Virginia The 10 Must-See Attractions
Virginia as one of the original 13 colonies and the location of the first successful settlement on mainland North America. There isn’t a place in the country that is any more rooted in American history than Virginia. Although historical attractions are Virginia’s most famous destinations. It’s also known for its gorgeous landscapes.
Two of Virginia’s most visited monuments are Mount Vernon and Monticello. The former plantation homes of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Most popular destination is Arlington National Cemetery. The country’s most famous burial ground.
Arlington National Cemetery
The Arlington National Cemetery spread across 600 acres overlooking Washington, D.C. The cemetery is the burial grounds of U.S. soldiers from several wars and military actions. The most visited are the grave of President John F. Kennedy and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Also is the famous Iwo Jima Memorial, the Marine Corps War Memorial depicting the Joseph Rosenthal photo of five marines and one sailor raising the flag on Mount Suribachi. The Women in Military Service for America Memorial, a tribute to all women in the US military.
Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello
Virginia is also the location of one of America’s other great President’s homes. Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello near Charlottesville. Jefferson began building the plantation home on 5,000 acres. Inherited from his father when he was only 26 years old.
Inspired by a villa in Italy, the home is full of eye-catching architecture, inventions made by Jefferson a discovery room, media center that plays interactive videos, exhibitions, and the historic and much-loved gardens.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a theme park located in James City County, Virginia. Challenge one of Busch Gardens’ seven world-class coasters or discover family fun playing at Land of the Dragons and more. Whether you’re a coaster enthusiast or want rides that are fun for the whole family, Busch Gardens is home to some of Virginia’s best roller coasters & thrill rides.
Relax on the Busch Gardens Railway for a 20-minute train ride around the park. Aeronaut Skyride provides guests with a scenic tour of the theme park and views of all six European countries while relaxing 80 feet in the air.
Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon is the name of a plantation made famous. As the home of America’s first President, George Washington. The property, located on the Potomac River. Includes a mansion built by Washington from 1757 to 1778. It’s a National Historic Landmark. One of Virginia’s most visited destinations.
During a visit to the estate, you’ll be able to tour George and Martha Washington’s mansion as well as the grounds, which include stables, four gardens, and a variety of specialty buildings like a smokehouse and a blacksmith shop. Additionally, an on-site museum and an education center boast more exhibits about Washington’s life.
First Landing State Park
First Landing State Park is a 2,888-acre park that fronts the Chesapeake Bay. The park has 20 miles of trails and 1.5 miles of sandy Chesapeake Bay beach frontage. First Landing offers many recreational and educational activities and has many unusual habitats including bald cypress swamps, lagoons and maritime forest, as well as rare plants and wildlife.
The park has cabins, yurts, water and electric hook-up campsites, tent campsites, picnic area, boat ramps and a camp store. The Chesapeake Bay Center houses historical and educational exhibits.
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles International Airport. Is the companion facility to the museum. Hundreds of significant air and spacecraft. Thousands of small artifacts are on display in an open hangar-like setting.
Hundreds of aircraft and spacecraft are on display in two massive hangars, including a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the Boeing B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay, and the Space Shuttle Discovery. Other features of the Center include the Airbus IMAX Theater at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center houses the biggest IMAX screen in Northern Virginia.
Jamestown Settlement
Jamestown, known as the first successful English settlement on mainland North America. Today preserved at Jamestown Settlement in the city of Jamestown, Virginia. Visitors can view replicas of three of the settler’s original ships.
More than a million artifacts preserved from the actual settlement of Jamestown. Including 3 wells, and 10 structures and more discovered through ongoing archaeological work. Interactive exhibits include 180-degree theaters, life-size re-creations, outdoor experiences and more.
Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park encompasses part of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. Visitors particularly like Skyline Drive, a scenic road that runs through the length of the park. The 105-mile thoroughfare features plenty of overlooks to admire the scenery.
There are over 500 miles of trails within the park and many waterfalls. Offers some of the most scenic views in Virginia. For an easy hike, stroll along a portion of the Appalachian Trail. The famous trail runs through Shenandoah and park visitors can walk along it for a 2-mile round-trip hike.
Maymont
Maymont is a Victorian estate park in Richmond, Virginia. It contains the 1893 Maymont Mansion now a historic house museum. The principal rooms each have distinct characters enriched by stained glass transoms, carved woodwork, and decorative ceiling and wall treatments. Guests can tour twelve restored rooms on the first and second floors.
The grounds and gardens are like nothing else in the City of Richmond expansive, unique, well-maintained and ever-changing. Maymont’s spectacular Italian Garden, Japanese Garden and Arboretum all date to the Dooleys’ era and are highlights of any garden tour. Additionally, many smaller specialty gardens exist at Maymont.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts permanent collection consists of more than 40,000 works of art. Spanning 6,000 years of history. Including the largest public collection of Fabergé outside of Russia, the finest collection of Art Nouveau outside of Paris, and one of the nation’s finest collections of American art.
Its collections of Art Nouveau and Art Deco. English silver and South Asia are among the finest in the nation. With acclaimed holdings in American, British Sporting, Impressionist. Post-Impressionist, and Modern and Contemporary art. In addition to presenting a wide array of special exhibitions, the museum provides visitors with the opportunity to experience a global collection.
Things to Do in Virginia
A visit to Virginia with a renewed appreciation for a few things you may have forgotten from history class. As you visit the homes of some of America’s forefathers. American history, in some ways began in Virginia. Today the state continues to be important for its lively cities. Impressive architecture and important monuments.