Come find Your Virginia

Home to Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia’s diverse landscape serves up every outdoor experience imaginable.

McAfee Knob is the most photographed site along the Appalachain Trail. It has an almost 270 degree panorama of the Catawba Valley and North Mountain, Tinker Cliffs to the north, and the Roanoke Valley to the east. Virginia Tourism Corporation, www.Virginia.org

Come find your Virginia

Home to the majestic mountains of Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway, along with miles of warm sunny beaches, Virginia’s diverse landscape serves up every outdoor experience imaginable.

The state’s celebrated culinary scene, which features fresh, local produce, heritage meats and sublime Virginia oysters, is enhanced by award-winning distilleries and more than 330 boutique wineries.

There’s rich history here too, which, combined with acclaimed art museums, promises hours of discovery. Connecting all of this are scenic byways, passing through rolling green hills and historic small towns and leading to tucked-away resorts, spas and golf courses that offer a true respite from daily life.

Bicyclists ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Roanoke

Kingsmill Resort boasts 36 holes of championship golf on 2,900 acres along James River

Salamander Resort on 340 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains, features 168 rooms, a spa, wine bar, cooking studio and banquet facilities

Cavalier Resort and Spa

Pleasure House Oysters, Chef’s Table Tour

Need to know

Getting there: Located in Chantilly, VA, Washington Dulles International Airport is served by flights from around the globe. Virginia’s ten other airports and Amtrak rail service connect to cities throughout the state and beyond.

Best time to go: With mountains in the west and the coast to the east, Virginia enjoys relatively temperate year-round weather to ensure a wealth of outdoor time, including leaf-peeping in the fall, snow sports in the winter, blossom in the spring and warm beaches in summer.

Currency: US dollar

Time zone: GMT-5

Food: Farm-raised grains, vegetables, meats, savoury cheeses and signature oysters all provide endless fresh ingredients for chefs to create tastes for every palate and price point. The delectable dishes pair perfectly with craft beverages from the more than 330 wineries, over 300 breweries and cideries, and in excess of 70 distilleries spread throughout the state.

Where to stay: Virginia offers ideal accommodation options for every budget and preference – from luxury resorts to unique glamping sites and everything between.

How to do it: The regional Metrorail takes visitors from Washington Dulles International Airport to numerous destinations throughout northern Virginia, connecting with the Amtrak train service, which offers routes into the Blue Ridge Mountains and east to Virginia’s shores. With thousands of miles of scenic byways, a road trip always turns up something new.

Must-pack item: Comfortable shoes and plenty of layers.

Why go: From stunning scenery and a welcoming culture to an extraordinary history, these are only a part of what makes Virginia a must-visit destination. Come find your Virginia.

Barboursville Vineyards, owned by the Zonin family, have been producing wine since 1821