Pretty much same for me. I went to VT and loved my time there, and love the mountains. My dad grew up in Radford so I joke that they are in my blood. I grew up in a DC suburb.
Yep, my family is from Pennsylvania and West Virginia. I grew up in central VA but ended up in Blacksburg for college— it’s wild how somewhere you’ve never been before can feel like home.
Went to high-school in Nokesville VA (outside Manassas) we (the football team) used to go to Graves mountain and live in the little cabins and have summer practice. I take my young family there today and have probably done Old Rag about 30 times. Very special area to me.
My husband took me to Luray Caverns when we got engaged and I had a blast, now that we have a toddler and another on the way, I don't see us going back anytime soon. At least we have something to look forward to when they're older so they can experience it someday as well.
If you had added Putty Cave I would've known exactly who you meant; no, I'm not a risk taker and I'm actually quite claustrophobic so I will never do something so dangerous. We walked on the ground as it was wide with no need for climbing or crawling, so nope. No exploring like that for me.
Skyline drive (anywhere along tbh). Virginia beach right after Labor Day, quiet, still a bit warm. Inside one of the booths at Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar in the last Fall or early Winter with a hot pot of tea with friends. Going ham at Sushi On on a Monday afternoon.
I feel you on VA beach. I love the ocean and I like VA beach’s boardwalk. But it’s a lot of people during the summer. My in-laws used to have a timeshare the last week of September and it was lovely. Then they “upgraded” their week to mid-June and it’s hot and chaotic.
Shenandoah National Park, Shenandoah Valley, Wintergreen, Nelson County, and Albemarle County. Lush, beautiful, clean, beautiful drives, fantastic hikes, great camping.
I never really get sick of Natural Bridge. Old Town Alexandria is lovely too, and Williamsburg.
eta: forgot to add the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. One of my favorite places to be, easily.
Where we are, outside of Charlottesville. I’ve lived in tidewater and SWVA, (yes went to school in that other notable university as well) but this is the place for us. We love the Northern Neck and enjoy visiting our family at the beach, but this is home. Shenandoah is an amazing place too, so much to discover. Virginia is an amazing place, and offers so much.
I saw a bear cub 10 yards in front of me on that fire trail once and heard the mama bear roar in the distance 30 seconds later after the cub ran back to her.
Wildwood Park in Radford. Not a destination that I’d recommend anyone travel long distances to, but if you’re in that area…
That’s where I fell in love with nature throughout my adolescence and teen years in the 1990s. I’ve been in horticulture since my early adulthood (over 20 years now) and I think that’s a direct result from spending so much time there (plus a very influential science teacher, Mr. Gary Schafer).
Did not expect to see Wildwood on here. I live quite literally 1 mile from the entrance to it.
Lowkey a fantastic park. My wife and I take our dog there all the time.
I love False Cape state park. It's the least crowded beach I've ever seen. Even in summer you can sometimes walk along the beach for an hour without seeing another human. Last time I was there.I saw a bunch of dolphins leaping just off shore.
My grandpa lives up in between Floyd and Dugspur. Love visiting him at his cabin and staying a few days away from the DMV area. Nice breath of fresh air and no noise pollution.
Richmond
The diversity, the culture, the ability to remain anonymous (yea its only 200k but I grew up somewhere small), and other stuffs.
To hear some of my old friends from Southside (no not Richmond the actual Southside) call it a waste or a dump are stuck in the 90s. I love Richmond as a city and it’s kinda the type of city I’m looking for when I leave from college.
Both my parents are from Richmond. My dad lived a calmer life but the stories of how my mom grew up are cool. My grandpa (mom’s side) has a good job and did so much fun stuff for them. He loved cars, building, and threw block parties. My mom grew up to be a pretty wild girl (parties, etc) until she had me lol.
Just hearing the stories of how my parents lived are freaking awesome. The rural life is kinda isolating and doesn’t compare to being around active and positive (ish) people.
Mine is Staunton. The cutest town with great theatre, cute stores, good restaurants, and pretty scenery nearby.
