Want to come back go to my stunning state? Here are 15 locations to journey in Virginia from the seashore to the mountains. Don’t neglect to cease by Charlottesville and say hello to me!
I’ve been residing in Virginia for over a decade now – since 2010! While I’m not as a lot of an area as my native-born-and-raised husband, I do take into account this my new dwelling state.
There’s rather a lot to like about Virginia from coast to mountains. The climate is pretty gentle 12 months spherical (we had an 80 diploma day this February!) and the panorama is gorgeous. From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay, it’s a nice vacation spot for nature lovers. (I would dwell within the mts however I’m workforce coastal!)
What is Virginia Famous For?
Virginia is a state wealthy in historical past, making it probably the most fascinating vacationer points of interest within the nation. Whether your hobbies lie within the outside or the historic, there’s something for everybody right here.
It’s not stunning Virginia is definitely well-known for lots of issues. Among vacationers and locals alike, the state is understood for its pure panorama, its historical past (a lot of presidents known as Virginia dwelling), and its many cool cities, every with their very own distinct character courting again tons of of years.
Here are among the finest locations within the state to plan your subsequent weekend getaway.
15 Places To Travel In Virginia
Old Town Alexandria
Alexandria is an ideal vacation spot spot if you need historic structure blended in loads of retailers and eating places. Located on the Potomac River and simply minutes from Washington DC, it offers you the texture of a significant metropolis with the attraction of historic Virginia.
While in Alexandria, you possibly can stroll the King Street Mile and seize a chunk at considered one of its many eating places. If you’re searching for one thing Instagrammable, head on over to the Spite House, the skinniest home in America. Of course, you possibly can at all times take a sightseeing cruise on the water for a novel view.
Alexandria is nice to go to 12 months spherical. During the hotter months there may be a lot to stroll to and discover and through the holidays the whole lot is festive and adorned. You’ll probably wish to keep away from any cruises through the coldest occasions, nonetheless, so hold that in thoughts when planning.
Blog put up: Old Town Visit
Arlington National Cemetery
Located in Arlington, Virginia, Arlington National Cemetery is considered one of two navy cemeteries operated by the Army within the United States.
Spanning 639 acres, this cemetery is dwelling to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and is the gravesite of President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, in addition to a number of different notable figures.
Many individuals make the journey right here to pay their respects to the practically 400,000 individuals buried right here. Open each day from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, paid excursions can be found all through the length. General admission is $19.50 for adults and $10.75 for kids ages 4 -12 with reductions for Military and Veterans.
If you might be planning on exploring the big cemetery, I might advise not going through the hottest occasions (like August), as that would make strolling round difficult.
Mount Vernon
Virginia has no scarcity of Presidential houses, together with that of the nation’s first President George Washington. Located in Mount Vernon, Virginia, this historic website is about 22 miles outdoors of Washington, DC. and you possibly can simply plan a cease right here in your option to or from visiting the nation’s capital.
Visiting Washington’s house is by guided tour solely. The mansion tour takes round 20 minutes and the grounds one other hour, so plan accordingly. It can be advisable to buy your tickets forward of time. They are open each day and tickets are $28 for adults, $15 for teens 6 – 11, and free for kids below the age of 5.
Middleburg
Are you a fan of horses? Middleburg, VA might be town you by no means knew you wanted to go to. Located lower than 50 miles outdoors of Washington, DC, it’s additionally an important vacation spot for meals and wine.
With greater than 20 wineries inside half-hour of Middleburg, it is likely one of the wine locations. Add within the stunning setting with each the Blue Ridge and the Bull Run Mountains because the backdrop and you’ve got an important choice for a beautiful weekend getaway.
If you like the vacations, Christmas in Middleburg attracts a big crowd annually and is bound to please any horse lover.
Chesapeake
Chesapeake, Virginia is a coastal metropolis with over 22 miles of waterways. If you like the outside, it’s an ideal place to go to in Virginia. From mountain climbing to fishing, you possibly can get pleasure from exploring all of the Chesapeake Bay space has to supply.
Shenandoah National Park
Just north of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Shenandoah National Park boasts over 200,000 acres of protected lands with loads of mountain climbing choices to discover. It’s arduous to imagine it’s situated solely 75 miles from Washington, DC!
Whether you’re seeking to camp out, glamp out, or just take a scenic drive on the Skyline Drive, there are many choices. Weather can have a huge impact on what you do, so be certain and test out their website when planning.
Staunton
A hidden gem situated within the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Staunton is a enjoyable spot for a fast getaway. If you’re a theater lover, it’s dwelling to the American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse. Why not catch a play whilst you’re right here?
Staunton can be dwelling to a number of eating places, like The Shack, a recipient of two James Beard Award nominations, and numerous breweries. It’s straightforward to make a weekend out of a go to to Staunton.
Charlottesville
Of course, no point out of locations to journey in Virginia could be full with out my very own city of Charlottesville. It’s a lot greater than being dwelling to the University of Virginia. There are quite a lot of superb eating places right here, in addition to numerous breweries inside strolling distance of the historic Downtown. If beer isn’t your factor, you possibly can at all times enterprise out to the numerous close by wineries with beautiful mountain views. It’s actually no shock it is a prime vacation spot spot for weddings and bachelorette events.
