Virginia travelers choose from 52 Best Western hotels.

Blue Ridge Parkway

As the weather warms, western Virginia becomes a premier getaway destination. Bounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and Appalachian Mountains to the west, the Shenandoah Valley fills with festivals and events. The Crooked Road, Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail, fills with traditional mountain music celebrating Virginia’s culture and heritage. The region is rich in Civil War history celebrated at reenactments and living history events like the Wise Civil War Reenactment. Looking for a challenge? Among western Virginia events is the Eastern Divide Ultra 50K - or, relax with family and friends at a Valley Baseball League game.

Take a flight into Lonesome Pine Regional Airport for an adventure in Wise. In the Heat of Appalachia, Wise is a traditional Virginia mountain town. With a rich heritage and surrounded by beautiful natural resources, Wise and western Virginia make a great summer getaway. Site of the Civil Wars Battle at Wise; the community celebrates its history at the 2012 Civil War Reenactment.

An encampment is set up on the campus of LF Addington Middle School July 13th through 15th, featuring reenactment units camping in Civil War era structures and conditions. Visitors enjoy living history demonstrations and reenactments of the Battle at Cranesnest and Capture of Wise Courthouse. Celebrate western Virginia’s heritage in Wise.

Athletes, get on pace for Giles County’s 2012 Eastern Divide Ultra 50K on June 23rd. A point–to-point race starting at the Cascades Trail head outside Pembroke and finishing at the Mountain Lake Conservancy, the course winds through picturesque Salt Pond Mountain. The mountain course is ideal for a summer race, with temperatures 10 to 15 degrees cooler than the valleys.

The Virginia Horse Center north of Lexington and Washington and Lee University is a hub of activity for Rockbridge County. Summer 2012 is no exception, with breed shows including the Peruvian Horse Show June 14th -16th, August’s Virginia Presidential Paso Fino, and the Rockstar Quarter Horse Show, September 8th and 9th. Lexington’s horse center also hosts the 2012 Rockbridge Regional Fair & Farm Show, July 18th through the 21st. Capture all the fun of a traditional fair with agriculture and livestock exhibits, along with the fun of rides, games, a tractor pull and live entertainment.

Summer brings Matriculation Day for new cadets at Virginia Military Institution. Located in Lexington VMI welcomes new 2012 cadets and parents August 20th for the start of the new “rat year”. Two weeks after matriculation, the New Cadet Oath Ceremony is held at New Market Battlefield State Historical Park, Sunday, September 4th. The ceremonies are followed by a picnic lunch and parade through downtown New Market.

Featuring teams from across Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, the Valley Baseball League entertains western Virginia residents and visitors through June and July. Take the family out to the ballpark for Winchester Royals games at Bridgeforth Field, Harrisonburg Turks at Veterans Memorial Park, and Covington Lumberjacks at Casey Field, three of the 12 teams of the VBL.

Aerial View of Norfolk, VA

The Virginia eastern shore is prime for summer. Starting with June’s spectacular Virginia Beach Patriotic Festival, summer on the eastern shore means sun, sand, festivals and fun. OpSail 2012 Virginia showcases a new event this year - The Sea and Air Parade of Sail happens June 6th in the Port of Virginia. Summer means fundraising carnival events in Chincoteague leading to the well-known Pony Swim. Activities abound for active Virginia residents and visitors, including the Military Challenge at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex, the Armed Forces YMCA Mud Run, and the end of summer Rock’n’Roll Marathon. Of course nothing beats a day at the beach enjoying Virginia’s sand and surf.

Launch into summer at the 2012 Virginia Beach Patriotic Festival. Held June 1st through the 3rd, the Patriotic Festival honors the US armed forces and their families. The Virginia Beach region is home to the largest military bases in the country - combined with the Virginia Beach oceanfront, top entertainers and an air show, make for a Military Celebration not to be missed. Salute the US Military at the Virginia Beach Patriotic Festival and enjoy the sight of the Blue Angles flying over the oceanfront. Concert headliners include Scotty McCreary, Miranda Lambert and the Beach Boys.

