I’ve been calling Virginia my residence for the final fifteen years (has it actually been that lengthy?), and I do really feel it is without doubt one of the finest locations to stay! It has every part from the mountains to the ocean, and to not point out the 4 very distinct seasons. Each time I journey to different locations, regardless of how lovely, I at all times come residence to the candy scent of Virginia. (Should you haven’t smelled the air right here, it’s pretty – I’m not kidding!)
What I really like most about Virginia is its wealthy historical past and true versatility. From romping via historic websites to spending the day at an amusement park, vacationers and locals alike can discover the state and by no means run out of issues to do. That’s in all probability why it’s one of the crucial attention-grabbing (and standard!) vacationer sights within the nation, particularly these visiting Washington DC in search of a countryside escape.
Possibly you’re planning a trip for the household, or possibly you’re coming to go to on a romantic getaway. Irrespective of the rationale, the state is filled with adventures and actions that solo vacationers, {couples}, and households can take pleasure in all the identical. Here’s a roundup of the most effective day journey alternatives Virginia provides—a few of which I’ve skilled and a few which can be nonetheless by myself bucket checklist!
15 Day Journeys in Virginia
Shenandoah Nationwide Park & Skyline Drive
Shenandoah Nationwide Park makes for the right day journey. With greater than 200,000 acres of protected land, there are many mountain climbing trails to discover. It’s good whether or not you’re up for an extended trek or a better hike with the youngsters. And don’t miss Skyline Drive. This scenic drive alone is well worth the journey for the mountain views – particularly at peak foliage.
The season you go to can positively affect your plans. It’s an exquisite spot for tenting (or glamping, to every their very own!), however you need to be sure that to take a look at their website earlier than planning. The daytime temperatures are great, the nighttime can drop fairly low.
Luray Caverns
Luray Caverns, found again in 1878, looks like an journey that each children and adults can marvel at. They’re the most important caverns within the Japanese US, and they’re actually as spectacular as the photographs make them look. Inside, you’ll be able to view stalactites, stalagmites, mud flows, glassy swimming pools, and even the Nice Stalacpipe Organ (Sure, it’s an actual factor!).
Your ticket isn’t only for exploring underground, although. Head above floor to take pleasure in a Backyard Maze, a Rope Journey Mark, Toy City Junction, and the Automobile & Carriage Caravan Museum. It’s a kind of locations that you just and your loved ones can spend all day having fun with. I’m fairly positive I went with my dad and mom after I was in highschool, however we’ve to take the boys quickly!
Colonial Williamsburg
As one of the crucial well-known historic websites in Virginia, Colonial Williamsburg is a superb day journey for historical past buffs. Even if you happen to don’t take into account your self significantly focused on historical past, this place has a narrative to inform. As you stroll via the cobblestone streets, you’ll understand simply how immersive of an expertise it’s. You don’t really want to purchase tickets to go inside to see a number of the sights, however in fact it is best to for the total expertise.
With every part from historic reenactments to hands-on workshops, it’s an excellent place to step again in time whereas taking children out for a day stuffed with 18th century-themed enjoyable. You may take a look at my put up, A Weekend in Colonial Williamsburg to see how my journey went after I took child Mazen! The excursions do range all year long, so be sure that to go to their web site earlier than planning your day journey.
Virginia Seashore
Enjoyable truth: once we moved to Charlottesville, we had been truly making an attempt to maneuver to the seaside! However by some means we ended up within the mountains. Whereas we are likely to go to the Outer Banks for longer journeys, Virginia Seashore is the closest seaside to us and the primary seaside in our state.
There are many enjoyable eating places and little boutiques alongside the primary Boardwalk stretch, which is 3 miles lengthy. There are many children actions at Grommet Island Park.
Should you’re not into crowds, spring and fall are the most effective instances to go to. The climate’s nonetheless lovely, but it surely’s slightly quieter. It’s an excellent time of yr to hire bikes too. Might, early June, and September are candy spots if you wish to swim with out navigating massive summer time crowds.
