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Virginia is an amazing state to visit! Sitting on the eastern seaboard is a state with a little something for everyone. From its cities like Richmond to its national forests near the West Virginia border, it’s the perfect place for a road trip or city break while on the East Coast. That being said, it can be difficult to narrow down the best places to visit in Virginia when planning your trip.
So, to make things easier for your visit, we’re sharing some of our top spots in Virginia to explore once you arrive. I promise you, it has loads and is perfect as a stopping point if you’re embarking on an extensive road trip around the East Coast.
Below are some of the best places in Virginia to visit when you arrive. Have a great trip!
1) Williamsburg
Most famous for family outings, Williamsburg is frequented by history buffs and people who love the past. Williamsburg is known for its historic homes dating back to the 18th centuryTh Century with the local culture and antiquities to see across the city.
Historically and to this day, people living in Williamsburg have not only preserved the city’s culture, but also created and painted historical figures to attract tourists.
All that being said, if you want something a little more exciting, you’ll want to visit some of the amazing theme parks nearby. If you look, there are two amazing parks in the area, Water Country USA and Busch Gardens. Both are great fun for a day, the first is the largest water park in all of Virginia.
Best of all, you can buy this joint park ticket to enter both parks. We especially love the new Riptide Race slide!
Read more: Best things to do in Virginia
2.) Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park is another very beautiful and high place that you should visit in Virginia. Here, you can have a good view of the fall leaves, and it is also a good place to go for a walk and do some sightseeing.
Nearly 200,000 acres of land, filled with trails, overlooks, and breathtaking vistas.
Want to drive through one of the best places in Virginia to visit? Skyline Drive is a popular way to see Shenandoah National Park that you can’t miss.
You see, the drive snakes through the valleys and hills, giving you spectacular views like the beautiful Franklin Cliffs Overlook. It is one of the best places in Virginia to visit if you love the beautiful and simply great outdoors.
Oh yeah, and for more adventure, you can participate in a variety of ranger programs, from meadows to birds and everything in between.
3.) Virginia Beach
Yes, it can get a little busy in Virginia Beach, but that shouldn’t stop you from visiting this beautiful beach in Virginia. It’s stunning and completely accessible, with no strenuous hikes or lack of amenities.
Trust me, Virginia Beach is a beautiful place for everyone to enjoy. Well, if you like beaches that is! This huge stretch of golden sand has many rooms and many hotels where you can spend a few days on the beach.
Are you traveling with family? Pop into the Ocean Breeze Water Park with its amazing water slides, wave pools and water playground. It’s fun for all ages.
If that’s not your thing, you can tour the area at the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and Marine Science Museum before filling it all up with a Beach Bully BBQ. It’s nothing fancy but the food here is really good! Their beef sandwich is delicious.
If you want a quieter beach experience, skip to Sandbridge Beach which is absolutely stunning, with very few people.
Read more: Best things to do in Virginia
4.) Mount Vernon
One of the most historic places in Virginia, Mount Vernon is known as the home of George Washington from 1754 until his death. It is one of the best places to visit in Virginia if you want to learn more about American history.
To give a little history, under Washington’s supervision, Mount Vernon was a work in progress that reflected Washington’s tastes and personality in its design, decoration, and construction. Totally worth a visit.
Today, Mount Vernon is painted in its own unique way (this was all the rage in the 18th century). The bright green walls of the “New Room” were also noted as Washington’s favorite. Once inside you’ll see a lot, including George and Martha Washington’s belongings and family portraits.
Also, when it came to his grounds and gardens, Washington adopted a less formal and naturalistic plan than his predecessors. Which, frankly, is pretty cool.
You can also book Mount Vernon’s excellent bike tours. You can follow a self-guided tour around Mount Vernon with a full-day rental. It is very beautiful.
5.) Roanoke
Another top place in Virginia is Roanoke. Also known as South Star City, Roanoke is great for hiking where you can also see the Mill Mountain Star.
In the past, Roanoke was an important transportation hub. Today, Roanoke has developed a thriving arts and culture scene worth visiting.
Today you can visit cultural centers, music venues, theaters and museums. Some popular ones you’ll want to check out include the Taubman Museum of Art and the Virginia Museum of Transportation.
