It won’t be long now. Schools will break for winter and you’ll have a little bit more time together as a family. What will you do?

In Virginia the opportunities for winter fun are plentiful. The outdoor-loving family will find the powdery slopes of one of the mountain resorts to be a perfect fit. Learn-to programs, indoor waterparks, a wealth of dining options and extreme sports provide something for everyone.

Hub-and-spoke from an urban center like Richmond, Norfolk or Fairfax to enjoy great after-Christmas shopping deals as well as ice skating and museums. From Richmond and Williamsburg to the cities of Coastal Virginia you can jump from city to city for the “100 Miles of Lights” displays, while in Northern Virginia there are awesome displays like The Bull Run Festival of Lights in Centreville – available through January 6, 2013.

Chilhuly

Current & Upcoming Family-Cool To-Do’s:

• Chilhuly at the Virginia Museum of Fine Art, Richmond – Dale Chihuly is credited with revolutionizing the Studio Glass movement and elevating the medium of glass from the realm of craft to fine art. $20 per person; $16 for students and seniors with valid ID. On exhibit through February 10, 2013.
• Seals Behind the Scenes at Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, Virginia Beach - Go inside the habitat of the harbor seals get an up-close view.  Observe the animal care staff as they conduct a behavioral training session. $55 per person. Available select dates through June 2013.
• Virginia Ballet Company presents Nutcracker, Annandale – It’s the 63rd season of Virginia Ballet Company’s performance of the classic Nutcracker. $30 per adult; $20 per child. December 26-29, 2012.
• Christmas at Mount Vernon – Twelve Christmas trees and a very special gingerbread rendition of Mount Vernon await your family now through January 6, 2013 as George Washington’s estate is decked for the holidays. The rarely-opened third floor will be available for tours. $15 per adult; $7 per child.
• Fantasyland, Roanoke – The children will appreciate a visit with Saint Nicholas while he tells tales, sings, plays the piano and spreads joy at The Dumas Center for Artistic and Cultural Development. Join in through December 23, 2012.
• Christmas Town: A Busch Gardens Celebration, Williamsburg – Each year there’s something new to see! Get your peppermint fudge hot chocolate and enjoy the twinkles, smells and sights that speak to the child in all of us. $27 per person. Available through December 31, 2012.
• First Night Events, Statewide – Find the perfect celebration to ring in the New Year with your family.
• Annual Running of the Trains, Blackstone – It only happens once a year – Bobby and Lynn Daniels fire up the O-Gauge trains to puff through the realistic miniature villages and snow animations. Free. January 5, 2013.
• MORE EVENTS

So your family is coming to enjoy one of the season’s holidays with you. What’s your game plan?

First, start with LOVE. They’re visiting because they love you, they want to make memories with you, and they know the value of togetherness. After that, we’re here to help!

10 WAYS TO LOVE A FAMILY HOLIDAY

Bryce Resort

1. Chill Out – Virginia’s mountain resorts have something fun for every member of the family – EVERY member. Little kids can learn to ski or play it safe on the snow tubes while the big kids work the slopes. Fireside dining, spas and even indoor waterparks will entertain those who’d rather not get their adrenaline pumping in the chill of December.

2. Shine On – The lights that radiate along skylines and neighborhoods are a draw for families. Get everyone situated with hot cocoa and then go for a ride to see the night aglow. Sites like Elks National Home in Bedford and Gypsy Hill Park in Staunton create festive displays to drive through, not to mention the famed 100 Miles of Lights that encompasses the coastal cities, Virginia Beach Boardwalk and Richmond. To truly go over the top, splurge on a trip to Busch Gardens for Christmas Town!

3. Presidential Escapades – Since you’re in the state dubbed “Mother of Presidents,” why not take in a little history? The homes of Jefferson, Madison, Washington and Wilson are decorated and awaiting guests – your guests.

4. Get Crafty – One more gift couldn’t hurt anything, especially if it’s handmade and keeping the family occupied. Visit a place like You Made It! in Harrisonburg, Color Me Mine in Norfolk or A Glass Expression Stained Glass Studio in Pound to make a one-of-a-kind original treasure.

Find your perfect tree.

5. Tree Hunt – If you need a tree and haven’t already completed the set-up and decorating, make a new family memory by hunting for the perfect one together. Some Virginia tree farms offer a wagon ride to their tree thicket and have a gift shop with fresh wreaths and more.

6. Run Off Steam – Usually the kids get a little more antsy than the parents when it comes to spending time together inside. Find a children’s museum like Amazement Square in Lynchburg or Children’s Museum of Virginia in Portsmouth to let them run off their energy while you chit chat amongst yourselves.

7. Go Below – Since you’re chilly anyway, why not check out one of Virginia’s eight caverns? From the East Coast’s largest to one with an elevator and even one without an end, a day in a cavern is one that the family will talk about and remember for a while to come.

8. Cheers – Virginia has more than 200 wineries, 40+ craft breweries and four distilleries. Designate a driver (and a babysitter, if necessary) to head out and sample some of Virginia’s best adult handmade beverages.

