Virginia: Discover Nature, History and Culinary Delights

Virginia combines expansive landscapes, significant historic sites and regional culinary experiences. Those choosing accommodation in Virginia can tailor their stay according to their interests in hiking, scenic drives, history, wine or the Chesapeake Bay. The different regions and themes are well suited to planning a trip in which not every day follows the same pattern.

Traveling between parkways, mountains and the coast

The Blue Ridge Parkway is designed for slow travel at a maximum speed of 45 mph. Along this route, 300 miles of hiking trails are available. There are also eight campgrounds and 13 picnic areas. This means that a drive through the landscape can be more than just a transfer, combining short stops with longer stretches on foot.

Another striking scenic route is Skyline Drive. It runs for 105 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains through Shenandoah National Park and has 76 overlooks. Several hundred black bears live in Shenandoah National Park. The Appalachian Trail also runs for 544 miles through Virginia.

The coast adds its own distinctive element: Virginia’s beaches on the Chesapeake Bay offer diverse wildlife and calm waves. Natural Bridge State Park is home to the 200-foot-high Natural Bridge in a limestone gorge carved by Cedar Creek. These two landscapes show how varied nature experiences in Virginia can be—from mountain panoramas and long-distance trails to waterfront landscapes and a striking limestone formation.

For a regional overview, the subregions Shenandoah Valley and Rockingham County are helpful. They offer a concrete next step if you want to consider Virginia not only as a state, but also by its individual regions.

Experience history at authentic sites

Colonial Williamsburg is an 18th-century town where visitors can meet people who bring history to life. The admission ticket gives visitors access to sites, tours and events. The Historic Area of Colonial Williamsburg encompasses 89 original 18th-century buildings. Historic structures, staged encounters and a clearly defined area therefore come together to create a distinct focus for a visit.

Historic Jamestowne is located at the site of the first permanent English settlement in North America. Monticello offers the tour From Slavery to Freedom, which explores the legacies of enslavement and freedom at Monticello. Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville were added to the World Heritage List in 1987. For trip planning, this means that historical interests in Virginia can encompass different perspectives—from early colonial history and architecture to engagement with enslavement and freedom.

The exhibition The Story of Virginiacovers 16,000 years of Virginia’s history. The Virginia Museum of History & Culture also presents Imagine Virginia, a 17-minute film about defining moments and scenes from Virginia’s history. Stories, accounts and re-enactments of life at the time provide direct access to the history of the American Civil War. The historical spectrum therefore ranges from very long periods of time to specific sites, exhibitions, films and depicted events.

Wine, oysters and practical guidance

Virginia’s wine trails offer wines ranging from Albariño to Viognier. The Virginia Oyster Trail complements them with an experience-oriented, visitor-driven discovery program. The Virginia Oyster Trail includes Waterman and Aqua-Artisan sites. Wine and coastal themes can therefore be incorporated into a trip as distinct focuses and combined with nature or cultural destinations.

Specific infrastructure is also available for arrival and orientation. Amtrak Virginia’s nine passenger rail routes serve more than 23 stations in the state of Virginia. At Virginia’s Welcome Centers, staff introduce visitors to accommodation options, diners and attractions. Virginia’s Welcome Centers are staffed seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. These points of contact can therefore play a role in regional orientation and in selecting additional elements of a trip.

For the broader travel overview: Usa.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Connecticut, Idaho, Nevada, New York, Colorado, Wyoming.