Welcome to the Bigroads ultimate travel guide to Virginia! Hopefully this page helps provide some inspiration and tips to help you plan your next trip to Virginia.
Take note that I build and maintain this website as both a hobby and public service. I take joy in performing travel research and sharing my experiences and adventures. I currently do not make a profit from this website, and you will see no invasive or annoying ads on it. Your constructive feedback about this site and its content is encouraged. Please email me if you have any suggestions or ideas for improvement.
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Virginia should be at the top of your list if you enjoy amusement parks, beaches, historical sites, scenic drives, or wineries. There's actually a little bit of everything in Virginia, and just about every corner of the state is interesting and worth exploring.
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TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS IN VIRGINIA
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Are you short on time or struggling to choose something to do or see in Virginia? Here are my selections for the top 10 attractions or experiences in Virginia, in no particular order:
✮ Ride the world-class rollercoasters at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg
✮ Visit some of Virginia's 300-plus wineries
✮ Take a guided tour of Thomas Jefferson's estate/gardens at Monticello in Charlottesville
✮ Walk around Arlington National Cemetery and see the Tomb of the Unknown Solider
✮ Engage in history at Colonial Williamsburg
✮ Cycle some or all of the famous Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park ("W&OD") trail
✮ Go underground in one of Virginia's show caves (e.g. Luray Caverns)
✮ Hit the beach at Virginia Beach or Assateague Beach
✮ Drive a portion (or all) of the Skyline Drive and/or Blue Ridge Parkway
✮ Spend a day (or two) at Water Country USA, one of the very best water parks in the U.S.
If I could select only one place to visit in Virginia, I would choose the Williamsburg area. There are many theme parks, and it's only about an hour from Virginia Beach too.
Interested in discovering great attractions in other U.S. states? My 10 Great Attractions in Each U.S. State guide covers the best attractions from coast-to-coast. And here is a guide to the best One-Week Vacations in the U.S..
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5-STAR ATTRACTIONS IN VIRGINIA
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Here is my opinionated list of 5-star attractions in Virginia. I believe each of these attractions should be on your Virginia bucket list since they are all noteworthy from a national perspective:
Northern Virginia (including Alexandria, Arlington, Leesburg, and Luray)
✮ Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington - the most famous military cemetery in the U.S.; the home of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
✮ Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park, Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania - visit the sites of four Civil War battlefields
✮ George Washington's Mount Vernon, Alexandria - visit the 40-year home of George Washington
✮ Great Falls Park, McLean - a huge and wide waterfall on the border of Maryland and Virginia
✮ Luray Caverns, Luray - guided tours of one of the best show caves on the East Coast; there is also a historic car museum on site too
✮ Manassas National Battlefield Park, Manassas - visit the site of two Civil War battles
✮ National Museum of the Marine Corps, Triangle - arguably the finest museum in the country covering the history of the U.S. Marines
✮ National Firearms Museum, Fairfax - a firearms museum with more than 2,500 guns on display; located at the NRA headquarters
✮ Old Rag Mountain, Oldrag - one of the most popular hiking destinations in Shenandoah National Park; offers excellent views
✮ Old Town District, Alexandria - a lively historic district with tons of shops and restaurants; one of the most popular tourist areas in Virginia
✮ Rocking S Ranch, Winchester - a top-rated horseback riding experience
✮ Shenandoah National Park - one of the best national parks in the East; famous for its scenic drives, waterfalls, views, hiking, and wildlife
✮ Skyline Caverns, Front Royal - offers great underground guided cave tours
✮ Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park - a 105-mile paved scenic drive through the national park; great views, hiking, and wildlife
✮ Sky Meadows State Park, Delaplane - a scenic park north of Shenandoah National Park that offers scenic views and hiking/biking trails
✮ Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (Smithsonian), Chantilly - features 2 hangers of aviation and space history; compliments the D.C. museum
✮ Stony Man Mountain, Luray - take a short hike to one of the best views in Shenandoah National Park
✮ U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial / Iwo Jima Memorial, Arlington - see the famous statue of 6 U.S. Marines raising the U.S. flag
