Everything you need to know to have the best trip to Virginia.
What To Do
1. Mount Vernon
Home and resting place for our first President, George Washington. Mount Vernon is open daily for tours and is a perfect biking destination from Alexandria. Grab a bite to eat at the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant.
2. Monticello
Designed and built but Thomas Jefferson, Monticello is a site to see and explore. I don’t recommend this for younger kids as it’s a lot of walking and pricey. Older kids who are studying history in school would benefit from their super educational tours.
3. Monticello Wine Tour
We took a day trip to Charlottesville especially for the wine! If there are vineyards in a state, I’m sure to find them. We customized the beer and wine tour to our wants and needs, and since we had children with us, we made sure to do the places with large outdoor spaces and food. Our driver was extremely knowledgeable of the area and tried to squeeze in everything we wanted in a short amount of time. We really could have done two full days of exploring Charlottesville’s wine scene.
4. Colonial Williamsburg
Is truly a place of history of the state of Virginia and our country as a whole. Take a tour of the Governor’s Palace, Jamestown Settlement, and Bassett Hall (once home to John D Rockefeller), and Whitley’s Peanut Factory. I recommend hitting up the local brewery, AleWerks for some beer knowledge and local tastes!
5. Busch Gardens, Williamsburg
Step out of the colonial times and into modern fun at Busch Gardens. The perfect addition to your Virginia trip for the kids after all that history stuff!
6. Sailing Charter in Yorktown
Set sail and learn about the American Revolution while enjoying a nice adventure on the water. This is a fun way to get into Virginia’s history!
7. Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park extends along the Blue Ridge Mountain range and includes the famous Appalachian Trail. This National park is 200,000 acres of waterfalls, trails, wildflowers, wildlife, and unbeatable views! The Shenandoah Caverns is a perfect family attraction and guided tours are offered year round.
8. Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay is on Virginia’s Eastern shore and home to several historic and charming beach towns. Be sure to visit Cape Charles and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.
9. Great Falls Park
Great Falls Park is located in Fairfax County and home to several hiking trails and waterfall views.
10. Natural Bridge of Virginia
Natural Bridge of Virginia is a huge limestone bridge naturally carved out by a flowing creek. It’s the largest natural bridge in North America and even has George Washington’s initials carved into it. In 2016, the Natural Bridge was dedicated as the 37th State Park. There are more than 10 miles of hiking trails surrounding the bridge and hosts Luminary Nights light show the last Saturday of every month April through October. To make a full day of exploring in this area, you can visit the nearby Natural Bridge Zoo and Dinosaur Kingdom.
11. Arlington National Cemetery
Home to those who dedicated their lives to serving our country, a visit here will leave an impression on anyone’s heart. Several different tours are offers from trolley tours to night tours.
12. Haunted Ghost tours in Old Town Alexandria
Once home to George Washington, Alexandria is another history small town to put on your list. Stroll down King Street, have coffee at one of many quaint cafes, or take a walking ghost tour and pub crawl!
13. Foamhenge
A fun quirky stop during your visit if you can’t make it to the real deal in the UK.
14. Virginia Oyster Trail
Taste and take during this one of a kind experience in Virginia. If you love oysters, I highly recommend booking a boat or kayak tour.
15. Luray Caverns
These are the best known caverns in Virginia and for good reason! Take a self guided tour or pay to have it guided. This is a great family experience with spectacular views no one will forget.
16. Virginia Beach
This is a must do during the warmer months. Virginia Beach is made up of three beaches that stretch across 14 miles of sand. The boardwalk is perfect for renting bikes, skating, or walking to explore all the shops and restaurants.
Where to Stay
It was going through a major renovation while we were there but it was completed this Fall! They have several restaurants, a water park for summer and ice skating rink for winter. We attended their New Years Eve party and did several of the activities offered including a horse drawn carriage ride while enjoying hot chocolate! The Omni was the perfect place to spend during the Christmas holiday, but I would highly recommend this resort to anyone traveling to Virgnia.
Stay at the resort from the classic film, “Dirty Dancing”! This resort offers several outdoor activities and has Dirty Dancing themed weekends. The original Lodge dates back to 1851 so rooms are smaller and dated although they have been through several renovations since!
This luxury destination resort is nestled in between Virginia’s horse and wine country. You won’t even need to leave the property with all the activities and adventures offered.
