Outdoors

James River Association: 50 Years of Restoring the James River

When the James River Association marks its 50th anniversary this year, it does so against a backdrop that would have seemed unimaginable at its founding: a river reborn. When the JRA formed in 1976, its namesake waterway was a poster child for environmental disaster. Fish and shellfish populations were threatened by decades of unsustainable harvesting […]

by Eric J. Wallace

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All Aboard: Virginia’s Summer of Steam Celebrates America250

This summer, the legendary Norfolk & Western 611 steam locomotive is firing up her wheel—and she’s bringing history along for the ride. Built in 1950 in Roanoke, Virginia, the 611 is the last surviving member of the “J-Class” fleet, widely regarded as the pinnacle of steam technology. With her iconic bullet-shaped nose, Tuscan Red stripe, […]

by Abby Borgeson

Sail250 Virginia Brings Tall Ships From Around the World

When more than 60 tall ships and military vessels from 30 countries glide into Virginia waters this June, they’ll carry centuries of seafaring history—and usher in one of the most ambitious celebrations America has ever staged. Sail250 Virginia, the Commonwealth’s landmark commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary, runs June 12–23, transforming Norfolk and 11 affiliate […]

by Madeline Mayhood

The State’s Best Barbecue that Virginians Swear By

Online rankings will only get you so far. The real BBQ gems in Virginia are the ones your neighbors have been quietly guarding for years—the roadside spots, the family-run smokehouses, the places without a single influencer photo on the wall. These are the ones worth knowing about. Virginians are serious about tasty barbecue, and not […]

by Janelle Alberts