VIRGINIA 2025: WHERE HISTORY, HOSPITALITY AND HIGH TRILLS MEET
There’s something truly magical about Virginia—a place where America’s story began and where that story continues to evolve. As we step into 2025, the Commonwealth is set to dazzle travelers with an exciting new slate of attractions, events, lodging, and culinary experiences that honor the past while carving a bold path into the future.
From roller coasters and Revolutionary War celebrations to luxury hotels and boundary-pushing restaurants, Virginia is once again proving why it’s a top-tier destination for travelers of every stripe.
Centennial Celebrations and Historic Highlights
History buffs, mark your calendars: Virginia is preparing to be center stage for the nationwide 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. In 2025, festivities across the state ramp up with hundreds of events leading to the official milestone in 2026. At the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, visitors can dive into Give Me Liberty, a new, immersive 5,000-square-foot exhibition chronicling the birth of a nation.
Other highlights include a celebration of Lafayette’s historic farewell tour and the lead-up to Sail 250, a nautical spectacle welcoming over 60 tall ships from around the world to the Chesapeake Bay in 2026. The National Museum of the U.S. Army will also debut CALL TO Arms: The Soldier and the Revolutionary War, a new exhibit packed with more than 280 Revolutionary-era artifacts.
Meanwhile, Virginia’s commitment to storytelling continues at the Moonshine Capital Heritage Museum, opening in Rocky Mount. Visitors can explore the gritty history and moonlit legends of Franklin County, once considered the moonshine capital of the world.
Thrill Rides and Theme Park Milestones
In 2025, two beloved theme parks hit a golden milestone. Kings Dominion, celebrating 50 years near Richmond, unveils Rapterra—the world’s tallest and fastest launched wing coaster. Meanwhile, Busch Gardens Williamsburg launches Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge, a family-friendly inverted coaster racing through a fictional abandoned Bavarian village.
Looking for unique sporting thrills? Virginia’s Blue Ridge region hosts the USA Cycling Endurance Mountain Bike National Championships in both 2025 and 2026. And for motorsports fans, the inaugural Veterans Race of Remembrance roars into VIRginia International Raceway in November, honoring military veterans with racing and remembrance.
Grand Openings and Stylish Stays
Luxury meets legacy in Virginia’s booming hospitality scene. Caesars Virginia, a $750 million resort in Danville, and the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol bring world-class gaming, fine dining, and entertainment to southern Virginia. Meanwhile, the JW Marriott at Reston Station debuts as the state’s first of its kind, anchoring Northern Virginia’s luxury travel profile.
Reston also welcomes a dual-concept AC Marriott & Residence Inn, offering flexibility for both business travelers and leisure guests, complete with rooftop dining at SYN. Down in Charlottesville, The Virginia Guesthouse is set to open on UVA grounds, promising elegance and collegiate charm, while the Birdwood Mansion reopens with a focus on elevated dining and old-world atmosphere.
Boutique lovers will be delighted by unique properties like Hotel Heron in Alexandria, Hotel Burg in downtown Leesburg, and The Publisher in Fredericksburg—each a reimagining of Virginia’s rich architectural past. The historic Shenandoah Mansions and Hotel Petersburg add timeless ambiance, while The Rochambeau Roadside Inn in Williamsburg and Hotel Fauna in Bedford bring retro flair with modern twists.
New Tastes and Culinary Creativity
From celebrity chef kitchens to quirky cafés, Virginia’s food scene is on fire. Ebbitt House, a sibling to Washington D.C.’s iconic Old Ebbitt Grill, opens in Reston with classic American fare and expansive outdoor seating. In Vienna, Chef Victor Albisu launches Electric Bull Steakhouse, a boutique South American concept.
Foodies can also flock to Chef’s Market in Newport News, a 17,000-square-foot food hall complete with a grilled cheese bar, brewery, and duckpin bowling. In Richmond, Ripple Ray’s, a Grateful Dead-themed Southern restaurant, adds a groovy flavor to Carytown. Alexandria’s Cooper Mill blends market and tavern vibes in a historic waterfront warehouse, while the Virginia Wine Collective near Charlottesville gives winemakers a collaborative platform—and guests a tasting room to remember.
If coffee is more your speed, the Harrisonburg Coffee Trail offers a passport-style challenge across 11 independent shops, complete with a free mug reward.
All-New Attractions and Cultural Marvels
Pharrell Williams’ long-awaited Atlantic Park in Virginia Beach promises a surfing haven like no other—complete with a surf lagoon, flexible concert venue called The Dome, and year-round wave action. For an artistic spin, the Norfolk Chrysler Museum’s Perry Glass Studio triples in size, reinforcing Norfolk’s growing cultural clout.
Families will love two new exhibitions at the Science Museum of Virginia: Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricksand Ultimate Dinosaurs, the latter bringing prehistoric creatures to life via augmented reality. Meanwhile, the Massanutten Resort adds the Mountain Mayhem Coaster, and the Norfolk Botanical Garden prepares to unveil the Garden of Tomorrow—a massive two-story conservatory showcasing rare plants and climate science.
Festive Vibes & Legendary Traditions
No year would be complete without classic Virginia pageantry. In July, the 100th Annual Chincoteague Pony Swim gallops into its centennial year with Saltwater Cowboys guiding wild ponies across the Assateague Channel. Carnival rides, pony auctions, and a taste of island hospitality make it a family favorite.
Virginia Beach’s new Artery District pulses with energy, hosting seasonal events from spring strawberry festivals to summer farmers markets. And in the music realm, The Allianz Amphitheater in Richmond opens with a summer lineup featuring Dwight Yoakam and Weird Al.
Whether you come for the food, the thrill rides, the art, or the rich sense of history, Virginia in 2025 promises a legendary year of discovery, entertainment, and connection. Plan your trip now—and prepare to fall in love with a state that never stops surprising you.
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