What is Virginia Famous For?
As one of the oldest states in the country, Virginia is many things—the Land of Brunswick Stew, the Mother of Presidents, and a nexus of early US history.
Written by Zachary Morgan
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The state of
Virginia
has many names—the Old Dominion, the Mother of Presidents, the Home of Brunswick Stew—but you might be more familiar with the slogan it has carried since 1969: Virginia is for Lovers. If you’ve got a thing forUS history, breathtaking natural beauty, craft breweries and wineries, and delicious local food, then you’ll certainly love it here.Located in the middle of the Eastern Seaboard, Virginia often finds itself right in the thick of the excitement. Over 70% of the world’s Internet traffic makes its way through data centers in the northern part of the state, while an estimated 60% of the entire population lives less than a day’s drive from the capital city of
Richmond
. Both metaphorically and geographically speaking, Virginia might seem like just a middleman—not as important, fun, or exciting as other eastern states like Florida or New York—but that simply isn’t the case. If you were to visit, you would find a land of stunning natural beauty, delicious food and drink, and absorbing history, to name but a few highlights. Here to tell you even more is
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What is Virginia famous for?
Early American history
History lovers have a
lot to appreciate
in Virginia because “The Old Dominion” was an important part of US history before the US even existed!The colony of
Jamestowne
, founded in 1607, was the first permanent English settlement on the newly discovered continent of North America. Just down the street is the city of Williamsburg
, the home of the world’s largest outdoor museum, the Colonial Williamsburg
. With over 300 acres of “living history” exhibits, Colonial Williamsburg is so large that the Louvre (the biggest museum in the world) could fit into it twenty times with room to spare!If you’re a fan of history, check out some of these other museums and places of interest:
Being “The Mother of Presidents”
Maybe it’s something in the water, but Virginia has produced more US presidents than any other state:
- George Washington
- Thomas Jefferson
- James Madison
- James Monroe
- John Tyler
- Zachary Taylor
- William Henry Harrison
- Woodrow Wilson
They don’t call it “The Mother of Presidents” for nothing! If you’re really into presidential history, you can even visit the personal residences of some of these historical figures. Jefferson and Washington’s estates, respectively known as
Mount Vernon
and Monticello
, are two of the more well-known sites, but there are several other presidential homes or museums
that you can visit as well.Fun Fact: If Monticello looks somewhat familiar, you probably recognize it from the back of the nickel! Ok, one more about Monticello: it’s the only private home in the entire United States to be named a United Nations World Heritage Site.
A love of wine and craft beer
If you’re driving through Virginia, then you’ve almost certainly noticed an abundance of road signs for wineries and craft breweries. If there’s one thing Virginians can’t resist, it’s a locally-made wine, cider, or craft beer!
Beer and wine have historically been brewed in Virginia since it was colonized in the 1600s and 2015 alone saw over 6.5 million bottles of Virginia-made wine sold. From the past to the present, Virginia loves a good drink.
Here are a few places that are worth checking out:
Working hard, playing harder
Thanks in part to its proximity to the nation’s capital, Virginia is a major center for business and industry, with CNBC naming it the “
Top State for Business
” in 2021. Sources of income are fairly diverse, but the economy is dominated by the government, military, agriculture, and tech industries. Over 20 Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in Virginia, including General Dynamics, Capital One, and Northrop Grumman.
