Richmond, VA - Lots of Questions.

Old Feb 23rd, 2012, 05:07 PM
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I don't believe the traffic will be a problem for you and I think you'll come to enjoy our river crossings. I've seen battleships and submarines cross in front of me.

Yes, there is rush hour traffic and it will affect all the roads going out of Norfolk but you have options other than the Hampton Roads BT. Since you are in Larchmont I would investigate the Mid-town tunnel to Portsmouth and up to the Monitor-Merrimac bridge tunnel to I-64 west. It's my preferred route when I'm coming in to that part of Norfolk. When you visit the Rt 5 plantations, you can take the Midtown over, go up to Surry to the ferry and take it over to Williamsburg.

Just let us know ahead of time when you are planning a day trip and we'll plot routes and alternatives for you.
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Old Feb 23rd, 2012, 05:24 PM
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Sorry, Birdie, perhaps I over stated it.
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Old Feb 23rd, 2012, 05:32 PM
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You are essentially correct, obxgirl. It IS the only route on I-64. I'd probably recommend the same if it was someone just staying for a week but since they are staying so long, I thought annetti would appreciate knowing some different routes. I'm holding back and not going in to all the alternatives on the peninsula LOL.
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Old Feb 23rd, 2012, 06:19 PM
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Understand. I'll bow out.
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Old Feb 23rd, 2012, 06:29 PM
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Ackislander: Thanks so much for the info regarding the roads. I feel more confident now!! I've spent too many hrs not appreciating the scenery. Roads through tunnels of trees sound delightful!

Thank you, Birdie for offering to provide travel routes. We have become a bit lazy since we have a GPS and allow it to make the decisions for us. We will have to consider some alternate routes apparently if we want to avoid congestion.

Yes, Oxgirl, we plan to make a side trip to Wash DC, too, so I guess we may experience traffic jams as well. Since we are not travelers to get up at the crack of dawn, in fact, it takes us forever to get moving, we will never be up early enough to experience morning rush hr traffic.

Next question: would one night in Charlttesville suffice or should we plan on two? We are not rushed travelers. I doubt if we can take more than one travel site in in a day unless they are short and close together!
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Old Feb 23rd, 2012, 07:00 PM
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"Understand. I'll bow out."

Please don't.


"Next question: would one night in Charlttesville suffice or should we plan on two?"

It depends what you want to see. I could spend a week in the mountains but if you don't like winding roads, you may not feel the same. Research the area and decide what you would like to see.
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Old Feb 23rd, 2012, 07:41 PM
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Thank you, Birdie. I've been reading about the area; I suppose if we had a home exchange there (no hotel bills) we could easily fill up a week or two. Perhaps, we'll book a couple of nights and hope that if we want more, that it won't be too difficult to extend our visit. It looks like there's plenty to keep us entertained.

Thanks, everyone for all your advice; everyone has been incredibly helpful.
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Old Feb 25th, 2012, 04:48 PM
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Yes, I-64 from Richmond to Charlottesville and also to Norfolk is very boring. I was going to recommend Route 5 between Richmond and Williamsburg as well. There are also roads that parallel 64 to Cville, like 250, if you're not in a big hurry.

I think one night in Charlottesville is fine if you mostly just want to see UVA and Monticello. The Blue Ridge Parkway is lovely, though, if you wanted to take another day to drive in the mountains.

Everyone's given you good advice about what to see in Richmond -- I'd just add if you're interested in Civil War history there's quite a bit of that too. And you might consider a tour of the Capitol, it's quite historic.
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Old Feb 25th, 2012, 06:35 PM
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Thank you, Hellion. We ended up planning two nights in Charlottesville. We move so slowly, perhaps, it won't be too much. If nothing else, it may just be very leisurely.

Would love to do the Blue Ridge Pkwy,but don't know if I can handle the mt rds. I hate to miss it.

A tour of Richmond's Capitol Bldg sounds good, too. Probably could use a week in Richmond, rather than the two nights we have allotted.
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Old Mar 11th, 2012, 02:54 PM
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We are flying into norfolk and going Richmond and Charlottesville also, and thanks for the all good information here. I am worried about the traffic getting out of Norfolk (I live in Santa Fe where traffic is not much of an issue). We will be arriving on a Saturday so hopefully it won't be too difficult to get Richmond that same day. Any suggestions?
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Old Mar 11th, 2012, 03:18 PM
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I really enjoyed visting Montpelier, madison's home near Orange and only about 30 miles from Monticello.
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Old Mar 11th, 2012, 09:02 PM
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Will add Montpelier to our list of places we'll try and visit after Monticello and the U of Va. Thank you, Vttraveler.
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Old Mar 12th, 2012, 02:56 AM
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There is more information on Montpelier in this short trip report I wrote after visiting it
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...ndoah-park.cfm

also some about the mountains beyond (Shenandoah Park--I stayed at Big Meadows Lodge) if you decide to go that far. The road does twist and turn but the speed limit is very low and you don't have to go far to see some beautiful spots
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Old Mar 12th, 2012, 03:31 AM
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Another thought: there are good vineyards in the area near Charlottesville and Orange, too. I stopped on my way from the Shenandoah Park to Richmond for a tour of the Barboursville vineyards. These are on an estate which once had a plantation house designed by Jefferson--very little left now
http://www.monticello.org/site/jefferson/barboursville

Reading about your trip in April and May makes me think my husband and I should go down for a long weekend this weekend. It really is beautiful with all the gardens--and VT is not at its best in April.
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Old Mar 12th, 2012, 12:19 PM
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Vttraveler: Good ideas are always welcomed. Thanks. I hope we get to do some of them.
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