30 Very Virginia New Year's Resolutions

Note: Due to trail damage from Hurricane Helene, please be sure to visit the Appalachian Trail website and the Virginia Creeper Trail website for the latest status updates before planning your outdoor adventures in Southwest Virginia.

Each year, many people kick off January with a list of resolutions, but often the month isn't even over before those resolutions have gone out the window. How about some resolutions you can actually keep? We've compiled a list of resolution ideas to help you pick one that will stick!

1. Visit all 43 Virginia State Parks and earn your Trail Quest Master Hiker badge! 

2. Visit Virginia’s highest point (Mt.Rogers), and lowest point (anywhere along the coast), and its points farthest east (Assateague Island), west (Cumberland Gap), north (northern tip of Frederick County) and south (Danville).

3. Travel the Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail, and stop at every major venue.

4. Savor the distinct flavor of each of Virginia's eight oyster regions.

5. Bike the full 52 miles of the Virginia Capital Trail to visit the past and present capitals.

6. Visit the same location in spring, summer, fall, and winter, experiencing the magic of Virginia's four distinct seasons as you return to your favorite destination.

7. Plan a weekend getaway for each season at a Virginia Bed & Breakfast.

8. Visit 20 of the over 300 Virginia LOVEworks and post your visits to Facebook or Instagram, tagging #LOVEVA for a chance to see your pic shared on our accounts!

9. Travel the entire Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway from Front Royal to the North Carolina border (or vice versa).

10. Hike the Virginia portion of the Appalachian Trail, 544 miles' worth.

11. Visit all of the homes of the Virginia-born United States Presidents.

12. Make a checklist of at least six small charming Virginia towns to visit this year.

13. See a rocket launch from NASA Wallops Flight Facility.

14. Hit a hole-in-one at one of Virginia’s many golf courses.

15. Take the plunge and try skydiving!

16. Learn a new skill with a sailing lesson at The Tides Inn in Irvington.

17. Attend Virginia’s major NASCAR events and maybe even a few other motorsports events.

18. Rent an ATV or bring your own and ride the Spearhead Trails.

19. Catch a fish in the Atlantic Ocean, the Chesapeake Bay, a Virginia lake, and a Virginia river.

20. Ride horseback on the sand at Virginia Beach and then trot around in the mountains and meadows.

21. See wild ponies on Assateague Island and at Grayson Highlands State Park.

22. Experience a Virginia sunrise at the Ocean and a Virginia sunset at Breaks Interstate Park.

23. Visit some of Virginia’s 200+ craft breweries, or if you prefer, visit a few of the 300+ wineries in Virginia.

24. Hike 25 trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah National Park.

25. Whip along Back of the Dragon on a motorcycle or in a rented sports car.

26. Attend three of Virginia’s outstanding music festivals.

27. Enjoy a concert at five or more of Virginia’s local music venues.

28. Experience Virginia's Great Outdoors with a back-to-nature camping getaway.

29. Not a camper? Get a less rustic outdoor experience with a glamping experience.

30. Stay in five of Virginia’s small luxury hotels.

Will you be trying any of these? Leave a comment to share your plans or other ideas.