Chincoteague Island hosts the classic Virginia eastern shore summer event. Include the last Wednesday of July on your visit for the 2012 Chincoteague Pony Penning and Carnival. The event features the pony swim from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island followed by the pony parade to the carnival grounds on Main Street. After the foal auction, the carnival opens at 7 featuring rides, games and great food. Mark July 25th on your calendar for a visit to Chincoteague.

Jazz fans; look for the Hampton Jazz Festival the last full weekend in June. Hampton, south of Langley Air Force Base in the Hampton Roads region, hosts the 2012 Hampton Jazz Festival June 22nd through the 24th. Relax in the comfort of the Hampton Coliseum and enjoy headliners Kenny G, Charlie Wilson and Jill Scott, along with a list of top jazz performers.

Runners set your goals for a visit to Virginia Beach for Labor Day weekend and the Rock’n’Roll Half Marathon. The 2012 events include the new Virginia Beach Mini Marathon, featuring a 3.1-mile course complete with live bands and the same finish line festivities as the longer race. Train headlines the post-race evening concert on the beach. Events take place on Sunday, September 2nd.

Labor Day Weekend in Virginia Beach also features the American Music Festival, August 31st through September 2nd. Adding to the weekend's festivities, headline concerts include O.A.R. Friday evening and Cheap Trick on Saturday. With four event stages along the Virginia Beach waterfront, the American Music Festival, and the Rock’n’Roll Half Marathon are an ideal end to summer.

Virginia State Capital

Central Virginia’s diversity comes alive in summer. Northern Virginia cities across the Potomac River from Washington DC host tourists visiting Virginia’s historic sites. Arlington National Cemetery, The Pentagon, and south to historic Jamestown and Williamsburg are among the many sites filling with visitors during summer vacation. Outdoor adventure? Go no further than Virginia’s capital city and the James River. Launch into class III and IV rapids from downtown Richmond for a day of fun, floating and fishing. Enjoy summer traditions – catch a baseball game with Prince William County’s Potomac Nationals or catch the excitement of auto-racing at Old Dominion Speedway - Virginia loves summer fun.

Richmond’s St John’s Church is the site of Patrick Henry’s 1775 speech, Give me Liberty or Give me Death. From Memorial Day to Labor Day is Summer Reenactment season at St John's. On Sunday afternoons, professional actors reenact debates of the Second Virginia Convention, which preceded Henry’s well-known speech. Performances begin at 2pm with tickets distributed prior, on a first-come basis. Enjoy this reenactment of American History on your Richmond visit.

Kick-off summer fun in Fredericksburg celebrating the Rappahannock River. The 2012 Great Rappahannock Whitewater Canoe and Kayak Race is June 2nd. This 32nd anniversary event features sprints, downriver races and the 20-mile marathon. New for 2012 is a post-race party with live music, food and awards. It is the season for rafting in Virginia.

Art enthusiasts visiting Virginia’s capital region be sure to take in Maharaja: The Splendors of India’s Great Kings, showing at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Richmond is the only East Coast city hosting this exhibition. This 2012 exhibition features 200 Indian and European works including a royal elephant saddle, horse-drawn carriage and golden throne. The show runs through August 19th.

Visitors fill north central Virginia during summer. The proximity to Washington DC and home of many historic landmarks make the region a top destination. Popular sites, including Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon and US Maine Corps War Memorial Iwo Jima draw travelers across the Potomac to Virginia.

There is also plenty of traditional American summer fun across northern Virginia. Join family and friends at G. Richard Pfitzer Stadium near Manassas for baseball. Home of the Potomac Nationals, Prince William County’s affiliate of the Washington Nationals, games run through September.

Racing fans be sure to hit Old Dominion Speedway for motorsports excitement. The 2012 season features Friday night drags and Saturday night NASCAR events. Old Dominion is a NASCAR Whelen All-American track, with Late Model, Mini Stock, UCars and Virginia Sprint Series action.

Could a Fourth of July be better than a day at Historic Mount Vernon? George Washington’s estate and gardens celebrates 2012 4th of July with An American Celebration at Mount Vernon. This is daytime celebration including period reenactments, wreath laying ceremony and special naturalization ceremony. Actors depicting General and Mrs Washington are on hand to share in a made-for-daytime fireworks display.