✮ Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Trail (W&OD) - a 5-star, 45-mile, partially paved, continuous rail trail from Arlington to Purcellville
✮ Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, Vienna - visit the only performing arts center administered by the National Park Service
Central Virginia (including Charlottesville, Natural Bridge, Richmond, and Staunton)
✮ American Shakespeare Center / Blackfriars Playhouse, Staunton - a re-creation of Shakespeare's indoor theater
✮ Barboursville Vineyards and Historic Ruins, Barboursville - visit the remains of a brick mansion that was designed by Thomas Jefferson
✮ Blue Ridge Parkway - a 469-mile scenic drive from Virginia to North Carolina with many scenic views and diversion opportunities
✮ Byrd Theatre, Richmond - a historic cinema and performing arts theater in the lively Carytown area of Richmond
✮ Carter Mountain Orchard, Charlottesville - a popular country farm with wonderful scenic views
✮ Dinosaur Kingdown II, Natural Bridge - a tourist attraction feature dinosaur statues; not everyone will appreciate this roadside attraction
✮ Foamhenge, Natural Bridge - a replica of England's Stonehenge that is made of foam; a quick and classic Virginia roadside attraction
✮ Frontier Culture Museum, Staunton - bills itself as the "biggest open-air living history museum in the Shenandoah Valley"
✮ Grand Caverns, Grottoes - guided underground tours of a limestone cave
✮ High Bridge Trail State Park, Rice - a 31-mile unpaved rail trail that includes a 125ft high, 2,400ft long bridge over the Appomattox River
✮ Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond - a beautiful cemetery with scenic views and the resting place of two U.S. presidents
✮ Kings Dominion & Soak City, Doswell - one of the top rollercoaster parks in the U.S.; includes more than 60 rides/attractions
✮ Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond - often rated one of the best botanical gardens in the U.S.
✮ Maymont, Richmond - tours of a grand Gilded Age (19th century) estate; features gardens, a farm, a nature center, mansion tours, and more
✮ Monticello, Charlottesville - guided tours of Thomas Jefferson's estate/gardens
✮ Museum and White House of the Confederacy, Richmond - guided tours of a national historic landmark
✮ Natural Bridge State Park, Natural Bridge - one of the largest and most impressive natural bridges in the U.S.; 215-feet tall!
✮ Natural Chimneys Park, Mt. Solon - an interesting geologic attraction; the park also has a campground and some short hiking/biking trails
✮ Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond - a large and highly-rated scenic museum
✮ Shenandoah National Park - one of the best national parks in the East; famous for its scenic drives, waterfalls, views, hiking, and wildlife
✮ Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park - a 105-mile paved scenic drive through the national park; great views, hiking, and wildlife
✮ University of Virginia, Charlottesville - consistently rated one of the prettiest college campuses in the country
✮ Virginia Capital Trail - an excellent, mostly paved, 51.7 mile rail trail from Richmond to Jamestown
✮ Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond - the best art museum in Virginia
✮ Virginia Safari Park, Natural Bridge - a highly-rated wildlife attraction that is part zoo, part drive-through safari park
✮ Virginia State Capitol / Virginia Capital Building, Richmond - take a guided tour of the Virginia state capitol building
Southwestern Virginia
✮ Barter Theatre, Abingdon - the longest running professional theatre in the U.S.; features concerts, musicals, and plays
✮ Grayson Highlands State Park, Mouth of Wilson - famous for scenic views, excellent hiking/backpacking trails, grassy balds, and wild ponies
✮ Hungry Mother State Park, Marion - features a scenic lake with a sandy beach & boat rentals; also has great hiking trails (e.g. Molly's Knob)
✮ Mabry Mill, Meadows of Dan - this historic watermill is one of the most photographed spots on the famous Blue Ridge Parkway
✮ Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Marion - an exceptionally scenic and large recreation area with 400 miles of trails and scenic roads
✮ Virginia Creeper Trail - an exceptional 34-mile unpaved rail trail that travels from Abingdon to Whitetop; one of the best rail trails in the East
Southcentral Virginia (including Danville, Lynchburg, and Roanoke)
✮ AAF Tank Museum, Danville - an excellent military tank museum with more than 120 tanks and artillery pieces on display
✮ Appomattox Court House National Historic Park, Appomattox - visit the site where the Confederate Army surrendered during the Civil War
✮ Blue Ridge Parkway - a 469-mile scenic drive from Virginia to North Carolina with many scenic views and diversion opportunities
✮ Cascades, The / Cascade Falls, Pembroke - take a 4.0-mile hike to visit this awesome 66-foot tall waterfall (arguably Virginia's best)
✮ McAfee Knob, Appalachian Trail - hike up to an iconic protruding rock formation along the Appalachian Trail; an outstanding photo op
✮ Mill Mountain Star & Park / Roanoke Star, Roanoke - see the world's largest freestanding illuminated man-made star (88 feet tall!)
