Warm Virginia evenings are perfect for a number of things, but patio dining is one of the best. Find a place that has just what you want to eat along with a good view, and you’ve got a pretty nice thing going. Check out these hot spots, then comment below with a few recommendations of your own.

Sunset at Bubba’s

A favorite of my colleagues and myself is Bubba’s Marina and Seafood Restaurant on Shore Drive in Virginia Beach. It’s a 20-something-year mainstay that promises and delivers the freshest seafood in Virginia Beach. Besides that, you’ll love their double-decker on-the-water patios, and the sunsets are unreal.

If you’ve never been to Clyde’s Willow Creek Farm in Ashburn, you’re not only missing out on great dining, but a very interesting attraction, too. Clyde’s is an amazing collection of Americana housed in four 1700s-1800s buildings from Vermont and Virginia. After you’ve glanced around, head to the garden where your seat will be just as amazing. The pond and waterfall are super relaxing.

The pastoral countryside of Neersville in Loudoun County is your scenic beauty for outdoor dining at Grandale Farm Restaurant. Twice this special place has been mentioned in Travel + Leisure, so there’s pretty much all you need to know. Just go.

Note: Nine more Loudoun County dining establishments with outdoor seating are included at VisitLoudounBlog.com.

Härth

Dine outside 365 days a year at Tysons Corner’s hottest new restaurant, Härth, which features cozy fireside dining. Traditional American comfort foods are prepared with the farm-to-table philosophy top-of-mind.

You’ll find Cafe Deluxe in McLean to be a charming neighborhood tavern atmosphere that bustles with the energy of a European bistro. Check out the eclectic menu that includes items like Grilled Meatloaf with Creole sauce.

The Local Chop & Grill House in Harrisonburg is a farm-to-table restaurant situated in the old City Produce Exchange building. You’ll find the covered patio a delightful place to dine on locally sourced foods.

Also in Harrisonburg is the Joshua Wilton House, an upscale experience in a beautiful Victorian. Dinner on the patio is quite fitting, given the in-season menu.

The Boathouse

Waterfront view? Try oceanfront. Waterman’s Surfside Grille in Virginia Beach is a family owned restaurant with oceanfront patio dining and a boardwalk bar. Choose a nice lunch or dinner of seafood, salads, steak, ribs, chicken, burgers or pasta.

The Boathouse in Midlothian overlooks a 1,700-acre lake in a quiet residential community. Terraced decks provide ample seating and the sunset on the lake is something to see. The menu includes raw bar items, flame-kissed meats, Wood Stone fired pizzas and fresh seafood.

If you’re dining with kids and those kids happen to love railroads, head to Depot Grille in Lynchburg. The large patio overlooks the train track and the James River is just beyond that. The American menu will suit any eater and Amazement Square is just a block away – perfect for a family day out.

Rappahannock County’s own Chef Jim McCullough is at the helm at The Blue Rock Inn in Washington. You won’t be disappointed in his eclectic menu of farm-fresh entrees. Take to the patio at the restaurant’s Blue Horse Pub with the Blue Ridge Mountains serving as a fine backdrop.

Sine Irish Pub & Restaurant

In Downtown Richmond’s Shockoe Slip sitting perfectly on one-half block is Sine Irish Pub & Restaurant. The outdoor seating area is every bit as big as the first floor inside. Descend from the deck to market umbrella seating for some sunshine.

An incredibly extensive list of Richmond area patio dining can be found at Richmond.com.

A few seats are available in front of Cranberry’s Grocery & Eatery in Staunton. Enjoy a world-class espresso or fresh-squeezed juice with your choice of entree off their very accommodating menu (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and meats served here!).

The gang’s all here at The Luna in Callao! The covered veranda overlooking golf course vistas seats 70, so come one, come all. Enjoy the menu of steak and seafood served with an Italian flare.

Tell us your favorite patio dining location in the comments below or find more fantastic dining options at Virginia.org.

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If you love to fish, you’re going to love Virginia. From streams, creeks, rivers, ponds, lakes and bays to all-out saltwater delights, the fish are plentiful and biting.

