Out & About in Virginia - Jul/Aug/Sep 2023

By Larry Bleiberg

Oyster Seed Holdings, one of the East Coast’s largest producers of oyster larvae and seed, welcomes the public to its Chesapeake Bay hatchery on Gwynn’s Island.

The company offers 6 small-group tours run by staff biologists every other Friday from 5 to 7:30 p.m., providing a rare opportunity to visit a commercial hatchery. It includes a 30-minute behind-the-scenes visit and a chance to look through microscopes at the tiny creatures that grow into full-size oysters. The tours cover the life cycle of the mollusks, which feed on algae and grow for up to 2 years before they end up on restaurant plates.

Fridays through Sundays, guests can dine on raw and cooked bivalves at the company’s new casual eatery, The Hatchery. Reserve a tour (adults, $20).

By Lee Belote

When Gary Hughes received his dog’s DNA test, he was surprised to learn that his pup wasn’t a full Norwich terrier as Hughes was told. But instead of calling him a “mutt” when asked the dog’s breed, Hughes prefers to call him a “gangsta dog.” This also became the name of Hughes’ boutique dog store and bakery in Yorktown (he opened a second location in Norfolk last year).

Aside from dog food, accessories, supplements, and supplies (plus a small line for cats), Gangsta Dog also has a dedicated pastry chef who crafts an assortment of specialty dog treats, such as a barrel-shaped cookie with bourbon flavoring called the Old Fashioned. Its cookies have even been included in the stars’ swag bags at the Emmy Awards.

As Hughes puts it: “We’re here to make your and your dog’s experience the best possible of any pet store.”

By Larry Bleiberg

At Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, Independence Day means more than cookouts and fireworks. Since 1962, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has hosted an outdoor naturalization ceremony—open to the public—on the Fourth of July during which dozens of new Americans take their oath of citizenship in front of the mansion. Monticello says it’s the nation’s oldest continuously held naturalization ceremony that isn’t in a courtroom.

The morning event features a patriotic concert and a formal welcome to the new citizens. Past keynote speakers have included former presidents Gerald Ford and George W. Bush, astronomer Carl Sagan, musician Dave Matthews, and actress Tracey Ullman. Several new citizens speak to the crowd as well. After the ceremony, free refreshments and activities for children are available to guests.

By Erin Gifford

The 10.5-mile Elizabeth River Trail connects 28 neighborhoods as it snakes from Norfolk State University to the Port of Virginia. Along the pathway, pedestrians and cyclists can make stops at breweries, colorful murals and other public art, and historic sites like the USS Wisconsin.

Last October, the Elizabeth River Trail Foundation unveiled Glowline, an 800-foot section of the paved trail that’s embedded with glow-in-the-dark stones (the stones absorb the sun’s rays to power the warm glow in the evening), making it the first luminescent trail on the East Coast.

By Lee Belote

Virginia hit the jackpot with Rivers Casino Portsmouth, the Commonwealth’s first permanent, full-service casino. Located in the new Entertainment District on Victory Boulevard, the casino opened in January.

Try your luck at the 1,446 slot machines, 57 table games, and 24 poker tables; lounge in luxury while wagering on big games at BetRivers Sportsbook; practice your drive in the Topgolf Swing Suite; let loose on the dance floor at The Sound Bar; and bring your appetite to Mian, the casino’s Asian-inspired restaurant. The casino also features an event center for weddings, conferences, and concerts.