Virginia Uncovered: Where America’s Story Meets Arts, Culture and Community

Tour Dates: April 21-26, 2027
Tour Arrival: Wednesday, April 21, 2027 – Arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Tour Departure: Monday, April 26, 2027 – Depart from Norfolk International Airport (ORF) for Global Week in Bentonville, Arkansas
Cities/Towns Visited: Arlington, Virginia Beach and Norfolk

Most people know Virginia for its deeply rooted history, but this journey reveals another side of the Commonwealth through contemporary art, creative communities and immersive cultural experiences. Beginning in Arlington, go beyond the traditional museum experience at the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington’s Innovation Studio, where visitors can engage with artists and explore creativity firsthand. Nearby Metropolitan Park and its public art projects demonstrate how art and innovation are becoming part of the everyday urban landscape.

Continue to Virginia Beach and the colorful ViBe Creative District, where local artists transform roads, sidewalks, trees and business walls into a neighborhood-wide canvas. Then travel to Norfolk to experience the immersive Garden of Tomorrow at Norfolk Botanical Garden before bringing the journey to a memorable close at the Virginia International Tattoo, an annual celebration of patriotism and goodwill with more than 800 performers, military bands, drill teams, and dancers. Together, these experiences showcase a Virginia where America’s story continues to evolve through art, innovation, culture and community.

Destination Highlights:

Arlington – “Art, Innovation & Community”
Arlington offers a contemporary introduction to Virginia through art and creative placemaking. At the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington’s Innovation Studio, visitors can get hands-on with artists, while Metropolitan Park’s public art projects demonstrate how creativity can be woven directly into the places where people live, work and gather.

Virginia Beach – “A Community as Canvas”
Virginia Beach’s ViBe Creative District transforms the neighborhood itself into an artistic experience. Local artists use roads, sidewalks, trees and business walls as their canvas, creating an opportunity to explore how public art can shape a community’s identity and sense of place.

Norfolk – “Immersive Culture & Creativity”
Norfolk brings together nature, imagination and cultural spectacle. The Garden of Tomorrow at Norfolk Botanical Garden offers an immersive experience in a natural setting, while the Virginia International Tattoo provides a memorable finale centered on music, performance and international culture.

Arts and Culture

Virginia’s creative scene provides a different lens through which to understand the Commonwealth’s past, present and future.

Arlington
Most people think of Arlington National Cemetery, the Pentagon and the Iwo Jima Memorial when they hear Arlington, Virginia. This northern Virginia community, set right across the Potomac River from the District of Colombia, showcases those historic American icons while weaving in a vibrant culture. Described as “…one of the hippest local jurisdictions at attracting adventurous arts and artists,” Arlington has a rich, varied and thriving arts scene.

Virginia Beach
Known for their miles of warm, sunny beaches and ever-present bottlenose dolphins, Virginia Beach takes visitors beyond the boardwalk for an entirely different cultural experience with The ViBe Creative District, a colorful hub for local artists, museums, coffee roasters, unique restaurants and one-of-a-kind small businesses.

Norfolk
All about the performance, Norfolk serves up stunning sights and sounds, from the Virginia International Tattoo to street artists and glass blowing demonstrations. Even the flora and fauna at Norfolk Botanical Gardens puts on a special show!

Neighborhoods and Communities

Arlington
National Landing, home to Amazon’s HQ2, serves up a new side of Arlington. From Water Park, where food and friendship bring people together, to 50 acres of green space which helps make Arlington one of the fittest cities in America, this innovative neighborhood gives the city a whole new vibe, alive with energy.

Virginia Beach
From world-class sculptures and installations to ordinary walls that have been transformed into anything but, you can find works of art in every corner. But the deep culture of Virginia Beach extends way beyond the art. Perhaps native Pharrell Williams said it best when he penned ‘Happy’, inspired by his hometown. When you come to The Beach and visit the new Atlantic Park neighborhood – a project brought to you in part by Pharrell – you’ll understand.

Norfolk
The NEON District (short for New Energy of Norfolk) is making a name for itself as a vibrant arts district. The Chrysler Museum of Art and Perry Glass Studio, public murals, and local businesses add to the appeal of this neighborhood, making it perfect for a day of exploring your creative side.

Story Ideas

Virginia Beyond History: Discovering the Commonwealth’s Creative Side
Explore how contemporary art, innovation and community offer a new way to experience this destination best known for its historic past.

  1. Meet the Makers
    Go inside the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington’s Innovation Studio to connect directly with artists. Examine how public art projects are bringing creativity into everyday urban spaces and creating new connections between art and community.
  2. When a Neighborhood Becomes a Canvas: Virginia Beach’s ViBe District
    Discover how local artists have transformed roads, sidewalks, trees and buildings into a colorful expression of community identity.
  3. Inside the Virginia International Tattoo
    Experience the music, performance and culture of the Virginia International Tattoo to understand what makes this a distinctive Virginia event.
  4. A Creative Journey Through Virginia
    Follow a route through three distinct cities that reveals how art and community are reshaping how visitors experience the Commonwealth.



Secure Your Spot
Don’t miss out on this chance to explore Virginia’s treasures. Join us for a press tour that promises to be as enriching as it is enjoyable. For more information and to reserve your place, please contact your recruiter.