Ultimate Guide to Eco-Friendly Vacations: Sustainable Travel in Virginia
Countless Virginia businesses prioritize reducing their environmental footprint, but select ones excel by advancing conservation efforts to protect the state's stunning landscapes. Explore these top eco-friendly destinations or join guided tours to witness sustainable practices in action.
Polyface Farms—Swoope
Polyface Farms showcases exemplary sustainable agriculture, raising livestock and cultivating produce through environmentally responsible methods. Take a self-guided tour Monday–Saturday during business hours for a glimpse behind the scenes. For deeper insights, book the two-hour Grass Stains educational walking tour or the Lunatic Tours, offered via hayride and limited to 100 participants.
The Sustainable Homestead Institute—Ridgeway
Dedicated to sustainable development, nature-based education, and ecological design, this nonprofit offers immersive experiences in ancestral survival skills. Enroll in one- to five-day courses on building shelters, starting fires, and purifying water. The institute has also converted former hay fields into a research farm yielding honey, grass-fed beef and mutton, free-range eggs, heirloom apples, timber, and biodynamic vegetables from a commercial greenhouse.
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center—Virginia Beach
Beyond its exhibits of diverse marine life in naturalistic habitats, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center runs the Stranding Response Program, aiding stranded marine mammals and sea turtles statewide. Experts diagnose and provide humane care, rehabilitating thousands of animals over the years. The center also leads visitor science programs, coral reef restoration, osprey population recovery, and ocean health research. Support their mission by donating, visiting, or booking whale- and dolphin-watching tours, where proceeds fund education, research, and conservation.
Photo Credit: Suzanne Moss IG: @thenaturebus
For more green adventures in Virginia Beach, board The Nature Bus at the REI store to explore local biodiversity, conservation efforts, and hands-on stewardship projects. Group tours accommodate 10–16 people with customizable pricing and durations.
Another highlight is the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Brock Environmental Center, a benchmark in sustainable architecture. Solar panels and wind turbines generate surplus energy, geothermal systems harvest rainwater, waterless toilets conserve resources, and native landscaping enhances efficiency—earning global acclaim. Schedule an in-person or virtual tour in advance.
Richlands Dairy & Creamery—Dinwiddie
Established in the 1700s with the current house built in 1913, this four-generation family farm in western Dinwiddie County launched its “Cow-to-Cone” creamery in spring 2019. Cows graze on farm-grown grass and silage. Open for school/group tours, the annual Fall Festival (October weekends), and periodic Farm-to-Table dinners.
Williamsburg Winery—Williamsburg
Photo Credit: Ron Magee
Virginia oysters not only delight the palate but also purify Chesapeake Bay waters by filtering pollutants. Sourced fresh for spots like Gabriel Archer Tavern at The Williamsburg Winery—served raw, fried, grilled, or in dishes—they pair perfectly with estate wines. Post-meal, shells are recycled via VCU Rice Rivers Center's program to build reefs for future oysters.
The Chincoteague Bay Field Station—Wallops Island
Since 1968, Chincoteague Bay Field Station on Virginia's Eastern Shore has educated eco-enthusiasts through field trips and hands-on programs for all ages. Partnering with NASA Wallops, US Fish & Wildlife, and National Park Service, it offers school programs, family events, and summer camps.
Wild Wolf Brewing Company—Nellysford
Awarded Virginia Green Travel Alliance's Green Brewery of the Year (2015–2017), Wild Wolf Brewing Company excels in recycling, composting, and resource conservation. Spent grains feed local cattle, which supply the restaurant; on-site composting enriches the garden; chickens and ducks control pests naturally. Beers come in recyclable cans with recycled carriers.
Laurel Fork Sapsuckers Farm—Hightown
Spanning 600 acres at 4,000 feet in Highland County, Laurel Fork Sapsuckers Farm focuses on sustainable forestry. Learn maple syrup production and uses during Highland County Maple Festival tapping demos or workshops. Additional efforts include migratory bird habitats, tree restoration, and heirloom apple projects.
Plan Your Own Cleanup Day to Support Local Communities
Contribute directly via self-guided cleanups with organizations like James River Association, Keep Virginia Beautiful, or Chesapeake Bay Foundation—host of the annual Clean the Bay Day in early June, mobilizing thousands across watersheds.
Discover more sustainable Virginia spots:
- Beagle Ridge Gardens & Herb Farm—Wytheville
- Maymont—Richmond
- Climb Central Appalachia—Breaks Interstate Park, High Knob Recreation Area, & Grayson Highlands State Park