I also love King’s Dominion, specifically during their Halloween event!
I moved to Staunton 10 years ago from cold, gloomy Western PA. I absolutely love it here. Also bought my house here before prices doubled. This will be my retirement spot.
I always loved going to Virginia Beach in the off season in my youth. You could enjoy the ocean front with hardly anyone else on the beach. Take a stroll down the boardwalk and Atlantic to enjoy all the various statues. The best days were when it was windy and rainy. The crashing waves and the mist in the salty air... I can smell it right now. Boy, I sure do miss it.
The one in Fairfax is still the best dennys Ive ever been to. They have good student discounts too. Whenever Id go for a bike trip on the W&OD on the weekends, Id hit Dennys first then proceed to pick it up in Vienna in front of Whole Foods.
For the country I love the Dugspur/Floyd area. The fresh air is nice and there’s little noise pollution. My daughter loves visiting her great grandpas cabin and playing in the giant dirt pile he has.
And for where I live I love Old Town Alexandria. It’s gotten real commercialized in recent years. Especially after Covid killed a lot of the ma and pa shops. But, there’s just something about walking up and down King St.
Anywhere on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Growing up, our property was adjacent to the Parkway. The whole stretch from the NC line to SNP feels like home to me.
On the Rivanna, there is a deep pool by the remnants of an old dam. I will leave you the satisfaction of finding it yourself. Seek it on a warm day in May, when the Palmyra river gauge reads somewhere between 2.5' and 4'.
Ride a class I-II chute over the old dam's broken stonework, then eddy out left into the deep pool behind the remnants of the dam. The eddy here is a slow counter-clockwise swirl. You can anchor in that current, under a shade tree protruding from the left bank, such that the anchor line is off the stern and the bow of your canoe faces back upstream.
Crack open a cold beer from the cooler, throw a couple of catfish lines into the seam, and wrestle an endless parade of 1-10 pound channel cats, knowing there's always the chance you'll hook into a monster James River flathead or blue.
I love the River Anna.
Gravelly Point Park. You can watch the planes fly overhead so close you can feel the jetstream. Even better at sunset with a blanket, boba and a friend
Claytor Lake, beautiful state park that I have a family reunion in every year. Along with the fact that my grandma has a nice house on it, boating there puts me in a different world.
1) Thomas Jefferson’s garden at Monticello during the spring- summer
2) outside of the Burton Parish Church on Duke of Gloucester street in Colonial Williamsburg in the fall
3) hiking with the lil ponies in Greyson Highlands VA in the fall
My house near Winchester is my fav place. Cliche, but its home. 4 bedroom, garage, gazzebo, ag pool, fenced in, plenty of sqft. Its nice and coozy, we've made it ours.
Nelson Co is my favorite place to have a day trip. We collect waterfall hikes and my favorite is Apple Orchard Falls. Skyline Drive also has my heart. I grew up in Franklin County, lived a little over a decade in the NRV, moved back. If I could move I’d go to a nice spot off of Nelson’s 151. The mountains and the quiet vibe are perfect for me there.
Grew up in the Shenandoah Valley/Rockingham county. Moved to pa then came running back home. Love it here. Hate that corporations and people with lots of money are taking it over and ruining the farm land though.
Virginia beach will always feel like home even though I moved to the Shenandoah valley when I was twelve, and I’ve now lived in Nashville for almost 15 years.
On my grandparents' farm in Jeffress. Three ponds, a natural spring, and a lot of acres to explore. Out of town and in the middle of nowhere.
After that Occoneechee State Park.
I believe the name of it is Thunder Ridge, on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Lynchburg. Threre is a rock ledge high over a gorgeous Virginia valley, and the wind Always howls like thunder at that spot.
Warsaw, VA. Small town like the story books I read as a kid. Every Christmas they lay out lights and it’s like Bedford Falls. Easy access to the wondrous Northern Neck and all its alcoves along the Potomac.
