Virginia
Introduction
Virginia is a gold mining town on the goldfields of the Free State province in South Africa, part of the Lejweleputswa District Municipality. It lies roughly 140 km northeast of Bloemfontein, the provincial capital.
Before you go
Virginia bills itself as a state for lovers, and the slogan holds up in practice: the state's laws affirm the right to marry and recognise diverse family structures, so LGBT travellers can plan a trip here with confidence. English is spoken by most residents, though accents and dialects shift as you move around — the Tidewater dialect in the east, Virginia Piedmont in the centre, and Central Appalachian in the west. Northern Virginia, shaped by its proximity to Washington, DC, has a more general American accent and a brash East Coast attitude that can surprise older Virginians who remember the area's rural past. Non-native English speakers may occasionally struggle with local speech, but most people can shift to a more standard accent on request, and locals are understanding of visitors who don't know the local words for places, actions and people.
Safety varies by location. Certain cities, Richmond and Norfolk in particular, have crime problems, but most places in Virginia are as safe as anywhere else in the US. Ask locals which areas to avoid, stay in groups where you can, trust your instincts, and don't flash cash or valuables. For urgent medical, fire or police help, dial 911 anywhere in the state.
Getting there
By air, your choice of airport depends on where in Virginia you're headed. For Northern Virginia and the Washington DC suburbs, Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) are the gateways; National is the better choice for access to DC itself thanks to its proximity and more Metrorail connections, though it is mostly limited to short- and medium-haul domestic flights, while Dulles handles almost all international and long-haul service and is more convenient for DC's western suburbs. For Central and Southern Virginia, Richmond International Airport (RIC) offers nonstops to major East Coast cities and most major domestic hubs east of the Rockies, with seasonal ultra low-cost service to Florida, and Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport (CHO) provides regional service to East Coast hubs. Eastern Virginia, especially the Virginia Beach/Norfolk/Hampton Roads/Portsmouth area, is served by Norfolk International Airport (ORF), with regional service also available from Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF). Southwestern Virginia is served by Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA), and smaller airports include Shenandoah Valley Regional (SHD) and Lynchburg Regional (LYH), both with limited regional service to hubs.
Amtrak runs intercity trains along two main north-south lines: one from Washington DC through Alexandria, Fredericksburg, Richmond and Petersburg, and another from Washington through Culpeper, Charlottesville, Lynchburg and Danville, with the Cardinal to Chicago switching west at Charlottesville; branch lines connect Williamsburg, Newport News, Norfolk and Roanoke. In Northern Virginia, Virginia Railway Express commuter lines from Manassas and Fredericksburg converge at Alexandria and terminate in Washington DC, and WMATA's Metrorail links the DC suburbs to Washington and Maryland. By car, Interstate 81 is the main route from Tennessee through the state into Maryland and Pennsylvania, I-66 connects I-81 with Washington DC, I-95 runs from DC through Fredericksburg and Richmond into North Carolina, and I-64 crosses east-west linking Hampton Roads with Richmond and Charlottesville before joining I-81 at Staunton. Scenic alternatives include US 11, which parallels I-81 through picturesque towns between Winchester and Bristol, and US 29, a four-lane divided highway through the Shenandoah Valley to Charlottesville and Lynchburg that offers a short route southeast while avoiding heavy freeway traffic.
Getting around
Getting around Virginia is primarily by car, though public transportation is relatively abundant in the Northern Virginia suburbs near Washington, DC. Amtrak runs intercity trains along two main north–south lines: one from Washington through Alexandria, Fredericksburg, Richmond and Petersburg, and another from Washington through Culpeper, Charlottesville, Lynchburg and Danville, with branch lines reaching Williamsburg, Newport News, Norfolk and Roanoke. Virginia Railway Express commuter rail connects Northern Virginia to Washington, with two lines converging in Alexandria—one from Manassas and one from Fredericksburg—and the Washington Metro extends into Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax County and Loudoun County. For local bus services and schedules, check regional transit authority websites before your visit. Taxis and ride-hailing are typically available in major urban areas, but verify availability for your specific destination. Walkability varies significantly by location; urban downtown areas may be more pedestrian-friendly than suburban ones, so research your particular destination before arrival. If you plan to drive, be aware that Virginia enforces its traffic laws strictly. Exceeding the speed limit by 20 mph or driving faster than 85 mph counts as reckless driving, a serious offence that can bring a suspended licence, heavy fines or even jail time—this applies even to driving 86 mph in a 70 mph zone. Other violations, such as failing to properly use a turn signal or failing to yield when required, can also be classified as reckless driving. Obey all traffic laws and follow posted speed limits carefully. Hitchhiking is slow-going: rides are hard to come by, and the Virginia State Police are known for hassling travellers, so your best bet is either to stick to the state roads in the mountains or to rest stops on the major highways.Food & drink
Virginia's signature dishes belong to the broader Southern table. Country ham is the cured specialty you'll see at breakfast and holiday meals, with the largest producers based around Surry County and the best-known operation in Smithfield. In the southeast, Brunswick County is one of several places claiming to be the birthplace of Brunswick stew. The Chesapeake Bay region yields some of the nation's best seafood, especially crab and oysters. To find local producers, the Virginia Department of Agriculture lists them on its Virginia Grown website, and quality processed foods made in the state are promoted through the Virginia's Finest program. Seasonal food and drink festivals run across the state throughout the year; up in the Blue Ridge mountains, the Highland County Maple Festival celebrates local syrup producers, and the lines for the Ruritan pancake breakfasts are famously long, though the atmosphere is friendly and you can skip the wait by eating at an area restaurant or inn. Do try the maple doughnuts made with nutmeg and fresh maple syrup.
