Virginia is for Lovers. It is about a love of life and a passion for travel. 2010 is full of new reasons to visit Virginia to reconnect with family and friends on an unforgettable vacation. Exciting new attractions and additions from museums, restaurants, hotels, wineries and sites have sprung out like new growth on an already impressive family tree of offerings. See the list below for dozens of new places and ways to reconnect with loved ones on vacation in Virginia.
New Places for Family Traditions - Virginia has always been a favorite of families seeking to get away for quality time together. In 2010, new ways to experience traditional favorites are joined by brand new attractions and reminders of things that have made Virginia a preferred destination for generations:
- Blue Ridge Parkway 75th Anniversary. Get reacquainted with the legendary Blue Ridge Parkway as it celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2010. Starting at mile marker zero near Waynesboro, some 216 miles of the Parkway lead south through Virginia. Hiking trails, scenic overlooks and iconic photo-ops such as Mabry Mill are familiar to generations of American travelers. The Parkway reveals unforgettable cities and towns, cozy lodging, outdoor adventure, restaurants, wineries and live music venues – all of which add to the magic of this favorite family road trip.
- Liberty Mountain Snowflex Center. The mountaintop destination in Lynchburg is an all-season outdoor winter sports facility – the first of its kind in the United States. Tubing, snowboarding and skiing is available year-round for young beginners through adult experts.
- The Virginia Aquarium's Restless Planet. This new addition to the Virginia Aquarium in Virginia Beach features four immersive habitats, dozens of new exhibits and 110,000 gallons of new aquariums to illustrate how diverse environments from the past compare to those that exist today.
New Arts Additions - Performing and fine arts are bigger and better than ever in Virginia with new additions to existing facilities, renovations of classic venues and new programs:
- The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. When it reopens on May 1, 2010, Virginia's gem of a museum will be even more astounding. An additional 165,000 square feet of exhibit space will include a new library, museum shop, café and galleries. Outside, a 3.5 acre park and sculpture garden brings inviting green space to the site of a former parking lot. The museum's fabulous Faberge egg collection will be back and better than ever when the museum reopens, along with a stunning Tiffany exhibit and Art Deco and Art Nouveau furniture exhibits that draw visitors from around the globe.
New at Museums and Historic Attractions - Existing museums and historic homes are adding new features, some of which totally transform the existing facility:
- Colonial Williamsburg Foundation presents new adult half-day tours that include shopping, dining and touring. New evening programs include Pirates Among Us, Jumpin' the Broom and the Great Theatrical Disaster of 1790. The new Richard Chartlton's Coffeehouse is a historical recreation of a Colonial shop that served as a social gathering place as well as a venue for hot beverages.
- Virginia War Memorial. A new 18,000 square-foot education center being built partially underground will include an auditorium, theater, library and exhibit spaces centering on Virginians' experience at war from Colonial times to present. To date, the memorial in Richmond has been an impressive outdoor pavilion bearing the names of those Virginians who have died in service to their country.
New Wine and Spirits - Virginia is emerging as a major wine travel destination with more than 150 wineries scattered throughout the Commonwealth. New wineries and wine trails seem to be popping up all over. These are among the newest offerings:
- Molon Lave Vineyards. Translated loosely, molon lave is Greek for “come and get ‘em,”. Winemaker Louis Papadopoulos brings a touch of his native Greece to great wine in Fauquier County.
- SoVA Wine Trail. Connecting nine Southern Virginia wineries, this new trail leads to fresh new experiences at small, boutique vineyards. Along the way are good restaurants, inns and bed & breakfasts that perfectly complement the winery experience.
New and Expanded Transportation - Traveling to Virginia just got easier with a new transportation option that connects major population centers with the heart of Virginia:
- AMTRAK's new passenger service from Washington DC into Central Virginia delivers visitors to Culpeper, Charlottesville and Lynchburg, as well as expanded service into Richmond, all where history, outdoor recreation, shopping and culinary adventures await. Check www.Virginia.org for stop off and stop over suggestions.
Find out more about what's new in Virginia by visiting www.Virginia.org or call 1-800-VISITVA for a free 2010 Virginia is for Lovers Travel Guide
Life’s too short. Get out and go somewhere!
See Ya There!
