Virginia

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TRAVEL GUIDE

Richmond

Centered on the fall line of the James River, about 75 mi upriver from the Chesapeake Bay, Richmond completes the transition from Tidewater

Williamsburg

Williamsburg was the capital of Virginia from 1699 to 1780, after Jamestown and before Richmond. Williamsburg hasn't been politically important

Alexandria

A lively mix of historic homes, taverns, restaurants, and shops, Alexandria seems to exist in two or three centuries at once. Founded in 1749

Fredericksburg

Halfway between Richmond and Washington, near the falls of the Rappahannock River, Fredericksburg is a popular destination for history buffs

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is still Jefferson's city, focused on Monticello and the University of Virginia. The downtown pedestrian mall, a brick-paved

Arlington

Arlington has evolved since the end of World War I from a farming community into one of sprawling homes, large-scale retailing, and office buildings

Virginia Beach

The heart of Virginia Beach—a stretch of the Atlantic shore from Cape Henry south to Rudee Inlet—has been a popular summertime destination for

Norfolk

Like many other old Southern towns, Norfolk has undergone a renaissance, one that's especially visible in the charming shops and cafés in the

Roanoke

They once called this city "Big Lick." But today Roanoke, with a population of 95,000, is Virginia's largest city west of Richmond, the largest

Blacksburg and the New River Valley

Despite its name, derived from being "new" to explorers when it was first discovered, the New River is actually one of the oldest rivers in

Newport News

Newport News stretches for almost 35 miles along the James River from near Williamsburg to Hampton Roads. Known mostly for its coal shipping

Lynchburg

Lynchburg was founded by John Lynch, a Quaker pacifist, and Thomas Jefferson visited often when he was vacationing at his nearby retreat, Poplar

Staunton

Staunton (pronounced stan -ton) was once the seat of government of the vast Augusta County, which formed in 1738 and encompassed present-day

Lexington

Two deeply traditional Virginia colleges sit side by side in this town, each with a memorial to a soldier who was also a man of peace.

Abingdon

Abingdon, near the Tennessee border, is a cultural crossroads in the wilderness: the town of nearly 7,000 draws tens of thousands of people

Chincoteague

The island resort town of Chincoteague (pronounced shin -coh-teeg), which means "large stream or inlet"—also known as Chincoteague Island—exudes

Petersburg

Historic Petersburg, 20 mi south of Richmond on I–95, lies along the Appomattox River. During the Civil War, the city was under siege for

Shenandoah National Park

Hampton

Founded in 1610, Hampton is the oldest continuously existing English-speaking settlement in the United States—having celebrated 400 years in

Bath County

Bath County, known as the Allegheny Highlands, is where Virginia's rugged outdoors and refined elegance intermingle delightfully. Amid its steep

Middleburg

Attractive boutiques and restaurants line U.S. 50, the main street of this charming country town. Now a hub of Loudoun County's wine and horse

Winchester

The historic town of Winchester is widely known as the birthplace of one of country music's most beloved stars, Patsy Cline. Cline hit it big

Harrisonburg

Settled in 1739, Harrisonburg is a stronghold of Mennonites, spotted around town driving horse-drawn buggies. The 10-block historic downtown

Yorktown

It was at Yorktown that the combined American and French forces surrounded Lord Cornwallis's British troops in 1781; this was the end to the

Reedville

This small town at the eastern tip of the Northern Neck was the home of wealthy fishermen and businessmen who made their fortunes from the menhaden

Charles City County

Colonists founded Charles City County in 1616. This tiny county is unique, being the only U.S. county to have a native president (William Harrison

Tysons Corner

Centered around two major shopping centers, Tysons Corner has become a highly developed commercial area of office buildings, hotels, and an

Woodlawn

Leesburg

Leesburg is one of the oldest towns in Northern Virginia. In an early sign of changing allegiances, "George Town" changed its name to Leesburg

Portsmouth

Portsmouth, across the Elizabeth River from Norfolk, has a well-maintained historic area called Olde Towne, which has handsome buildings from

Orange County

Orange is a fertile agricultural area bearing reminders of the Civil War. Among the many estates dotting the countryside is the home of our

New Market

Founded primarily by German settlers of the Mennonite and Lutheran faiths, the town's first foray into industry was printing. New Market's Historic

Blue Ridge Parkway

Hopewell

City Point, the oldest part of Hopewell, was established in 1613 by Sir Thomas Dale. Across from Charles City County via the Route 106 Benjamin

Irvington

Although much older than the resort, the lovely town of Irvington has been associated with the Tides Inn for more than 50 years.

