It’s one thing to live somewhere and know it well – you learn the good, the beautiful, the bad and the ugly. But it’s another thing altogether to know things about your state and not understand how everyone in the WORLD doesn’t see it as clearly as you do. And when it comes to Virginia, I kind of think we have the best of everything. And I’d like the world to know. So here are just a few of things that we have in Virginia that should make the rest of the world stand up and take notice.
- When it comes to the great outdoors, we have the best of everything.
Photo credits to Early McDaniel Want to climb a mountain? We’ve got those. You’re more of a surfer? No problem. Just head due east. Stop when you hit the waves. You prefer sitting on your front porch and watching the wind blow across the fields? Done. From mountains to rivers to beaches to farmland, there’s something for everyone in Virginia. Photo taken at Raven’s Roost.
- We have traditional Virginia foods to take on any gourmet.
jeffreyw / flickr Smithfield Ham, Brunswick Stew, Chesapeake Bay blue crabs, Eastern Shore oysters, fresh apple butter and barbecue. Not to mention Hanover tomatoes, Silver Queen corn and crisp Virginia apples. I could go on, but I think you get the picture.
- We have the longest (by which I mean “best") history in the nation.
Via Tsuji / flickr From Jamestown to James Madison, Virginia’s history is one of the oldest and most diverse histories in the nation. We are the birthplace of more presidents than any other state, we have the first permanent English colony in the New World and we ended two of the most significant wars the nation ever faced right here on Virginia soil. History. It’s really just our thing.
Photo taken in Colonial Williamsburg.
- We have among the most beautiful wildlife and nature preserves of any state.
Zach Frailey (The Uprooted Photographer) / Facebook We have forests and beaches; rivers, streams and lakes; flatlands and wetlands; mountains and hills. And in the midst of it all, there are wildlife refuges, nature reserves, state parks and national forests — all dedicated to preserving the natural beauty that Virginia is known for.
Photo taken at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.
- PONIES!
vastateparksstaff / flickr
Erin Eve / flickr Grayson Highland ponies or the world-famous Chincoteague ponies - take your pick. Virginia’s ponies are amazing from mountain to coast.
- We have some of the best holiday celebrations anywhere - from traditional to tacky, they’re always a good time.
Aaron Webb / flickr It doesn’t really matter the holiday. Virginia always offers special events, celebrations and festivities. From religious to non-religious holidays, we always get out and have a good time. I love that about our state. Right now, Virginia is full of charming Christmas towns, spectacular light displays, living nativities, winter festivals and my personal favorite, some of the best Tacky Lights Tours this side of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”
- We really, and I mean REALLY, know how to have an adventure.
Alex Guerrero / flickr Skiiing, surfing, sledding, kayaking, rock climbing, rapids, skydiving, hiking, camping, caving, caverns, ziplines, adventure races…and the list goes on. All you need for an adventure in Virginia is the right attitude.
Photo taken at the top of Old Rag.
- Location, location, location. This is PRIME real estate, people.
Huebi / Wikimedia Commons When it comes to location, VIrginia is the place to be. Virginia is within a day’s drive of 50% of the U.S. population.
- We like to keep the economy on an even keel.
Money 401(K) 2012 / flickr The Washington Post calls Virginia “the best state in America” when it comes to managing budgets shortfalls. We’ve managed to keep our economy steady even when the rest of the world seems to be in a spin.
- We are smart. Super smart.
Chrissy Hunt / flickr Virginia has 3 of the top 40 public colleges and universities in the nation and K-12 schools that are ranked #7 in the nation. True story.
- We have, hands down, the best state slogan…EVER.
vismund / flickr Not only is it one of the most well-known and recognizable state slogans in the country, it still makes us all smile after nearly 50 years. After all, what’s not to love about love?
- Virginians might just be the best people anywhere.
David Clow / flickr I may be a little biased, but Virginians are truly some of the best people you’ll ever meet. From transplants to born-and-bred natives, we like to have a good time, most of us have never met a stranger, and we keep our hearts and our doors open - always. At the end of the day, THIS is what truly makes Virginia such a special place to call home.
What are the things about Virgnia that you wish the rest of the world knew? We would love to have you add to the list in the comments below!
Photo credits to Early McDaniel
Want to climb a mountain? We’ve got those. You’re more of a surfer? No problem. Just head due east. Stop when you hit the waves. You prefer sitting on your front porch and watching the wind blow across the fields? Done. From mountains to rivers to beaches to farmland, there’s something for everyone in Virginia. Photo taken at Raven’s Roost.
jeffreyw / flickr
Smithfield Ham, Brunswick Stew, Chesapeake Bay blue crabs, Eastern Shore oysters, fresh apple butter and barbecue. Not to mention Hanover tomatoes, Silver Queen corn and crisp Virginia apples. I could go on, but I think you get the picture.
Via Tsuji / flickr
From Jamestown to James Madison, Virginia’s history is one of the oldest and most diverse histories in the nation. We are the birthplace of more presidents than any other state, we have the first permanent English colony in the New World and we ended two of the most significant wars the nation ever faced right here on Virginia soil. History. It’s really just our thing.
Photo taken in Colonial Williamsburg.
Zach Frailey (The Uprooted Photographer) / Facebook
We have forests and beaches; rivers, streams and lakes; flatlands and wetlands; mountains and hills. And in the midst of it all, there are wildlife refuges, nature reserves, state parks and national forests — all dedicated to preserving the natural beauty that Virginia is known for.
Photo taken at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.
vastateparksstaff / flickr
Erin Eve / flickr
Grayson Highland ponies or the world-famous Chincoteague ponies - take your pick. Virginia’s ponies are amazing from mountain to coast.
Aaron Webb / flickr
It doesn’t really matter the holiday. Virginia always offers special events, celebrations and festivities. From religious to non-religious holidays, we always get out and have a good time. I love that about our state. Right now, Virginia is full of charming Christmas towns, spectacular light displays, living nativities, winter festivals and my personal favorite, some of the best Tacky Lights Tours this side of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”
Alex Guerrero / flickr
Skiiing, surfing, sledding, kayaking, rock climbing, rapids, skydiving, hiking, camping, caving, caverns, ziplines, adventure races…and the list goes on. All you need for an adventure in Virginia is the right attitude.
Photo taken at the top of Old Rag.
Huebi / Wikimedia Commons
When it comes to location, VIrginia is the place to be. Virginia is within a day’s drive of 50% of the U.S. population.
Money 401(K) 2012 / flickr
The Washington Post calls Virginia “the best state in America” when it comes to managing budgets shortfalls. We’ve managed to keep our economy steady even when the rest of the world seems to be in a spin.
Chrissy Hunt / flickr
Virginia has 3 of the top 40 public colleges and universities in the nation and K-12 schools that are ranked #7 in the nation. True story.
vismund / flickr
Not only is it one of the most well-known and recognizable state slogans in the country, it still makes us all smile after nearly 50 years. After all, what’s not to love about love?
David Clow / flickr
I may be a little biased, but Virginians are truly some of the best people you’ll ever meet. From transplants to born-and-bred natives, we like to have a good time, most of us have never met a stranger, and we keep our hearts and our doors open - always. At the end of the day, THIS is what truly makes Virginia such a special place to call home.
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