While you might be in Charlottesville, it’s price stopping by Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Designed and redesigned over the span of 40 years, the mansion and gardens are a preferred vacation spot within the space. There are a number of excursions accessible, just like the From Slavery to Freedom Interactive Tour or the Self-Guided Pass of the grounds.
As the climate in Charlottesville is gentle, it’s at all times fairly good to go to, however I might remember it tends to get busy on the wineries throughout wedding ceremony season, some wineries hold winter hours, and the city itself can guide up for UVA occasions like Graduation and massive soccer or basketball video games.
You may try my put up on the Best Day Trips from Charlottesville if you wish to tack on some extra objects to your Cville go to.
Blog put up: Visit to Monticello
Richmond
Richmond is an unimaginable metropolis with a ton to supply beginning with their many museums. If you might be an artwork lover, try The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. If you’re a literary buff, you’ll most likely wish to add the Edgar Allan Poe Museum to your checklist. For these into historical past, the Virginia Holocaust Museum and the American Civil War Museum (Richmond was the capital of the Confederacy through the Civil War) ought to go in your checklist. These are only a few of many choices!
In addition to their museums, Richmond can be recognized for its nice eating places (it’s a foodie’s dream), their distilleries, and their many breweries. You can eat and drink your manner by means of this walkable metropolis.
Check out these posts: Fun Things To Do in Richmond, VA and Day Trip To The Richmond Metro Zoo
Williamsburg
Whether you might be searching for household pleasant or a romantic weekend getaway, Williamsburg works as a vacation spot metropolis on a number of completely different ranges.
Take a step again in time with a Colonial Williamsburg tour full with costumed interpreters. Learn all in regards to the essential function Williamsburg performed main as much as and through the Revolutionary War. The Tours range all year long (at all times price seeing through the vacation season) so be certain and try their web site for choices.
If adrenaline is extra your factor, hop on over to Busch Gardens for considered one of their many curler coasters. Park hours range throughout sure months so at all times test their calendar for hours and choices when planning.
As you’ll discover is a standard theme for Virginia, there are additionally lots of eating places, distilleries, wineries, and breweries, like considered one of my favorites, the Alewerks Brewing Company.
Check out: A Weekend In Colonial Williamsburg
Jamestown
If you might be heading to Jamestown, likelihood is it’s to take a look at Historic Jamestowne. Jamestowne was the primary everlasting English settlement in North America manner again in 1607. The panorama has modified, however the colony has been preserved and is a well-liked vacation spot for households and historical past buffs alike.
Tickets are $30 for anybody 16 and over (15 and below get in free) and embrace all public excursions and applications until in any other case famous. One of the extra fascinating side to make certain and take a look at is something associated to the archaeology of the historic website.
Check out this put up: Supper on the Settlement
Roanoke
Roanoke is one other nice Virginia vacation spot when you like the outside. The space gives over 1,000 miles of trails for mountain climbing and biking. In reality, it’s recognized for being the most effective spots for mountain and highway biking. The nice local weather in Virginia makes it particularly good.
After a day of biking, Roanoke is a simple spot to additionally seize a beer and calm down, as they’ve a number of breweries inside city.
Virginia Beach
Who doesn’t love a seashore journey? While I usually consider the Blue Ridge Mountains once I consider Virginia, this state can be dwelling to Virginia Beach. Sitting on the Atlantic Ocean, this resort metropolis gives a ton of motels and eating places.
If you hate crowds and don’t wish to swim, the Fall and Winter are your finest bets for visiting. However, when you go in May, June, or September you’re prone to hit much less of a crowd (although it could nonetheless get fairly busy).
Check out a visit I took once I was pregnant with Mazen!
Norfolk
Nofolk is understood for being dwelling to the world’s largest naval base. Therefore it ought to come as no shock that lots of the points of interest need to take care of the water. You can trip your bike alongside the Elizabeth River Trail, 10.5 miles following alongside the waterfront. You may tour the Battleship Wisconsin, one of many largest and final battleships constructed by the US Navy or you possibly can expertise the water your self with an American Rover Sailing Cruise.
You’ll most likely wish to attempt to go to in May, as that’s when the climate is at a pleasant and gentle level. If you go for July or August you possibly can anticipate it to be highly regarded.
Chincoteague
Chincoteague Island is Virginia’s solely resort island. The island is just seven miles lengthy and also you aren’t going to be having a wild time whilst you’re right here; the truth is, this spot is the definition of a quiet seashore city the place you possibly can absorb a serene setting and calm down. Plus…it has ponies.
Yes, Chincoteague is dwelling to the well-known Chincoteague Ponies! The ponies dwell within the wild on the neighboring Assateague Island (additionally recognized for its seashore) and are price seeing when you love horses. Of course, there are many outside issues to do on the Island. From biking and mountain climbing to boating and clamming, you’re positive to have a good time.
As the summers may be muggy and the winters are chilly, September is an efficient time to go to. July and August are the busiest occasions on the Island.
As you possibly can see, there is no such thing as a scarcity of locations to journey to in Virginia. No matter your pursuits, you’re sure to search out one thing for everybody. I hope you get pleasure from!
Have you been to Virginia and the place did you go?! Team mountains or workforce coast?