Hey Hoos! There’s a lot to see and do as you head back to school, and for those on the road to the University of Virginia’s Grounds, we’ve created a road map featuring food, cultural and historic sites, and a few oddball monuments to check out. We’ve charted courses for the most likely routes from New York, Atlanta, Nashville and Virginia Beach. Email me at zeina@virginia.edu to let me know which stops you enjoyed and your recommendations for future road trippers.

See you soon!

How are you getting here?

Direction I-64 West

I-64 W

Direction I-95 South

I-95 S / U.S. 29 S

Direction I-81 South

I-81 S

Direction I-81 North

I-81 N

Direction U.S. 29 North

U.S. 29 N

Direction I-64 West

Dining
Icon of diningStop by Doumar’s Cones and Barbeque in Norfolk for a meal and ice cream. The founder, Syrian American Abe Doumar, is credited with inventing the first ice cream cone at the St. Louis Exposition in 1904.
Icon of diningEn Su Boca in Richmond is known for its authentic Mexican burritos and tacos. Recommendation: carne asada tacos.
Icon of diningFor rustic and modern Greek cuisine, visit Stella’s in Richmond.
Icon of diningIn its fourth year, PopUp RVA is a weekly vendors’ market featuring more than 50 local businesses, live music, food and more. Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., admission is free.
History & Culture
Icon of history or cultureSince 1988, the Nansemond Indian Nation has held the Nansemond Indian Homecoming to welcome home descendants, family and friends after centuries of displacement. This year, the homecoming will be held Aug. 17-18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Suffolk and features social dances, foods, craft vendors and educational displays.
Icon of history or cultureCelebrate local talent from Portsmouth and Hampton Roads at the Portsmouth Colored Community Library Museum’s “Art Is Revolutionary” exhibit. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the exhibit features local musicians, artists, writers and others from the past 150 years, including Wanda Sykes, Missy Elliott and Ella Fitzgerald.
Icon of history or cultureLocated in the “birthplace of America’s space program,” Virginia Air and Space Center in Hampton features aviation exhibits, historic aircrafts and the Apollo 12 Command Module.
Icon of history or cultureOpen daily and always free, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond is one of the country’s largest art museums and holds nearly 40,000 artworks, including the largest collection of Fabergé eggs outside of Russia.
Nature
Icon of natureStop by Historic Greenbrier Farms in Chesapeake to pick flowers and produce, have lunch at the Hive Farmbar & Grill and grab some pantry items from Miss B’s Farmers Market.
Icon of natureSpanning nearly 113,000 acres of wetlands, Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest remaining wild areas in the eastern U.S. It’s home to more than 200 bird species and other animals, including black bears and otters, and offers opportunities for birdwatching, photography, biking, canoeing and more. Tip: There are lots of mosquitoes, so pack bug spray!
Sports
Icon of sportsWitness the world’s oldest continually run surfing competition, the Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championships, Aug. 18-25 in Virginia Beach. Visit Lolly’s Creamery nearby for a scoop or three.
Icon of sportsBaseball lovers, watch the Norfolk Tides host the Worcester Red Sox at Harbor Park on Aug. 20-21 at 6:35 p.m. and Aug. 22 at 12:05 p.m.
Icon of sportsBaseball fans can watch the Richmond Flying Squirrels host the Altoona Curve on Aug. 20-23 at 6:35 p.m. and Aug. 24 at 6:05 p.m.
Live Arts
Icon of artsExperience the “Avatar: The Last Airbender” soundtrack performed by a live orchestra in Norfolk Aug. 23 at 8 p.m.
Icon of artsExperience the “Avatar: The Last Airbender" soundtrack performed by a live orchestra in Richmond’s Altria Theater on Aug. 24 at 8 p.m.

Media Contact

Zeina Mohammed

University News Associate University Communications