With Earth Day on April 22 and Arbor Day April 29, April is viewed as the official “Earth month” in Virginia, but you can support green practices in Virginia’s tourism industry all year long by learning more about the Virginia Green Travel program. Virginia Green helps tourism businesses make voluntary commitments to be good environmental stewards while also helping them grow their business. Green-minded consumers are encouraged to support these Virginia businesses that are official “Virginia Green” participants.  

What is Virginia Green?

  • Virginia Green Travel partners have certified their environmental commitments through the Virginia Green program.
  • The Virginia Green certification is supported and promoted through a partnership between Virginia Tourism, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Restaurant Lodging and Travel Association.
  • The program requirements include commitments to recycling and waste reduction, energy and water conservation, sustainable purchasing, and the support of green events and meetings.
  • Wherever you travel in Virginia, you can find tourism businesses that are committed to protecting the environment
  • The program involves green-minded consumers as we ask them to support these businesses and provide customer feedback!

Who is certified Virginia Green?   

Virginia Green provides certification programs for all types of tourism businesses and activities in Virginia.  

VISIT GREEN

Lewis Ginter Botanical GardenLewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Certified Virginia Green Attractions include museums, state, local, and national parks, sports arenas, amusement parks, farmer’s markets, resorts, and even shopping can be Virginia Green certified. One of these attractions is Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond. These gorgeous gardens span more than 50 acres and include 12+ themed gardens that showcase brilliant seasonal blooms throughout the year. The gardens get creative in their eco-friendly efforts, utilizing the best practices for energy and water conservation, such as using only low-energy LEDs for their annual Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights and using ponds that collect rainwater for their irrigation system. 

More Virginia Green Attractions:

  • The Omni Homestead Resort—Hot Springs
  • Kings Dominion—Doswell
  • American Revolution Museum—Yorktown
  • National Museum of the Marine Corps—Triangle
  • Williamsburg Botanical Garden—Williamsburg

See all Virginia Green Attractions  

RELAX GREEN

Salamander Resort SpaImage Courtesy of Salamander Resort

Certified Virginia Green Spas offer services and amenities sourced locally or work to conserve through eco-friendly energy and water sources. The spa at Salamander Middleburg

More Virginia Green Spas: 

  • Green Leaf and Pebble Tea Spa—Virginia Beach
  • Lotus Day Spa—Norfolk
  • The Retreat Salon and Spa—Petersburg
  • Mango Salon—Richmond
  • Fountains Day Spa—Alexandria
  • The Vintage Spa—Rocky Mount
  • Westlake Salon & Spa—Hardy
  • Healing Waters Day Spa and Salon—Abingdon
  • Salamander Spa—Middleburg
  • Spa Minerale at Lansdowne Resort—Leesburg

See all Virginia Green Spas

STAY GREEN

Hotel FloydHotel Floyd

Certified Virginia Green Lodging partners include hotels, bed and breakfasts, inns, cabins and camping.

More Virginia Green Lodging:

  • Airlie Center—Warrenton

  • The Jefferson Hotel—Richmond
  • Hilton Downtown—Richmond
  •  Kingsmill—Williamsburg
  • Inn at Tabbs Creek Waterfront B&B—Port Haywood
  • Fig Street Inn—Cape Charles
  • Renaissance Capital View—Arlington
  • Hotel Monaco—Alexandria
  • Fieldstone Farm B&B—Hillsboro
  • Boar’s Head—Charlottesville
  • The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center—Roanoke
  • Oak Grove Plantation—South Boston
  • The Peaks of Otter Lodge—Bedford
  • Mountain Lake Lodge—Pembroke
  • Llewellyn Inn B&B—Lexington

See all Virginia Green Lodging

DINE GREEN

Harvest Table Restaurant

Harvest Table Restaurant

Restaurants, café’s, and even food carts can be certified Virginia Green with commitments to recycling, eco-friendly disposables, and sustainable foods.  These are some great examples:

  • The Daily Kitchen & Bar—Richmond
  • Lucy’s—Richmond
  • Local Roots—Roanoke
  • The Chamberlin—Hampton
  • Terrapin Restaurant—Virginia Beach
  • Passion the Restaurant—Chesapeake
  • Captain George’s—Williamsburg
  • The Light Well—Orange
  • Preston’s Restaurant—Blacksburg

​ See all Virginia Green Restaurants  

DRINK GREEN

DuCard Vineyards

DuCard Vineyards

Virginia Green certified Wineries & Breweries are committed to sustainable practices.

More Virginia Green Wineries & Breweries:

  • Attimo Winery—Christiansburg
  • Cooper Vineyards—Louisa
  • CrossKeys Vineyard—Mt. Crawford
  • Delaplane Cellars—Delaplane
  • Old Bust Head Brewing Company—Flint Hill
  • Lexington Valley Vineyard—Rockbridge Baths
  • North Gate Vineyard – Purcellville
  • Philip Carter Winery—Hume
  • West Wind Farm Vineyard & Winery—Max Meadows
  • Blue Mountain Barrel House—Arrington
  • Caboose Brewing Company—Vienna
  • Hardywood Brewery—Richmond
  • Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery—Goochland
  • Port City Brewing Company—Alexandria
  • Wild Wolf Brewing Company—Nellysford

See all Virginia Green Wineries & Breweries  

GREEN EVENTS

Norfolk HarborNorfolk Harborfest

Virginia Green certified festivals & events have made commitments to recycle and reduce the wastefulness of major events., and 400+ of these events, including Norfolk Harborfest, have been certified as Virginia Green.

  • Floydfest—Floyd
  • Marine Corps Marathon—Quantico
  • Richmond Folk Festival—Richmond
  • Virginia Wine Expo—Richmond
  • Hampton Bay Days—Hampton
  • Neptune Festival—Virginia Beach

…..and dozens of Earth Day festivals across the Commonwealth! See all Virginia Green Events To discover what eco-friendly Virginia destinations are near you or plan your next green vacation, go to www.VirginiaGreenTravel.org.