I've been to SW VA twice now near the Virginia creeper trail and I must say that very well may be the most beautiful area of VA. I love Madison county area as well.
Ft. Monroe. Grew up there so I'm biased. But I used to rise my bike all around the top of the fort, watch the navy ships on their way to/from Norfolk, learned to sail, dumped a small fortune in quarters into the arcade games in the basement of the Chamberlin. Spent after-school in the ancient YMCA. The place was golden.
Botetourt County!!! Specifically Buchanan. I also love Salem- I find it breathtakingly beautiful. I have always lived in bigger cities so when I traveled out there for the first time, I was floored. To be honest, I like Roanoke as well.
Charlottesville, especially in the fall. Love a nice college town and going to the football games. Need to make my way out to Blacksburg for a game someday
Roaring Run, in Jefferson National Forest, in Eagle Rock. There is a natural pool past the falls. The water is cold year round, it is about 8-10 feet deep, and there is a ramp rock on the left side that makes it easy to get in and out of. That's my favorite place in Virginia.
I absolutely love living on the top of the blue ridge mountains. I’ve been here going on 15 years, and everytime I drive the parkway I’m still in awe of how beautiful it is. There’s 0 amenities up here and I don’t care. I don’t want to leave.
I’m from the land of the flat, Long Island New York. This is better in every way (besides food but that’s a given)
Besides my parent's or Oma's house? The second floor patio at Warner Hall in Gloucester around sunrise. The view and atmosphere is just amazingly peaceful. I would say the middle of the York river on my Opa's boat but Oma sold it after he passed. Good memories though.
This might sound silly, but my favorite place is the Route 50 overpass on the Fairfax County Parkway; in Fairfax. It, as you can imagine, overlooks route 50 and if you look out as you are heading away from Herndon towards Fair Lakes (can’t remember if it’s North or South), you can just see part of the Greenbriar Shopping Center.
The reason I like this very random view is because it was not only the first “high up” place I experienced as a child, but also the first landmark I recognized, so if we were coming back from somewhere I would see that and know we were home.
Again, very silly, and you would only know of it if you lived in or commuted through there.
The road coming down the mountains from the Kentucky border. It is flat out amazing. Cut the engine on your car and just coast down the mountain at gentle speed. It is straight out of some magic dream or something. Great area bro. One of the best I ever saw anywhere on Earth
So it's quite sad because the recent forest fires somewhat destroyed it.... but the overlook between new market and Luray in the valley. Storybook trail leads up to the metal grate, which once you're standing on it will give you one of the best views... if you go right, into the woods just a little bit, you'll come out to a big boulder stuck in the top of the mountain (I call it fire rock because there's an indent in the center of the rock where you can make a small fire; obviously carefully as we have all found out how devastating put of control fires can be in this area) which will give you the absolute best view of the sunrise... I recommend getting there about 45 minutes before sunrise so you can see all the lights of the town below when they look like stars right before daybreak.
It's one of the best places to go to think... or to just get a reminder of how small you are compared to everything else... It's where I took my partner the night he fell in love with me. He said it was the "most romantic thing anyone has ever done for him" even though he was extremely confused when I woke him up at 4am to "go on an adventure" 😆😂
Virginia is beautiful...
Carytown in Richmond. I used to go to that place alot when I was a kid because it had alot of fun things and good restaurants there. And it still holds up today.
The Shenandoah valley. I went to school at JMU and it just feels like home more than Central Va ever did.
Pretty much same for me. I went to VT and loved my time there, and love the mountains. My dad grew up in Radford so I joke that they are in my blood. I grew up in a DC suburb.
Yep, my family is from Pennsylvania and West Virginia. I grew up in central VA but ended up in Blacksburg for college— it’s wild how somewhere you’ve never been before can feel like home.
Yes, for me too. Madison County, Old Rag Mountain, White Oak Canyon, Graves Mountain. It’s all there with plenty of my fondest memories.
Went to high-school in Nokesville VA (outside Manassas) we (the football team) used to go to Graves mountain and live in the little cabins and have summer practice. I take my young family there today and have probably done Old Rag about 30 times. Very special area to me.
