Ten Destinations for a Brush with Authenticity

The authentic cultural heritage of Virginia can be found from one end of the Commonwealth to the other. From the music of the mountains to daily catch of the Chesapeake waterman, you’ll find something real to remember when you come to Virginia. Here’s a small sampling of what you can experience.

Experience the Music and Culture of Appalachia - Immerse yourself in the passion of Bluegrass music and the culture that gave it life when you travel The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail. Venues such as the Carter Family Fold, the Rex Theater and the Ralph Stanley Museum bring to life the infectious energy of the music – and you’ll never forget the people you meet there.

Attend a Virginia Indian Powwow - Your spirits will soar on eagles’ wings as brilliantly costumed men and women perform the dances of their ancestors set to rhythmic drum beats and chants. Vendors sell authentic handmade wares, clothing and musical instruments. Virginia Indian powwows are held throughout the Commonwealth and are designed to bring together people of all cultures to experience and be a part of the festivities. Upcoming Powwows and Festivals...

• June 21 - Mattaponi Indian Reservations 13th Annual Powwow - West Point
• June 21-22 -Shenandoah Valley Powwow - Quicksburg
• July 26-27 - Cheroenhaka Nottoway Indian Pow Wow - Courtland
• July 26 - Virginia Indian Heritage Day - Williamsburg
• Aug. 16-17 - Nansemond Indian Tribal Powwow - Suffolk
• Sept. 5-7 - Wolf Creek Cherokee Intertribal Powwow - Stuart
• Sept. 13 - Indian Festival - Martinsville
• Sept. 20. - Native American Day at Natural Tunnel State Park - Duffield
• Sept. 27-28 - Chickahominy Pow-Wow/Fall Festival - Providence Forge
• Oct. 11 - Powhatan Pauwau - Powhatan

Visit Virginia’s Artists and Artisans - Fine quilts, exquisite pottery, forged metalcraft, sculpture, folk art and treasures of the canvas – nearly everywhere you go in Virginia you’ll find skilled artists and craftspeople. In Southwest Virginia visit the artisans of the 'Round the Mountain or 16 Hands groups. Meet working artists in their studios at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria or the D’Art Center in Norfolk. You’ll bring a piece of Virginia home with you that you’ll treasure as much as your visit.

Sample the Best of Traditional Virginia Cuisine - From peanut soup to Smithfield ham to Chesapeake Bay oysters and crabs – Virginia’s indigenous cuisine has thrilled taste buds from Colonial times to present. Go on a Virginia culinary tour from the historic taverns of Colonial Williamsburg to an Eastern Shore seafood shack or a Southern Virginia small town café. You’ll discover what the Founding Fathers knew – Virginia is for Food Lovers!

Go Where The Rubber Meets the Road - Auto racing has been a tradition in Virginia since the days of moonshiners outrunning the law on the backroads. NASCAR races, and all the tailgating and people watching that go with it, come to Richmond and Martinsville each year. The Virginia International Raceway is a top road race course that brings drivers from around the world. Set your course for exciting racing action - and don't forget your ear protectors.

Explore African-American Culture - Virginia is a treasure trove of African-American heritage sites. In Hampton, visit Emancipation Oak, Old Point Comfort and Fort Monroe. The Hampton University Museum is the oldest and largest African-American museum in the country. Richmond’s historic Jackson Ward, the “Harlem of the South,” is experiencing a vibrant rebirth.

Milk a Cow or Get Lost in a Corn Maze - Virginia’s agrarian traditions are now yours to experience. Get your hands dirty and have the experience of a lifetime as an “agri-tourist.” Visit a working Virginia farm and learn how to milk a cow or shear a sheep. You can pet an alpaca – or a pig, get lost in a corn maze or pick a bushel of apples. And when your friends ask what you did on your vacation you’ll have an answer they won’t believe.

Rub elbows with the Watermen of the Chesapeake - Take the ferry to Tangier Island, where the locals still speak an enchanting version of Elizabethan English. Watermen bring their fresh catch of crabs and fish to the docks on Tangier and along the Chesapeake shorelines. Step aboard a deadrise, the preferred craft of the waterman and the official boat of Virginia.

Come to the Folk Festival - Richmond was home to the National Folk Festival for three years and now has its very own Richmond Folk Festival, October 10-12. Top performers from across the country and around the world will assemble to perform music and dance in a memorable celebration. You may spend as much time shopping as grooving to the music, as a city of vendors offer goods and food from a variety of cultures. Cultural festivals are a tradition in Virginia, where you can find something good happening nearly every weekend.

Step Back in Time in Mennonite Country - The Mennonite community in the central Shenandoah Valley centers itself on long-held traditions of family and faith. Horse-drawn buggies are a common site on area roads. Visit the Dayton Farmers Market or other specialty shops for locally-produced quilts, crafts and good eats. Meet the hard working people of the region and learn about their fascinating way of life. A visit to CrossRoads: Valley Brethren Mennonite Heritage Center affords interaction and the opportunity to see a live farmstead.

Ready for a brush with authenticity? Discover Virginia's cultural heritage and watch Wayne Henderson craft a masterpiece in his shop in Rugby, VA.