9. Say Cheese – Pick a beautiful backdrop for a family photo and then go have fun with silly faces and fun Christmas sweaters. Our favorites are covered bridges, any of the lookouts along the Blue Ridge Parkway and of course, our LOVEworks were made for opportunities like yours. Not only will it be an excellent adventure, but you’ll have proof of the fun, too.

10. Skate Away – Choose your venue – indoors or out? Do you prefer blades or wheels? Virginia has great ice skating opportunities and quite a few roller skating rinks, too. Either sport is a great pastime for adults and a fun new sport for the next generation. If you’d rather just see a giant skate, we have that, too.

We wish you a love-filled season as you celebrate your Hanukkah, Christmas or Kwanzaa with those closest to you.

LOVE is at the heart of every Virginia vacation. Virginia is for Lovers.
Request a free Travel Guide. 

Twinkles and animated lights bring out the kid in all of us, so take time to make a memory with your children and loved ones. Virginia’s illuminations will indeed be a hit with young and old alike.

Downtown Norfolk Skyline

The festivities begin this Saturday, November 17 with the illumination of the downtown Norfolk and Olde Towne Portsmouth skylines followed by Hampton Roads’ most cherished event, the Grand Illumination Parade. Festive floats, marching bands, giant balloons, dancers and Santa himself will delight spectators as they parade through downtown Norfolk.

Newport News’ Hollydazzle is a one of a kind show that combines synchronized fireworks, theatrical lighting, ground-based pyrotechnics and special effects all choreographed to festive music, making it one of the top shows of the year. Light it up on November 30!

December 1 is the date to see the historic Foster Falls village at New River State Park sparkle with more than 100,000 colorful lights. Enjoy free horse-drawn wagon rides and antique tractor hayrides. Warm up later with complimentary hot chocolate, coffee and pastries. A fee or a donation is required for this event. If you donate canned food, please be sure its expiration date hasn’t passed.

This year’s Bull Run Festival of Lights in Centreville opens November 21 and runs through January 6. The festival is held each year to celebrate the winter season, bringing you a little warmth and cheer from the comfort of your car.

Dominion GardenFest of Lights

In Richmond, Dominion GardenFest Of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a a tradition featuring half-a-million lights, botanical decorations, trains, family activities and more. You won’t want to miss the 19-foot tall decorated tree, model trains and fairy houses or the fire pit for toasting s’mores. It all kicks off November 23 and runs through January 7.

Discover more twinkling fun this season when you check out our 100 Miles of Lights and Parades and Tree Lighting Ceremonies articles.

LOVE is at the heart of every Virginia vacation. Virginia is for Lovers.
Request a free Travel Guide. 

Virginia has baskets of tradition for harvest season, but for those who crave amazing food experiences paired with a dose of history, the Thanksgiving season is an absolute bonanza.

Whether it’s an original feast at Berkeley Plantation, a meal fit for a king at the classic Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, or a lavish buffet to make Santa’s belly jiggle like mad at the Homestead Resort, turkey lovers and pumpkin pie fans won’t be disappointed.

Find your feast and bring the whole family along. Traditions have to start somewhere – make one today where you don’t have to do the cooking.

• History, Food and FUN – Thanksgiving 1619 Style at Berkeley Plantation, November 4
• A Feast Santa Would Enjoy at The Homestead, November 22-24
• Feast Like a King at The Jefferson Hotel, November 22
• A Decadent Thanksgiving Bed and Breakfast Package, November 22-25
• Traditional Feast and Thanksgiving Getaway, November 21-22
• Traditional Feast, Grand Illumination and Ski Swap at Wintergreen, November  22-25
• A Feast for the Eyes and the Tummy at Natural Bridge, November 21-23
• A Festive Thanksgiving Feast at Founders Inn and Spa, November 22

Brunswick stew is a culinary tradition that dates back to 1828 on Virginia’s Nottaway River where Dr. Creed Haskins’ cook prepared a pot for a hunting party, utilizing fresh ingredients nearby … squirrel.

Brunswick Stew

The stew is historically made in huge cast iron pots over an open flame in quantities large enough to feed entire communities. Rest assured, however, that the meat base nowadays is chicken rather than squirrel.

For a taste of authentic Virginia tradition, make your way to one of these upcoming Brunswick Stew festivals. There will be more than enough to quiet your hunger on site as well as to take home for later.

• October 13: Taste of Brunswick Festival & Cook-Off in Alberta, Brunswick County – This is the World Championship Brunswick Stew Cook-Off and as a taster, it’s you who truly reaps the reward. Pair this feast with a genuine festival atmosphere of arts and crafts, wagon rides, Bluegrass and antique tractors, and it’s a classic fall day in Virginia.
• Stay the night at Alberta B&B! The innkeepers are including two quarts of Brunswick stew for you to take home after the festival. $300 for a two-night stay.
• October 20: 3rd Annual Brunswick Stew and Classic Car Show in Gladys – Enjoy your stew here to benefit the local volunteer fire department. The kids will love seeing Smokey the Bear and Sparky the Fire Dog, as well as all of the emergency response vehicles.
• October 27: Brunswick Stew Day in Nokesville – Brunswick stew will be cooked over an open flame and it’s “all you can eat” for as long as you’re there. One meal enough? Take home a quart and freeze it for later.