Jamestown

The desperate strivings of Englishmen to stay alive and establish a foothold in the New World become evident when visiting Jamestown, the beginning

Mount Vernon

Set on a hillside overlooking the Potomac River, George Washington's plantation estate is one of the most visited sites in Northern Virginia.

Great Falls Park

Great Falls, a favorite getaway spot for Virginians and D.C. residents alike, is where the Potomac River builds up speed and crashes over steep

Woodbridge

Set on the Occoquan and Potomac Rivers, suburban Woodbridge is home to many Washington commuters. It's also a destination for bargain shoppers

Warsaw

The county seat of Richmond County, Warsaw is a pleasant town of 7,000 that's shaded by large oak trees. Near the U.S. 360 bridge over the

Cape Charles

The town holds one of the largest concentrations of late-Victorian and turn-of-the-20th-century buildings in the region. Clean, uncrowded public

Stratford Hall Plantation

Manassas

The county seat of Prince William County (though officially an independent city), Manassas was considered a strategic crossroads during the

Middletown

Middletown has one of the area's loveliest historic homes. The section of Route 11 that makes up this small town's main street contains a few

Dayton

Dayton is best known for its large Mennonite population, whose black horse-drawn buggies share the road with latter-day SUVs, and for its extensive

Wolf Trap

This tiny community, just northwest of Tysons Corner, is best known as home to the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts.

George Washington Birthplace National Monument

Chantilly

Located in western Fairfax County, Chantilly is home to Dulles International Airport as well as the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

Washington

Known as Little Washington to differentiate it from its big sister about 60 mi away, this tiny town packs in antiques shops, galleries, custom

Gunston Hall

Set near the shores of the Potomac south of Mount Vernon, George Mason's 18th century mansion celebrates the life and work of one of the nation

Tangier Island

Crab traps stacked 10 feet high, watermen's shanties on the water, and a landscape virtually devoid of modern commercialization characterize

Occoquan

Waterford

Wintergreen Resort

Richmond

Centered on the fall line of the James River, about 75 mi upriver from the Chesapeake Bay, Richmond completes the transition from Tidewater

Williamsburg

Williamsburg was the capital of Virginia from 1699 to 1780, after Jamestown and before Richmond. Williamsburg hasn't been politically important

Alexandria

A lively mix of historic homes, taverns, restaurants, and shops, Alexandria seems to exist in two or three centuries at once. Founded in 1749

Fredericksburg

Halfway between Richmond and Washington, near the falls of the Rappahannock River, Fredericksburg is a popular destination for history buffs

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is still Jefferson's city, focused on Monticello and the University of Virginia. The downtown pedestrian mall, a brick-paved

Arlington

Arlington has evolved since the end of World War I from a farming community into one of sprawling homes, large-scale retailing, and office buildings

Virginia Beach

The heart of Virginia Beach—a stretch of the Atlantic shore from Cape Henry south to Rudee Inlet—has been a popular summertime destination for

Norfolk

Like many other old Southern towns, Norfolk has undergone a renaissance, one that's especially visible in the charming shops and cafés in the

Roanoke

They once called this city "Big Lick." But today Roanoke, with a population of 95,000, is Virginia's largest city west of Richmond, the largest

Blacksburg and the New River Valley

Despite its name, derived from being "new" to explorers when it was first discovered, the New River is actually one of the oldest rivers in

Newport News

Newport News stretches for almost 35 miles along the James River from near Williamsburg to Hampton Roads. Known mostly for its coal shipping

Lynchburg

Lynchburg was founded by John Lynch, a Quaker pacifist, and Thomas Jefferson visited often when he was vacationing at his nearby retreat, Poplar

Staunton

Staunton (pronounced stan -ton) was once the seat of government of the vast Augusta County, which formed in 1738 and encompassed present-day

Lexington

Two deeply traditional Virginia colleges sit side by side in this town, each with a memorial to a soldier who was also a man of peace.

Abingdon

Abingdon, near the Tennessee border, is a cultural crossroads in the wilderness: the town of nearly 7,000 draws tens of thousands of people

Chincoteague

The island resort town of Chincoteague (pronounced shin -coh-teeg), which means "large stream or inlet"—also known as Chincoteague Island—exudes

Petersburg

Historic Petersburg, 20 mi south of Richmond on I–95, lies along the Appomattox River. During the Civil War, the city was under siege for

Hampton

Founded in 1610, Hampton is the oldest continuously existing English-speaking settlement in the United States—having celebrated 400 years in

Bath County

Bath County, known as the Allegheny Highlands, is where Virginia's rugged outdoors and refined elegance intermingle delightfully. Amid its steep

