Dianne 
Virginia barbecue deserves your full attention, especially when slow-smoked brisket, tender pulled pork, sticky ribs, and snappy house-made sausage are involved. Across the state, pitmasters fire up hardwood smokers, follow treasured family recipes, and turn simple cuts of meat into barbecue worth going out of your way for. Some spots have been smoking meat for … Read more
If you’re looking for a weekend filled with mountain views and plenty of time outside, Lake Moomaw offers it all across 2,530 acres and 43 miles of shoreline. Over one weekend, you can paddle to quiet coves, hike beneath tall hardwood trees, cool off at sandy beaches, and learn how this enormous reservoir was created. … Read more
Virginia probably isn’t the first place you picture when you think of narrow slot canyons and towering rock walls. But hidden at the end of a mountain hike is a maze of massive sandstone blocks and twisting corridors that look like they belong somewhere out West. Reaching this geological wonder requires a real hike, making … Read more
Waking up to a peaceful lake just outside your tent or RV makes a camping trip feel even more memorable. Virginia makes that easy, with campgrounds beside huge reservoirs, quiet mountain lakes, sandy swimming beaches, wooded shorelines, and coves perfect for paddling. Wherever you set up camp, you can fill your days with fishing, hiking, … Read more
Most ice cream shops use shiny modern equipment, but one old-school Virginia drive-in is doing things very differently. That’s because a 120-year-old waffle cone machine is still hard at work, cooking thin wafers that are rolled by hand into crispy cones. Add carhop service and a fascinating connection to the early days of the ice … Read more
If you only have one day to explore Mount Rainier National Park, the Paradise area makes it easy to experience some of the park’s most incredible scenery. Think thundering waterfalls, mirror-like mountain views, colorful wildflower meadows, and hiking trails that take you right below Mount Rainier’s massive summit. The best part is that you can … Read more
Some road trips lead to mountain views or landmarks, but this Georgia adventure comes with overflowing bookshelves, warm pastries, and walkable streets. It connects seven towns and cities across the state, taking you from the North Georgia mountains all the way toward the coast and South Georgia. At each stop, you might leave with a … Read more
Imagine walking into an antique store so huge that you could spend hours browsing and still wonder what you missed. You can experience just that in Virginia, home to the largest antique mall in America and countless vintage goods, furniture, collectibles, and wonderfully weird finds. Hundreds of dealers fill the aisles with all kinds of … Read more
What if your next lunch or dinner came with more than 150 years of history and a setting unlike your typical Virginia restaurant? One unusual dining spot has taken over a former 19th-century church, creating a place where the building itself is just as interesting as what arrives at your table. Even after all these … Read more
With rolling vineyards, beautiful mountain views, historic estates, and glasses of local wine, Central Virginia makes for one memorable road trip. This route takes you through the heart of Virginia wine country, where scenic back roads lead to tasting rooms pouring everything from Viognier to Cabernet Franc. But you won’t spend the whole day sipping … Read more