Workaholic tendencies are especially easy to observe in rapidly-growing
northern Virginia
(NoVA) cities and counties immediately surrounding Washington. In fact, this part of the state almost seems like a different country compared to the rest of Virginia. 70% of the entire world’s Internet traffic makes its way through data centers in the Dulles Technology Corridor, known as the “Silicon Valley of the East,” and 2016 saw Virginia become the world’s largest data center market.Of course, with all this hard work on display, you would expect Virginians to play just as hard. You would be right, but maybe not in the way you’d expect. There are no professional sports teams in Virginia, although many people choose to support the various Washington-based teams like the
Capitals
, Nationals
, or Wizards
. The real Virginia pastime is college sports (and, by extension, tailgating).Virginians love college sports. They might not exactly have a choice (no pro teams, and all), but that doesn’t bother them in the slightest. The Virginia-Virginia Tech Rivalry is one of the fiercest and most stoutly contended in all of college athletics. Whether you’re a
Hokie Bird
or a Cavalier
, chances are you spend the whole season waiting for that One Big Game.Fun Fact: Maybe Virginians are just a bit more whimsical (or vain) than most because Virginia alone accounts for 1 out of 10 vanity plates in the entire country! With over 1.2 million in circulation, there are more specialized plates in Virginia than there are people in Rhode Island!
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What is Richmond famous for?
First electric streetcar in the US: 1888
One of the top 10 US cities for: Affordable living and fun
Museums
We hope you like museums if you’re moving to Richmond because the place is absolutely full of them!
For the literary-minded, there’s the
Edgar Allan Poe Museum
, where you can ponder over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore about the Gothic poet (and maybe have a few drinks while you’re at it). Artistic types will enjoy the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
, which has galleries of art from all four corners of the world and includes the largest collection of Fabergé Eggs outside of Russia. The scientists among you will appreciate the Science Museum of Virginia
(home of the aforementioned rat basketball), while younger scientists-in-training would have a blast at the Children’s Museum of Richmond
.If that still isn’t enough museums for you, check out some of these:
Going down to the river
Richmond is directly adjacent to the longest river in Virginia, the James, and residents typically can’t wait for the weather to get warm so they can have fun in or around the water.
Take a walk down to the banks of the James on any nice, sunny day and you’re liable to find two things: a crowd and a good time. Richmonders love going down to the James, whether to cook out, rock out, or just hang out, so taking a stroll down to the riverbank is a good way to meet new people.
If you prefer to be in the water as opposed to just near it, you could always take a kayaking class or book a rafting trip.
Paddlesports
are a popular pastime in Richmond, so you can almost always find somebody to go with.What is Virginia Beach famous for?
Largest city in Virginia: Population 450,000
Largest strip of pleasure beach in the world: ~38 miles (they even have the
Guinness World Record
to prove it!)First federal construction project under the US Constitution: Cape Henry Lighthouse
Family fun in the sun
As a resort city, Virginia Beach is all about maximizing the good times for anyone who comes to visit. Since the majority of tourists are families, the city is chock-full of wholesome fun for everyone.
The Virginia Beach Boardwalk
would be a great place to start.Depending on when you go, you might be able to catch the
East Coast Surfing Championship
, or maybe the North American Sand Soccer Championship
. There are also 210 city parks in Virginia Beach, as well as the Military Aviation Museum
and the Virginia Beach Aquarium
. Finally, nature lovers are bound to enjoy False Cape State Park
and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
, as well as the nearby Norfolk Botanical Gardens
.Seafood!
It might go without saying, but Virginia Beach is a hub for prime seafood. If you’re crazy for crab legs or have a hankering for halibut, check out some of these local eateries:
- Bubba’s Seafood Restaurant: This waterfront crab joint has earned a reputation as one of the premier places to go for crab legs or she-crab soup.
- Blue Seafood & Spirits: This highly-awarded, cozy little spot with 60 seats takes pride in offering some of the freshest, highest-quality seafood in Virginia Beach.
- Waterman’s Surfside Grille: This family-owned local landmark is a great place to go and enjoy local seafood in a casual, relaxed setting. They’re famous for their Original Orange Crush cocktail, known as Virginia Beach’s drink of choice, so make sure to try one (if you’re of age).
- Tautog’s Restaurant: If you’ve ever wanted to just sit on the porch and eat seafood while you watch the sun go down and listen to the sound of the waves, Tautog’s might just be the place for you.
How to save money on car insurance in Virginia
Virginia is famous for its history and presidents, much like the way
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