gracenote30

My husband and I are planning to visit Virginia in early August. We are hoping to visit Monticello and some of the sites in Charlottesville and spend some time in the Shenandoah Park area. Any suggestions about where to stay? Also, what would be "must-sees" in that part of the state? We haven't firmed up our plans and were also considering Traverse City/Mackinac Area in Michigan...I'm a little worried about the heat in Virginia in August. Thoughts or suggestions? TIA!

schlegal1

The heat will be a big factor. It is very hot and humid in VA in Aug. BUT hiking in the mountains and forests offers some respite. In C-ville sites include UVA, Ash Lawn, and Michie Tavern (in addition to Monticello, which you already mentioned).
Shenandoah National Park is beautiful. There are scenic drives that you can enjoy and hike off of. Skyline Drive runs from Northern Va down to Waynesboro and there you can get on the BlueRidge Parkway all the way through the rest of VA.
Do you like hiking, camping, swimming, RVing, history, shopping, dining? There are plenty of reco.s for all these! Just provide some parameters.

gracenote30

Thanks for the reply! We enjoy history, shopping, hiking, and would love some restaurant recommendations as well. Art museums and other art/music activities are something we like as well. We were looking into the opera festival at Ash Lawn. Also, silly question: the only reply I see to this post is from schlegal1, but there are supposed to be 2 other replies. Are these viewable to you? Thanks!

ronkala

Where are you coming from? Are you flying in or driving?

gracenote30

Driving from Ohio! Also, hotel recommendations would be appreciated as well! TIA

ronkala

Depending where you are leaving from, you could make Strasburg, VA off I-81, and stay at the charming Strasburg Hotel (circa 1905). The food there is delicious. Take route 11 south (a VA scenic byway) from Strasburg to New Market, stop in Woodstock on the way to see the 1895 courthouse, and the Meems Bottom covered bridge south of Mt Jackson. If you are interested in the Civil War, see the New Market Battlefield and museum before getting back on I-81 to Harrisonburg. There you will take route 33 east toward Luray. 33 will take you to Skyline Drive and take the Drive south to Charlottesville. Before getting on Skyline D, you might want to continue onto Luray to visit the Luray Caverns.
Other hotels can be found by going to freetrip.com.

sherrie

Check out Wintergreen just outside of Charlottesville. In the winter, it's a skiing location, but during the summer, it offers great views and many outdoor activities. It's one of the nicer places to stay in that area.

schlegal1

Don't know where those other phantom replies are--I never saw them.
Sherrie- Good rec.--I always forget about Wintergreen and it really is nice access-wise to C-ville and outdoor activities.
In Charlottesville there is lots of dining and shopping in the "downtown mall" a pedestrian area that is truly pleasant. Many of the restaurants set up outdoor dining and lots of people go tehre to just stroll, or to see performances at the outdoor pavilion.
If you are coming to Va for awhile you might also consider driving from C-ville to Colonial Williamsburg (which is also near the historic Jamestown settlement) for some good history.

GoTravel

Peaks of Otter Lodge is very reasonably priced and it is on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

cheapbutnice

As you have read, be prepared for heat and some great sites. Try now for some lodging on Skyline Drive. The non-tent cabins at Lewis Mt. are fine if Big Meadows and Skyland are filled.We have stayed on SD and made day trips to C-ville. To me Monticello and Univ. of VA are mandatory must-sees.As was suggested, my 3rd suggestion would also be Williamsburg.It's an easy drive but could bring you from hot to hotter.

cmcfong

In Southern Virginia there is a great bike, hike trail along the New River. I go there for relief from the NC heat. http://www.chestnutcreekcabins.com/ offers clean affordable accomodations and a great break from travel. They have grills and hammocks.

schlegal1

If you are interested in biking mentioned by cmcfong you should google "Rails to Trails" in Virginia. The New River trail is 55 miles but you can bike just a portion (We did Galax to Pulaski, which is popular). The Creeper Trail is also really nice, it's about 34 miles--there you can rent a bike and have the rental place drive you to the top of the hill and coast most of the way down if you are more into the scenery than the workout.

cmcfong

schlegal, do you have a recommendation for accomodations near the Creeper Trail? We know about the Martha Washington, but wanted to consider any smaller properties which would be nice. DH and I will be going with others and the group will need three rooms. I saw the Apple Tree b and b listed. Do you know it?
Thanks. Oh, we did the NRT again yesterday and it was splendid! I love that trail.

Stephanie

I'd 2nd the recommendation of the Peaks of Otter area. It was so beautiful when I visited there for a few hours coming back from SC.

schlegal1

UNfortunately, I dno't know any accomodations in that area, cmcfong. I wish I could be more helpful on that!

cmcfong

I got some ideas on another thread. Thank you. I will post a trip report when we return in mid August.