Meet Virginia

With so many terrific travel spots in the U.S, it can be tough to decide your destination. But one tried and true way to discover a place is to listen to a local. You can read tons of guides and scores of stories written by travel experts, but no one knows the ins-and-outs of their city or attraction as well as its residents. So, in order to help you MEET VIRGINIA, we’ve pulled together a variety of videos that put citizens front and center, to share with you their experiences and what they love about their state.
Virginia Beach local, Mary Kathryn, takes viewers on a discovery of the vast diversity of experiences in her coastal city, for locals and visitors alike. From the pristine beaches of the Oceanfront District to the sprawling fields of the agricultural farming community of Pungo – and everywhere in between – there’s no shortage of fun to be had. Her recent series helps people Rediscover Virginia Beach, but be sure to click on ‘More Virginia Beach Experiences,’ or scroll down the page, to discover Visitor Adventures, highlighting everything from Outdoor activities to Foodie experiences and Family Fun.
The oyster is helping to save the Chesapeake Bay, along with some fantastic human partners. The renaissance of the Bay and the role of the Virginia oyster is told here by Virginia watermen, Ryan and Travis Croxtan, who have been at the forefront of that revitalization for years. Their business, Rappahannock Oyster Company supplies tasty little bivalves to not only their restaurants, but also to many others in the region. Once you hear their story, you’ll definitely want to come and do your part for the Bay by eating a few oysters yourself along the Virginia Oyster Trail.
If you haven’t heard of moonshine and Franklin County, Virginia – The Moonshine Capital of the World – then this is the video for you. Owner and head distiller at Twin Creeks Distillery, Chris Prillaman, explains the history of distilling in Virginia and what makes the craft mountain spirits created in the Commonwealth special. Chris Prillaman was born and raised beneath the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in small-town, Ferrum, Virginia and his family has been making ‘shine’ for generations. Once you understand the art that goes into distilling the Virginia way, you’ll want more than ever to visit and try some yourself.
Ok, so this one isn’t a video, but it still takes you on a deep dive into one of Virginia’s craftiest destinations, Black Dawg Salvage in Roanoke. Their new podcast is as entertaining as their show! Known for their humorous, family-friendly banter, and passion for saving architectural history from the landfill, the Salvage Dawgs are now talking with leading experts, celebrities, and personalities about the Architectural Salvage, Maker and Creator worlds. Their fun-loving personalities are on full display as they chat with guests and share a weekly “Top Tip” to turn trash at home into treasure. Each podcast episode will also go behind-the-scenes of a “Salvage Dawgs” episode, sharing details (and hilarity) the cameras missed. Rest assured…after filming 11 seasons of reality television, they have some great stories to tell. And if you are inspired to ‘see’ more, episodes of the show can still be found on many streaming services.
Just outside of Washington D.C., along the famous Potomac River, visitors to Virginia will find Mason Neck State Park, managed for the protection and preservation of habitat for the American Bald Eagle, along with other wildlife. Mason Neck is a great spot for bird watching, as well as for canoe and kayaking, hiking and bicycling. Join us here to see and discover what makes Mason Neck so special in this Storytellers video from Visit Fairfax. There are more than 20 videos in the Storyteller’s series, with locals sharing insider knowledge on some of their favorite Fairfax County, Virginia experiences from history to arts, nature and parks, as well as dining and shopping.
Heading west towards the mountains and Shenandoah National Park, visitors will find Loudoun County, known as DC’s Wine Country for its proximity to the nation’s capital and its many wineries. It’s also referred to as Horse and Hunt Country, with its rolling green hills, wide-open spaces, and country estates. There, tucked into the hillsides, you’ll find a wealth of charming small towns, ripe for discovery. Exploring each little city is easy, even from your own home, with a series of 12 new videos, highlighting some of Loudoun’s small-town treasures. Come with us on a visit to Middleburg, Virginia, as seen through the eyes of one of its natives. Afterwards, be sure to check out all the other 12 destinations, showcased in Visit Loudoun’s new Towns & Places video series.
Let’s venture down to Southwest Virginia, where the famous Blue Ridge Parkway winds through the Appalachian Mountains and visitors can find a vast wealth of outdoor and cultural activities. The region offers a unique version of America not found in major U.S. destinations. Southwest Virginia is home to Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail, The Crooked Road as well as Damascus, crossroads for the famous Appalachian Trail, known as ‘Trail Town USA’. Check out the new Virtual Visits, which take viewers to a variety of attractions and towns to help you plot your best course around the area. This one takes you to historic Abingdon, home of the Barter Theater.
Roanoke, Virginia native, Xavier Duckett, is a creative soul and a multi-faceted entrepreneur making real change in his community. One recent endeavor is his collaboration with Virginia is for Lovers to create a merchandise line encouraging travel across Virginia. In his three-part video series, The Re-Written Narrative, Xavier takes you to Richmond, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Roanoke and Alexandria, to meet some of its citizens and business owners and let them tell you first-hand why Virginia is so worth a visit.
Traveling definitely brings on an appetite – not to mention a thirst! All the more reason to watch Norfolk’s video series City with Bite, which takes you to a few of Norfolk’s 600+ Indie restaurants. From tiki-inspired cocktails to the quintessential mom and pop sub shop, elevated menus to low and slow barbecue, you’ll go behind-the-scenes to meet the F&B artisans behind some of the best eats and drinks on the U.S. East Coast. In this one, owner founder of Benchtop Brewing Company talks about the craft beer scene – including a beer made with beets!
Plan to visit us here on the International Visitors page of our Virginia.org website for regular updates to our MEET VIRGINIA video inspiration from our friends around the state.