✮ National D-Day Memorial, Bedford - a moving memorial that commemorates the Normandy invasion in World War II
✮ Virginia Museum of Transportation, Roanoke - an excellent transportation museum with many cars, airplanes, and trains on display
Southeastern Virginia (including Jamestown, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, and Yorktown)
✮ American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, Yorktown - an outstanding living history museum next to the Colonial National Historical Park
✮ Assateague Beach, Chincoteague Island - one of the best beaches on the East Coast and home to wild ponies; part of a 37-mile barrier island
✮ Boat tours in Chincoteague Island - various sightseeing tours and watersports are possible on Chincoteague Island
✮ Boat tours in Virginia Beach - various sightseeing tours and watersports are possible on Virginia Beach
✮ Busch Gardens, Williamsburg - one of the most largest and most famous amusement parks in the U.S.; has "eight world-class rollercoasters"
✮ Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge - a beautiful refuge on a long barrier island that has beautiful beaches and wild ponies
✮ Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk - an art museum famous for its 1900s European & American art
✮ Colonial National Historical Park - includes Historic Jamestowne, the Yorktown Battlefield, and 23-mile scenic drive (Colonial Parkway)
✮ Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg - the largest living history museum in the U.S.; has historic sites, costumed interpreters and art museums
✮ False Cape State Park, Virginia Beach - one of the last remaining undeveloped areas along the Atlantic coast; beaches, trails, and kayaking
✮ First Landing State Park, Virginia Beach - the "crown jewel of Virginia state parks" offers trails, beaches, cypress swamps, and more
✮ Fort Monroe National Monument, Fort Monroe - visit the largest stone fort ever built in the U.S.
✮ Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park, Williamsburg - fun aerial adventure park with zip-lining
✮ Governor's Palace, Williamsburg - tour the residence of the royal governors of the Colony of Virginia
✮ Historic Jamestowne, Williamsburg - visit the site of 1st permanent English colony in America
✮ Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg - a living history museum with costumed interpreters; the site of America's first English colony
✮ King Neptune Statue, Virginia Beach - see the famous statue on the Virginia beach boardwalk; one of VA's most famous roadside attractions
✮ Mariners' Museum and Park, Newport News - an excellent and very large maritime museum; one of the premier maritime museums in the U.S.
✮ Military Aviation Museum, Virginia Beach - features one of the world's largest collections of flying vintage military planes (e.g. WWI & WWII)
✮ Nauticus / U.S.S. Wisconsin, Norfolk - a maritime museum where you can also tour a large U.S. Navy battleship
✮ Norfolk Botanical Garden, Norfolk - a huge botanical garden with more than 60-themed gardens; one of the best botanical gardens in the U.S.
✮ Sandbridge Beach, Virginia Beach - 5 miles of beautiful beaches away from the hustle and bustle of the main beaches of Virginia Beach
✮ U.S. Army Transportation Museum, Fort Eustis - excellent military museum with tanks, helicopters, planes, and many other types of vehicles
✮ Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Virginia Beach - a large aquarium with more than 10,000 animals from 300-plus species
✮ Virginia Beach - a large coastal city famous for its beaches, 3-mile long beach boardwalk, and many tourist attractions/family-fun parks
✮ Virginia Beach Boardwalk, Virginia Beach - this 3-mile beach boardwalk is one of the most famous beach boardwalks in the U.S.
