Hope Cartwright

Evanston, Richmond

Associate Editor at Virginia Living

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Articles

Breathtaking Hot Air Balloon Rides in the Shenandoah Valley

1 week ago | virginialiving.com | Hope Cartwright

The Shenandoah Valley's beauty stuns from any vantage point, but nothing tops the view from the clouds. Floating over treetops, farms, ponds, and winding roads-through misty morning fog or golden afternoon light-hot air ballooning takes the scenery to new heights. Several tours offer unforgettable airborne adventures:Blue Ridge Hot Air Balloons, Front Royal: Soar above the valley in any season-from vibrant, foliage-filled autumns to lush springs-and toast the experience at journey's end.
Celeste Farms Takes Farm-to-Table to a New Level

4 weeks ago | virginialiving.com | Hope Cartwright

Ian Newell wanted to create something meaningful, something people needed-like oxygen, water, or food. The first two, he reasoned, were already handled by nature and the utilities department. That left food. The 38-year-old founder and owner of Goatacado, a fast-casual, health-focused eatery in Richmond's Fan district, dreamed of a place where people could get to know their food intimately, from seed to plate. "There's something inherently important about being in touch with food," Newell says.
Ma Cong's Artistic Revolution at the Richmond Ballet

1 month ago | virginialiving.com | Hope Cartwright

Anticipation hums through the air as the audiences settle into Richmond's Leslie Cheek Theater at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA), double-checking silenced phones and shifting for the best view of the eminent stage, framed by colossal red curtains. The feeling is unmistakable-a quiet, buzzy awe, knowing something extraordinary is about to unfold.
What's Behind Cirrus Vodka's New Richmond Tasting Room Menu

1 month ago | virginialiving.com | Hope Cartwright

The sun-warmed stone patio at Ballast, the new mixed-use development off Summit Avenue in Richmond's Scott's Addition, beckons passersby with its striped umbrellas, outdoor seating galore, and inviting sounds of chatter. Cirrus Vodka's new tasting room, which opened April 24, sits beside the bonny courtyard across from specialty food shop Yellow Umbrella-evoking Mediterranean beach town charm in the heart of an urban landscape.
Virginia's Top Outdoor Events Kicking Off Summer 2025

1 month ago | virginialiving.com | Hope Cartwright

RICHMOND - Dominion Energy RiverrockMay 16-18: The James River turns into an adrenaline-filled playground at this outdoor bash. Watch kayakers face whitewater, climbers scale boulders, slackliners defy gravity, and dogs take flight in the high-flying Air Dog competition-all set to a live music lineup.
A New Chapter for Virginia's Independent Bookstores

2 months ago | virginialiving.com | Hope Cartwright

" Think about when you read a book you really, really loved," prompts Paige Williams, owner of Downtown Books in Lexington. "Where were you? Does it tie you to a beach? Does it tie you to a cozy chair by a fire at your grandparents' house? What makes you love that book?" As an independent bookstore owner, Williams is familiar with the deep responses these questions evoke. "We all have that," she says.
Colonial America's Favorite Cocktails, From Virginia Distillers

2 months ago | virginialiving.com | Hope Cartwright

In their mission to recreate the libations of yore, Williamsburg-based 8 Shires Distillery dove deep into historic records-ledgers, ship manifests, journals, and personal diaries-to uncover the drinking habits of Colonial America. Through all their research, one fact stands out: "For the most part, everybody drank all day long," says general manager Tucker Casanova.
Dirty Sodas Arrive in Virginia at Coco's Sodas + Sweets

2 months ago | virginialiving.com | Hope Cartwright

It's not your standard big gulp that you can get from 7-Eleven," says co-owner Ben Cichelli of the tricked-out drinks at Coco's Sodas + Sweets in downtown Vienna. The shop caters to "soda purists," as Ben might say-those who know the fizz difference between a fountain-pour drink and a bottled 2-liter, and who might be clued into the "dirty soda" craze sweeping social media.
This Gluten-Free Soy Sauce is Made in Henrico

2 months ago | virginialiving.com | Hope Cartwright

"As a child, soy sauce was such a familiar part of my life that I never considered it extraordinary," says Takashi Sato, president and eighth-generation member of the founding family of San-J, an international soy sauce brand. Yet, the unassuming 10-ounce bottles of soy sauce have become just that: extraordinary. San-J produces those bottles at a Henrico facility-one that became the first Tamari brewer in the U.S. when it opened in 1987.
Coastal Virginia's Distilleries Embrace Seaside Inspo

2 months ago | virginialiving.com | Hope Cartwright

A sun-warmed beach and an ice-cold cocktail: what is it about the pair that make such a perfect match? When the two adored relaxation rituals meet, magic happens-especially inside of Coastal Virginia's distilleries. These distillers take oceanside inspo and bottle it, bringing the beach vibes to you. Blue Sky Distillery: The Blackbeard's Point Rum reminds you that pirates once marauded Virginia's eastern waters.