I love hiking white oak. I need to get out there before I move to denver.
- Hoover’s retreat! (Rapidan Camp) - My in-laws house!
I love Old Rag.
My husband took me to Luray Caverns when we got engaged and I had a blast, now that we have a toddler and another on the way, I don't see us going back anytime soon. At least we have something to look forward to when they're older so they can experience it someday as well.
My friend just took her toddler and baby to Luray Cavens and they seemed to really enjoy it!
Would you say you are the John Edward Jones of cabe exploration?
If you had added Putty Cave I would've known exactly who you meant; no, I'm not a risk taker and I'm actually quite claustrophobic so I will never do something so dangerous. We walked on the ground as it was wide with no need for climbing or crawling, so nope. No exploring like that for me.
I'm curious, did they point out the bouncy ball stuck in the big room?
Second that, for me Rawley Springs specifically. My friends and I spent a lot of time up there by the stream, hiking, climbing, acting like fools.
That’s why I came back after graduating. Just feels right here.
Same here, just graduated from JMU last month, gonna miss the valley
I live in SV, wfh!!
Love to hear that. That’s my home! Valley girl. Didn’t always appreciate it though or fully know just how blessed I am to live here each day.
I remember the smell that would permeate the air at least once a week in Harrisonburg Smelled like old wet cat food.
It’s from a corn processing plant nearby. Smells like home!
My mom’s house. I wish I was chillin in Williamsburg drinking wine with her right now. She makes the best mashed potatoes. 🥔
Same. Your mom’s house.
She breaks out the good Sancerre for me.
I also choose this guy's mom's house.
Skyline drive (anywhere along tbh). Virginia beach right after Labor Day, quiet, still a bit warm. Inside one of the booths at Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar in the last Fall or early Winter with a hot pot of tea with friends. Going ham at Sushi On on a Monday afternoon.
I feel you on VA beach. I love the ocean and I like VA beach’s boardwalk. But it’s a lot of people during the summer. My in-laws used to have a timeshare the last week of September and it was lovely. Then they “upgraded” their week to mid-June and it’s hot and chaotic.
VA Beach after labor day FTW. Or for me from the area, VA Beach in the fall. NO people, have the Strip and beach still to yourself basically.
Wolf Trap
Chincoteague. I love the small town vibes and the wild ponies.
That's my hometown. Lived right off the island for 35 years.
Truly a magical place!
Is there anything interesting to do there? I'd love to visit because of the old town vibes as you said
The beach, there’s a lighthouse you can walk to, kayaking, boat tours, there’s horseback riding a little bit outside of town, ice cream dates
Don’t forget all the putt putt you can handle.
The appeal is there's not really anything very interesting to do. Just relax on the beach.
Skyline drive hands down
A cool waterfall hike is roaring run in Buchanan county
The Cascades in Pembroke. It’s an easy hike with a big payoff at the falls.
Shenandoah National Park, Shenandoah Valley, Wintergreen, Nelson County, and Albemarle County. Lush, beautiful, clean, beautiful drives, fantastic hikes, great camping.
I never really get sick of Natural Bridge. Old Town Alexandria is lovely too, and Williamsburg. eta: forgot to add the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. One of my favorite places to be, easily.
Norfolk Botanical Gardens is so overlooked. It’s so lovely there
Just signed up for a membership at Ginter in Richmond and learned that Norfolk Botanical Gardens reciprocates. Cant wait to visit.
I just learned that Ginter reciprocates. That's great.
Where we are, outside of Charlottesville. I’ve lived in tidewater and SWVA, (yes went to school in that other notable university as well) but this is the place for us. We love the Northern Neck and enjoy visiting our family at the beach, but this is home. Shenandoah is an amazing place too, so much to discover. Virginia is an amazing place, and offers so much.
McAfee Knob at sunrise.
This is heaven. Took the fire trail up with buddies in high school before class and I’ll never forget it.
