En Forme magazine

09/22/2025

✨Go underground in the Shenandoah Valley✨

At , timeless wonder meets modern accessibility. Thanks to a new entrance and historic brick pathways, visitors of all abilities can explore a natural masterpiece that’s been millions of years in the making.

Wander 1.5 miles past shimmering formations like Titania’s Veil and Pluto’s Ghost, and pause in the Cathedral to hear the haunting tones of the Great Stalacpipe Organ — the world’s largest natural underground instrument.

Half a million visitors each year come away with the same feeling: awe, wonder, and a deeper connection to the natural world.

Plan your visit ➝ luraycaverns.com
📸 and
👉 Full story at enformeva.com

09/16/2025

✨ Vintage Virginia ✨
Once a classic roadside motor court, is now reimagined for today’s travelers seeking adventure, charm, and nostalgia. 🌲

Perched at the gateway of Skyline Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Appalachian Trail, this Afton Mountain stay puts you steps away from some of Virginia’s most iconic outdoor experiences—plus the foodie delights of the Shenandoah Valley.

With fire pits, onsite trails, and easy mobile check-in, Grey Pine Lodge blends vintage character with modern convenience. Whether you’re drawn by the nostalgia of the 1960s Oak Bower Motel or the call of the mountains, it’s the perfect place to rest after a day of exploring.

📍 Discover more fresh takes on Virginia’s vintage motels and hotels at enformeva.com.

Story by
Photos provided by

09/12/2025

🌟 Women Who Drive Richmond 🌟

We’re proud to recognize Kelley McCall, Community Development Regional Manager at Meta, for her remarkable impact on our region. From her leadership at to her work at , Kelley has championed growth, innovation, and investment in our communities.

Congratulations, Kelley — and thank you for driving Richmond forward. 💫

09/09/2025

🔦 Step into another world at Grand Caverns in Grottoes — America’s oldest show cave, first discovered in 1804. Civil War soldiers left their signatures on the walls, and generations gathered here for candlelight dances to escape summer heat. Today, you can wander past ancient rock formations, join an adventure tour, or even catch a band or movie night underground.

✨ A visit here isn’t just about geology — it’s about walking through 500,000 years of history.

📍Grand Caverns, Grottoes, VA

Read more about some of Virginia’s greatest show caves at enformeva.com.

Story by
Photos by

09/01/2025

Summer floats in on the tailwind of garden blooms and the glimmer of fireflies. It hovers just long enough, it seems, for a scoop of homemade ice cream, waves washing over sandy toes, a book savored under rolling thunder. ☀️

One more evening beneath the twinkle lights, one last tomato sandwich, and please, just one more getaway. And like a brightly colored balloon, summer drifts away leaving us sun-kissed and longing for a little more. ✨

📸:

08/30/2025

Saxophonist is a DownBeat Critics Poll winner whose “brawny and full-bodied” sound (The New York Times) can be heard in top clubs and in award-winning recordings. 🎷Shaw performs at the on September 20, 2025.

Please follow for more information and to buy tickets. 🎟️

08/26/2025

Situated at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Smith Mountain Lake spans 20,000 acres. It’s a favorite spot for anglers chasing largemouth and striped bass with catfish, crappie, and yellow perch also biting. 🎣

The lake buzzes with high-adrenaline watersports like jet skiing, wakeboarding, wake surfing, and tubing. 🚤 For something slower-paced, float in calm coves at Smith Mountain Lake State Park or Smith Mountain Lake Community Park. “With over 500 miles of shoreline, it offers a stunning blend of water and mountain scenery that’s hard to match anywhere else in Virginia,” says Catherine Daniel, a broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate.

Read more about Smith Mountain Lake: link 🔗 in profile

📸: The (Lynchburg) News & Advance |

08/20/2025

✨ Mid-century motels are making a comeback across Virginia — reimagined with fresh style, modern amenities, and plenty of character.

One standout? in Charlottesville. Built in 1963 as the University Motor Court, this rare mid-century gem has been reborn with cheerful retro décor, playful touches like a pink landline phone and foam-green record player, and even its own Airstream food truck, the . 🌈🍴

Little Mod is just one of four vintage stays we’re featuring that invite travelers to experience the charm of a bygone era with today’s comforts.