✮ Virginia Capital Trail - an excellent, mostly paved, 51.7 mile rail trail from Richmond to Jamestown
✮ Virginia Living Museum, Newport News - a varied museum with an aquarium, aviary, zoo, botanical garden, dinosaur sculptures, and more
✮ Water Country USA, Williamsburg - the largest water park in the Mid-Atlantic and one of the best water parks in the U.S.
There are more than 300 wineries in Virginia, and they are scattered all across the state. There are so many fantastic wineries in Virginia that I couldn't possibly even attempt to describe them above without overcrowding the lists. Do a search for "Virginia wineries" or "Virginia winery map" on Google and you'll quickly see what I mean.
Are you aware of any other 5-star attractions in Virginia? If so, please email me at gparsons66@hotmail.com. ✉
Discover 5-star attractions in neighboring states using these state guides:
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NC |
TN |
WV
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BEST TOWNS & CITIES TO VISIT IN VIRGINIA
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These towns and cities in Virginia are generally regarded as the most interesting to travelers:
✮ Alexandria - a medium-sized city famous for its lively Old Town district; packed with colonial history; walkable with many boutique shops
✮ Charlottesville - a medium-sized city famous for its great restaurants; close to many outdoor activities, wineries, breweries, and historical sites
✮ Chincoteague - a small town on the Eastern Shore that is famous for its beaches, wild horses, and boat tours/water sports
✮ Virginia Beach - a large coastal city famous for its beaches, 3-mile long beach boardwalk, and many tourist attractions/family-fun parks
✮ Williamsburg - a small city famous for its historical attractions (e.g. Colonial Williamsburg; Jamestown Settlement) and amusement parks (e.g. Busch Gardens and Water Country USA)
Leesburg and Fredericksburg may also be worth a look, but I haven't visited either of those towns yet. Richmond also has its lively Carytown district, which is worth a visit.
Read my Favorite Places in the U.S. Guide to find new and interesting towns and cities across the country.
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WHAT IS VIRGINIA FAMOUS FOR?
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Here are some things that Virginia is famous or well-known for:
✮ amusement parks
✮ apples
✮ beaches
✮ birthplace of America
✮ black bears
✮ caves / cave tours
✮ Civil War history/battlefields
✮ Colonial history
✮ historic houses/buildings
✮ internet / technology companies
✮ museums
✮ presidential homes/birthplaces
✮ Revolutionary War history/sites
✮ scenic drives
✮ tobacco
✮ wineries / vineyards
Visit my What is Each U.S. State Famous For? guide to explore the unique characteristics of other states.
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NATIONAL PARKS IN VIRGINIA
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Virginia has one national park and also many other federally-managed parks and properties, including:
National Parks
✮ Shenandoah National Park - one of the best national parks in the East; famous for its scenic drives, waterfalls, views, hiking, and wildlife
National Monuments
✮ Booker T. Washington National Monument
✮ Fort Monroe National Monument
✮ George Washington Birthplace National Monument
National Recreation Areas
✮ Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
National Forests
✮ George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
National Historical Parks / Other National Parks & Properties
✮ Appalachian National Scenic Trail
✮ Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
✮ Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial
✮ Assateague Island National Seashore
✮ Blue Ridge Parkway
✮ Booker T. Washington National Monument
✮ Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
✮ Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
✮ Chesapeake Bay
✮ Civil War Defenses of Washington
✮ Colonial National Historical Park
✮ Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
✮ Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
✮ George Washington Memorial Parkway
✮ Great Falls Park
✮ Green Springs National Historic Landmark District
✮ Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
✮ Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site
✮ Manassas National Battlefield Park
✮ Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail
✮ Petersburg National Battlefield
✮ Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
✮ Prince William Forest Park
✮ Richmond National Battlefield Park
✮ Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
✮ Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail
✮ Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
For more information on Virginia's national parks, visit the Virginia page of the National Park Service. For an overview of all of America's national parks, explore my U.S. National Parks Guide.
