Virginia State Capital

Capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Richmond serves as hub of Virginia’s government, center of the Richmond Metropolitan Area, and a transportation cross-roads for the state. Located along the James River,Richmond is at the intersection of Interstate 295 and Virginia State Route 288. Visit historic downtown Richmond and explore The Boulevard, passing through Richmond’s original neighborhoods and historic downtown. Visitors get a glimpse of period architecture, including architect Henry Baskervill’s private residence, a prime example of Spanish Colonial Revival style. The Boulevard passes Richmond’s Byrd Park and takes visitors through the classic Richmond neighborhoods of Carytown, the Museum district and the Fan district.

Virginia’s Central Region and capital city are just over 100-miles from Northern Virginia encompassing the history, culture and sights of the Washington DC metropolitan area. The Virginia cities of Arlington, Alexandria are showcases of American heritage and history. Suburbs like Falls Church, Fairfax City and Sterling offer cosmopolitan amenities to meet any travelers needs. By automobile, head north from Richmond on Interstate 95 through Fredericksburg and you’ll reach DC in no time.

With eleven DC Metro stops, Arlington makes a convenient destination for visitors to Washington DC. Particularly convenient for air-travelers, Arlington is adjacent to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, just across the Potomac from the National Mall. Arlington’s Crystal City and Pentagon City offer visitors seemingly endless shopping at Crystal City Shops, the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City and Pentagon Row.

For world-class entertainment, audiences fill Synetic Theater in Crystal City for the latest cutting edge theater. For classic theater, check the calendar at The American Century Theater at The Gunston Arts Center Theater II. For exceptional entertainment options, remember the Kennedy Center and National Theater are just across the Potomac in DC.

Arlington is a major stop for visitors exploring Washington DC history and US heritage sites. Well known as home of Arlington National Cemetery, with the eternal flame marking the grave of President John F. Kennedy, Arlington is also home to the US Air Force Memorial and Pentagon City's new Pentagon Memorial. The Marine Corps War Memorial, known as Iwo Jima is one of Arlington’s most famous memorials.

The Little Theatre of Alexandria is mid-season for 2011 – 2012. Enjoy winter performances of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” or “Heaven Can Wait”. Relax after a hectic holiday, at a performance of “The Putnam County Spelling Bee” starting on January 14th. “Heaven Can Wait” begins February 25th and runs through March 17th. Little Theatre of Alexandria is located north of the Capital Beltway and easily accessed north on the Richmond Highway exit.

The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra entertains music aficionados with its outstanding 2012 season. Winter and spring bring sweet sounds to Alexandria’s Beauregard Street at Rachel M Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center. February brings clarinet soloist Richard Stoltzman performing with ASO in A Prescient Revelation. And the Alexandria Symphony performs A Magic Spell in March with Soloist Midori on violin. Northern Virginia is full of entertainment options and world-class events.

Aerial View of Norfolk, VA

Norfolk and Virginia's Hampton roads area is a prime destination for visitors any time of year. The OpSail Virginia 1812 Bicentennial Speaker Series is on-going in Norfolk, with historians showcasing Virginia’s role in the War of 1812. The Virginia Arts Festival Theater in Norfolk hosts a January lecture on the "Chesapeake-Leopard Affair: Heroes and Villains of the War of 1812". February brings Brian Lavery to the Chrysler Museum on the 16th, with "Myths of the War of 1812" being discussed March 15th at the Virginia Arts Festival. Lectures are free, however reservations should be made to ensure your spot. Don’t miss OpSails War of 1812 Bicentennial Speaker Series.

The surf and sand of Virginia Beach remians filled with fun events and activities during the winter season. Virginia foodies, be sure to plan a visit to Virginia Beach January 15th through the 22nd for Virginia Beach Restaurant Week. Enjoy the best Virginia Beach cuisine at your favorite local restaurants offering three-course prix-fixe meals. Enjoy meals at local icons like Croakers, Doc Taylors and New Moon Café.

Not for the faint of heart, Virginia Beach’s 20th Annual Polar Plunge Winter Festival is February 3rd and 4th. Benefiting Virginia’s Special Olympics, the Polar Plunge Winter Festival features a Friday night plunge party, pee-wee plunge, Saturday 5K, and Saturday night beach bash. Don’t forget the main “Carpe Freezum” event at 2:30 Saturday afternoon. Have some fun and benefit a great cause February in Virginia Beach.