📖 Read the full story in the latest issue of En Forme (link in bio).

📸 provided by

08/18/2025

✨ Hidden wonders and glowing paths await at Norfolk’s Jeff Robertson Park. ✨

Home to river otters, nesting egrets, and thriving wildlife, the park also shelters a section of the . But as night falls, one trail becomes something truly magical: The Glowline. 🌿💚

This 800-foot stretch illuminates with phosphorescent stones in a fiddlehead fern pattern—an eco-friendly solution that keeps the park dark for wildlife while guiding pedestrians and cyclists safely. A first-of-its-kind on the East Coast, it’s part art, part innovation, and all heart for the community.

Nearly three years later, The Glowline continues to inspire safe, sustainable, and creative ways to light the night—proving trails can transform communities for both people and nature.

Read more at enformeva.com
Story by
Photos by

08/14/2025

Experience the magic of world-class music 🎶 in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley at the happening August 15–24, 2025! This 10-day celebration transforms historic venues across downtown Staunton into intimate stages for exceptional performances by internationally acclaimed musicians.

From Baroque masterpieces to contemporary works, each concert offers a unique and unforgettable journey through sound.

✨ Whether you’re a lifelong classical music lover or simply seeking an inspiring cultural getaway, Staunton’s charm, walkable downtown, and award-winning restaurants make it the perfect backdrop for this premier festival.

🎟 Explore the full schedule, learn more about individual performances, and secure your seats now at stauntonmusicfestival.org.

08/13/2025

Sounds like a great time! 🎶

Ready for a last-minute getaway that hits all the right notes? The 2025 Staunton Music Festival is almost here—and Hotel 24 South has your backstage pass to an unforgettable experience!

Book the *Staunton Music Festival Package* at Hotel 24 South, proud member of Historic Hotels of America, and enjoy:
🎻 Two nights in the heart of downtown Staunton (Tuesday 8/21 and Wednesday 8/22)
🎻 Includes daily breakfast & free parking
🎻 Tickets to FOUR concerts
🎻 A backstage tour of the one and only Blackfriars Playhouse at the American Shakespeare Center
🎻 A private lunch & wine tasting hosted by Accordia Wine 🍷

Soak up the sounds, explore the culture, and unwind in one of Virginia’s most enchanting towns.

Everything’s within walking distance—music, dining, history, and charm all wrapped into one perfect mid-week escape!

Book directly and securely via Hotel 24 South’s website.

Visit Staunton, Virginia
Photo credit: Millpond Photography

08/11/2025

💦☀️ Summer, slowed down.

There’s something about the gentle ripple of a lake that makes the world feel softer—slower. This season, trade crashing waves for calm waters and discover four Virginia lakes that invite you to linger a little longer.

First up: Buggs Island Lake (aka John H. Kerr Reservoir) in Clarksville — Virginia’s only lakeside town. Think 50,000+ acres of water, 800 miles of shoreline, and endless summer possibilities: boating, fishing, swimming, and hiking. Stay lakeside, sip local wine, wander charming Virginia Avenue, and soak up small-town festivals that bring the whole community to life.

🍴 A Local Taste
Dine under twinkle lights and wisteria at , where seasonal dishes meet an award-winning wine list. Or pop into Lake Country Cigar and Wine for curated boards and creative small plates (think Southern-style egg rolls stuffed with collards and country ham).

🛏 Rest Your Oars
Wake up to Dutch pancakes and fresh-baked bread at , or unwind poolside at Cooper’s Landing Inn with a hot tub soak and a two-course breakfast.

🚤 Beyond the Shore
Stroll Clarksville’s Virginia Avenue for antiques, art, and lakeside fashion, sip a Kerr Lake Kölsch at with views of the water, or relax with a chardonel at .

In our summer issue, we give you the full guide—plus three more lakes worth the road trip. Pack your bags. This is lake life at its best.

📖 Read more ➡️ at the link in bio.
📷 Virginia Department of Conversation and Recreation