Fishing with New River Trips

Virginia has more than 2,800 miles of trout water in addition to stocked ponds, lakes and reservoirs. If you’re not handy with a rod and fly, there are fly fishing experts all over the Commonwealth who specialize in training new anglers. In fact, if you find yourself at one of Virginia’s mountain resorts, there are fishing instructors on staff who will gladly show you the ropes.

For fishermen looking for the thrill of a big catch, the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean are where you want to be. A number of charter boats are available for game fishing excursions.

• o’FISH’lly a Shoe Thing - The Craddock Terry Hotel in Lynchburg is offering a private half-day James River fishing trip with Matt Miles Fly Fishing Company. Snacks, drinks and equipment included. Rates start at $449 per night. Book Now

Fishing with York River Charters

• Homestead Adventure Package – The Homestead Resort in Hot Springs invites each person to choose his or her own outdoor experience, including fly fishing, for $279 per room, per night. Book Now
• Exclusive Charter Discount – York River Charters in Yorktown has an offer available only to you as the reader of this blog post and Virginia.org. Book a Chesapeake Bay or York River fishing (or sightseeing) charter and save 5% just by mentioning Virginia.org. Call 757-645-8397 to discuss pricing and options.
• 17% to 21% Off Youth Fishing Trips – New River Trips in Galax extends to you this special discount. Bring your son or daughter under the age of 18 to fish the Upper New River under their guidance and save big. Call 276-235-2514 to discuss pricing and options.
• “Man-cation” – The Carriage House Inn Bed & Breakfast in Lynchburg welcomes you and up to 15 buddies for a men’s only getaway. Stay two nights and they’ll arrange the outfitter to take you fishing. Call 800-937-3582 to discuss pricing and options.

In addition to the trip deals mentioned above, there are special events to introduce your children to the sport of fishing.

• Saturdays and Sundays in June – Murray’s On the Stream Small Mouth Bass School - The fishing portion of these schools is adapted to meet the specific needs of each individual student whether they are beginners, intermediate or advanced anglers.
• August 10 – 6th Annual Smith River Fest in Axton - This event is truly a celebration of all things associated with the Smith River: paddling, hiking, biking, fishing and nature watching.

Search for additional fishing guides, charters and sporting events at Virginia.org.

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If you’ve been looking for a tasty way to spend a Saturday, look no further. It’s strawberry season and that’s just the beginning of the deliciousness that awaits you in Virginia.

St. Stephen’s Strawberry Festival

Love to try various types of barbecue or do you already have a favorite? If you’re a taster at heart, be sure to add these events to your calendar.

• May 11: BBQ Jamboree, Fredericksburg
• May 18: Habitat Jam: Bands, Beer & Barbeque, Lexington
• May 25: Chantilly Farm Bluegrass and BBQ Festival, Floyd
• June 15: Barrels, Bands & Barbecue, Mount Jackson
• June 28-30: Hogging Up BBQ & Music Festival, Clear Brook
• June 28-29: Covington Cork and Pork Festival

Greek flavors are right at home in Virginia. Here’s where you can enjoy souvlaki, dolmades and spanakopita in a festival environment.

• May 18: Taste of Greece at Doukenie Winery, Purcellville
• May 30-June 2: Newport News Greek Festival
• August 17-18: Winchester Greek Festival

Sweet strawberries! It’s that time of year and here’s where you can get the fresh-picked goodness. Take some home, but definitely find a strawberry shortcake for immediate gratification.

• May 18: Strawberry Festival, Stuart
• May 25: St. Stephen’s Strawberry Festival, Heathsville
• May 25-26: Delaplane Strawberry Festival, Delaplane
• May 25-26: Pungo Strawberry Festival, Virginia Beach
• June 8: Ashland Strawberry Faire

Southern comfort foods abound in Virginia, and you can certainly expect to find some at a festival near you.

