The Commonwealth of Virginia is one of the smallest states in the USA, ranked 35th in area, though when it comes to opportunities for sporting and outdoor enthusiasts, it’s easily ranked #1. 

Virginia’s unique shape makes it a ten hour drive from east to west along the southern border, giving you more for your money across a limited expanse.

From Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean waterfronts on the secluded beaches of the Delmarva peninsula, seaside locales like Virginia Beach and the affluent Northern Neck along the Tidewater’s coastal floodplains, the rolling hills of the Piedmont, caves of the Shenandoah Valley and the old, rounded mountains of the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Plateau, Virginia is your dream destination. 

Sport & Natural Wonders: Your Dream Destination is Virginia

NASCAR Haven

Martinsville is a city of just 13,000 people along the border with North Carolina. Home to the paper-clip shaped Martinsville Speedway (fittingly, the shortest track in the NASCAR Cup Series at .526 miles), races can host crowds of fans up to five times the population of the diminutive city.

Built in 1947, it’s the only original course still on the NASCAR schedule. 

The Martinsville Speedway hosts a variety of NASCAR races, including two events in the Cup Series: the Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 400 set for April 16 this year, and the Xfinity 500 on October 29, when the fall colors in Virginia’s beautiful mountains and valleys rival those of New England.

Martinsville also hosts the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, held on Labor Day Weekend under the lights. 

The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series kicks off February 5th with the Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Drivers Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson are tied for the best odds to take home a title in 2023, listed at +700 at Virginia’s BetMGM Sportsbook. 

Lines haven’t dropped yet for the Martinsville races, but Virginia sportsbook promos will have the best promotions if you’re looking to try your luck at picking the winner of the NASCAR Cup Series Race at Martinsville.

Natural Wonders

With beautiful locations all over the Commonwealth, the allure of sports in Virginia go beyond the game action with both traditional games like golf, and less-thought of sports like rock climbing and mountain biking.

Virginia is one of just four states on the East Coast with a national park. Less than an hour from Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park offers sheer cliffs for prospective rock climbers as the Skyline Drive winds along the peak of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The famous highway, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps as an opportunity to get people back to work during the height of the Great Depression, is an excellent opportunity for mountain bikers as well.

With speed limits capped at 35 miles an hour and dozens of places to pull off and enjoy the view on either side of the mountain range, the park offers breathtaking beauty in a readily-accessible location. 

Golfing Paradise

Founded in 1607 with the Jamestown Settlement, Virginia is the oldest of the original Thirteen Colonies. Virginia has a slate of private and public golf courses that take advantage of that unique combination of postcard-worthy views in historic locations.

Historic cities like Colonial Williamsburg have the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club, a gold-rated facility with 45 holes, while the Highland Course at Primland straddles a mountain peak atop the Dan River Valley: both courses are some of the highest-ranked in the state.

Megan is an Australian Journalist and award-winning travel writer who has been blogging since 2007. Her husband Mike is the American naturalist and wildlife photographer behind Waking Up Wild; an online magazine dedicated to opening your eyes to the wonders of the wild & natural world.

Having visited 100+ countries across all seven continents, Megan’s travels focus on cultural immersion, authentic discovery and incredible journeys. She has a strong passion for ecotourism, and aims to promote responsible travel experiences.