Jamestown



You might as well start at the beginning if you're going to visit Virginia. In 1607 the first English settlement in the entire nation was right here in Jamestown. Visit the popular Jamestown Settlement, a 'living history' museum where visitors can tour replicas of the ships the settlers used to sailed the Atlantic, and also discover the fascinating life-size re-creations of Indian villages and Colonial forts.

Richmond

Rich with Civil War history, the capital city of Virginia is a frequent travel destination for history buffs as well as vacationers. Start at the Virginia Historical Society to learn about the state's interesting past, and you can even research your family tree at the library while you're there. Other spots of interest in Richmond are the Richmond Canal Walk, the National Battlefield Park and the Civil War Visitor Center.

Appomattox

The Civil War practically comes to life at the Appomattox Court House National Park where General Lee surrendered to General Grant in 1865, ending the war. The Appomattox County Historical Museum is another must-see for lovers of history as it houses several artifacts and glimpses of the past such as a one-room schoolhouse. Appomattox also has plenty of fun and outdoor recreational activities at one of its two state parks, Holliday Lake and James River State Parks where guests can camp, swim, canoe, fish, hunt and go horseback riding.

Shenandoah National Park

Deemed as one of the most beautiful spots in the whole world, Shenandoah National Park features over 500 miles of trails with 100 of them being a part of the well-known Appalachian Trail. Don't miss Skyline Drive as it offers breathtaking scenery as it spans the entire length of the park along the crest of the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains.

There's really something for just about everyone here, from fishing and tubing along the Shenandoah River to hiking, biking and even horseback riding. Spend the night camping under a blanket of stars or in one of the great lodges in the area. And another must-see not far from the park are Luray Caverns, which are the largest, and probably the most popular caverns in the eastern United States.

Virginia Beach

Perhaps the most popular destinations in all of Virginia are its magnificent beaches. Most visitors are drawn to the three mile boardwalk that features numerous hotels, restaurants and plenty of nightlife. Nearly every weekend from May through September there are free music concerts and festivals in addition to all of the fun to be had along the beach.

The eastern shore of Virginia boasts both bayside and oceanfront beaches and accommodates just about any type of vacationer. The eastern shore is connected to the mainland by the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel which is nearly 18 miles long. Just north-west of there is Kiptopeke State Park, where one can fish 24 hours a day, explore the hiking trails and then in October, attend the famous Eastern Shore Birding Festival that draws bird watchers from all over the world.

Other great destinations along Virginia's beaches include the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, which offers fascinating discoveries for all ages, First Landing State Park which has over 200 campsites complete with biking trails and boat ramps, and of course the historic Cape Henry Lighthouse. This lighthouse has the distinction of being the oldest one built by the US government, and Cape Henry is also known for being the spot where the English settlers first came ashore back in 1607!