Virginia's Black Heritage Trail
Whether you're planning your first trip to the Commonwealth or are looking for new places to visit, we’ve got you covered. Virginia has ten distinct regions, each with a unique vibe and landscape, offering a mix of bustling cities and charming small towns, iconic historic sites and attractions, countless natural areas for outdoor recreation, and local food and drink you’ll crave well past your visit. Explore our Virginia regions map and discover your next Virginia destination.
Southwest Virginia Heart of Appalachia
At Virginia's westernmost tip, the Heart of Appalachia region is one of rugged beauty in its landscapes, culture and people.
Virginia Mountains
The Virginia Mountains Region is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts with lakes to boat, rivers to fish, and peaks to conquer, but that's not all.
Shenandoah Valley
The Shenandoah Valley begins at the top of Virginia via I-81 and is approximately 140 miles long with the Blue Ridge to the east and the Alleghenies to the west ending in Rockbridge County.
Central Virginia
Settlers arrived in Central Virginia as early as 1617. Today's living history interpreters love sharing those stories at Henricus Historical Park - where Pocahontas grew up, and Wilton House Museum - Richmond's own Georgian plantation.
Southern Virginia
Once the heart of Virginia's rich tobacco growing region, the rhythms of life rose and fell here with tobacco fortunes.
Coastal Virginia Hampton Roads
Once the heart of Virginia's rich tobacco growing region, the rhythms of life rose and fell here with tobacco fortunes.
Southwest Virginia Blue Ridge Highlands
As the Birthplace of Country Music, this area invites you to travel The Crooked Road on a musical journey.
Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia is next door to our nation's capital - Washington, D.C. - yet has kept its own character reminiscent of colonial times, rambling plantations, equestrian farms and cobblestoned streets leading to quaint taverns, chic shops and historical gems.
Chesapeake Bay
Virginia's Chesapeake Bay region features George Washington's birthplace, the estate of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, Stratford Hall, as well as the lands of the Pamunkey and Mattaponi Native Americans.
Coastal Virginia - Eastern Shore
The Coastal Virginia ā Eastern Shore region is accessible via the 17.5-mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. The Shore stretches 70 miles and is situated between the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean.
Explore The Trail
Virginia's Black Heritage Trail...
...is a joint project between Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) and Virginia's Department of Historical Resources (DHR), combining both historical roadside markers with some of the best local attractions in the commonwealth. Read the stories, visit the locations, and help us celebrate the richness of Virginia's history and modern-day culture.
The map below lists nearly 300 physical markers around the state, and each region page highlights local markers and prominent black figures, stories from the area, and even more to see and do. Read the history here, but go see where it happened!