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 Things to do Adventurous 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. Grand Caverns
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 425 reviews
America’s oldest continuously operated show cave, voted #2 in America by Parade magazine, and a National Natural Landmark, Grand Caverns is a prime example of history and beauty. With our abundance of rare shield formations and history around every turn, come see for yourself why we are ‘Grand’.
Reviewed By joels799
I'm a cave explorer of nearly 60 years and I've also been in many show caves around the world. Grand is one of the best! The shield formations that are so plentiful in Grand are very rare. The cave is well-presented and holds many inscriptions of Civil War soldiers who visited the cave, many while camped just outside.
2. Virginia Creeper Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,086 reviews
A bike trail challenging to both beginners and experts.
Reviewed By knightma - Lancaster, United States
Some friends had told us about the trail a couple of years ago. We had a great time, rented a bike and shuttle service to the top of the trail. The part from White Top down to Damascus is pretty much all down hill and is pretty easy, even if you haven’t ridden in a while. There are several places to stop along the way and the scenery is great.
3. Grayson Highlands State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 315 reviews
Reviewed By WeTravel12050 - Wallace, United States
Saw the wild horses and hiked the trails....one of a kind experiences in life. We were in site 22 plenty of room for our 28 ft. gray wolf. Hike to Little Pinnacle (behind visitors center) to see a great view! Hike into the gate at Massey Gap parking field and follow the trail that is where we saw the horses....also a water fall at Cabin Creek trail....take your time and enjoy the views...
4. Old Rag Mountain Hike
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 366 reviews
Reviewed By 352remil - Virginia, United States
Just got back from hiking this bad boy and would recommend it. I always wondered if it would be as hard as people say. While I wouldn't say only certain people should do it...you gotta be prepared for what you are getting into. Today being election Tuesday I figured there wouldn't be too many issues with overcrowding. I arrived at 10:30 am and the two main lots were full. I was one of the first cars in the 3rd overflow but while I was gathering my gear at least 10 more cars full of people arrived. There are portopotty's in the lower overflow lot but actual restrooms in the main parking area. While the ranger station at the lower overflow lot is closed be prepared to bring your wallet/pass with you because the ranger station is open in the main lot at the head of the trail. I did not read the signs that warn of this in the lower overflow lot so unfortunately had to return to my car adding another mile to the overall hike. People say plan the day to do the hike and they are right. I set out from the ranger station at 11 am and was done by 4:30 pm but the sun was disappearing rapidly and I speed walked the last several miles once getting to the Weakley Hollow Fire Road. I also didn't spend a ton of time at the overlooks nor the summit. So what is there to be cautious about? The rocks...oohh the rocks. Slippery when wet is not just a Bon Jovi album. If you've done any research you know about the rock scramble but the rocks along the way are not to be taken lightly either. I was behind a family and watched the father slip on a small rock. He went down hard about 2 miles into the trail hitting his head on some other larger rocks. The family decided to turn back at that time. The boulders are what everyone comes for though. When I bought my trail ticket ($15) the ranger warned of the mile long rock scramble at the top but I truly didn't appreciate what she meant until I got there. Once off the beaten path, it took a minute to orient on how to navigate the trail but once I figured out to look for the blue blazes, it made it slightly easier. I was able to traverse most of the scramble alone but did have to bite the bullet and ask for a hand in a some places mainly because the scramble forced an awkward body position making leverage impossible. Even though it was 61 degrees and a sunny day there was ice in several spots once leaving the tree line and there was some strong winds. Once slipping into an icy puddle, getting a grip on the boulders with the wet shoe was nigh impossible. That's why people recommend good hiking shoes with grip. Going down from the summit using the Saddle Trail to the Fire Road was a nice respite after all the bouldering. Be prepared for 5 more hiking miles after you summit if you do this route. Weakely Hollow Fire Road was well marked after getting off the saddle trail. There's now a new Ridge access trail back to the parking area but the sucker is mostly uphill and feels like torture at the end of a long day of traversing Old Rag.
5. Rocking S Ranch
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 386 reviews
Reviewed By anna7753TK
Had an amazing ride with Mr. Bill, he is extremely friendly and a great guide. The trail was beautiful and the horses were very calm and enjoyable to ride. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a fun getaway, day activity, etc.