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Virginia has more than 40 state parks. I think many would agree that these represent Virginia's finest state parks:
Northern Virginia (including Alexandria, Arlington, Leesburg, and Luray)
✮ Sky Meadows State Park, Delaplane - a scenic park north of Shenandoah National Park that offers scenic views and hiking/biking trails
Central Virginia (including Charlottesville, Natural Bridge, Richmond, and Staunton)
✮ Douthat State Park, Millboro - Virginia's 2nd largest state park has 40 miles of hiking trails, great mountain scenery, swimming, and fishing
✮ High Bridge Trail State Park, Rice - a 31-mile unpaved rail trail that includes a 125ft high, 2,400ft long bridge over the Appomattox River
✮ Natural Bridge State Park, Natural Bridge - see one of the largest and most impressive natural bridges in the U.S.; 215-feet tall!
Southwestern Virginia
✮ Grayson Highlands State Park, Mouth of Wilson - known for scenic views, excellent hiking/backpacking trails, grassy balds, and wild ponies
✮ Hungry Mother State Park, Marion - features a scenic lake with a sandy beach & boat rentals; also has great hiking trails (e.g. Molly's Knob)
✮ Natural Tunnel State Park, Duffield - known for its large-mouthed cave, geologic attractions, and canoe trips on the Clinch River
Southeastern Virginia (including Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, and Yorktown)
✮ False Cape State Park, Virginia Beach - one of the last remaining undeveloped areas along the Atlantic coast; beaches, trails, and kayaking
✮ First Landing State Park, Virginia Beach - the "crown jewel of Virginia state parks" offers trails, beaches, cypress swamps, and more
Find the best state parks across the country using my Top 100 State Parks in the U.S. guide.
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BEST WATERFALLS IN VIRGINIA
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Virginia has more than 100 natural waterfalls. Here is a list of many of the best waterfalls in Virginia:
Northern Virginia (including Alexandria, Arlington, Leesburg, and Luray)
✮ Dark Hollow Falls in Shenandoah National Park
✮ Great Falls in Great Falls Park in McLean
✮ Whiteoak Canyon in Shenandoah National Park
Central Virginia (including Charlottesville, Natural Bridge, Richmond, and Staunton)
✮ Cascade Falls in Jefferson National Forests
✮ Crabtree Falls in George Washington & Jefferson National Forests
✮ Roaring Run waterfalls in Roaring Run Day Use Area in Jefferson National Forest
Southwestern Virginia
✮ Devil's Bathtub in Devils Fork Conservation Area near Fort Blackmore and Norton
✮ Upper Little Stony Falls in Jefferson National Forest
Southcentral Virginia (including Danville, Lynchburg, and Roanoke)
✮ Stiles Falls in Camp Alta Mons
For a listing of all known waterfalls in Virginia, visit the World Waterfall Database.
Chase more waterfalls across the country with my Best Waterfalls in the U.S. guide.
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BEST SCENIC DRIVES IN VIRGINIA
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Here is a list of the best scenic drives in Virginia:
✮ Blue Ridge Parkway - an exceptional 469-mile paved route from US-441 in North Carolina to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia
✮ Colonial Parkway - a 23-mile paved route from Historic Jamestowne to Yorktown Battlefield
✮ George Washington Memorial Parkway - a 25-mile paved route from Mount Vernon to McLean along the south bank of the Potomac River
✮ Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park - an outstanding 105-mile paved route that runs north to south through the entire national park
The two best scenic drives in Virginia are the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive. Take note that the southern end of Skyline Drive continues on as the Blue Ridge Parkway.
There may also be a scenic drive or two worth recommending in George Washington National Forest, but I haven't
driven any of those roads yet.
Discover great scenic drives across the country with my Best Scenic Drives in the U.S. guide.
