burn boss. The bright yellow Nomex suit she hands me is laughably large on my 5-foot frame, requiring duct tape around the ankles so I don’t trip. While it may not be runway-worthy attire, I’m thankful for the peace of mind […]

by Ellen Kanzinger

Virginia Tech’s Partnership Will 3D-Print Homes Statewide

Technology continues to amaze us, from AI to driverless cars. Now, Virginia is … printing houses? Virginia Housing, the state’s housing finance agency, and Virginia Tech unveiled a robotic 3D printer last November in Virginia Beach, capable of constructing homes. The nearly 11-foot high, 4-ton Tvasta printer, designed and built in India, cuts construction time […]

by Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves

Virginia’s Street Food Scene Looks East

Fast food is leveling up thanks to an increased demand from Asian street food lovers. Read about these Virginia businesses that are answering the call. The Thai Pan • Leesburg Brilliantly positioned next to a Leesburg gas station, The Thai Pan offers on-the-go grub—from spring rolls and fried calamari to pad Thai and Thai fried […]

by Katie Farthing

Pharma Growth and Boutique Hotel Fuel Petersburg’s Boom

Tens of thousands of drivers speed past Petersburg daily on I-95, but its exit ramps are becoming busier as the city emerges as a destination in itself. The industry is moving in and fast. Denmark-based pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk acquired a facility there last December, and Phlow Pharmaceutical launched operations last summer, positioning Petersburg as […]

by Hope Cartwright

Finding Connection Through Birdwatching and Serendipity

While out for a stroll, my husband and I wander into a garden shop in Georgetown. The person behind the counter is in her 20s, pale-skinned, nose ring, blue jean overalls. “Can I help you find something?” she asks. “We’re looking for a tablecloth,” I tell her. She points to a stack of Indian block […]

by Page Evans Corey

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is Among the Country’s Best

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts clinched 11th place in The Washington Post’s top U.S. museums ranking, outshining major institutions in Dallas, Baltimore, and St. Louis. Critics celebrate its seamless blend of galleries and gardens, world-class collections spanning global cultures, and standout exhibitions of contemporary photography. Richmond’s art scene is set for a seismic shift as […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Flower-Forward Things To Do in Virginia This Spring

From flower festivals and farms to Historic Garden Week, Virginia bursts with spring blossoms and inspiration. The possibilities for fun are endless, but here are some of our faves. U-Pick flower farms are the places to be for spring. Load up on beautiful blooms—from tulips and cosmos to daffodils, peonies, and more—at these micro-farms all […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Barter Theatre: A Historic Stage Thriving in Abingdon

At 91, she looks darn good. Barter Theatre, the official state theater, is among America’s oldest theaters and one of the nation’s few remaining professional repertory companies. While many a regional theater are cutting back on productions or even shuttering their doors, Barter appears unstoppable, setting new records for success. From 2022–2023, tickets purchased for […]

by Dawn Klavon

Richmond’s Own Baby Pygmy Hippo Earns Global Fame

Moo Deng, Thailand’s baby pygmy hippo, took social media by storm when she was born last summer. With her outsized wails for attention—her screams bigger than her body—and her sweet, W-shaped snout, she became an overnight sensation from her hippo habitat at Khao Kheow Open Zoo near Bangkok. Fast-forward to last December, and the […]

by Hope Cartwright

Experience Burnside Farms’ Stunning Festival of Spring

A rainbow of blooms takes over Burnside Farms in Nokesville each spring, creating a breathtaking backdrop of yellow, pink, red, and orange blossoms. During their annual Festival of Spring, running mid-March to mid-April (check their Instagram, @BurnsideFarms, for exact dates), visitors can picnic, play, and pick their own bundles from over 150 tulip varieties and […]

by Hope Cartwright

Mise en Place Rules

Chefs reveal the keys to a successful kitchen. -By Janelle Alberts Georges-Auguste Escoffier, considered the father of modern cuisine, scored a chef’s job at the London Savoy in 1890 and promptly introduced a rigid organizational habit that nobody in his kitchen liked. Called mise en place, it’s since become a wildly popular phenomenon, ranking somewhere […]

by Staff

Five European-Inspired Virginia Honeymoons

Although you may be in the midst of wedding planning, there’s one thing you really look forward to after your nuptials: the honeymoon. And while you may have your eyes set on a luxurious resort abroad or a quaint European seaside town, there are plenty of places to feel far away without having to unearth […]

by Jennifer Prince

A Richmond Architect For The Ages

It’s an unassuming sketch that begins with a single square, a squiggle of a hand-drawing. Page after page, the square has been added onto, enlarged and articulated into bolder iterations, until a fully formed vision for a new structure emerges. “There’s a sequence over a week,” McCullar says. “The big ideas come very fast.” It’s taken […]

by J. Michael Welton

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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

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Top Summer Mountain Events in Virginia

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The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

UVA Claims Top Spots Among Public Universities

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Events

FREE Community Concert

Workhouse Fireworks & Summer Bash

2025 Navy Special Operations Foundation Benefit Gala

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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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