Virginia Word Search

ARLINGTON – Northern Virginia county across the Potomac from Washington D.C., home to Arlington National Cemetery where American military heroes are buried, and the Pentagon headquarters.

BEACH – Virginia Beach is the state’s largest city and popular coastal resort destination, featuring miles of Atlantic Ocean shoreline, a famous boardwalk, and vibrant tourism industry.

BLUE RIDGE – Scenic mountain range forming part of the Appalachian Mountains in western Virginia, featuring the stunning Blue Ridge Parkway, Shenandoah National Park, and breathtaking autumn foliage displays.

CARDINAL – Virginia’s official state bird since 1950, the Northern Cardinal is a vibrant red songbird commonly seen throughout the commonwealth year-round in gardens and woodlands.

CAVERNS – Virginia features spectacular underground cave systems including Luray Caverns with stunning stalactites and stalagmites, Natural Bridge Caverns, and Shenandoah Caverns, attracting thousands of visitors annually.

CIVIL WAR – Virginia witnessed more Civil War battles than any other state, including major conflicts at Manassas, Fredericksburg, and Appomattox, where Lee surrendered, ending the war in 1865.

COLONIAL – Colonial Williamsburg preserves Virginia’s eighteenth-century capital as a living history museum, showcasing America’s colonial heritage with restored buildings, costumed interpreters, and authentic Revolutionary-era experiences.

CRABS – Blue crabs harvested from the Chesapeake Bay are a Virginia culinary staple, traditionally steamed with Old Bay seasoning and enjoyed at seafood restaurants throughout the commonwealth.

DOGWOOD – Virginia’s state tree since 1918, the flowering dogwood displays beautiful white or pink spring blooms and represents the state’s natural beauty in forests throughout the region.

DOMINION – Virginia’s historic nickname “Old Dominion” dates to the colonial era when it was England’s oldest dominion colony, reflecting its loyalty to the Crown during turbulent times.

HAM – Virginia ham, especially Smithfield ham, is a famous salt-cured, hickory-smoked delicacy with strict production standards, representing centuries of Southern culinary tradition and artisanal meat-curing expertise.

HENRY – Patrick Henry, Revolutionary War patriot and Virginia’s first governor, famously declared “Give me liberty or give me death” at St. John’s Church in Richmond in 1775.

JAMESTOWN – Founded in 1607, Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in America, establishing Virginia as the birthplace of English colonization and representative government in the New World.

JEFFERSON – Thomas Jefferson, third U.S. President, principal author of the Declaration of Independence, and founder of the University of Virginia, lived at his Monticello estate near Charlottesville.

LEE – Robert E. Lee, Confederate general during the Civil War, was born in Virginia and commanded the Army of Northern Virginia until surrendering at Appomattox Court House.

MADISON – James Madison, fourth U.S. President and “Father of the Constitution,” was born in Virginia and lived at Montpelier estate, shaping America’s foundational government documents and principles.

MONROE – James Monroe, fifth U.S. President, was born in Virginia and authored the Monroe Doctrine, which shaped American foreign policy by opposing European colonialism in the Western Hemisphere.

NORFOLK – Major Virginia port city on the Chesapeake Bay, Norfolk hosts the world’s largest naval base, a thriving maritime industry, and serves as Hampton Roads region’s cultural center.

OYSTERS – Chesapeake Bay oysters are a Virginia treasure, sustainably harvested and celebrated for their briny flavor, supporting local watermen and appearing on menus throughout the coastal commonwealth.

PEANUTS – Virginia grows high-quality peanuts, particularly around Suffolk, the “Peanut Capital of the World,” producing large gourmet nuts used for snacking, peanut butter, and various products.

RICHMOND – Virginia’s capital city since 1780, Richmond served as the Confederate capital during the Civil War and today blends historic sites with modern culture, museums, and dining.

ROANOKE – Largest city in southwestern Virginia, Roanoke sits in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, serving as a regional hub for commerce, healthcare, and outdoor recreation opportunities throughout Appalachia.

TOBACCO – Tobacco was Virginia’s primary cash crop from colonial times, driving the economy for centuries and shaping plantation culture, though its importance has declined in modern agriculture.

YORKTOWN – Site of the Revolutionary War’s final major battle in 1781, where George Washington’s Continental Army and French allies defeated British forces, securing American independence from Britain.