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BEST OCEAN BEACHES IN VIRGINIA
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Virginia has several nice Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay beaches, including these favorites:
Northern Virginia coastline:
✮ Assateague Beach, Chincoteague
Southern Virginia coastline:
✮ Buckroe Beach, Hampton
✮ Chesapeake Beach, Virginia Beach
✮ First Landing Beach, Virginia Beach
✮ Grandview Beach, Hampton
✮ Ocean View Beach, Norfolk
✮ Outlook Beach, Hampton
✮ Sandbridge Beach, Virginia Beach
✮ Sarah Constant Beach Park, Norfolk
✮ Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach is by far the most popular beach on this list. You'll find miles of beaches plus a ton of family-friendly seaside amusements and other tourist attractions.
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BEST RAIL TRAILS IN VIRGINIA
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Here is a list of some of the best rail trails (or similar cycling paths) in Virginia:
Northern Virginia (including Alexandria, Arlington, Leesburg, and Luray)
✮ Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park ("W&OD") - this trail is often rated one of the best rail trails in the U.S.
Central Virginia (including Charlottesville, Natural Bridge, Richmond, and Staunton)
✮ High Bridge Trail State Park
✮ Jackson River Scenic Trail
✮ James River Heritage Trail
✮ Virginia Capital Trail - an excellent, mostly paved, 51.7 mile rail trail from Richmond to Jamestown
Southwestern Virginia
✮ New River Trail State Park
✮ Virginia Creeper Trail - this trail is often rated one of the best rail trails in the U.S.
Southcentral Virginia (including Danville, Lynchburg, and Roanoke)
✮ Huckleberry Trail
Southeastern Virginia (including Jamestown, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, and Yorktown)
✮ Dismal Swamp Canal Trail
✮ Virginia Capital Trail - an excellent, mostly paved, 51.7 mile rail trail from Richmond to Jamestown
For detailed information on all known rail trails in Virginia, visit the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy website.
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BEST AMUSEMENT PARKS IN VIRGINIA
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There are many excellent amusement parks in Virginia. Some of the best amusement parks in the state include:
Northern Virginia (including Alexandria, Arlington, Leesburg, and Luray)
✮ Great Waves Waterpark, Alexandria
✮ Massanutten Indoor WaterPark, Massanutten
✮ SplashDown Waterpark, Sudley
Central Virginia (including Charlottesville, Natural Bridge, Richmond, and Staunton)
✮ Kings Dominion & Soak City, Doswell
Southeastern Virginia (including Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, and Yorktown)
✮ Atlantic Fun Park, Virginia Beach
✮ Busch Gardens, Williamsburg
✮ Great Wolf Lodge, Williamsburg
✮ Ocean Breeze Waterpark, Virginia Beach
✮ Water Country USA, Williamsburg
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Virginia has many excellent museums. The best museums in Virginia include:
Northern Virginia (including Alexandria, Arlington, Leesburg, and Luray)
✮ Car and Carriage Caravan Museum (part of Luray Caverns), Luray
✮ Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park, Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania
✮ George Washington's Mount Vernon, Alexandria
✮ Manassas National Battlefield Park, Manassas
✮ Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester
✮ National Museum of the Marine Corps, Triangle
✮ National Firearms Museum, Fairfax
✮ Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (Smithsonian), Chantilly
Central Virginia (including Charlottesville, Natural Bridge, Richmond, and Staunton)
✮ American Civil War Museum- Historic Tredegar, Richmond
✮ Children's Museum of Richmond, Richmond
✮ Frontier Culture Museum, Staunton
✮ Maymont, Richmond
✮ Monticello, Charlottesville
✮ Museum and White House of the Confederacy, Richmond
✮ Poe Museum, Richmond
✮ Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond
✮ Virginia Holocaust Museum, Richmond
✮ Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond
Southwestern Virginia
✮ Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Bristol
Southcentral Virginia (including Danville, Lynchburg, and Roanoke)
✮ AAF Tank Museum, Danville
✮ Appomattox Court House National Historic Park, Appomattox
✮ Tank Museum, Danville
✮ Virginia Museum of Transportation, Roanoke
Southeastern Virginia (including Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, and Yorktown)
✮ Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, Williamsburg
✮ American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, Yorktown
✮ Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk
✮ Colonial National Historical Park
✮ Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg
✮ Fort Monroe National Monument, Fort Monroe
✮ Governor's Palace, Williamsburg
✮ Historic Jamestowne, Williamsburg
✮ Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg
✮ Mariners' Museum and Park, Newport News
✮ Military Aviation Museum, Virginia Beach
✮ Nauticus / U.S.S. Wisconsin, Norfolk
✮ U.S. Army Transportation Museum, Fort Eustis
✮ Virginia Living Museum, Newport News
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BEST DAY HIKES IN VIRGINIA
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Virginia has hundreds, if not thousands, of miles of hiking trails. Here are some of the best day hikes in Virginia:
Northern Virginia (including Alexandria, Arlington, Leesburg, and Luray)
✮ Bearfence Mountain, Shenandoah National Park - accessible from a trailhead on Skylive Drive
✮ Buzzard Rock, George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
✮ Great Falls Park trails
✮ Hawksbill Summit, Shenandoah National Park - accessible from a trailhead on Skylive Drive
✮ High Knob Fire Tower Lookout
✮ Hightop Peak Trail, Shenandoah National Park - accessible from a trailhead on Skylive Drive
✮ Manassas National Battlefield Park trails
✮ Mary's Rock, Shenandoah National Park - accessible from a trailhead on Skylive Drive
✮ Old Rag Mountain, Shenandoah National Park
✮ Raven Rocks, Appalachian National Scenic Trail
✮ Stony Man, Shenandoah National Park - accessible from a trailhead on Skylive Drive
✮ Whiteoak Canyon, Shenandoah National Park
✮ Wild Oak Trail, George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
Central Virginia (including Charlottesville, Natural Bridge, Richmond, and Staunton)
✮ Blackrock Summit, Shenandoah National Park - accessible from a trailhead on Skylive Drive
✮ Crabtree Falls, George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
✮ Devil's Marbleyard, George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
✮ Humpback Rocks, George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
✮ Mount Pleasant, Mount Pleasant Special Management Area
✮ Spy Rock, George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
✮ Three Ridges Trail, George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
✮ Turk Mountain Trail, Shenandoah National Park - accessible from a trailhead on Skylive Drive
Southwestern Virginia
✮ Breaks Interstate Park trails
✮ Buffalo Mountain
✮ Cascades National Recreation Trail, George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
✮ Devils Bathtub
✮ Great Channels / Brumley Mountain Trail, George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
✮ Molly's Knob, Hungry Mother State Park
✮ Mount Rogers, Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
✮ Wilburn Ridge, Grayson Highlands State Park
Southcentral Virginia (including Danville, Lynchburg, and Roanoke)
✮ Dragon's Tooth, Jefferson National Forest
✮ McAfee Knob, Appalachian National Scenic Trail
✮ Rock Castle Gorge Loop, Rocky Knob Recreation Area
✮ Sharp Top Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway
✮ Tinker Cliffs, Appalachian National Scenic Trail
The highpoint of Virginia is Mount Rogers (5,729'), located within Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in southwestern Virginia. A challenging day hike is required to reach the top.
