Things to Do in Virginia
Ten stops running from a recreated colonial capital where interpreters stay fully in character to a cave system discovered by a teenager chasing a lost dog.
Virginia runs a proper depth beyond what the quiz already covers, this list heads toward a fully recreated colonial capital, two founding fathers' actual homes, and a wine region that's grown considerably more respected than most visitors expect from a state better known for its founding-era history. Ten stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site if you fancy testing what stuck.
Colonial Williamsburg
The largest living history museum in the country, 301 acres recreating Virginia's colonial capital as it looked in the 18th century, costumed interpreters remain fully in character throughout, running trades, debating politics, and staying consistent with the historical period rather than breaking character for questions. The Governor's Palace and the Capitol building both run detailed tours covering the political history that unfolded in these exact rooms.
This runs considerably larger than most visitors expect, allow a full day or two given how much ground the historic area actually covers across dozens of restored and reconstructed buildings.
Hours Daily, roughly 9am-5pm, hours vary seasonally
Address Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, VA
Shenandoah National Park & Skyline Drive
Skyline Drive runs the full length of Shenandoah National Park along the Blue Ridge Mountains' crest, over 75 overlooks along the 105-mile route giving sweeping views without requiring much hiking at all. Old Rag Mountain offers a considerably more demanding option for anyone wanting a proper climb, a rock scramble section near the summit that draws serious hikers specifically for the challenge.
This park runs particularly well for a scenic autumn drive, time a visit for mid-to-late October if the foliage matters to you specifically.
Best time October for foliage; spring for wildflowers
Address Shenandoah National Park, VA
Monticello, Jefferson's Home
Thomas Jefferson's home, which he designed and continuously modified over roughly 40 years, incorporates several properly clever mechanical features he devised himself, including a dumbwaiter and a weather vane readable from inside the house. Guided tours cover both the architecture and, with real honesty, the enslaved people who worked and lived on the plantation, including a dedicated tour of Mulberry Row, where many of their dwellings once stood.
This history deserves proper weight and attention, approach the visit with that context fully in mind rather than focusing solely on Jefferson's architectural ingenuity.
Hours Daily, roughly 9am-5pm, hours vary seasonally
Address 931 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy, Charlottesville, VA
Mount Vernon, Washington's Home
George Washington's plantation home on the Potomac River, preserved and furnished largely as it looked during his lifetime, his tomb sits on the grounds, and a reconstructed working distillery and gristmill nearby demonstrate the estate's actual agricultural operations. The museum covers his full life in real depth, alongside honest exhibits addressing the enslaved people who worked the plantation.
This runs as one of the most visited historic homes in the country, allow a proper half-day to cover the house, grounds, and museum together rather than rushing through.
Hours Daily, roughly 9am-5pm, hours vary seasonally
Address 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy, Mount Vernon, VA
Luray Caverns
The largest cave system open to the public in the eastern United States, discovered accidentally in 1878, features striking formations alongside the Great Stalacpipe Organ, an actual working musical instrument that produces tones by tapping specific stalactites throughout the cave, the largest instrument of its kind anywhere on Earth.
This runs well as a family stop, wide, paved pathways throughout make it a manageable walk for most fitness levels without any real climbing involved.
Hours Daily, roughly 9am-6pm, hours vary seasonally
Address 101 Cave Hill Rd, Luray, VA
Arlington National Cemetery
The country's most significant military cemetery, home to over 400,000 graves, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been guarded around the clock, in every weather condition without exception, since 1937, a changing of the guard ceremony runs at set intervals throughout the day. This runs as a properly significant, sobering stop, allow real time to walk sections of the cemetery and witness the guard ceremony rather than rushing through.
The Kennedy gravesite, marked by an eternal flame, sits within the same grounds, a good combination with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier if you're allowing a full visit.
Hours Daily, roughly 8am-5pm, hours vary seasonally
Address Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
Virginia Beach
Virginia's main beach resort city, a properly long stretch of coastline lined with hotels, restaurants, and a proper boardwalk running roughly three miles along the sand. This runs well as a family beach trip specifically, lifeguards on duty through the main summer season and considerably calmer surf than some of the more exposed Atlantic beaches further north.
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, right near the beach, adds a good rainy-day or midday-heat backup, a good combination with the beach if you're spending a full day in the area.
Best time June-August for swimming weather
Address Virginia Beach, VA
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
A theme park built around European village themes, each section designed to represent a different country, roller coasters ranking consistently among the best-reviewed in the country sit alongside properly detailed themed architecture rather than a generic amusement park layout. This runs well as a proper full-day family trip, arrive early during peak summer season given how popular the more acclaimed coasters run.
The park's animal exhibits, considerably smaller in scope than a dedicated zoo, still add a good, calmer break between the more intense rides for anyone who wants one.
Hours Seasonal, roughly March-October, check current schedule
Address 1 Busch Gardens Blvd, Williamsburg, VA
Virginia's Wine Country
Virginia's wine industry has grown substantially over recent decades, over 300 wineries now operating statewide, particularly concentrated around Charlottesville and the wider Blue Ridge foothills. Thomas Jefferson himself attempted to grow grapes at Monticello centuries ago without much success, a fitting historical footnote given how far the state's wine industry has since developed independently of his early efforts.
This runs well as a proper touring day, arrange transport ahead given how directly this trip involves alcohol across multiple stops.
Best time September-October for harvest season
Address Charlottesville wine region, VA
Virginia's Chesapeake Bay Seafood
Virginia's stretch of the Chesapeake Bay puts properly fresh blue crab, oysters, and rockfish on menus throughout the coastal region, working crab houses run along much of the bay, particularly around the fishing towns near Norfolk and the Eastern Shore. This is proper, hands-on seafood, try a traditional steamed crab feast at a local spot rather than a tidy plated version elsewhere.
Oyster farming has grown considerably in the Chesapeake Bay in recent years too, try both if your route covers the coastal areas specifically.
Best time Summer through early autumn for peak crab season
Address Chesapeake Bay coastal towns, VA
Best time to visit Virginia
April through June and September through October cover the most comfortable weather for this list, mild enough for the outdoor and coastal stops without summer's serious heat and humidity.
October specifically suits Shenandoah for foliage, time a mountain-focused trip around then if autumn colour is a priority.
Getting around Virginia
A car is essential, the distances between Williamsburg, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and Virginia Beach run into a couple of hours each, this is a state best covered with your own transport.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Virginia worth visiting beyond Jamestown?
- Yes, easily, Colonial Williamsburg, Monticello, and Mount Vernon all offer a completely different, considerably more detailed picture of the founding era than Jamestown alone.
- How many days do you need in Virginia?
- Seven days gives a comfortable pace to cover Williamsburg, Charlottesville, and either Shenandoah or Virginia Beach.
- Is Virginia expensive to visit?
- Moderate, Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens run pricier than most stops on this list, though the rest of the state stays reasonably affordable.
- What's the best Virginia trip for kids?
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Luray Caverns both rank as the most reliably kid-friendly stops on this list.
That's ten decent slices of a state that runs considerably deeper than its founding-era reputation.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
