This state offers the perfect blend of outdoor recreation with culture and history, making it an all-year bucket list destination.
One of the 13 original U.S. colonies, Virginia is often referred to as the gateway to the South. Nestled above North Carolina and Tennessee, east of Kentucky and bordered by Washington and Maryland to the north, over the last century the U.S. state integrated elements of both southern and eastern culture into its own unique identity. Boasting some of the most spectacular scenery in North America, and one of the East Coast’s largest mountain ranges, the state spans 112 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline, bridging the benefits of mountain outdoor experiences with beach luxuries.
Virginia is quickly garnering a reputation as an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, but it also houses some of the country’s most historic landmarks, making it a true hidden gem and a destination that often gets overlooked when it comes to the North American bucket list.
A year-round destination
Virginia has what some call a Goldilocks climate: not too hot and not too cold. This unique blend makes it the perfect all-year destination for tourists and, during the winter months, warm enough to help visitors escape the worst of the chill.
With 20 national parks and 41 state parks, it’s an outdoor oasis for hikers, mountain bikers, skiers, and snowboarders, boasting mountainous beauty that can be enjoyed in the heat of the summer, the cool of the winter, and, perhaps most spectacularly, the fall, with all its glorious foliage.
Shenandoah National Park is a particularly special Virginian gem, home to the famous Appalachian Trail, which covers hundreds of miles of park. It hosts the region’s most widely recognized feature, Skyline Drive, connecting through to the equally spectacular Blue Ridge Parkway. This stretch, known as “America’s Favourite Drive,” follows the Appalachian mountains and continues via the Parkway for spectacular views from Shenandoah Park to the valley.
In the summer, Chesapeake Bay is a prime destination, home to the largest estuary in the United States and over 2,600 species of animals and plants. While a natural wonder itself, the bay is just as renowned for its fishing, crabbing, swimming, boating, and kayaking, representing a true picture of American summer living.
Not just for the outdoor enthusiasts
For those who may not be as drawn to the outdoor activities, Virginia offers a unique opportunity to experience American history and culture.
Virginia Beach, the state’s most populous city and the site of the first landing of English colonists, has the longest pleasure beach walk in the world. With ocean water that stays warm throughout October, it makes a fall beach getaway a reality.
Steeped in history, Virginia’s iconic Mount Vernon is just a starting point for those looking to expand their knowledge of America. Visits to the state’s many famous historical destinations can be bookended with equally important visits to one of the more than 300 wineries or over 300 craft breweries that make Virginia one of the country’s top-five wine-producing regions.
This year marks the perfect time to plan a visit as the state commemorates 250 since the American Revolution and the nation’s official founding. In celebration, there will be a number of signature events taking place including the spectacular Sail 250, where a fleet of tall ships and military ships will sail into the port of Virginia.
From esteemed golf courses to quaint small towns, and from hundreds of miles of mountain ranges to beach getaways, Virginia provides travellers the right climate, engaging attractions, and an enriching environment, while offering unique experiences that cater to every individual. Only a 9-hour drive or 1.5-hour flight from Toronto, this attainable bucket list destination is much closer than many Ontarians even realize.
To learn more about Virginia and to plan your next trip, visit virginia.org/canada
