Top Things to do in Virginia
Top Hotels in Virginia
- 1. Best Western Plus Sandcastle Beachfront Hotel
- 2. Coastal Hotel & Suites Virginia Beach - Oceanfront
- 3. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Charlottesville-UVA, VA
- 4. Hampton Inn Virginia Beach-Oceanfront North
- 5. Hilton Garden Inn Virginia Beach Oceanfront
- 6. Drury Plaza Hotel Richmond
- 7. Comfort Inn Williamsburg Gateway
- 8. Hampton Inn & Suites Fredericksburg South
- 9. The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, Curio Collection by Hilton
- 10. Hilton Vacation Club The Historic Powhatan Williamsburg
The 10 Best Gardens in Virginia, United States
Virginia can make American history come alive. Visit Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, tour Civil War battlefields, explore the living history museum at Williamsburg… the possibilities are endless (if the kids object, break up the historical sightseeing with a visit to Busch Gardens). Arlington, site of Arlington National Cemetery, is just across the Potomac River from all the major sites in D.C. In addition to beaches and historical attractions, Virginia has plenty to offer outdoor enthusiasts. Active families will love the Blue Ridge Highlands, where hiking, canoeing and tubing are just a few of the activities offered. Couples might enjoy a romantic mountain cabin in Virginia after a day of hiking in Shenandoah National Park.
Restaurants in Virginia
1. Clay's Garden Center & Farm Market
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By urbanguy - Richmond, United States
I'm not sure what the don't sell. I was impressed with everything: their nursery plants, their produce, their wine/beer selection, their jellies/preserves (bought a jar of excellent lemon raspberry marmalade), and more. But, I was most impressed with their greenhouse. Their selection of houseplants was amazing, in particular their cacti and succulents, which you don't often see. An amazing place......need to revisit.
2. Birdsong Pleasure Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Birdsong Pleasure Garden allows visitors a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of life while offering them a variety of picturesque gardens, mountain vistas, strolling paths, water features, and al fresco dining. It is a garden of pleasure and learning, relaxing yet filled with ideas to take home. PLEASE call ahead to schedule a time, as we are a Private Garden, 540-743-9389, thank-you.
3. Walter's Greenhouse
4. Monticello
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,916 reviews
Monticello and its many historical rooms, gadgets, furniture, buildings, and artifacts tell us a lot about Thomas Jefferson, the president who built it and lived there.
Reviewed By jayrandall24 - Westerville, United States
My wife and I were more than pleasantly surprised by our visit here today. It was more than just a tour of a big house! It was a whole lesson on a life of a man, his passions, his family, his successes and his failures. It was a lesson on slavery and racism. We were amazed by the tour guides there, including Don, Lou and the woman who did the slavery tour (can’t remember her name) :( They were extremely knowledgeable and helpful and friendly! It was a real eye opener and more than worth the time! We recommend it highly!!
5. Oatlands Historic House & Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 223 reviews
A historic garden property administered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. We are currently closed for our off season, but will reopen to the public on April 18, 2019.
6. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,589 reviews
With something for all ages and interests, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a place to learn about plants, to marvel at nature, to relax in a beautiful setting, to take gardening classes, or to have a wedding or a business meeting. A wide variety of experiences are offered through its diverse gardens and facilities. No wonder Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is consistently one of the most-visited attractions in the Richmond, Va., area.
Reviewed By Wendybeth16 - Washington DC, United States
...and magic is in the garden during the holiday light festival. The garden is ablaze with lights during the holiday event. This is truly an event all ages can enjoy, For the children: a special garden, a lighted maze, hot chocolate, a fireplace for making s'mores, a train exhibit (look for the visiting alien space ship.) and pigs that fly. The youngsters were having a blast! The paths winding through the garden lead to lovely views whether lights reflected in the waterways or looking down on the decorations from elevated viewing spots (think a tree house of sorts for exploration) or lighted sculptures. Birds, balloons, space exploration, and, yes, even flying pigs bring the "magic in the air" theme to life. Don't forget to visit the library - home to the train exhibit, theme trees and on my visit, a holiday bell/carol program. Wear comfortable shoes and bring your camera. Good photo opportunities abound. There is a cafe (as well as the tea house restaurant) and hot drinks and snacks in the children:s garden - and an impressive gift shop. Trails are stroller and wheelchair friendly. Lights are on from 5 to 10 pm.There is a fee; ample parking. The garden was voted the #2 holiday light display of its kind in the nation and rightly so. A magnificent display. Highly recommended - this is a holiday event the whole family will enjoy and likely will want to make a yearly tradition. Don't miss it!
7. Maymont
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,022 reviews
Maymont is a 100-acre American estate, an extraordinary gift given to the community by James and Sallie Dooley who lived there from 1893 to 1925. Whether strolling in the gardens, touring the mansion, watching river otters at play, or petting a goat, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Reviewed By S9815TAcherylb
Maymont is a beautiful Gilded Age mansion that is very well kept up the architecture is absolutely beautiful along with all the paintings and the grounds it has a nice museum downstairs in the basement that tells some of the history of the mansion in the living quarters of the servants beautifully kept up would highly recommend this is a place where you could spend just a few hours or the entire day exploring the Hundred Acres
8. Edgewood Plantation
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By LSNS2652 - Smithfield, United States
Our visit to Edgewood was so different than other plantations. Our tour guide and owner, Dot was entertaining, interesting, full of stories and alive with energy. Edgewood is a an historic home, a B&B definitely worthy of a stop.
9. Old City Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 268 reviews
The Old City Cemetery, established in 1806, is one of the oldest public cemeteries in the United States still in use today. Mayors and other prominent civic leaders, along with the city's indigent and "strangers," are among the estimated 18,000 people buried here. Two thirds of those interred here are of African descent, both enslaved and free. The cemetery's Confederate section contains the graves of more than 2,200 soldiers from 14 states. Museums on the property interpret the diverse history of this rehabilitated graveyard and its inhabitants. Today, Old City Cemetery is the most visited historic site in the City of Lynchburg and is Central Virginia's most unique public garden. It is a Virginia Historic Landmark on the National Register of Historic Places.
Reviewed By DillonKey - Roanoke, United States
When my friend and I decided to go to the cemetery, I was just expecting to look at some old headstones and leave but I was blown away by what was there. It seemed pretty normal at first but the further we walked the more we realized how big this cemetery is. Not only is it huge, George Washington’s nieces are entombed here, there is a special confederate soldiers section within it, there are 2-3 museums that you can look on the outside or schedule inside tours, there’s a special spot to scatter pet ashes, and a spot for children’s burials that is very sweet with a peaceful swing. I was amazed at how much history is actually there. I could easily spend hours there and I plan on going back soon. Definitely recommend.
10. Norfolk Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,081 reviews
Reviewed By JasonG134 - Baltimore, United States
Although there understandably isn't much in bloom in the fall, it's still worth a visit even if that's the only time you can go (as was the case with me). Be sure to take the tram ride as it gives you a nice overview of the expansive grounds so you can figure out where to best spend your time.