Should you’re curious, right here’s a peek at a visit I took to Virginia Seashore again after I was pregnant with Mazen!
Mount Vernon
Virginia is residence to many presidents (eight to be precise!), and you may go to the house of the nation’s first president, George Washington. Mount Vernon is positioned 22 miles exterior of Washington, D.C., not too removed from the capitol. It’s a kind of historic websites that it’s important to go to no less than as soon as.
The mansion itself is gorgeous, and the working farm in the summertime is such a novel expertise. Should you plan on visiting with children, seize an journey map! It’s an immersive method to remodel the grounds right into a treasure hunt. Should you plan on visiting, it have to be by guided tour—so be sure that to ebook tickets prematurely.
Outdated City Alexandria
Flashback to when Emily lived in Outdated City!
Outdated City Alexandria has that good small-city really feel with cobblestone streets, colourful row homes, and tons of little retailers and eating places. It’s simply minutes from D.C., but it surely looks like a serious metropolis of its personal. You may stroll King Road Mile and take within the historical past. And don’t miss Spite Home, the skinniest home in America!
If the climate’s good, you’ll be able to hop on a sightseeing cruise and take a look at the town from the water. Truthfully, although, Alexandria is an efficient one any time of yr. I particularly love visiting across the holidays when every part’s embellished and additional festive. However heat climate days are exhausting to beat for strolling round, window procuring, and absorbing all of its appeal.
Chincoteague Island
Should you’re a horse lover—or simply desire a completely distinctive seaside day—Chincoteague Island must be in your checklist. It’s well-known for the wild Chincoteague Ponies that roam the world. And sure, you actually may spot them whereas stress-free on the seaside. My buddy Lynsie has been going there for years and raves about what a novel place it’s. (I’ve a reminiscence of going with my dad and mom in highschool and getting 1,000 mosquito bites. That’s in all probability not promoting it!)
However Chincoteague isn’t simply concerning the ponies. This little 7-mile-long island has lots extra to supply. You may spend the day biking, mountain climbing, or taking boat excursions to discover the water. And don’t skip a go to to neighboring Assateague Island, the place there are much more seashores and wild ponies.
Should you’re questioning when to go, my vote is September. The climate continues to be heat however not as sticky as peak summer time. And crowds skinny out after August. It’s simply the correct mix of peaceable and full of life.
Pure Bridge State Park
Pure Bridge State Park in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley is a kind of spots that feels simply as cool right now because it will need to have felt to Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. They each made be aware of it again within the day! The star of the present is a large limestone arch (215 toes tall!) carved out by Cedar Creek over time.
You may take the 137-step staircase down (don’t fear, there’s a shuttle if wanted) and stroll the paved Cedar Creek Path proper beneath the bridge. The path retains going previous issues just like the recreated Monacan Village, Saltpeter Cave, and Lace Falls. It’s half historical past lesson, half nature stroll, and completely value it.
I’d say spring via fall is the most effective time to go to—not too sizzling, not too chilly, and loads of further issues happening. You may go on stargazing nights and colourful fall walks. It’s positively an excellent day journey in order for you a mixture of recent air and a few native Virginia historical past.
Richmond Historic District
Richmond is a kind of cities that has slightly one thing for everybody. And it’s stuffed with enjoyable issues to do to fill a complete day journey. Whether or not you’re all about historical past, artwork, or simply good meals and drinks, you’ll discover it in Virginia’s capital.
If museums are your factor, begin with the Virginia Museum of High-quality Arts. It’s such an exquisite area with every part from traditional to up to date artwork. For my fellow ebook lovers, the Edgar Allan Poe Museum is value a cease. And if you happen to’re into historical past, positively take a look at the Virginia Holocaust Museum and the American Civil Conflict Museum. Since Richmond was the capital of the confederacy throughout the Civil Conflict, there’s no scarcity of historical past to discover.