• May 18: Famous Fried Chicken Festival, Gordonsville
• June 15: Breaux Vineyards’ 16th Annual Cajun Festival and Crawfish Boil, Purcellville
• June 21-23: Annual AT&T Bayou Boogaloo & Cajun Food Festival, Norfolk

Festivals sure are a scrumptious way to spend your summer! Find more at Virginia.org.

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Every day is wine tourism day in Virginia, but May 11, 2013 is the inaugural Wine Tourism Day in North America. Let’s celebrate!

Hickory Hill Vineyards & Winery, Moneta

Virginia is home to more than 200 wineries and the world has taken notice as publications repeatedly hail Virginia as a wine region to visit and enjoy. Of course, boasting award-winning vintages doesn’t hurt.

May 11 Wine Events in Virginia

• A Taste of New Kent Wine Festival, New Kent
• Dog Day at Breaux, Purcellville
• Virginia Wine Day at Blue Mountain Brewery, Afton
• Uncork the Cure Wine Festival, Daleville
• Wine and Trotter Festival, Woodstock
• Mother’s Day Luncheon and Open House, Wise
• Luncheon in the Vineyard for Mom, Amissville
• Tunes in the Tasting Room at Democracy Vineyards, Lovingston
• James River Wine and Music Festival, Lynchburg
• Gadino Cellars’ Mother’s Day Celebration, Washington
• Mother’s Day Edition of Sunset Saturday at Hickory Hill, Moneta
• Wine Festival at Monticello, Charlottesville
• Discover Virginia Food & Wine Festival, Ruckersville

Wine Tourism Day originated in Europe in 2009. The day is meant to highlight wineries, as well as support traveling to and vacationing in wine regions.

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May is National Bike Month and we’re happy to tell you all about casual, relaxed biking in Virginia.

Virginia Capital Trail

Arguably Virginia’s most well-known bicycling destination is the Virginia Creeper Trail. This rails-to-trails initiative runs 34.3 miles from Abingdon to Whitetop Mountain (the second highest summit in Virginia). Avoid the mountain climb by taking a shuttle from Damascus to Whitetop and coasting all the way down. Bike Rentals

Just re-opened last spring is the 31-mile High Bridge Trail State Park trail. Touching four counties and five towns, the trail is wide and mostly flat with the amazing 2,400-foot-long 1853 High Bridge as its centerpiece.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a bike path for the ages. The altitude ranges from 600 to 6,000 feet and the views are second to none. Choose  a common entry point and ride for a while (out and back) to avoid drastic elevation changes. We suggest biking between mileposts 24 and 0 where the total elevation change heading north is 1,450 feet. Avoid the first major up Note that bicyclists should expect significant distances between developed areas, so use caution regarding wildlife and be sure to bring plenty of water and high energy foods. More Tips

The W&OD Trail

Virginia’s most extensive bicycle network is found in Northern Virginia. Primarily used for transportation, the trails and paths also lend themselves to recreation and relaxation. Most noted in this network is the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park’s 45-mile paved shared-use path that connects Shirlington in Alexandria to Purcellville in Loudoun County.

The Virginia Capital Trail will one day connect Virginia’s first settlement (Jamestown) to its first Colonial Capital (Williamsburg) to the current Capital in Richmond. At 54 miles long, the trail follows the Route 5 Virginia Byway, so cyclists can take in the beauty of the James River plantations as well as Revolutionary War and Civil War battlefields. Currently there are four sections of the trail complete – seven miles between the Chickahominy Riverfront and Greensprings, seven and one-half-mile Charles City courthouse section, and one mile of the Richmond Riverfront.

Liberty Mountain Trail System

Those looking for a more challenging ride will love the Liberty Mountain Trail System in Lynchburg. It includes more than 65 miles of single and double track trails and logging roads spanning about 5,000 acres. Liberty Mountain rises over 1,360 feet offering cross country and gravity-fed trails. More Mountain Biking

Learn more about Cycling the Commonwealth:

• Tobacco Heritage Trail
• US Bicycle Route 76
• Heart of Appalachia Route
• New River Trail
• Bicycling the Commonwealth Map (full map side | trails side)

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