Middleburg

Attractive boutiques and restaurants line U.S. 50, the main street of this charming country town. Now a hub of Loudoun County's wine and horse

Winchester

The historic town of Winchester is widely known as the birthplace of one of country music's most beloved stars, Patsy Cline. Cline hit it big

Harrisonburg

Settled in 1739, Harrisonburg is a stronghold of Mennonites, spotted around town driving horse-drawn buggies. The 10-block historic downtown

Yorktown

It was at Yorktown that the combined American and French forces surrounded Lord Cornwallis's British troops in 1781; this was the end to the

Reedville

This small town at the eastern tip of the Northern Neck was the home of wealthy fishermen and businessmen who made their fortunes from the menhaden

Woodlawn

Tysons Corner

Centered around two major shopping centers, Tysons Corner has become a highly developed commercial area of office buildings, hotels, and an

Charles City County

Colonists founded Charles City County in 1616. This tiny county is unique, being the only U.S. county to have a native president (William Harrison

Leesburg

Leesburg is one of the oldest towns in Northern Virginia. In an early sign of changing allegiances, "George Town" changed its name to Leesburg

Portsmouth

Portsmouth, across the Elizabeth River from Norfolk, has a well-maintained historic area called Olde Towne, which has handsome buildings from

Orange County

Orange is a fertile agricultural area bearing reminders of the Civil War. Among the many estates dotting the countryside is the home of our

New Market

Founded primarily by German settlers of the Mennonite and Lutheran faiths, the town's first foray into industry was printing. New Market's Historic

Blue Ridge Parkway

Hopewell

City Point, the oldest part of Hopewell, was established in 1613 by Sir Thomas Dale. Across from Charles City County via the Route 106 Benjamin

Great Falls Park

Great Falls, a favorite getaway spot for Virginians and D.C. residents alike, is where the Potomac River builds up speed and crashes over steep

Irvington

Although much older than the resort, the lovely town of Irvington has been associated with the Tides Inn for more than 50 years.

Jamestown

The desperate strivings of Englishmen to stay alive and establish a foothold in the New World become evident when visiting Jamestown, the beginning

Mount Vernon

Set on a hillside overlooking the Potomac River, George Washington's plantation estate is one of the most visited sites in Northern Virginia.

Cape Charles

The town holds one of the largest concentrations of late-Victorian and turn-of-the-20th-century buildings in the region. Clean, uncrowded public

Woodbridge

Set on the Occoquan and Potomac Rivers, suburban Woodbridge is home to many Washington commuters. It's also a destination for bargain shoppers

Warsaw

The county seat of Richmond County, Warsaw is a pleasant town of 7,000 that's shaded by large oak trees. Near the U.S. 360 bridge over the

Middletown

Middletown has one of the area's loveliest historic homes. The section of Route 11 that makes up this small town's main street contains a few

Manassas

The county seat of Prince William County (though officially an independent city), Manassas was considered a strategic crossroads during the

Dayton

Dayton is best known for its large Mennonite population, whose black horse-drawn buggies share the road with latter-day SUVs, and for its extensive

Wolf Trap

This tiny community, just northwest of Tysons Corner, is best known as home to the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts.

Chantilly

Located in western Fairfax County, Chantilly is home to Dulles International Airport as well as the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

Washington

Known as Little Washington to differentiate it from its big sister about 60 mi away, this tiny town packs in antiques shops, galleries, custom

Gunston Hall

Set near the shores of the Potomac south of Mount Vernon, George Mason's 18th century mansion celebrates the life and work of one of the nation

Occoquan

Waterford

Central and Western Virginia

Eastern Virginia's coastal plains start rolling into the gently undulating Piedmont west of I-95. Charlottesville, 71 mi northwest of Richmond

Williamsburg and Hampton Roads

Perhaps no other region in Virginia contains more variety and options for the traveler than its southeastern coastline. Colonial Williamsburg

Richmond, Fredericksburg and the Northern Neck

A host of patriots and presidents have lived and worked in the heart of the Old Dominion, an area that takes in Richmond, Fredericksburg, Petersburg

Northern Virginia

Although D.C. gets all the recognition for its place in the nation's history, visitors to the region might be surprised by the richness of Northern

Virginia's Eastern Shore

The appeal of Virginia's Eastern Shore is out of sight from the highway, among its barrier islands in the Atlantic to the east and along its

Shenandoah National Park

George Washington Birthplace National Monument

Tangier Island

Crab traps stacked 10 feet high, watermen's shanties on the water, and a landscape virtually devoid of modern commercialization characterize