Virginia

Ten Best Virginia Hikes

These Virginia views are worth the hike. The stunning natural beauty of Virginia was one of the great charms to the early settlers, so much so that places like Natural Bridge were seen as New World wonders. To photographer and hiker John Henley, they still are. Henley, a commercial photographer with studios […]

by Staff

A Place of One’s Own

Morgan Thomas explores identity across several Southern landscapes—including Virginia. Manywhere By Morgan Thomas. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. pp. 224. $26.00 In Morgan Thomas’s debut short story collection, Manywhere, the titular story opens with the line: “My father walks circles around my kitchen.” We learn of a man on a journey. Yes, it’s literally […]

by Lauren Carpenter

Everybody Loves Stella

How the flavors of her Greek childhood changed the way we think about food. (Photograph by Adam Ewing) Nestled on a corner of Lafayette Street in Richmond, Stella’s radiates a golden warmth with its tin ceilings, wooden accents, and welcoming lighting. Katrina Giavos and her husband Johnny preside over this popular spot—along with […]

by Ashley Hunter

An Interview with Erika Lewis

Lewis’ newest book about misfits and magic is perfect for kindling kids’ imaginations. Erika Lewis grew up in Virginia but now resides in the sunshine state of California. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, her list of credits straddles the comics and novel space, including Game of Shadows from Macmillan’s Tor Books, Firebrand and Acursian from Legendary Comics, and The Color of […]

by Konstantin Rega

One House at a Time

Historic renovations bring housing to Roanoke’s needy. Roanoke’s Restoration Housing is breathing new life into blighted historic-district properties while helping those in need of stable housing. Founded in 2014 by Isabel Thornton, a preservationist and affordable housing developer, the nonprofit has transformed five homes, now occupied by local nonprofits and low-income residents looking […]

by Elizabeth Cogar

Nature: A Restoration

Diana Woodcock’s poetry collection discusses our world, how it’s eroding, and hope for the future. Facing Aridity by Diana Woodcock. Wayfarer Books. pp. 168. $18.00 The poems in Facing Aridity were inspired by research expeditions and residencies in Alaska, the Arctic Circle, the Everglades, and southern Africa; and by fifteen years spent living […]

by Staff

Snow Days!

Hitting the slopes at Virginia’s fab four. (Photography by Sam Dean; Tanja and Ryan Locher at Bryce) Sam Dean and I were tackling Bryce, the first stop on a four-day blast through Virginia’s ski areas. We’d skied together during the decade we worked at The Roanoke Times, squeezing in ski days between […]

by Staff

Rediscover Virginia

Virginia Hotels Offering Discounts for Future Travel in Honor of National Plan for Vacation Day. (Photo courtesy by Omni Homestead Resorts) As part of National Plan for Vacation Day on January 25, Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) and the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association (VRLTA) have teamed up with hotel properties around the state to offer […]

by Staff

Touch Not the Cat

The venomous puss caterpillar is no cuddly kitten. (Illustration by Miriam Martincic) As we sat stuck at home last fall, a flurry of local news stories seized on the apocalyptic spirit of the season: “Weird-looking poisonous caterpillars are on the loose in Virginia,” one headline announced. “Alien hairball sends woman to emergency […]

by caroline kettlewell

Never More Merry

Virginia’s earliest Christmas celebrations. (Illustration by Robert Meganck) The first Virginia Christmas found the Jamestown adventurers far from home and far from merry. Although it was spring when the three English ships landed in the New World, the men had so neglected the fundamentals of survival in their rush for gold and […]

by miley theobald mary

Christmas Mother

The Christmas Mother tradition is all Virginia’s. And here’s the surprising story of how it started. (Illustration by Van Saiyan) You might get the impression she is everywhere at once. Here she is smiling with the Kiwanis club president. There she is at the Rotary Club breakfast. She’s talking on local morning television and quoted […]

by caroline kettlewell

A Sweethaven Country Christmas

Northern Virginia author Heidi Speece takes a tour of a secret sweet spot. Nestled on the outskirts of Williamsburg lies a hidden treasure—the beautiful, 135-acre Sweethaven Lavender Farm. This past weekend, visitors could travel back to a simpler time at the farm’s annual Country Christmas. Complete with hayrides, holiday goodies, and local […]

by Heidi Speece

Barrel Fever

As bourbon demand rises, Virginia is bringing the barrels. Back in 1964, when Congress officially recognized bourbon as a “distinctive product of the United States,” it created a handful of rules to govern its making. In addition to US provenance, corn content, and distillation proof limits; the law dictates aging bourbon for […]

by John Haddad

Arlington Poet Spotlight

Katherine E. Young is a Virginia poet whose work is inspired by the marvelous state she lives in. Woman Drinking Absinthe was published by Alan Squire Publishing in March 2021. The poems concern themselves with transgressions committed in the name of love, and include themes of lust, betrayal, guilt, redemption. In the book, Young employs […]

by Staff

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

The War on Drugs

Roanoke author Beth Macy’s bestseller about drugs is now a series streaming on Hulu. Here’s what her publisher says: In this extraordinary work, Beth Macy takes us into the epicenter of a national drama that has unfolded over two decades. From the labs and marketing departments of big pharma to local doctor’s offices; […]

by Staff

By Design

Before hiring a landscaping expert, it’s important to know who to look for. (Illustration by Jimmy Holder) If we learned one thing from the recent surge in home redesign and renovation, it was that professional help can make a world of difference. And now that we’re all enjoying our outdoor spaces again—heat and […]

by hubbard valerie

Rye Oh My!

Rediscovering one of Virginia’s favorite spirits. Rye whiskey is one of the original local spirits. It’s been distilled here in Virginia since the 1700s; in fact, George Washington started one of the first successful commercial rye distilleries in the country in 1797, says Dale William Neal of VirginiaRye.com. And, like whiskies distilled […]

by Mindy Kinsey

Barefoot Luxury

With its blend of sophistication and comfort and a color palette inspired by the ocean, this dream home defines coastal modern style. Quentin Penn-Hollar QPH PHOTO It’s one thing to build a custom waterfront home. It’s quite another to complete that project after pandemic-induced construction delays, and come out on the other […]

by Meridith Ingram

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Events

July 11, 2025

The Intersection: A Night of Music and Storytelling With Michigander

Institute for Contemporary Art

July 11, 2025

Trivia Night at Historic Sites

Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden

July 11, 2025

Waitress at Virginia Repertory Theatre

Virginia Repertory Theatre

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

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

Virginia

Ten Best Virginia Hikes

Current Issue

Events

The Intersection: A Night of Music and Storytelling With Michigander

Trivia Night at Historic Sites

Waitress at Virginia Repertory Theatre

Most Popular

New Innovative Virginia Tea Rooms to Try

The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

Virginia’s Top 10 Summer Festivals and Events 2025

Virginia

Ten Best Virginia Hikes

Current Issue

Events

The Intersection: A Night of Music and Storytelling With Michigander

Trivia Night at Historic Sites

Waitress at Virginia Repertory Theatre

Get our most popularweekly newsletter: VL Today

Most Popular

New Innovative Virginia Tea Rooms to Try

The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

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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