For visitors to Southwest Virginia, please check 511 Virginia for up-to-date road closures and delays. Click here for  Read More

Your Vacation Guide to Smith Mountain Lake

Created in the 1960s with the construction of the Smith Mountain Lake Dam, Smith Mountain Lake has been a popular draw ever since. Tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the breathtaking scenery of the mountains envelops all parts of the lake. Smith Mountain Lake is bounded by Franklin, Bedford…

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Exploring Virginia’s State Parks Off I-81

Interstate 81 runs a long and scenic way through Virginia, from historic Winchester up near the Maryland border 320 miles down to music-rich Bristol. While coursing through Virginia, I-81 comes near an array of intriguing state parks that will whet your outdoor appetite. So why not combine your road…

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Virginia's Best Mountain Towns to Visit in the Fall

It’s safe to say that we’ve got more than a few picture-perfect mountain towns in Virginia thanks to the rugged Appalachians and Blue Ridge Mountains that cut across the state. Fall is a great time to explore these towns for vibrantly-colored foliage, fall festivals, scenic hiking and biking, and…

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The Enduring Impact of Virginia’s Mountain Crafts

Step into a world where hands meticulously weave intricate patterns into baskets, needles dance across multicolored fabrics, and wood blocks are carved into musical instruments. This is the world of Virginia’s mountain crafts, artful traditions that have endured for centuries — and continue on…

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Your Guide to Visiting Virginia in January

January is a great time to visit Virginia’s winter resorts, as the conditions are suitable for making fluffy snow that allows for ideal ski, snowboard, and tubing conditions. And with the temperatures often at their lowest of the year, January is also your best chance for catching some parts of the…

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Small Town Love: The Top Things to Do in Lexington

There’s something for everyone in Lexington. The Shenandoah Valley college town, home to both Washington & Lee University and the Virginia Military Institute, is a fit for history buffs with sites to explore including the Stonewall Jackson House. The historic downtown offers well-curated shops and…

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Your Guide to Visiting Virginia in October

Fall is officially here, and that means it's time for chilly nights by the fire, the changing of leaves, and taking a trip through Virginia’s colorful mountains. Start with a drive through stunning Southwest Virginia on one of our incredible scenic roadways, such as the Blue Ridge Parkway or…

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Your Guide to Visiting Virginia in July

Summer may have arrived in June, but by the time July in Virginia comes around, the season is in full swing. Many people opt for a beach, lake, or bayfront vacation during the summertime, but an underrated destination is Virginia’s mountains. With temps often about ten degrees cooler than in the…

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