Oh, and to eat, go to Billy’s. Their flock is sweet.
6.) Charlottesville
When talking about the best places in Virginia to visit, Charlottesville will definitely be on the list. This beautiful college town is bursting with historic sights and is home to one of Virginia’s best universities.
Once you arrive in Charlottesville, you can enter the historic homes of two former presidents of the United States, James Monroe and Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson founded the University of Virginia; He also designed many of his buildings.
Oh, and one of the city’s most unique sights is the Rotunda, so be sure to check out this structure when you visit Charlottesville. And be sure to pop over to Tip Top Restaurant to grab their hot grill. You will leave full.
7) Sterling
You might think Virginia is mostly about history and city life, but that’s not all these beautiful state offerings are. When you visit Sterling, you’ll discover another side of Virginia—one that’s rich in agriculture and utterly beautiful. Farmlands in Sterling are still considered a hidden gem in Virginia. However, as time goes by, more and more tourists discover this treasure.
The heritage farm museum is a must see because this is where you get the chance to learn about the life of the first farmers and you can even “milk” a life-like cow – this is an experience. Ha!
Visiting with family? The museum also offers hands-on lessons to give kids a fuller experience.
Oh, and don’t forget to go fishing and hiking at Downport Algonquian and Claude Moore Park and Recreation, known for its water slides and natural scenery.
After that, it’s a short drive to the Steven F. Go to Udvar-Hazi Center. It is an aviation museum that is part of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and is a must-visit in Virginia.
Throughout the year there are a variety of exhibits that share America’s aviation heritage. You’ll see things like the Gemini 7 space capsule, the space shuttle Discovery and the Air France Concorde. It’s epic!
Now, you may not spend more than a few hours in Sterling, but it’s a great stopping point before heading over the state line to visit Washington, DC. It is very close.
Read more: Best things to do in Washington DC
8.) Richmond
As the capital of Virginia, Richmond is truly worth a visit, especially for its history.
Once here, you’ll learn about Richmond’s important role in American and Virginia history. Colonists from England settled in the city in the early 1600s, and Richmond is considered the village of the Powhatan Confederacy.
It has a long history as far as towns go, with the founding of present-day Richmond in 1737.
But many centuries have passed!
Today, Richmond is popular and known for its art scene and is a place to learn about history through sites like the American Civil War Museum, the Poe Museum, and the Virginia Museum of Art’s Sculpture Garden.
If you spend a few days exploring Richmond, it’s all worth a visit.
You can also check out local galleries, festivals, and other attractions to enhance your trip. Additionally, Richmond is famous for its local ham biscuits, sailor sandwiches and pimento cheese.
Oh, and be sure to pop into Shyndigz for their peanut butter mousse pie. It is very sweet.
9.) Luray Caves
The most famous cave system in the state is probably the Luray Caves. Trust me, geologists aren’t the only ones who think it’s one of the best places to visit in Virginia.
Now considered a National Natural Landmark, Luray Caves is Virginia’s largest cave. Several columns and impressive cave formations are found in this place.
Most visitors explore the Luray Caves on hour-long tours led by expert guides. The guides point out various points of interest and several cave rooms and it is very interesting to hear how it all came about.
One notable feature of the ride is the grand stalapipe organ, which plays musical notes when various stalactites are touched. Other must-sees include the Saracen Pavilion and Dream Lake.
10.) Chincoteague and Assateague Islands
Chincoteague and Assateague Islands are located off the coast of Virginia and are one of the top places to explore while in Virginia.
After all, both islands are very different to visit. You see, it’s okay to think of Chincoteague as the fun and lively sister, while Asategue is the more mellow and relaxed sister – if you catch a floater? Both are very different but incredible in their own way.
In Chincoteague, you can find the Chincoteague Island Museum, Maui Jack Waterpark, and dining spots like the Ropewalk Restaurant, which is great for a sunset visit. Their bayou steam pot is delicious.
However, on the unspoiled island of Assateague, you’ll find a beautiful beach (at Assateague Beach) where you can kayak, ride horses, and camp.
Now, most visitors explore both islands and we definitely recommend this. Trust me, it’s one of the best places to visit when traveling along the coast in Virginia. you like it.
Read more: Best things to do in Virginia
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