9 INDULGE YOUR INNER FOODIE
Virginia is a foodie paradise, from all-day brunches to late-night tipples at a rooftop bar, from casual, affordable street eats to elegant and innovative farm-to-table dining. The Commonwealth’s rich and varied culinary traditions might be the most delicious way to experience Virginia history, whether that’s in Gordonsville, where women used to sell the town’s legendary fried chicken through railcar windows to hungry travellers, or in Topping, where the Rappahannock Oyster Co., a fourth-generation family business, has been celebrating Chesapeake Bay shellfish since 1899. Heritage BBQ, down-home Southern cooking and soul food all tell the stories of places and people. For up-to-the-minute culinary trends, head to urban hot spots like Richmond and Alexandria, where you can find global small plates, new-school deli, deconstructed Indian classics, vegan taquerias and organic patisseries.