6. Fort Chiswell Animal Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 92 reviews
Reviewed By tumbleweedchris - Asheville, United States
Fort Chiswell Animal Park is hidden in the hills of southern Virginia and not very far from the interstate. I think you have to just know it exists as I don't remember seeing any billboards for it. There is a gift shop that you start in and buy your food. We got 2 bags for 2 people, which was more than enough. For 2 people, you could probably get by on 1 bag of food, but you will have to ration it out a little. Just outside the shop, there is a small petting zoo area with some animals you can feed by hand. Just remember they will be there after the bus tour to give any leftover food to, so I wouldn't give out too much food to start. Going down to the bus, you can feed lettuce to the giraffe before boarding. Once on the bus, you will quickly meet the resident camel, Puff. He is the Jaws of this bus ride. He pokes his head in every window, takes and chugs cups of food, and takes bags if you let him. He's really lovable, but also ravenous. From there, you will meet bison, zebras, horned animals, ostriches, pigs, and llamas. You are able to feed them all but only pet some. The animals were kind of clustered into one part of the park, so there was a gap of the tour without animals. It is impossible not to have fun though. The bonus here is that you make a mess of a bus instead of your car, unlike other safari parks. This is a great stop and one you can make in 90 minutes. I recommend this when passing through this stretch of interstate.
7. Rudee Inlet Stand Up Paddle
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 709 reviews
Rudee Inlet Stand Up Paddle is a school that teaches Stand Up Paddle. In business since 2011, we strive to spread aloha and have fun while teaching the way cool sport of SUP. We start out in nice calm flat water teaching intro to paddle..then graduate up to ocean and or yoga paddles....RI'SUP the place to start and continue your paddle journey!!
8. Menokin
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 61 reviews
Menokin is the most engaging preservation project in America. Once the home of Francis Lightfoot Lee, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and his wife, Rebecca Tayloe Lee, you can experience an 18th century house like never before. We are rehabilitating this National Historic Landmark, now in a collapsed and deconstructed state, in a revolutionary way using original fabric and architectural glass to replace missing walls, floors, and roof. As we stretch our lens back over time to reveal how this house was built, and stories about the builders, we are also making remarkable strides to preserve and interpret all peoples and cultures that made their homes on this site. Admission: Entrance to the grounds and visitor's center is free. Guided tour inside the ruin: $15 per person (12 and under free)
Reviewed By MDhereandthere - Bethesda, United States
This was our first trip to the Northern Neck, and we did not know anything about Menokin before visiting. We're glad we came. It's not easy to find, but well worth the trip, in particular the hard hat tour of the restoration-in-progress. The visitors center is a good introduction to the history of the property. Being able to see in detail--and touch--wood trim, windows, doors, and other stored and catalogued artifacts from the original house is fascinating. It's remarkable how well they have been preserved, considering their age. The hard hat tour is well worth the $15 fee. Walking through and around the building allows you to see masonry (brick and stone), carpentry, stucco, and roofing from the original structure, and gives a good glimpse of the construction methods of a bygone era. The planned work will restore existing areas of the original building, and will have structural glass walls and flooring for the other areas. It will be a creative design that respects the original without artificially rebuilding what is missing.
9. McAfees Knob
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By 113camerons - Lynchburg, United States
If you're a hardcore hiker, skip this. If you're an occasional outdoor stroller like me, read on! 1. Although this summit is situated on the Appalachian Trail, I STRONGLY recommend that you take the parallel fire road up AND down; it is much straighter and flatter than the trail, and has far fewer rocks and roots. Here's how you find it: as you face the entrance to the main trail (across from the parking area), instead turn left and walk about 50 yards up the paved highway (Rt. 311), and you'll see a faint roadbed. There's a gate to keep out vehicle traffic that you'll have to walk around. This road and the main trail converge about a mile from the top...where the going gets very rocky and somewhat strenuous. 2. Other reviews mention the bugs at the top, but I was completely unprepared for what I encountered at the summit. I don't know if it's always like this, but I visited in late September and the bugs were swarming by the thousands at the top...and only out at the rock outcropping where you want to take pictures! They made it almost unbearable...so in case they're swarming when you go, bring some kind of bug spray. Then enjoy the spectacular views! (For what it's worth, my elapsed time with about 20 minutes of sight-seeing at the top was 3 hours & 20 minutes.) And no, there are no bathrooms!
10. Scotch and Soda the Lions
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 24 reviews
Tours of the Mansion are available by appointment only, except for October and December, when Ghost and Christmas Tours are regularly scheduled. The home is available for rent for special occasions or can accommodate overnight guests, with advance reservations required. Donations are encouraged to help the family offset the cost of maintaining this nearly 100 year old historic home. Scotch and Soda are the iconic lions that stand guard over the 1923 Georgian Mansion at the corner of Hampton Blvd and Spotswood Avenue, Norfolk, VA. The original lions disappeared in 2013 and were replaced by the concrete giants known to the community as Scotch and Soda. They have hundreds of followers on Facebook and commuters along Hampton Blvd. enjoy their ever changing wardrobe & costumes.
Reviewed By j0nthanh
The tour was very good and well beyond my expections, of the decorations history and stories of how the mansion was bought. and the owner and tour guide was so very good and captured our attention