However Richmond isn’t simply museums and monuments. There are such a lot of nice eating places together with breweries and distilleries. It’s the form of metropolis the place you’ll be able to stroll from spot to identify and actually make a day of it. Seize brunch, go to a museum, and end with a drink or two. Try my weblog put up about an in a single day we did there.
Charlottesville & Monticello
I’ve acquired to offer my city, Charlottesville, slightly love right here! It’s not only a faculty city with the College of Virginia proper in the course of issues. Charlottesville has such an excellent mixture of historical past, meals, and small-city appeal. You’ll discover some actually wonderful eating places and native breweries all inside strolling distance of the historic Downtown.
When you’re at it, don’t miss a go to to Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s residence. It took him over 40 years to design (and redesign!) the mansion. You may take guided excursions or self-guided strolls via the grounds. It’s vital to notice that the property was a plantation, and Jefferson did have enslaved folks. With displays on the lives of the slaves, this historical past isn’t discarded or glossed over. Monticello additionally holds a number of festivals all year long, so plan accordingly if it’s one thing you need to expertise!
Weblog posts:
Leesburg
For each locals and vacationers, Leesburg has that true Virginia appeal—outdated historic significance however a full of life ambiance. When downtown, you’ll be able to take pleasure in small-town boutiques and native artwork galleries, a lot of that are positioned in authentic 1800s buildings. Should you’re up for slightly historical past exploration, you’ll be able to go to Dodona Manor, residence to George C. Marshall as soon as upon a time.
Should you’re headed out along with your children, you completely have to go to Leesburg Animal Park. It’s a park that’s unfold out over 21 acres, housing each home and unique animals. Apart from viewing, children may also take pleasure in jungle gyms, large slides, and an arts and crafts room. This little city is such an enthralling day journey spot!
Fredericksburg
Head right down to Fredericksberg, a city stuffed with American Revolution and Civil Conflict historical past. It was beforehand each a colonial buying and selling hub and a spot the place Civil Conflict battles regularly came about. Now you can go to the once-battle subject, now a Nationwide Cemetery that you may tour if you happen to’d like.
Apart from the cemetery, you may as well view civil warfare landmarks like Marye’s Heights and Chatham Manor. There’s a number of historical past packed into this small city. When you’re completed touring, be sure that to go to Foremost Road for slightly procuring and snacking. A buddy recommends Carl’s Frozen Custard, it has been round because the Forties, and is a favourite spot!
Jamestown
Should you’re up for slightly historical past combined with recent air and a few hands-on exploring, Historic Jamestowne is certainly value including to your Virginia day journey checklist. It’s the location of the primary everlasting English settlement in North America—means again in 1607! Whereas the surroundings seems slightly completely different today, a lot of the colony has been preserved.
One of many coolest elements? The stay reenactments. You may wander via Powhatan Village and get an actual really feel for a way life was again then. Then transfer on to the English settlement space, the place you’ll be able to see what was on the menu again within the day—issues like apple pie, pork, and goat milk butter.
You need to take a look at the ships when you’re down there. It’s an extremely real looking recreation of what life was like for these touring from England to America. Not solely that, however the tour explores, what they name “the primary threads of tapestry we name America.” Fantastically acknowledged and extremely charming.
Weblog put up: Supper on the Settlement
Virginia Museum of Transportation
Should you’ve acquired a practice lover or a automotive fanatic in your home (like my boys), put the Virginia Museum of Transportation in your checklist. It’s proper in downtown Roanoke and makes for a extremely enjoyable outing for youths.
The museum is in an outdated Norfolk & Western freight station, which already offers it an genuine historic really feel. And inside you’ll discover every part from vintage automobiles and classic buses to full-size steam and diesel locomotives. Per my buddy’s advice, they’ve made it tremendous family-friendly with interactive displays and an enormous playroom only for the youngsters. There’s additionally an enormous model-train setup and an out of doors railyard the place children can truly rise up near actual engines.