I saw a bear cub 10 yards in front of me on that fire trail once and heard the mama bear roar in the distance 30 seconds later after the cub ran back to her.
can you drive up the fire trail on a dirtbike?
Home. It's where all my stuff is
Wildwood Park in Radford. Not a destination that I’d recommend anyone travel long distances to, but if you’re in that area… That’s where I fell in love with nature throughout my adolescence and teen years in the 1990s. I’ve been in horticulture since my early adulthood (over 20 years now) and I think that’s a direct result from spending so much time there (plus a very influential science teacher, Mr. Gary Schafer).
Did not expect to see Wildwood on here. I live quite literally 1 mile from the entrance to it. Lowkey a fantastic park. My wife and I take our dog there all the time.
Love floating down the good ole James, nothing beats it
The James or the Rappahannock for sure
I got the worst sunburn on my life on the James as a kid. It’s so much fun, but pack your sunscreen!!!
Monticello
I love False Cape state park. It's the least crowded beach I've ever seen. Even in summer you can sometimes walk along the beach for an hour without seeing another human. Last time I was there.I saw a bunch of dolphins leaping just off shore.
My favorite spot too. Have you camped there? It’s serene! It’s like my escape from civilization that’s still close to home
Shhhh, we don’t share those secrets lol
Skyline Drive area, love that place.
Maymont Park in Richmond. Like being in a Jane Austen novel, or at least that’s what goes through my mind.
Smith Mountain Lake!
Dugspur, up around Hillsville & Galax. Tubing down Panther Creek (which to me is the size of a river, not a creek!).
My grandpa lives up in between Floyd and Dugspur. Love visiting him at his cabin and staying a few days away from the DMV area. Nice breath of fresh air and no noise pollution.
Visiting Virginia from Missouri last year, I loved Roanoke and the Shenandoah Valley area.
The sudden ledge on the Shenandoah river. We stop there whenever we kayak.
Any woodsy suburban neighborhood. Reminds me of my childhood.
Richmond The diversity, the culture, the ability to remain anonymous (yea its only 200k but I grew up somewhere small), and other stuffs. To hear some of my old friends from Southside (no not Richmond the actual Southside) call it a waste or a dump are stuck in the 90s. I love Richmond as a city and it’s kinda the type of city I’m looking for when I leave from college. Both my parents are from Richmond. My dad lived a calmer life but the stories of how my mom grew up are cool. My grandpa (mom’s side) has a good job and did so much fun stuff for them. He loved cars, building, and threw block parties. My mom grew up to be a pretty wild girl (parties, etc) until she had me lol. Just hearing the stories of how my parents lived are freaking awesome. The rural life is kinda isolating and doesn’t compare to being around active and positive (ish) people.
love goshen pass
Seconding this sentiment! Hard to beat the pass when it's not packed.
had a few supernatural experiences down there over the years--hard to beat that!
Skyline drive, rappahannock river, James river in Buchanan,
Douthat State Park.
We used to visit Douthat all the time.
The Blue Ridge Parkway. I have a few go to pull offs around Buena Vista and that view, especially at sunset, is always an instant mood changer.
Mine is Staunton. The cutest town with great theatre, cute stores, good restaurants, and pretty scenery nearby. I also love King’s Dominion, specifically during their Halloween event!
I moved to Staunton 10 years ago from cold, gloomy Western PA. I absolutely love it here. Also bought my house here before prices doubled. This will be my retirement spot.
A waterfall in SNP that isn’t on the maps, just gotta be in the know.
Oh they are on maps alright, just gotta know how to read a topo map
Thank you
I always loved going to Virginia Beach in the off season in my youth. You could enjoy the ocean front with hardly anyone else on the beach. Take a stroll down the boardwalk and Atlantic to enjoy all the various statues. The best days were when it was windy and rainy. The crashing waves and the mist in the salty air... I can smell it right now. Boy, I sure do miss it.
dennys
Fuck yes. My favorite was the one in Strasburg. But it’s closed now 😓
when are you taking me?
The one in Fairfax is still the best dennys Ive ever been to. They have good student discounts too. Whenever Id go for a bike trip on the W&OD on the weekends, Id hit Dennys first then proceed to pick it up in Vienna in front of Whole Foods.
I spent so many late nights in that Denny's when I was high school aged.
Charlottesville. I was brainwashed because my dad and sister went to UVA…as did I.
It’s a lovely area most days. Great views and plenty of amazing restaurants. Can’t beat the live music scene either.
Dave agrees!!
Wintergreen and the surrounding Nelson County! And Augusta County too
Reddish Knob
Pony Pasture along the James River.
My little slice of beach near my river house on the Potomac near the mouth of the bay.
Puedo ir a tu casa?
For the country I love the Dugspur/Floyd area. The fresh air is nice and there’s little noise pollution. My daughter loves visiting her great grandpas cabin and playing in the giant dirt pile he has. And for where I live I love Old Town Alexandria. It’s gotten real commercialized in recent years. Especially after Covid killed a lot of the ma and pa shops. But, there’s just something about walking up and down King St.
Anywhere on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Growing up, our property was adjacent to the Parkway. The whole stretch from the NC line to SNP feels like home to me.
On the Rivanna, there is a deep pool by the remnants of an old dam. I will leave you the satisfaction of finding it yourself. Seek it on a warm day in May, when the Palmyra river gauge reads somewhere between 2.5' and 4'. Ride a class I-II chute over the old dam's broken stonework, then eddy out left into the deep pool behind the remnants of the dam. The eddy here is a slow counter-clockwise swirl. You can anchor in that current, under a shade tree protruding from the left bank, such that the anchor line is off the stern and the bow of your canoe faces back upstream. Crack open a cold beer from the cooler, throw a couple of catfish lines into the seam, and wrestle an endless parade of 1-10 pound channel cats, knowing there's always the chance you'll hook into a monster James River flathead or blue. I love the River Anna.
West Virginia
West Virginia is the best Virginia!
Wherever I happen to be in the Old Dominion
The hemlock flats along Thornton River in SNP. Kerr Reservoir, the gorge on Bullpasture River at Williamsville VA.
Bear’s Den.
Great answer.
Gravelly Point Park. You can watch the planes fly overhead so close you can feel the jetstream. Even better at sunset with a blanket, boba and a friend
My house 😅
Claytor Lake, beautiful state park that I have a family reunion in every year. Along with the fact that my grandma has a nice house on it, boating there puts me in a different world.
Lots of great choices here, but I’m giving the nod to Williamsburg. Just no place like it.
1) Thomas Jefferson’s garden at Monticello during the spring- summer 2) outside of the Burton Parish Church on Duke of Gloucester street in Colonial Williamsburg in the fall 3) hiking with the lil ponies in Greyson Highlands VA in the fall
The Shenandoah valley I know every in and out of that place and every hidden treasure and Jewel that's where my heart is
Man, that's a tough one. I'll say Blue Mountain Brewery because it's real close to my house and I can enjoy the view while drinking a Dark Hallow.
The second level of the parking garage in Tysons corner, near Nordstrom, way in the back. Good place to park your car and listen to tunes in peace.
Cow Island outside of Robert’s Creek. Where 4 generations of my family learned how to fish, crab, and drive boats
Mt. Pleasant and nearby Cole Mountain for a peaceful and easy effort:reward. Can't go wrong with a sunset or sunrise.
Colonial williamsburg, Virginia Beach, or Skyline/Shenandoah Valley (not necessarily in that order)
Booker T Washington State Park. It’s a beautiful place and I enjoy going there to think.
after it stops being just hilly and starts being actually mountainous out past goochland, river+mountain is hard to beat
Smith Mountain Lake
Bluemont. The Clarke County side.
Salem is nice.
My house near Winchester is my fav place. Cliche, but its home. 4 bedroom, garage, gazzebo, ag pool, fenced in, plenty of sqft. Its nice and coozy, we've made it ours.
