They claim Virginia is for lovers, but it’s also a good place to be near the waterfront. So, if you’re planning a visit to the state that’s nicknamed The Mother of Presidents, one of your biggest concerns might be to find out the places you should visit.
Given the plethora of things to do and see in Virginia, a guide was needed – at least I thought so! So, here are 50 fun things to do in Oklahoma and places to visit across the state, that we hope make your trip both enjoyable yet a bit more manageable whatever your interests.
Things to Do in Virginia
1. Virginia Beach, A Coastal Gem Worth Visiting
No Virginia trip is complete without a visit to Virginia Beach Across 14 miles, this beach has something for everyone – from the more serene to the middle of the action.
In addition to laying out, the boardwalk is great for biking, roller-blading, or walking by some eclectic stores and eateries. As well as its sandy shores, Virginia Beach is a buzzing resort city with boat tours, water sports, theme parks, golfing, and lively nightlife. The beach might be the highlight, but this city also has plenty of other things to offer.
2. Finding Virginia’s Natural Bridge – A Large Natural Arch
The Natural Bridge in Virginia is a large limestone gorge that was carved out over thousands of years by Cedar Creek. It is the largest natural bridge in North America at 215 feet long and that alone makes it unique based on its historical significance.
Experienced(related to history with George Washington and Thomas Jefferson) (possessive glamour). One of America’s oldest light shows, “The Drama of Creation”, is shown only at this state park. Great for those willing to see the best of nature and one piece of history at a time.
3. Visit the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
Visit the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center to explore worldwide marine life without ever leaving VA From a room containing more than 700 species and 12,000 animals in 800,000 gallons of water.
Not to be missed are The Bay and Ocean Pavilion, Chesapeake Bay Aquarium and specially ticketed black tip reef shark and tawny nurse shark feedings. Is a fascinating place to visit with family – an educational cum fun experience.
4. Luray Caverns: A Virginia Wonder
Explore Luray Caverns, the largest commercial cave system in Virginia, and a U. S. National Natural Landmark. Dripping formations (such as stalactites and stalagmites) and mirror pools are among the most captivating features found in this subterranean wonder.
It is perhaps best known for the Great Stalacpipe Organ, the largest natural lithophone in the world, which offers sounds reminiscent of a xylophone. Tours of this sprawling cave system provide an enchanting look into its expansive chambers, some of which double as unusual settings for weddings. Visiting this place will not only take you through natural beauty but also allow you to tier the layers of history.
5. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Tour
Explore the renowned Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) and its extensive collection that spans world cultures and historical periods. Originally opened in 1936, since being thoroughly redesigned in 2010 it has become home to important masterpieces like Picasso et al.
Richmond – The VMFA has different galleries to display American, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco artwork with a Sculpture Garden and also a Library. A slice of a culture where visitors can also wine and dine in its eateries or alfresco areas.
6. The Solemn Treasure of Arlington National Cemetery
Yes, Arlington National Cemetery is an odd choice for a Virginia visitor attraction but the impact cannot be denied.
Created on land that once belonged to the estate of Mary Anna Curtis Lee, the wife of Confederate General Robert E. Lee and direct descendant (4th generation) of Martha Washington. 624 acres in size It has been used since 1864 as a solemn place of rest for victims of both national and international conflicts
Lady Lee This burial ground for vets, soldiers, and slaves goes all the way back to the Civil Battles. Some people of particular importance that are buried here are George C. Marshall, President John F. Kennedy, and Admiral Grace Hopper.
The cemetery is home to many notable graves, including:
- The Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, which is a tomb dedicated to American service members who have died without their remains being identified, represents soldiers lost in Korea, Vietnam, and the first two world wars.
- Graves in Robert E. Lee’s Garden were deliberately placed to ensure that the Lee family could never reclaim the land.
- Headstone-Eating Trees: The Hauntingly Surreal Phenomenon of Nature Taking Over Certain Tombstones
- The James Parks Grave — the grave of the enslaved man who dug the first graves in this cemetery.
7. Travel Through Time at Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia
The Frontier Culture Museum (Virginia) The Frontier Culture Museum gives visitors a unique perspective on the past providing an enriched historical experience.
Serving as an open-air museum, this place will take you on a journey where you get to see and feel the early way of life belonging to different parts and various continents. While you venture through the exhibits look back at the past two hundred years and see how indigenous contributions shaped along with influences of Africans and Europeans, The German and English.
It is a living history museum, telling the stories of early American settlers, their daily lives, and how they evolved over these many centuries. In full-period costumes, staff contribute to the atmosphere.
8. Why We Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway – A Picture Essay
Of all the things to do in Virginia, the epic Blue Ridge Parkway is a top choice and well known for the panoramic views it offers.
America’s longest linear park, this amazing stretch of road spans 469 miles from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Shenandoah National Park. One of a kind using the Appalachian Mountains, the park brings you sounds and odors, vistas and places that delight any visitors.
Each bend unwinds a new set of captivating glances around which ever corner you choose to peruse, and the road is lined with all but every kind of flora known to man which in itself brings a unique sense of tranquility to its roadway warriors.
A short list of some of the variety you can expect to enjoy on your trip up and down the parkway:
- Hike through original Appalachian-era farm buildings at Humpback Ridge.
- Hiking enthusiasts find plenty of rejuvenating trails leading up Roanoke and Onion mountainsascourses, but add-on spurs stock up a lengthy corner of the Appy.
- Raven’s Roost (for the views)
- Sherando Lake – a great spot for camping, swimming, and picnicking for recreation lovers.
9. Uncover Yorktown: A Root of American History
One of the three points of Virginia’s historical triangle, Yorktown is a top tourist attraction for its history and views.
In the small town itself, there are activities that cater to just about every lifestyle. Cycling is available along the TransAmerica Trail and walking, shopping, and dining are popular activities on the Riverwalk with museums and historical homes such as the Moore House and Nelson House open for tours. Such exhibits contribute significantly to a more complete picture of Virginia’s history.
Yorktown’s 18th-century architecture, preserved to some extent, anchors its importance historically. This was also the site of the American victory over British forces, leading to the surrender of an English army commanded by Lord Cornwallis, one of the key points in America’s struggle for independence.
10. Uncover the History of Jamestowne: A Passage to Colonial America
Historic Jamestowne comprises one corner of the Virginia historic triangle, along with Yorktown.
The site of the Historic Jamestowne settlement opened to the public in 1957, 350 years after it was founded and now also contains a vast collection of galleries and museums. These special public institutions narrate the story of English colonization in the Americas in an impressive and common-sense manner…
Some of Historic Jamestowne’s most important features include a 1922 statue of Pocahontas sculpted by William O. Partridge, a broadly rebuilt reenactment of the first triangular fort built by colonizers, and places that celebrate cultural legacy.
A visit to the archaearium museum, where over 4,000 artifacts found at James Fort are displayed, provides a tangible link to the early 17th century. Most of these objects had been buried for more than four centuries, offering a rare glimpse back in time.
At Historic Jamestowne you are really going back to the 17th century!
11. America’s First Border: The South Boundary Stone
America’s First Federal Monument, 1791Located to the leftVirginiaThe first federal monument, by Benjamin Banneker. This boundary marker was very important in the use and plotting of the new Washington, D.C.
At Jones Point Park, the team discovers a stone that outlines the original boundary of the District of Columbia along the Potomac. Visitors can see it through glass and bronze near the fence that separates the river and the lighthouse steps, accessed by a short trail from the Jones Point Lighthouse, with great views of Washington’s monumental skyline in Arlington.
The South Boundary Stone is more than a historic object – it presents a travel point for those looking to diversify their points of exploration in the region with other stone markers, including a U.S. Geological Survey marker Only three stones remain of the original 40 boundary stones used to delineate the early D.C. landscape, providing a rare opportunity to explore the young city’s development.
Click on over and stretch your legs at this historical treasure as well as others in Jones Point Park, a location you can also visit this weekend.
12. A Taste of Southern Germany at Busch Gardens in Virginia
One of Virginia’s salient attractions, Busch Gardens has a very distinctive theme as it conveys the mystique and charm of southern Germany.
Nestled in the woods of Wisconsin, the park provides a European-like ambiance unlike anything you would see in the States. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from family-friendly entertainment to heart-racing roller coasters with show-stopping drops and hills inspired by European landscapes.
Rides take ideas from European stereotyping with the Loch Ness Monster and things like The Alps. The live entertainment is resplendent with Bavarian bands and dancers adorned in traditional dirndls, matching Busch Gardens’ ethos.
There are also plenty of seasonal events to look forward to. Featuring more than 200 different craft beers, Bier Fest takes place at the end of summer. For Halloween, the park is decorated with a proper scare and family-friendly events are held.
13. Portico in Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello
Charlottesville – For a more in-depth look into the life of America’s third president, head to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Located on a 22,000-acre plantation and designed by Jefferson (himself an architect) in the Palladian style, it is a powerful reminder of his architectural genius and originality.
Monticello is one of the highest-ranking attractions in Virginia and one of the most visited historical homes in the United States. Modeled after an Italian villa, the building boasts significant architectural features and many of Jefferson’s own inventions. Guests can participate in interactive exhibits, and take a room dedicated to Jefferson’s discoveries, and interesting exhibits.
The family is a sucker for a beautiful garden and Monticello has many that were planned by Jefferson, adding to the history experience. Have some knowledge about them and the visitor center is where guests can learn about Monticello’s changing exhibitions and it educational programs.
Through guided tours, visitors can learn more about the estate and the place of slavery in Pensacola history. The museum shop offers a range of souvenirs, for those so inclined.
As a National Historic Landmark Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello is one of the most visited homes in Virginia.
14. At The Military Aviation Museum: A Retroactive Travel Through Time
The Military Aviation Museum in Virginia stands out among the best-kept secrets of American aviation museums, especially when it comes to vintage military aircraft from both World Wars I and II. It has one of the largest private collections of important vintage planes anywhere.
These planes come from different countries like Russia, Japan, Germany, and the UK. In some cases, painstaking restoration has brought many of these planes back to life using the original items or suitable reproductions. What you get in return is a mesmerizing showcase of ready-to-flight and some fully operational aircraft.
This is where the museum really comes into its own, with spectacular air shows in autumn and spring, when selected aircraft take to the skies to show off in impressive flying displays. The festivities continue, as these festivals always offer a line-up of different events as well.
The rapidly growing collection of the Military Aviation Museum also offers new exciting experiences with each visit, making it a must-visit destination year after year.
15. Exploring Norfolk Botanical Garden – A Sanctuary for All Seasons
One of the top things to do in Virginia, The Norfolk Botanical Garden, captivates visitors year-round with its all-encompassing thematic gardens.
There is something for everyone who visits this destination no matter what age their age. Photo courtesy of the Barker Hall Visitor Center This indoor exhibit inside the Barker Hall Visitor Center showcases a changing variety of art, paintings and photography that introduces unique cultures during every season.
In the open air, the adjoining garden is a place to wander on foot or by bike – with evening rides under the tram tracks available for less adventurous souls. View the Photo Gallery For a different view, visitors can also enjoy a boat ride on Lake Whitehurst.
Other garden highlights include a rose garden, desert landscape, butterfly reserve, Annette Kagan Healing Garden, children’s garden and a magnificent Japanese oasis. It spans 12 miles of linear habitats, ideal for leisure, ambling and exploring nature. Don’t worry, either, as there are picnic areas and soda machines for refreshments.
16. Take a Walk in the Woods with the Staff at the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum, a Quiet Place to Recharge in Virginia
Located in Harrisonburg at James Madison University, the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum is an exceptional Virginia location that welcomes dogs to join them on their paths through the hills of Shenandoah Valley.
The gardens this site contains are… garden arboretum Out of the 125 acres, an Oak-Hickory forest surrounds the land, and flowers add variety.
These statues line the edge of the lake, creating a leisurely walk around a fascinating artwork and environment surrounded by wild countryside with thoughtfully arranged seating or locations of duck food — feeding the ducks is considered one of the more idyllic pastimes in many cultures.
The Fern Valley provides a serene escape with New York fern and the April Walk Daffodil Garden features an array of colors for fans of these cheerful flowers. The addition of a research area with hybrid azaleas, an herb garden, and a wetlands garden adds to the biodiversity of the arboretum land which makes it an interesting educational or exploratory experience.
17. Manassas National Battlefield Park: A Civil War Legacy
If you like American Civil War history, take a trip to Manassas National Battlefield Park. This park in Virginia was the setting for two major battles- the First and Second Battles of Bull Run or Manassas on July 21, 1861, and between August 28-30, 1862).
General Thomas J. Jackson won the nickname “Stonewall” on this battlefield. The battlefield is well-preserved and does a solid job of telling its story in a way that’s easy for everyone to understand.
Visitors can explore the park as part of a ranger-led tour on the ground where the fighting on Bull Run actually took place. There’s an educational video that provides more background about the battles.
Not limited to history buffs, the park features numerous hiking trails, a Civil War relic-preserved museum, souvenirs are available at the gift shop and fantastic birdwatching (160 plus native birds for listing). The Stone Bridge, which was used by the Union Army for their retreat in both days, is a significant landmark.
18. Mariner’s Museum and Parkhtdocs: Journey To Maritime History
The Mariner’s Museum and Park in Virginia is a prominent maritime museum that features beautiful parkland for hiking or picnicking alongside the largest maritime library in the Western Hemisphere. That also makes it a favorite for family fun and learning in Virginia.
Established in the 1930s by Homer L. Ferguson and Archer Milton Huntington, the museum has numerous exhibits that date from the European Age of Exploration to the present-day U.S. Navy on display. The museum houses over 32,000 objects, including 210 artifacts and a staggering collection of 1.75 million documents and materials that provide an in-depth look into maritime history.
Key features include the USS Monitor Center, equipped with the world’s largest marine archaeological metals conservation lab inside the Batten Conservation Complex. In addition, the Explorers Theater features high-definition 3D movies that depict the deeper wonders of the ocean and underwater exploration.
Here, visitors can also view the International Small Craft Center and see a fascinating display of watercraft from around the world.
19. Assateague Island is a Rare Seashore Getaway
Taking up 37 miles of coastline on the east coast of the Delmarva Peninsula is pod confirmed for a short escape – Assateague Island. Protected by multiple conservation organizations and two states, the island is known for its two herds of feral ponies, which famously make an annual swim to Virginia in a colorful roundup.
Assateague Island is a 37-mile-long island, serving primarily as a wildlife refuge for its abundant bird population and other animals without human settlement. It began when two islands-South Ocean City and Assateague-connected by Fillmore Inlet, became linked permanently in 1933 by the construction of U. S. Highway 50 despite numerous powerful storms that smashed roads connecting the islands soon after completion. On the other hand, the wild ponies have been living in a more natural environment for centuries as they thrive on fresh water and local grass. Named ponies for their size, these animals are believed to have been descended from horses who developed over time to the conditions of the island before they became feral.
The ponies origin is clouded in mystery. A popular theory holds that they are the progeny of horses who swam from a shipwreck – maybe a Spanish galleon called La Galga, which went down near the island in 1750. After many attempts, the remains of La Galga have still not been found and newsbooks have continued to suggest it’s location.
It might not offer as many options for things to do but the landscapes on Assateague Island are so peaceful and the story of how ponies came to live there is really interesting.
20. George Washington Birthplace National Monument Tour
It is not the real house in which George Washington was born (the first American president’s home burned down in 1779), but the George Washington Birthplace National Monument has been meticulously reconstructed to resemble his upper-crust colonial home, right down to period-appropriate furnishings.
At the Memorial House and Kitchen House, visitors can step back in time with staff dressed as 18th-century Virginians, educating them about Georgian life. The Farm Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front and Visitor Center, Marina-Located at the former Kaiser Shipyard, families can tour a real WWII-era Victory Garden complete with vegetables and flowers, an air raid shelter built to protect residents during nighttime bombing raids of ships at sea, vintage photos of Richmond’s two Kaiser Shipyards and more. It is known for its Red Devon oxen, a breed that descended from those that Washington had owned.
Other points of interest include the Visitor’s Center, which showcases artifacts from Washington’s first home and presents a 15-minute movie about the Washington family. A cemetery just up the hill contains the graves of 32 of Washington’s relatives, reminding visitors that this was a true family homestead passed down over several generations.
21. Shenandoah National Park: A Natural Paradise
Shenandoah National Park, one of those top national parks to visit, is a huge and luscious protected rangeland that consists of both the well-known Blue Ridge Mountains along with Piedmont areas. Since its creation in the 1920s, the park is now a Virginia tradition.
Skyline Drive: A 1o5-mile road that runs the length of the park along the Blue Ridge Mountains, nearly parallel to the Shenandoah River, and offers over 75 scenic overlooks with stunning vistas. For many visitors, this drive is a standout due to the beautiful views.
Within the park, hikers can amble along more than 500 miles of trails, including a section of the storied Appalachian Trail spanning 101 miles. These trails lead lovers of the wild past tumbling waterfalls, through pristine forests, and by vibrant habitats that are home to such wildlife as cougars, coyotes, black bears, beavers and deer and more than 200 species of bird-like Carolina chickadees and tufted titmice.
The park also has a number of accommodations for those wishing to prolong their visit, such as campgrounds and lodges in addition to restaurants located throughout the park.
22. Jump to D.C. Day Trip: Great Falls Park, A Riverside Haven
Great Falls Park is a small but expansive National Park Service-owned nature reserve located in Northern Virginia. Located along the banks of the Potomac River in Fairfax County, this 800-acre park offers CIA students an opportunity to visit the historical remnants of the Patowmack Canal, one of America’s first canals.
Although not directly connected, Great Falls Park is officially part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway and for many, this adds to the park’s historic and recreational significance.
ActivitiesBoth Great Falls Park and the Maryland side of this park offer opportunities for a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, picnicking, and observing the falls. Nature at its most beautiful surrounds the park so close to historical structures that it has become a favorite spot for history buffs and nature enthusiasts alike.
23. Visit the National Firearms Museum – A Story of the Canadian & American Guns
In Fairfax, Virginia, resident National Firearms Museum reveals the never-ending interest and complex relationship between firearms and Americans with its vast selection of weaponry from the past. Run by the National Rifle Association, the museum focuses on the long history and recent advancements in firearm technology that have undoubtedly had nothing to do with why America has a gun problem.
This 50-acre Virginia museum is broken up into 15 individual galleries that focus on different historical periods and themes. The exhibits have been curated to show the ever-changing ideas and use of firearms through time. One of them, “An Age of Elegance,” showcases firearms from the Spanish-American War period and those that Theodore Roosevelt carried, while another, “Ever Vigilant,” ranges from World War II specimens through modern-day models.
Ancient owned Firearms gallery, the rarest piece dating to 1350. One of the main stops is the “Hollywood Guns” room, featuring some of the silver screen’s most iconic firearms, from Dirty Harry. My hand cannon 44 Magnum, the space revolver of Mal Reynolds and Joker shotgun cut down to size.
24. George Washington Masonic National Memorial – Monument to History and Tradition
The George Washington Masonic National Monument This construction in Alexandria, Virginia, was built in honor of the very first United States President alongside the Freemason campaign. Built on a hill that overlooks Old Town Alexandria, this memorial is both a way to remember Washington and it is also used for events and Masonic meetings.
Intentionally evocative of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, the structure climbs 333 feet above Perkins Rowe. It includes nine vignettes, which tell stories about various facets of Washington’s life and Masonic connections. Proposed as early as 1852, it did not begin to receive funding until the first decade of the 20th century; construction began in 1922 and was completed a decade later. It was such a significant event that the House of Representatives shut down for the day.
The design is massive and yet beautiful, is built entirely of granite. The first and second floors are open to the public where there is a range of meeting spaces in halls, as well as guided tours happening every hour on the upper levels. Within it is the George Washington Museum on the fourth floor, an exact model of the Ark of the Covenant on the fifth, a Memorial Library on the sixth, an image of the Temple of Solomon on the seventh, and King Solomon’s throne room recreation on ninth.
25. Visit the Edgar Allan Poe Museum for a nod to gothic literature fans
The Edgar Allan Poe Museum in Virginia is a must-see for any admirer of one as it pertains to Edgar Allan Poe. This museum is a testimony to that iconic yet disturbed man, who gave us some of the gloomiest and most gothic literary works.
In the City of Poe, This exhibit might be the last place that pays respect to Poe in a way that he would have deserved from harlotshooting and drunken lifestyle, but any remaining goodwill for him was held back from the city of Richmond.
It is a veritable goldmine of the Present, packed full of Poe letters, manuscripts, personal effects and one-of-a-kind relics. It includes a lock of Poe’s hair, his walking stick and yes – even his socks. It also includes a suitably detailed scale model of Richmond of Poe’s time, so as to give them an idea of what else was happening during his tormenting life.
It also owns the world’s largest collection of items related to Poe, making it one of the most important literary sites anywhere. In addition to a literary draw, cat lovers (both inspired and indifferent) will be pleased to meet Edgar and Pluto, the museum’s black cats who give an added whimsical factor to the experience.
