Flying into Dulles to spend three days in Virginia. Any suggestions for must sees and/or must eats?

Where in Virginia are you going to be?

We are still deciding based on what sounds most interesting.

Please answer the other usual questions, like what do you want and like to do. Hiking and nature? Seeing sites? What kind of sites? What kind of food are you talking, upscale? What is your budget? You want to stay in Virginia and not go into D.C.? You'll have a car, I assume.

I am a little puzzled as to a person flying into a state to spend three days there and not knowing anything about the state, where they want to go, what they want to do. Are you flying in just to see VA or for soem other reason? Where do you have to be at the end of the 3 days, back at Dulles? This will determine how far you can drive. It is a big state.

I agree - unless it's a business trip and at the last minute you decide to tack on some vacation. Presusmably you bought the ariline tickets some time ago. Why buy tickets to VA if you don;t know what's there or what you want to see and do.

(Usually I would figure out what I wanted to see and do, therfore where I want to go - THEN buy the air tickets.)

Try Smithfield ham (an acquired taste for some), preferably on a buttered biscuit; corn pudding; grits with your breakfast fried egg; fresh coconut cake. That's all I can think of at this point. Will add to the list later.

Bon appetit!

Don't for get the red eye gravy.

Go to Williamsburg, see the historic restoration, have dinner at one of the taverns, and eat Death by Chocolate at the Trellis Restaurant for dessert.

Charlottesville -- just lovely!

...chess pie

Is this the same trip you asked about to WEST Virginia so you can check it off your list of states not visited?

I ask, because Virginia is a big state and if you're also doing West Virginia, we might suggest things in that direction.

Nope, West Virginia will be a separate trip perhaps next year. A friend recommended going to Jefferson's Home.

No, just go to Washington's home, Mt Vernon, and then visit old town Alexandria in the afternoon and for dinner. Next day go to the outlet malls in Woodbridge and visit Manassas battlefield. Next day, go to Harper's Ferry WV and overnight in Berkeley Springs WV. Or go to Avalon Resort in Paw Paw, WV. Or for a Virginia day 3, take a Skyline Drive and a hike and visit Newmarket battlefield.

ok, we have now booked our lodging. We are staying in three places - Alexandria, Richmond and Charlottesville. Welike unusual restaurants or local favorites. We do not eat beef or pork. We like museums of any type (we've been to ones for maple, marble, medical, boyscouts, etc.) It there's something silly to see, we want to see it.

There is a new museum in Richmond about the civil war. It is supposed to be very well done. It examines the war and its affects on African-Americans, the Union, and the Confederacy. Its controversial but I think discussion and examination can often lead to understanding and healing. The museum is in the Tredegar Iron Works.

and just north of New Market Battlefield off route 11 is the covered bridge at Meem's Bottom. While there you can also watch the good ol' boys fish.

>> something silly to see, we want to see it.<<

From Alexandria you could go into D.C. to the Capitol and sit in House gallery and/or Senate gallery and watch our Congress in action.

ride horses
eat ham

For Richmond, see this link for excellent walking tours of Richmond's historic sites:

http://www.richmondhistorycenter.com...publictour.asp


I like Hollywood Cemetary, Church Hill, and the Fan

Be sure to check the weather report--the Nor'easter we just had can flood the shockoe bottom area; they evacuated a neighborhood in battery park last night.

Alexandria and Charlottesville are two of my favorites in my home state, moreso than Richmond. Enjoy.

Valerie

Valerie