Virginia

Roanoke, Virginia—the Star City—sparkles this holiday with festive events and a spectacular lighting display. Explore Park’s  Illuminights Winter Walk of Lights, a half-mile wooded path festooned with an incredible 600,000 lights,  runs November 20—December 30. In addition to enjoying the lights, holiday music and displays, visitors can roast marshmallows and shop for presents at the […]

Getting its name from the steam locomotives that would slowly struggle up the mountain passes, this 34.3-mile former railway attracts over 100,000 visitors each year since it opened in 1987. The trail is open to hikers, bicyclists and horses but bikes dominate the pathway. Riders range from cycling pros and enthusiasts to grandparents taking their younger family members out for a ride.

Virginia’s Roanoke Valley boasts an ideal setting–between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains, yet easily accessible via interstate and the Roanoke Regional Airport. Location played a major role in the history of the city of Roanoke,  founded as a rail hub for the Norfolk & Western Railway. Today, the city is overlooked by the beautiful […]

They ain’t whistling Dixie so much anymore. Long revered as the heart of the Old Confederacy, Richmond stubbornly has earned its reputation as being mired in the past. No more. Today, it’s a robust destination, one of the cultural pillars of the “New South.”  Century-old tobacco warehouses have been transformed into lofts and art studios […]

George Washington may be the father of our country, but surely Thomas Jefferson was the smartest guy in the room. Travel to Charlottesville, Virginia and you will see why. Tucked into the foothills of Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville is best known as the home of the University of Virginia which Jefferson founded and was the […]

Hampton, Virginia– On December 1, cruise into the holiday spirit at the 24th annual Downtown Hampton Lighted Boat Parade. More than 20 boats are expected to participate in this free nautical light show taking place on the downtown Hampton, Virginia waterfront. Beginning at 7:15 p.m., the parade of illuminated power and sail boats will be […]