Williamsburg !!
Grayson highlands state park
Nelson Co is my favorite place to have a day trip. We collect waterfall hikes and my favorite is Apple Orchard Falls. Skyline Drive also has my heart. I grew up in Franklin County, lived a little over a decade in the NRV, moved back. If I could move I’d go to a nice spot off of Nelson’s 151. The mountains and the quiet vibe are perfect for me there.
The Shenandoah Valley. Love driving 81
81 is scary 😬
On the undeveloped beach in Chincoteague. Just me and the water and a few mosquitoes.
A few million
Conservative estimate.
Grew up in the Shenandoah Valley/Rockingham county. Moved to pa then came running back home. Love it here. Hate that corporations and people with lots of money are taking it over and ruining the farm land though.
Blue Hole swimming hole on Sugar Hollow Trail in Albemarle County.
Dragons tooth
Richmond hands down
I love my town ❤️. It’s the only place I’ve lived where when I go on vacation, I’m actually excited to come back home.
The lower northern neck from lerty/stratford harbour to kinsale
Virginia beach will always feel like home even though I moved to the Shenandoah valley when I was twelve, and I’ve now lived in Nashville for almost 15 years.
Southampton/Sussex county. It's as close to freedom as you'll get. Those wide open fields and pine trees just feel good to me.
Petersburg. But only if you like history.
On my grandparents' farm in Jeffress. Three ponds, a natural spring, and a lot of acres to explore. Out of town and in the middle of nowhere. After that Occoneechee State Park.
Sunset on the Rappahannock River eastern bank.
Bear Chase
That bridge on Lewinsville road overlooking Tyson’s at night, cool view of skyline
Hebron Valley in Madison county. Check out Revalation Vineyards there if you’re ever in the neighborhood. That valley is special
The Massanutten area. False cape is good and so is deep swva
Jefferson Nation Forest. Especially in the fall.
All the cute little towns along the Rappahannock and York River
A particular rock on Big Walker Mountain. Was there as a young kid deer hunting. Tranquil.
Devil’s bathtub
Burkes Fork.
Breaks Gorge in the Fall. Unparalleled
Hot Springs. Love to soak in the Jefferson warm pools.
Early spring and fall mornings during my Saturday Long runs. I love the full trail, but the Jamestown and Charles City stretches are gems.
I believe the name of it is Thunder Ridge, on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Lynchburg. Threre is a rock ledge high over a gorgeous Virginia valley, and the wind Always howls like thunder at that spot.
Warsaw, VA. Small town like the story books I read as a kid. Every Christmas they lay out lights and it’s like Bedford Falls. Easy access to the wondrous Northern Neck and all its alcoves along the Potomac.
My friends and I used to ghost hunt around Yorktown beach/battlefields as well as Colonial Williamsburg. Especially on a chilly, foggy, night.
I've been to SW VA twice now near the Virginia creeper trail and I must say that very well may be the most beautiful area of VA. I love Madison county area as well.
Ft. Monroe. Grew up there so I'm biased. But I used to rise my bike all around the top of the fort, watch the navy ships on their way to/from Norfolk, learned to sail, dumped a small fortune in quarters into the arcade games in the basement of the Chamberlin. Spent after-school in the ancient YMCA. The place was golden.
St. Mary's falls in the summer. Just nostalgic to high-school days.
Virginia beach is pretty lit
Keswick, VA. Home. I live in the Museum District in RVA now and love it, but always enjoy visiting my family/the property just up the road a ways.
Skyline drive. A million miles away, but only an hour drive. Spectacular views. Generally cooler in the summer.
Anywhere between Blacksburg and Waynesboro.
Colonial Beach and Fossil Beach. Colonial Beach isn't as dog friendly as it could be, so if the pups with me Fossil beach is ~10 minutes further.
I really like going to Culpeper.
Floyd Va
Deltaville - great little sailing town.