It’s open Tuesday via Sunday. Because it’s proper downtown, you’ll be able to simply pair your go to with a stroll via Roanoke’s Metropolis Market or pop into one other close by museum. It’s the right mixture of enjoyable, studying, and slightly nostalgia.
Wintergreen Ski Resort
Should you ask me, there’s nothing fairly like a ski day at Wintergreen Resort as soon as winter rolls round. A couple of years again, Mazen and I even performed hooky for a mom-and-son ski day, and we attempt to go each winter.
Should you’re planning a weekend journey, positively goal to get there early. And by early, I imply pulling into the lot earlier than 9 a.m. The later you go, the longer the raise traces get. Realized that one the exhausting means.
Wintergreen provides ski classes for freshmen, which Birch did final yr! Heads-up—these spots refill quick. And when you hit the slopes, stick with what feels good to your ability stage. East Coast snowboarding positively has a distinct vibe than what you’ll discover out west—suppose narrower trails and icier snow. (And it may hit 60 levels!)
After a full day of snowboarding, you’ll be able to both pack a lunch (we’ve completed that loads of instances) or swing by Blue Mountain Brewery in your means residence for dinner. It’s such a comfortable spot with nice meals and native brews. Winter sports activities not your factor? It’s nonetheless value a go to in the summertime months. There’s a pool, tennis, golf—you identify it. It truly is a enjoyable spot year-round.
Undoubtedly take a look at my full put up with Wintergreen ski suggestions earlier than you go!
Easy methods to Plan a Day Journey in Virginia
Select a vacation spot with heaps to do.
If you’re choosing a spot for a day journey in Virginia, I at all times say to search for locations that provide slightly little bit of every part. In spite of everything, you’ve acquired an entire day to fill! Test the map and see if you happen to can hit two spots in a day or weekend.
I at all times suppose the most effective journeys have an excellent stability of museums/actions and lively/relaxation/consuming time. Slightly historical past or museum time paired with one thing extra lively, like a stroll, some procuring, or grabbing an excellent meal. That means, everybody within the household will get slightly one thing they take pleasure in. Bonus factors if there’s a espresso cease or a cute native store concerned. Selection retains the day feeling enjoyable as a substitute of dragging on!
Plan for driving time.
Virginia’s an even bigger state than most individuals understand. If you’re planning a day journey, don’t overlook to issue within the drive. Usually there isn’t an excessive amount of site visitors until you’re up in Northern Virginia.
Slightly planning makes the entire day really feel much more relaxed and enjoyable! Should you’re visiting Virginia by way of roadtrip, be sure that to take a look at my put up, Street Journey Suggestions for Households.
Stability exercise and leisure.
Everybody wants slightly breather on a day journey—children and grown-ups alike. You may’t go full pace from morning ‘til night time with out feeling worn out. I at all times prefer to construct in slightly downtime between actions. Possibly that’s grabbing ice cream, sitting by the water, or mapping a playground the place the youngsters will get steam out.
Have a backup plan.
Virginia climate likes to maintain us on our toes—sunshine one minute, rain clouds the subsequent. That’s why I at all times suggest having a backup plan in your pocket. In case your out of doors plans get rained out, it’s sensible to know the place the native museums or indoor spots are. You may nonetheless take advantage of out of your day with out getting soaked.
Discover Virginia’s treasures with firsthand suggestions from an area!
After dwelling in Charlottesville for over a decade now, I’ve positively picked up a couple of favorites in terms of exploring Virginia. From historic cities to attractive nationwide parks and scenic drives, there’s at all times one thing new to find. And now you’ve acquired a stable checklist of Virginia day journeys that can assist you begin checking a couple of must-see spots off your bucket checklist!
Should you’re in search of much more native concepts, listed below are a couple of extra Virginia favorites I’ve shared on the weblog: