Looking for cool places to visit in VA

[hmwnick]

We are beginning to plan a trip to VA in early June. I have the visitors guide but am overwhelmed by the choices of things to see so I'm turning to my trusted DISpals once again. We were thinking of pulling our RV but now I'm considering flying there instead (the thought of being cooped up in a car w/ 3 kids from TX to VA IS SCARY) We are into hiking, 9 yo DS LOVES history, fishing, being outdoors, etc. I'm planning to be in the area for about a week.

Here's what I need to know:

"Must see" places
"Avoid at all cost" places
"Off the beaten path" things to see & do
Lodging

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[PlutoPony]

Do you want to spend any time in Washington DC?? That will determine to a large extent where else you go and how much time you have to spend.....

 

[luv2nascar]

VA is a big state what part will you be in???
I am familiar with Norfolk/Virginia Beach area.
Virginia Beach is great. My kids love the aquarium there too.
Colonial Williamsburg, YorkTown Victory Center, Jamestown, Busch Gardens, and watercountry USa water park.
Norfolk has the USS Wisconsin, Nautica, you can cruise on the Carrie B.
There is a MacArthur Memorial, plenty of malls and shopping.

 

[janet715]

I've been looking up islands on the east coast and I came across Tangier Island, which is just off the coast. Looks nice.... Might be worth a visit......

 

[swea_pea1]

Monticello is Charlotteville is very nice for the history buff in the family.

 

[lisareneeo]

I agree with visiting Williamsburg and Jamestown. We just did Jamestown for a day this Jan (yes it was cold) My kids 7 & 9 really enjoyed it. We have also been to Bush Gardens and Water Country USA twice and they are great!! We get 3 day passes and do Water Country 2 days and Bush Gardens in the evening. Both a lot of fun!!
Good luck
Lisa

 

[hmwnick]

looks like we can get the best airfare into the DC area. We may spend a few nights there. DH is not a big beach person, so I don't know that we'll do the coast. I was thinking we could find some place sort of central & go from there or break the trip into regions.

 

[2BigKIdz]

I've been looking up islands on the east coast and I came across Tangier Island, which is just off the coast. Looks nice.... Might be worth a visit......

Noooo!!!! This is a definite avoid place!!!!! It is only a square mile and there is absolutely nothing at all to do there! The boat ride over is nice but it is one of the most totally boring and sad places I have ever been (not to mention that they served recycled tea to us ). If you are thinking of going to an island check out Chincoteague.

Charlottesville you could see UVA, Monticello and Ash Lawn among other historical places of significance.

 

[janet715]

Noooo!!!! This is a definite avoid place!!!!! It is only a square mile and there is absolutely nothing at all to do there! The boat ride over is nice but it is one of the most totally boring and sad places I have ever been (not to mention that they served recycled tea to us ). If you are thinking of going to an island check out Chincoteague.

Charlottesville you could see UVA, Monticello and Ash Lawn among other historical places of significance.

Thanks for this info! We were thinking about having a wedding there. Now we know not to!

 

[2BigKIdz]

Thanks for this info! We were thinking about having a wedding there. Now we know not to!

I really can't emphasize how much we hated the place! It's been a long time since we were there, they have added some "restaurants' since. If you are looking at their website, that slideshow pretty much shows the entire island! We took one of the tours around the island on the golf cart, total time was about 30 minutes and that included stopping to look at things of interest. They also "bury" their dead in crypts IN THEIR FRONT YARD!!!! There isn't anywhere else to put them.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Any particular historical era your son likes? If Civil War, we have a lot of battlefields around Richmond, as well as antebellum plantations and the White House of the Confederacy. If he likes earlier American history, the homes of 4 of the first 5 Presidents are in Virginia, three of them around Charlottesville, as well as Patrick Henry's home north of Richmond, Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestowne, and Yorktown.

 

[HOGFAN]

Monticello
Colonial Williamsburg
Museum of the Confederacy
Mount Vernon

 

[janet715]

I really can't emphasize how much we hated the place! It's been a long time since we were there, they have added some "restaurants' since. If you are looking at their website, that slideshow pretty much shows the entire island! We took one of the tours around the island on the golf cart, total time was about 30 minutes and that included stopping to look at things of interest. They also "bury" their dead in crypts IN THEIR FRONT YARD!!!! There isn't anywhere else to put them.

 

[yeartolate]

We were gonna spend a few days here

Natural Bridge

 

[grlpwrd]

Chincoteague - best in late July, though, because that is where they have the Wild Pony Swim and festivities: http://www.assateagueisland.com/ponyswim/ponyswim.htm

Monticello

Luray Caverns - there is also a maze (small fee to go in) outside which is fun

 

[agnes!]

oh, my....there is SO much to see and do, for *all* tastes in Virginia.
Here's a list
Amusement Parks!
Busch Gardens/Williamsburg-rides, shows, no brewery tours anymore but you can go to Beer School inside the park(just head for Ireland)
Paramount's Kings Dominion-a true thrill ride park right on I-95 a bit north of Richmond
History!
First Europeans/Colonial - Jamestown/Yorktown, Colonial Williamsburg, Civil War sites/more battles were probably fought here than in any other state
Presidential Homes! - 8 US presidents came from Virginia
Mount Vernon(George Washington-near DC)
Monticello(Thomas Jefferson-outside Charlottesville)
Ashlawn(James Monroe-near Charlottesville)
Montpelier(James Madison-north of Charlottesville/also a home of)
Berkeley(William Henry Harrison-on James River, near Williamsburg)
Sherwood Forest(John Tyler)
Barboursville (Zachary Taylor-near Charlottesville. There's an award-winning vineyard there now, I think the mansion burned down in the 1800s? the ruins are spectacular and the original house was designed by Jefferson I believe)
"Manse"(Woodrow Wilson-Staunton, western Virginia, off of I-81)
Nature!
Blue Ridge Parkway/Skyline Drive, Caves(Skyline & Luray amongst them), Chincoteague Island, beaches, places to pan for gold/gemstone digging, Birding/We're on major flyways for migratory birds
Racing!
Nascar - Richmond International & Martinsville, Hot Rod - Richmond Dragway
Breweries! Wineries!
Too many to list here, but there are close to 100. Hey, you could drink your way across the Commonwealth (*just* a joke.)
Shopping - lots of mega/discount malls, including Potomac Mills Mall(right on I95, south of DC, has a *Real* Disney Outlet)

I knew a lot of this since I live here, but looked up some details to help you along.
Have a great time,
agnes!

 

[mallcat]

Too bad you are not coming to Virginia in early May. In the Shenandoah Valley, there is a festival from May 4-7 called the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival.

There are 2 parades, carnivals, circus, craft shows, dances, etc. There are several big celebrities involved each year (Dan Akroyd, Chevy Chase- last year's grand marshall, Susan Lucci, Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Dolly Parton, Hal Linden, Robert Urich, Mary Tyler Moore, Bing Crosby, Loni Anderson, Jimmy Cagney, Billy Graham, Howard Cosell, Mickey Mantle, Mike Douglas, Tom Bosley, Robert Wagner, Al Roker, and many more)

There are also sports celebrities, and a country music celebrity and concert/dance. There are many dances - country, oldies, jazz, rock and roll. There is a teen dance and many activities for children of all ages.

Check out their website: http://www.thebloom.com/main.html

It's a huge time for this area.

 

[hmwnick]

Great info, thanks!

 

[disallday!]

FYI... Assateague Island beach isn't like it use to be (aka Chincoteague). I live in this area, yup Tangier is close by too, and we went to the movies in Chinco! The beach had alot of sand erosion! Bath houses gone... lifeguard stands gone... it was sad! They have alot of work to do before summer!

I lived in the Blue Ridge mtns for many years also! BEAUTIFUL especially Humpback Rock on top of Afton Mt!

Maybe you could stay in between Richmond and Charlottesville to catch history of both areas and visit Kings Dominion... more coasters than Busch Gardens

HOWEVER.... I love Busch Gardens, we go every year 2x. Williamsburg/Va Beach is a great area too (less traffic)!

GOOD LUCK!

 

[taekwondo mom]

We were gonna spend a few days here

Natural Bridge

Also visit natural bridge safari park.. We had a blast feeding the animals