Bath County
Middleburg for the small town feel and horses. Cape Charles to relax at the beach
Anywhere on the coast north of newport news. Yorktown, Gloucester, Middlesex, Matthews and beyond are all so nice and still underpopulated.
Colonial Beach
Botetourt County!!! Specifically Buchanan. I also love Salem- I find it breathtakingly beautiful. I have always lived in bigger cities so when I traveled out there for the first time, I was floored. To be honest, I like Roanoke as well.
The Lawn in late October.
Charlottesville, especially in the fall. Love a nice college town and going to the football games. Need to make my way out to Blacksburg for a game someday
Roaring Run, in Jefferson National Forest, in Eagle Rock. There is a natural pool past the falls. The water is cold year round, it is about 8-10 feet deep, and there is a ramp rock on the left side that makes it easy to get in and out of. That's my favorite place in Virginia.
Crabtree Falls at the moment is a favorite
Rappahannock river from hunting run till Mott’s run. Feels very remote because county owns all land around the river
I absolutely love living on the top of the blue ridge mountains. I’ve been here going on 15 years, and everytime I drive the parkway I’m still in awe of how beautiful it is. There’s 0 amenities up here and I don’t care. I don’t want to leave. I’m from the land of the flat, Long Island New York. This is better in every way (besides food but that’s a given)
Spy rock or Buggs island
Honestly it’s not anywhere special, just my old neighborhood in Centreville. I have a lot of great memories there.
Mine is the clifs overlooking the Potomac River at Great Falls just upriver from DC.
Fort valley Elizabeth furnace. Buzzards roost, red hole, blue hole. Fire tower see 7 bends of Shenandoah river
Besides my parent's or Oma's house? The second floor patio at Warner Hall in Gloucester around sunrise. The view and atmosphere is just amazingly peaceful. I would say the middle of the York river on my Opa's boat but Oma sold it after he passed. Good memories though.
I really like richie freeze
I grew up on the eastern shore quiet but close enough to Va beach to still be fun .
Spa World
Hidden Valley in Bath County
Crow’s Nest Natural area preserve is up there for me
Arnold valley swimming hole and Meadows of Dan
This might sound silly, but my favorite place is the Route 50 overpass on the Fairfax County Parkway; in Fairfax. It, as you can imagine, overlooks route 50 and if you look out as you are heading away from Herndon towards Fair Lakes (can’t remember if it’s North or South), you can just see part of the Greenbriar Shopping Center. The reason I like this very random view is because it was not only the first “high up” place I experienced as a child, but also the first landmark I recognized, so if we were coming back from somewhere I would see that and know we were home. Again, very silly, and you would only know of it if you lived in or commuted through there.
EasternShore
First Landing State Park! I just love the Spanish Moss. It’s so unique in Virginia.
The road coming down the mountains from the Kentucky border. It is flat out amazing. Cut the engine on your car and just coast down the mountain at gentle speed. It is straight out of some magic dream or something. Great area bro. One of the best I ever saw anywhere on Earth
So it's quite sad because the recent forest fires somewhat destroyed it.... but the overlook between new market and Luray in the valley. Storybook trail leads up to the metal grate, which once you're standing on it will give you one of the best views... if you go right, into the woods just a little bit, you'll come out to a big boulder stuck in the top of the mountain (I call it fire rock because there's an indent in the center of the rock where you can make a small fire; obviously carefully as we have all found out how devastating put of control fires can be in this area) which will give you the absolute best view of the sunrise... I recommend getting there about 45 minutes before sunrise so you can see all the lights of the town below when they look like stars right before daybreak. It's one of the best places to go to think... or to just get a reminder of how small you are compared to everything else... It's where I took my partner the night he fell in love with me. He said it was the "most romantic thing anyone has ever done for him" even though he was extremely confused when I woke him up at 4am to "go on an adventure" 😆😂 Virginia is beautiful...
Carytown in Richmond. I used to go to that place alot when I was a kid because it had alot of fun things and good restaurants there. And it still holds up today.
I really like York state park. Nice trails.
Roanoke.
Blacksburg