Tap water is safe to drink. By law you must be 21 to buy or consume alcohol, and photo ID is required to prove your age. Beer, cider and other alcoholic drinks are available from most restaurants and bars, though purchase is prohibited between 2 and 6AM; what's on offer varies from place to place, so check the menu or ask your waiter. Beer, wine, cider and malternatives are sold at most grocery and convenience stores, but not between midnight and 6AM, and some counties—mainly in the southwest—prohibit Sunday alcohol sales, so check with the local county police department or simply ask the store owner. Hard liquor is sold only at Virginia ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) stores. In the more southern parts of the state, look for Cheerwine, a regional cherry-flavored soda, in convenience stores. Virginia is also wine country, with wineries spread from the Eastern Shore to the Heart of Appalachia and wine trails making them easy to visit; wine events statewide offer tasting, food, music, art, shopping and activities such as grape stomping and hot air balloon rides. Cideries have followed the state's apple bounty, many in the mountainous areas and increasingly in major urban markets, and Virginia Cider Week in the second week of November caps a year of celebrations at the cideries.
What to see and do
Virginia rewards both history-minded travellers and anyone who wants to spend a day outdoors. Start with the state's colonial and early-American heritage: Mount Vernon was George Washington's residence, while Monticello, Poplar Forest and the University of Virginia all relate to Thomas Jefferson. Appomattox Court House marks the site of the Civil War surrender, Berkeley Plantation was home to Benjamin Harrison and others, and Agecroft Hall is a castle in 17th-century style. The Maggie Walker Historical Site preserves the home of Maggie Walker, and the Historic Triangle of Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown bundles several early settlements together. The College of William and Mary, Jefferson's alma mater, sits in the same orbit. Civil War buffs have plenty of battlegrounds to choose from, including the famous field at Bull Run, and the D-Day Memorial in Bedford commemorates a much later conflict.
For a change of pace, the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly hangs historic aircraft from its ceilings, from both World Wars to a spaceship and NASA equipment, plus a Cessna you can sit in and a shark-faced Curtiss-Wright P-40E Warhawk. Natural sights include Crabtree Falls in Nelson County, Natural Bridge in Rockbridge County and the Peaks of Otter in the Blue Ridge Mountains, a popular spot for hiking and fishing. Hikers can tackle the Appalachian Trail's "Triple Crown of Virginia" — Dragon's Tooth, McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs — or head to Shenandoah National Park. In Richmond, catch a play at Theatre IV or an old or modern film at the Byrd Theatre, then stroll the rest of Carytown. Families can choose between Kings Dominion north of Richmond and Busch Gardens near the coast, with its European-themed attractions and proximity to Colonial Williamsburg and the Water Country USA water park. Golfers will find courses spread from the Atlantic to the Blue Ridge, with a mild climate allowing year-round play.
When to go
Virginia has a humid subtropical climate, so what you pack depends heavily on when you visit. Summers are hot and humid, with July highs among the warmest of the year; the mountains and western areas see the state's recorded extremes of temperature and precipitation, so conditions can vary sharply between lowland cities and higher ground. Thunderstorms are common in the late afternoon and evening during the warmer months, and that same stretch of the year is the most common for tornadoes, so plan outdoor activities with an eye on the afternoon sky.
Winters are cold, and cold-air damming against the Appalachians can bring significant snowfalls, with January lows coldest in the west and mountains. Snowfall varies widely from year to year, and recent winters have been below average, with much of the state seeing no measurable snow in 2022–2023. A storm season runs from spring into autumn, and hurricanes and tropical storms can occur during those months; inland flooding has historically been deadly, as with Hurricane Camille in Nelson County in 1969. If you travel in the warmer half of the year, keep an eye on forecasts and be ready to adjust plans around storms.
Three days in Virginia
Day one: Start in Northern Virginia, the region closest to Washington, DC. Use Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) or Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) as your arrival point, and rely on Metrorail and the Metrorail connection to Dulles to move around. Spend your first hours getting oriented in Northern Virginia before heading into Washington, DC itself.
Day two: Head south into Central and Southern Virginia. Fly into Richmond International Airport (RIC) if you are arriving by air, then base yourself in Richmond, the state capital, and explore its streets on foot. Continue toward the Virginia Piedmont to see a different side of the state's landscape.
Day three: Move west into the Central Appalachian region and the Virginia Piedmont, taking in the slower pace of the countryside. If your travels bring you back east, return via Richmond or Northern Virginia for your onward flight from RIC, IAD or DCA.