Virginia Travel Guide - Virginia Travel Guide 2026
Farm & Foodie Experiences
2025-11-22 12:32:04
GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY
Immersive Farm & Foodie Experiences
The best memories often start with a little dirt on your hands and a sense of adventure. Whether you’re feeding alpacas, harvesting oysters, or learning to make maple syrup, Virginia offers experiences that are all about rolling up your sleeves.
HARVESTING YOUR OWN
At HaaShrooms in Goochland, book a group or private hunt to forage for wild mushrooms and medicinal plants with one of the farm’s owners leading the way. You’ll follow wooded trails through the property as a guide points out mushrooms tucked near roots and healing herbs growing around you. Group hunts are focused on learning, with no gathering of mushrooms or plants, while private outings give you the chance to collect your finds.
Wade knee-deep in the Lynnhaven River and pull oysters from the water with Pleasure House Oysters in Virginia Beach. This three-hour boat tour brings you to a table set directly in the river, where you’ll shuck and sample briny oysters pulled from right beneath your feet. Along the way, the owner shares facts about the local wildlife and stories about the farm’s natural surroundings.
For fresh strawberries and peaches, grab a basket and pick your own at Chiles Peach Orchard and Farm Market in Crozet. Strawberry season peaks in May, while peaches ripen from June to September — with shades from creamy gold to pale yellow and flavors that range from candy-sweet to perfectly tart.
In Delaplane, Hollin Farms offers 40 acres of fruit-filled fields for apple and pear picking — a must for any autumn bucket list. Choose from refreshing Honeycrisp, juicy Golden Delicious, or tart Pink Lady straight from the orchard to take home and bake into pies or other homemade favorites.
FRESH-CUT: FROM TULIPS TO TREES
Rows of vibrant tulips await at Burnside Farms in Nokesville, home to 150 colorful varieties available during the annual pick-your-own spring flowers event. The sprawling fields stretch acres, creating a rainbow of blooms that’s as stunning to see as it is to stroll through. After wandering among the tulips and gathering your favorites, wrap them at a self-serve station.
When winter rolls in, Greene Meadows Farm in Stanardsville becomes a festive destination to pursue the perfect Christmas tree or choose one that’s pre-cut and ready to go — a timeless holiday tradition for families. Browse through aromatic lanes of white pines, firs, spruces, and more, breathing in the brisk air of the season. After making your pick, stop by the farm’s Christmas shop to warm up with a cup of hot chocolate or cider and soak up the cozy holiday charm.
THE ART OF MAKING
Ease into a swirl of scent and color at Beliveau Farm Winery in Blacksburg, where you can craft custom candles using your choice of spring-inspired fragrances. Learn the basics of the art, then relax with a glass of wine from the on-site winery as your creations cool. The farm also hosts the Annual Grape Stomping Festival, typically held in early fall. Step into oversized tubs and stomp to the beat of classic hits and dance tracks. A separate tub for kids makes it a fun event for all ages.
At Caromont Farm in Esmont, the Intro to Cheesemaking class starts with goat milk sourced from the farm’s herd, which spends its days roaming between woods and pasture. A guided tasting and engaging introduction set the tone before the hands-on fun begins. Inside, you’ll taste, stir, and shape as you learn the steps of turning milk into soft, fresh cheese. If you visit in the spring, book a Snuggle Session with the baby goats, an experience enjoyed by children and adults alike.
From tree to table, rich, earthy maple syrup is tapped and cooked onsite at Fair Lawn Farm in Monterey. Step-by-step seminars break down the process, making it easy for newcomers to try their hand at creating this sweet staple. While syrup is only cooked from mid-January to mid-March, classes are offered year-round for curious learners.
Indulge in rich, marbled Wagyu beef at Ovoka Farm in Paris on one of two guided tours. Each begins with a walk through the manor home and stories of the farm’s past. Then climb aboard a wagon for a scenic ride up Paris Mountain, where panoramic views of the mountains and neighboring Sky Meadows State Park unfold. Along the way, learn what sets their cattle apart and how the farm embraces sustainable practices. One tour involves small bites of Wagyu, while the other ends with a full seasonal tasting in the dining room.
MEETING FRIENDLY FARM ANIMALS
Slow down and enjoy life on the farm at Shangrila Guest Ranch in South Boston, where you can spend the day feeding animals and gathering just-laid chicken eggs. Kids will love joining in the daily routine, making it a hands-on, family-friendly experience in a peaceful country setting.
For more animal encounters, Alpacas of Smith Mountain Lake Farm in Hardy offers interactive tours during which guests can feed, hug, and even hold young alpacas. Great for all ages, the visit also includes a behind-the-scenes look at how the farm turns soft alpaca fleece into comfy products like sweaters and pillows.
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