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BEST BACKPACKING TRIPS IN VIRGINIA
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Virginia offers several great backpacking opportunities. Some of the premier backpacking routes/areas in Virginia include:
✮ Appalachian Trail
✮ Massanutten Trail
✮ Ridge Trail, Cumberland Gap National Historic Park
✮ Three Ridges Wilderness Circuit
✮ Triple Crown Loop - this loop combines the classic views of McAfee Knob, Tinker Cliffs, and Dragon's Tooth
✮ Wild Oak Trail, George Washington National Forest
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CLASSIC OUTDOOR ADVENTURES IN VIRGINIA
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Virginia offers many great outdoor adventures, including:
✮ Backpacking the Appalachian Trail
✮ Backpacking the Triple Crown Loop
✮ Bouldering at Cascades
✮ Bouldering at Guest River Gorge
✮ Bouldering at High Knob Landform
✮ Bouldering at McAfee's Knob
✮ Bouldering at Grayson Highlands State Park
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Clinch River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the James River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Little River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the New River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the South Fork of the Shenandoah River
✮ Cycling the New River Trail State Park
✮ Cycling the Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail
✮ Cycling the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park ("W&OD")
✮ Day hiking Dragon's Tooth
✮ Day hiking McAfee Knob
✮ Day hiking Mt. Rogers
✮ Day hiking Old Rag
✮ Mountain biking in Carvin's Cove Natural Reserve in Roanoke
✮ Mountain biking in Douthat State Park
✮ Mountain biking Dragon's Back & North Mountain
✮ Mountain biking in Fountainhead Regional Park
✮ Mountain biking Reddish Knob
✮ Parasailing in Virginia Beach
✮ Rock climbing at Breaks Interstate Park
✮ Rock climbing at Great Falls
✮ Rock climbing in/near Harrisonburg
✮ Rock climbing at Rawley Springs
✮ Skydiving in Midland, Orange, Shacklefords, Suffolk and Victoria
✮ Tubing the Clinch River
✮ Tubing the James River
✮ Tubing the Little River
✮ Tubing the New River
✮ Tubing the South Fork of the Shenandoah River
✮ Whitewater rafting the James River
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There are only four ski areas in Virginia, and all are generally small. The largest is the Wintergreen Resort, which has 25 trails and a vertical drop of 1,003ft.
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UNIQUE / SPECIALTY FOODS TO TRY IN VIRGINIA
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Here are some unique / specialty foods to try while you are in Virginia:
✮ blue crab
✮ oysters
✮ peanut soup
✮ Virginia (country) ham
For a list of unique foods and mom-and-pop type eateries and restaurants in Virginia (or any other U.S. state), visit the Roadfood.com website.
For a list of unique foods to try in each U.S. state, explore my Road Trip Food guide.
For a list of the top-rated beers to try in Virginia (or any other U.S. state), visit the Beer Advocate website.
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OTHER KEY VIRGINIA INFORMATION
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Here is some helpful key information about Virginia:
State Capital:
Richmond
Major Airports: ✈
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Arlington, VA and Dulles International Airport in Dulles, VA (both are near Washington D.C.); Richmond International Airport (RIC) and Norfolk International Airport (ORF) are smaller airport options as well
Largest Cities:
Virginia Beach (463,766), Chesapeake (254,864), Arlington (244,847), Norfolk (237,045), Richmond (231,090), Newport News (187,353)
Primary U.S. Interstates:
I-64, I-66, I-77, I-81, I-85, I-95
State Highpoint:
Mount Rogers (5,729') in Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in southwestern Virginia; a challenging day hike is required to reach the top
Professional Sports Teams:
None, although the Washington Commanders (NFL) and Washington Capitals (NHL) both play in northern Virginia
Funny or Unique Town/City Names:
Dumfries, Goose Pimple Junction, Lick Fork, and Onancock
Take note that in general this travel guide intentionally excluded restaurants, lodging/hotels, breweries, wineries/vineyards, and certain other types of attractions (like arcades, ax-throwing, bowling alleys, and escape rooms). These types of places tend to come and go, and keeping up with that would be too challenging. I encourage you to use Google Maps, Tripadvisor, Yelp, and other travel sites that have reader reviews to find the latest and greatest places that I haven't covered here.
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Grand Caverns in Grottoes, Virginia
wildlife along the Skyline Drive of Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Foamhenge in Natural Bridge, Virginia
Natural Bridge State Park in Natural Bridge, Virginia
Neptune statue in Virginia Beach, Virginia
Natural Chimneys Park in Mt. Solon, Virginia
Giant Roller Skate in Bealeton, Virginia
Hot Air Balloon water tower in Wytheville, Virginia
one of 300+ wineries in Virginia
Dinosaur Land in White Post, Virginia
Virginia Beach, Virginia
view from Spy Rock, George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, Virginia
MORE U.S. STATE TRAVEL GUIDES
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Did you enjoy this state travel guide? If so, here are links to more of my comprehensive U.S. state travel guides:
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