rogers89

Planning a trip in early to mid-June to Washington DC and VA. We are going to spend about 4 days in DC and then get in the car and travel through VA. I'm a Civil War history buff. Not a fanatic but one that is interested in the war. After leaving DC we are headed west to Manassas to the battlefield and then on to Front Royal down Skyline Drive to Luray. Over to Charlottesville (Monticello) Richmond, Williamsburg, Jamestown and York. Over the Chesapeake Bridge and on in to Maryland and Delaware. Any tips, tricks or must sees would be appreciated.

ronkala

1.
From Front Royal continue west on I-66 to merge with I-81 north to the Middletown exit. (about fifteen minutes)
Turn left over I-81 to route 11 south.
that will take you to the Cedar Creek Battlefield at Belle Grove Plantation.

2.
Take Skyline Drive from Front Royal to route 211, the first exit, and go west to New Market to the New Market Battlefield and museum.

You can then take route 211 east to Luray.

Devonmcj

You could also think about driving up to Antietam, continue to Harpers Ferry, and on to Front Royal and Skyline Drive.

jax129

Definitely see the Luray Caverns. They are totally worth it and I am claustrophobic but was ok in the caverns. Fredericksburg has a ton of History and a great battlefield and cemetery as well. If you're into wine, there are some awesome wineries in Virgina. Many near Charlottesville.

carolyna

There is a lot of awesome history in Richmond--the capital of the Confederacy and all that....I would plan to spend a day or so there. Hollywood Cemetary is a MUST for history buffs. It is fascinating and also has a beautiful view of the James River. I agree re: Antietam--it is worth the trip. It is my favorite battlefield. Fredericksburg is also very good. The area around Marye's Heights is very evocative. Be careful about choosing a time of day to visit Bull Run/Manassas--Route 29 through the battlefields is a major commuter route in NoVA and it often slows to very slow traffic during both the morning and evening rush hours--really ruins any sense of history you can feel--plus a major waste of time to sit in traffic.

Dukey

I would also recommend stopping at Antietam/Sharpsburg.

Luray Caverns..great..very colorful

Not sure if there are any markers, etc., to be seen at Cold Harbor near Richmond.

cd

If you'll be as far as Harper's Ferry, would sure go on to Gettysburg.

tovarich

It's not far to include Harper's ferry after visiting Manassas.There's a lot of history there.J.Brown and the civil war.You can leave the car near the Visitor centre and they have busses going down to historic H.F.Paul

rogers89

Thanks to all for your replies.

gabriele

During the summer months there are often Civil War reenactments in the areas mentioned. Don't have a link to offer for information, but you should be able to find via a quick search, if interested.

KensingtonGirl

If the purpose is Civil War, can't understand why Appomattox and Petersburg haven't been mentioned. Check out this web site, they have Civil War driving tours of the areas: http://www.civilwartraveler.com/virginia/index.html

Fraggle

As far as Richmond goes...

I'd personally skip the White House of the Confederacy museum; was just there a few months ago and was not impressed. I'd suggest checking out the newish American Civil War Center at Tredegar Iron Works.
http://www.tredegar.org/

There's a pedestrian bridge just there that you can cross over to Belle Isle (a one-time island prison during the war)... If you happen to be in the area on a Friday, go hang out with a wide Richmond demographic at a Free Friday concert (often held just near the museum on Brown's Island). Friday Cheers is well attended and should give you a sense of local life.
http://tinyurl.com/2dhswg

dan_woodlief

As others have said, go to Antietam. It is not far away from the start of your drive in the Shenandoah. I love VA and go all the time. However, Antietam easily surpasses any battlefield in VA. It is so well-preserved, scenic, and has just the right number of monuments and cannon.

As for VA, my favorite Civil War places to visit are Petersburg National Battlefield/Pamplin Park (my top pick), Fredericksburg (especially the town, Marye's Heights, and Chancellorsville), Manassas, Appomattox, Richmond, and New Market. As for Richmond sights, I like the White House of the Confederacy and the Museum of the Confederacy; Tredegar (which has a new museum); and Hollywood Cemetery.

I wouldn't do the Richmond battlefield tour since you have so many other places to visit. Those sites are certainly interesting but offer less in exhibits, monuments, etc. than many battlefields away from Richmond.

For time, allow yourself at least 2-3 days for the Shenandoah, a full day for Richmond, 2/3 of a day for Petersburg, 1/2 to 2/3 of a day for Antietam, 2 days for Fredericksburg, a couple of hours for New Market, 3-4 hours for Manassas, and half a day for Appomattox.

You will love Luray too!!

tmontauk

It's a little out of the way (the opposite direction from Manassa to Front Royal) but people seem to love Fredericksburg. There is lots of info online about the town.