Visit Williamsburg, an ideal base to explore Virginia’s historic Triangle of Jamestown, Yorktown and Williamsburg, easily traveled via the scenic Colonial Parkway. Smaller winter crowds and cool weather make this the season for a visit. Take your time and explore Jamestown Settlement, Yorktown Victory Center and Colonial Williamsburg - take a step back into American history this season and see how pilgrims thrived during winter.

The Jamestown Settlement is currently hosting a special exhibition, and winter is an ideal time to head indoors at the Jamestown Settlement museum. “The 17th Century: Gateway to the Modern World” exhibit, runs through Summer 2012. IN February 2012, Jamestown Settlement hosts “From Africa to Virginia”, featuring exhibits and guided tours of the living history areas that feature the heritage of Virginia’s first Africans.

Newport News Ferguson Center for the Arts, at Christopher Newport University, is a hub of entertainment with its 2011 – 2012 season. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra visits Newport News to kick-off 2012 performances January 13th with Beethoven and Elgar. For theater fans, Damn Yankees is at the center on the 21st and 22nd. February brings a full calendar to the Ferguson Center, with The Virginia Symphony Orchestra presenting the Grieg Piano Concerto on February 24th. Ballet fans don’t miss Moscow Festival Ballet performances of Cinderella and Swan Lake, Saturday, March 10th.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Blue Ridge Highlands and Appalachian Heartland are prime for a winter getaway. Stretching from Winchester in the north,  south over 200 miles past Harrisonburg, through Lexington and on to Wytheville, the Shenandoah Valley passes through the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains and Allegheny Mountains. Winchester, home of Shenandoah University is a hub of culture for the northern Shenandoah Valley. Country music fans know Winchester as the birthplace of Patsy Cline. Harrisonburg in the central Shenandoah Valley is a gateway to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive. Lexington just an hour south on Interstate 81 is home to the Virginia Horse Center.

The Stonewall Jackson House, one of Lexington’s premier historic sites, is the former home of Confederate General Thomas J “Stonewall” Jackson. Visit early in 2012 for the Stonewall Jackson Birthday Celebration. Enjoy birthday cake and hot apple cider while you tour and discover the legendary General's history. The celebration is Saturday, January 21st on Lexington’s Washington Street, site of the Stonewall Jackson House.

Lexington is home to Virginia’s premier equestrian venue, The Virginia Horse Center. January and February bring The Polar Bear Horse Show Schooling Series to the East Complex at the Horse Center, featuring cross rail jumping, pleasure walking, and trotting and hunter hack shows. The second Tuesday of each month, the Virginia Horse Center hosts an Old-Time Music Jam – come on down with your favorite musical instrument or just arrive and enjoy the music.

At the north end of the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester serves as a cultural hub for the northern Shenandoah Valley. For theater fans, Winchester Little Theatre hosts performances of Norm Fosters' The Love List in January, with Rabbit Hole scheduled for March. Shenandoah University’s Shenandoah Conservatory has a full schedule of music, live theater and dance. Mainstage performances at the Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre include The Who’s Tommy, February 23rd through 26th. The Glaize Studio Theater hosts Second Stage Theatre productions of Assassins January 19th through the 22nd and Metamorphoses February 9th through 12th.

The southern end of the Shenandoah Valley is anchored by Roanoke and surrounding communities. Visit Roanoke College in Salem, just 7-miles west of Roanoke for the Performing Arts Series community events, with American Shakespeare Company’s "The Winter’s Tale", kicking-off 2012 events January 25th. Theater fans enjoy "Almost, Maine" presented by Theatre Roanoke College February 22nd through 25th.

This is the season to enjoy Roanoke Community Center’s 2012 Cabin Fever Series. Join the fun at RCC’s Exhibition Hall for January’s CFS Dance Party featuring the Craig Woolard Band or catch The Embers February 17th. The Band of Oz plays CFS March 9th wrapping up the 2012 Cabin Fever Series. Have some serious winter fun in Western Virginia and before you know it spring is here.