Virginia is a state rich with US history. Being so close to DC it is easy to road trip through the state! From the home of the first president to the first settlement, Virginia has so much to offer! Here are the top historical destinations in Virginia.
Mount Vernon, Home of George Washington
The neatly kept mansion and sprawling farmland at Mount Vernon, Virginia, is the beloved home and farm of George Washington, first president of the US. It sits high on a grassy bank above the Potomac, with Washington, DC just a few miles away. A tour will whisk you back in time to 1799 and a way of life that no longer exists in Virginia. Enter the Visitors Center and buy your ticket. Then you are free to roam the gardens, walk in the forested and farmed areas, and go through the downstairs of the mansion. A museum features exhibits and information about Washington’s life and the farm.
Plan time to spend in the 23 galleries and enjoy a movie in the 4D theater. I found the most interesting exhibit to be Lives Bound Together, which focuses on slavery at Mount Vernon. When Washington died, more than 300 slaves lived at Mount Vernon. In his will, he set free those he owned. You can see a surviving cabin where slaves lived. And a monument to the enslaved people sits deep in the forest. Photos of Mount Vernon often show the back of the mansion. Horses and carriages arrived here with guests.
Note the spacious lawn in this backyard. In Washington’s day, a lawn was a status symbol, as it wasn’t a cash crop but was solely for decoration. He was proud of this expanse of green. At Mount Vernon, you can learn about many facets of life more than 200 years ago. Ongoing research is turning up new information, too. It’s a fascinating, historic place that’s well worth visiting.
Recommended by: Sharon At Exploring Our World
Yorktown, Virginia
The Battle of Yorktown was the site of the final battle in the Revolutionary War. The British sustained great losses during the three-week battle which eventually led to the surrender to the Continental Army and the French. The British surrender predicted the end of the British reign in the colonies and the end of the war. It took Americans two more years of diplomacy to obtain their independence through the Treaty of Paris. Today, Yorktown is home to a number of historical sites like the Yorktown Battlefield Visitors Center and the battlefield. Download the Yorktown Battlefield app for a driving tour around the battlefield.
The Yorktown National Cemetery is also well worth a visit. The cemetery is home to those who died during the Civil War. It is next to the spot where the British surrendered to General Washington. Main Street in Yorktown is also full of historic attractions. It is a very walkable area with lots of educational placards. Some of the highlights are the Custom House, Nelson House, Dudley Digges House, and Yorktown Victory Monument. After your stroll down Main Street, head down to the Yorktown Riverwalk Landing, a walking trail along the river, the Riverwalk Landing Pier, and Yorktown Beach. If you have an extra day in the area, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, a theme park, is about 15 minutes from Yorktown and is a fun stop.
Recommended By: Candice from CS Ginger www.csginger.com
Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia
Colonial Williamsburg is a must-see stop in Virginia for everyone interested in history. In addition to being the largest living history museum in the world, it is also an important historical landmark. It was the pivotal capital of colonial Virginia in the 18th Century. Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and other Founding Fathers studied or gathered here. Williamsburg is also where General George Washington assembled the Continental Army before the nearby Siege of Yorktown, the final major battle of the Revolutionary War. Today visitors can immerse themselves in this dramatic historic period. Many of the original buildings from the era have been restored or rebuilt.
Gardens and workshops have been recreated and informative actors in period dress fill the town to educate and entertain visitors. The area is a mile long and incorporates many aspects of local life in the late 1700s. You can watch (and in many cases assist!) blacksmiths, farmers, gunsmiths, shoemakers, and other craftspeople. Many of them also offer their wares for sale. You can enjoy period food and drink in the taverns and stay in historic lodgings. Visitors can watch the fifes and drums and visit the Governor’s Palace. Another memorable activity is a visit to the on-site archeological excavation. Much of Colonial Williamsburg is free to visit. In order to enter every building and have full access to the site, you do need to purchase tickets. Visitors of all ages leave with a much richer understanding of the period and unforgettable memories.
Recommended By: Erica At Trip Scholars
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia is a small city located in central Virginia, just 100 miles southeast of West Virginia. While there are several great things to do in Charlottesville, the city is best known for being the home of Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the US, as well as the University of Virginia. Located just outside of the city is Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s estate. A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, visiting Monticello is a must when traveling to Charlottesville.
At Monticello, you can tour the neoclassical mansion, explore the grounds, and learn about the enslaved people who once lived and worked at the plantation. Self-guided tours are $31 for adults; you can also add on a Gardens and Grounds pass for access to more areas around the property. If one presidential home isn’t enough for you, you can also pay a visit to James Monroe’s Highland, the estate of the fifth president of the US. A visit to Charlottesville should include more than just visits to presidential homes. Make sure to tour the beautiful University of Virginia campus, explore the shops and restaurants in downtown C’ville (don’t miss ice cream from Chaps, one of the best ice cream shops in the USA), or spend a day in nearby Shenandoah National Park.
Recommended By: Sydney At A World In Reach
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
Come explore the tiny Virginia town where the American Civil War ended! It was in the fields surrounding the Appomattox County Court House and its small village where General Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia fought its last fight against General Ulysses S. Grant’s Union army. Admission to this underrated national park is FREE! Take a peek into several historical buildings, including the namesake courthouse which is now the visitor center. The most important building is actually the McLean House, also located in the national park’s Historic Village area.
The parlor of the home is where General Lee and General Grant met to sign the terms of surrender, the beginning of the end of the Civil War. Stop in the Clover Hill Tavern to see the mobile printing presses set up to print parole passes to send home the Confederate soldiers. Tour the Appomattox County Jail and hear stories from former inmates. The town area is interesting but doesn’t forget that this was also a battlefield before the surrender. Hike around the fields and see the North Carolina Monument, the Raine Monument, and the Confederate Cemetery. Take advantage of the Appomattox Court House Driving Tour, to see Lee’s Battle Headquarters, Grant’s Headquarters, and everything in between. If you can’t visit in person, take an Appomattox Court House virtual tour from the comfort of your home!
Recommended By: Rachel At Means to Explore
Thank you for reading!
If you have any specific questions, do not hesitate to comment down below! Or you can email us!
No Comments