Virginia's Regions

Virginia’s travel regions are a practical way to explore a state of mountain towns, historic cities, working waterways and Atlantic beaches. Virginia Tourism Corporation currently lists 10 regions; a new Virginia Piedmont tourism region is approved to become official on January 1, 2027. These are tourism-marketing areas, not the only way to describe Virginia’s geography, so check the destination map when planning a trip near a regional boundary.

How Virginia’s regions work

The state tourism map groups destinations by visitor-facing regional brands. As of October 22, 2026, Virginia Tourism Corporation’s public regions page presents 10 regions. The approved Virginia Piedmont region will bring the structure to 11 when it becomes official on January 1, 2027; the announced area includes Charlottesville and Albemarle, Culpeper, Fauquier, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, Orange and Rappahannock counties.

Regional names are useful for finding destination guides and shaping a route, but they do not replace local maps or individual attraction information. Virginia Tourism Corporation’s industry site also lists regional plans under the 10-region structure; check official resources for updates as the new region takes effect.

The 10 current travel regions

Southwest Virginia: Heart of Appalachia

At Virginia’s western edge, this region is a starting point for mountain landscapes, Appalachian heritage and communities such as Big Stone Gap, Virginia. The state’s destination guide highlights the region’s rugged setting and culture.

Virginia Mountains

A broad mountain-and-lake destination for outdoor trips, with places including Roanoke, Virginia and Bath County, Virginia. Use the regional guide to explore communities and activities before choosing a base.

Shenandoah Valley

Set between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny ranges, the Valley offers a scenic corridor of towns, outdoor stops and historic sites. Consider Staunton, Virginia, Harrisonburg, Virginia, Luray, Virginia and Shenandoah National Park as itinerary anchors.

Central Virginia

Plan around the state capital and historic destinations, including Richmond, Virginia, Petersburg, Virginia and Lynchburg, Virginia. The region’s tourism guide points visitors toward historic places and living-history experiences.

Southern Virginia

This region’s destination guide connects travelers with communities such as Danville, Virginia, Martinsville, Virginia, Clarksville, Virginia and South Hill, Virginia, alongside the area’s tobacco-growing heritage.

Coastal Virginia: Hampton Roads

For a city-and-coast itinerary, start with Norfolk, Virginia, Virginia Beach, Virginia, Chesapeake, Virginia or Suffolk, Virginia. Check local destination resources to match beaches, museums and waterfront activities to your plans.

Southwest Virginia: Blue Ridge Highlands

Explore mountain communities including Blacksburg, Virginia, Christiansburg, Virginia and Radford, Virginia. The state’s regional guide also points travelers toward The Crooked Road, a route for exploring the area’s music heritage.

Northern Virginia

Near Washington, D.C., this region pairs urban destinations with historic towns, estates and rural scenery. Begin with Alexandria, Virginia, Arlington, Virginia, Fairfax County, Virginia or Loudoun County, Virginia, then check travel times for the places you want to combine.

Chesapeake Bay

Bay-side communities and historic landscapes shape trips through the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. Consider Colonial Beach, Virginia, Tappahannock, Virginia or Urbanna, Virginia as places to begin exploring the waterfront region.

Coastal Virginia: Eastern Shore

Virginia’s Eastern Shore is the peninsula between Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Explore Cape Charles, Virginia, Onancock, Virginia, Chincoteague, Virginia and Tangier Island; check current transportation and site details before setting out.

Choosing a region for your trip

• For mountain scenery and outdoor stops: compare the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Mountains and the two Southwest Virginia regions. Nearby guides include Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia's Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail.
• For history and city experiences: look at Central Virginia, Northern Virginia and the Historic Triangle, then build a route around the places and periods that interest you.
• For beaches and water: distinguish Hampton Roads from the quieter Bay and Eastern Shore destinations. The Eastern Shore tourism organization describes the peninsula as lying between the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean, with beach destinations including Cape Charles and Chincoteague.
• For a focused trip: choose one or two neighboring destinations rather than assuming every place in a large region is close together. Check maps, road conditions and attraction information before travel.

Planning notes

Regional names and boundaries are designed to help visitors discover places, not to guarantee a particular driving time or itinerary. Verify current opening information, access conditions, events and transportation with the relevant attraction or destination organization before departure. The Eastern Shore is connected to the mainland by the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel; confirm current travel information with its operator when planning a crossing.

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References

External links

• Virginia Tourism Corporation: Regions in Virginia
• Virginia Tourism Corporation: Regional plans
• Virginia Tourism Corporation: Virginia Piedmont region announcement
• Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism