Trips By Region

South:

Lexington Visitors Center
www.lexingtonvirginia.com
(540) 463-3777
Getting there: I-64 West to I-81 South, Exit 188B (40 miles)

The home of famous generals. Self-guided tours are available for this historic town. See the Virginia Military Institute, the Stonewall Jackson House, and Washington and Lee University. Home of the Virginia Horse Center and Natural Bridge.

Natural Bridge
www.naturalbridgeva.com
(800) 533-1410
Getting there: Rt. 29 South to Rt 130 West at US 11 (65 miles)

One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Offers café and gift shop. Connected to the Natural Bridge Caverns.

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South/Southeast:

Norfolk Visitor Information Center
www.norfolk.va.us
(800) 368-3097
Getting there: I-64 East to coast and follow signs (165 miles)

Chrysler Museum of Art
www.chrysler.org
(757) 664-6200

Treasures from Chinese bronzes to paintings of the 1980s. Closed Mon. and Tue. Free. 245 West Olney Rd. at Mowbray Arch.

Norfolk Botanical Garden
www.nbgs.org
(757) 441-5830

Houses 175 acres of various flowers and gardens. Home of the Azalea Festival. Train and boat tours of the gardens March-Oct. Fee.

Norfolk's Waterside
Stroll the waterfront and visit the shops and restaurants with a view of the Norfolk Harbor. Located next to the Omni Hotel on Waterside Drive. The MacArthur Center features an upscale mall, including Nordstrom's and other fine shops.

Virginia Zoo
www.virginiazoo.org
(757) 624-9937
3500 Granby St.

The zoo opened a major new African continent exhibit in 2002. Open daily 10 am - 5 pm. $7 adults, $5 children.

Virginia Beach
www.vbfun.com
Getting there: I-64 East to Toll Road 44 to the Shore (179 miles, or three hours).

For an enjoyable weekend at the beach, summer or winter, try "The Beach." Off-season and AAA rates available. Visit the Virginia Marine Science Museum (757-425-FISH); go whale or dolphin watching. Extensive boardwalk; restaurants and shopping.

Newport News Mariners' Museum
www.mariner.org
(757) 596-2222
Getting there: I-64 East to exit 258 A, follow signs

The museum is dedicated to preserving the heritage of the sea. Many models of famous ships and a research library. The turret from the USS Monitor is now housed here. Fee. (AAA, Seniors, and active duty military discounts available.)

James River Plantations
www.jamesriverplantations.org

The collective name for several fine old homes located between Richmond and Williamsburg, mostly along Virginia Rt. 5 (approximately 80 miles). Fee. You can buy a block ticket to four of the plantations.

Berkeley Plantation
www.berkelyplantation.com
(804) 829-6018

The birthplace of Benjamin Harrison V, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and of U.S. President William Henry Harrison. The Coach House Tavern is located on the grounds. Fee.

Edgewood Plantation
www.edgewoodplantation.com
(804) 829-2962

This home was built in 1849 and features a three-story winding staircase.

Evelynton Plantation
www.evelytonplantation.com
(800) 473-5075
6701 John Tyler Hwy, Charles City, VA.

While the site has been home to the Ruffin family since 1847 (Edmund Ruffin fired the first shot of the Civil War at Fort Sumter), the existing house was built in 1937. The original burned in the Civil War. The house, grounds, and gardens are open for guided tours (9 am - 5 pm daily).

Sherwood Forest
www.sherwoodforest.com
(804) 829-5377

Sherwood Forest is said to be the longest frame house in the country at 300 feet in length. Fee. AAA discount available.

Shirley Plantation
www.shirleyplantation.org
(800) 232-1613

This home was begun in 1723 and is noted for its walnut staircase, which rises three stories with no visible means of support. It was the home of Robert E. Lee's mother. It is still occupied by the 11th generation of the original family. Fee. AAA discount available.

Jamestown
www.historyisfun.org
Visitors Center (757) 229-1607
Getting there: I-64 East to coast and follow signs to exit 242A (130 miles). Located on Rt. 31 South at Colonial Parkway

The site of the first permanent English settlement in the United States. Living history museum depicts life in America's first permanent English colony. $10.75 adults, $5.25 children.

Yorktown
www.historyisfun.org
(757) 253-4838
Getting there: I-64 East to coast and follow signs (130 miles). Located on Rt. 1020

The site of the Revolutionary War surrender of British General Cornwallis. Start at the National Park Service Visitors Center, at the end of the Colonial Parkway, or call the Yorktown Victory Center, 9 am - 5 pm daily. Admission to the Yorktown Victory Center costs $8.25 for adults and $4 for children.

Williamsburg
www.williamsburg.net
(757) 221-0100
Getting there: I-64 East and follow signs (2 hours)

Visit Busch Gardens ( www.buschgardens.com), Colonial Williamsburg, and the Williamsburg Pottery Factory (www.williamsburgpottery.com). Jamestown (757-229-1733) and Yorktown (757-898-3400) are close by, so don't miss them either. See the Washington Post Sunday Travel section for information about Williamsburg area motels.

Colonial Williamsburg
www.colonialwilliamsburg.org
1-800-HISTORY

Jump-started with donations from John D. Rockefeller, Virginia's colonial capital has been restored to nearly its 19th-century self. Start at the Visitors Center for tickets and parking. Merchants Square has many fine shops and places to eat. The historic area, closed to vehicular traffic, can be reached by the shuttle bus from the Visitors Center. Call for reservations. One- and two-day tickets or the Patriot Pass, which offers unlimited visits for one year.

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East:

Fredericksburg Visitors Center
www.visitfred.com
(800) 678-4748
Getting there: Rt. 20 North to Rt. 3 East (70 miles)

George Washington's hometown, four Civil War battlefields within a 17-mile radius, 100 antique shops, and a National Historic District with more than 350 original 18th- and 19th-century buildings. Start at the Visitor's Center, 706 Caroline St., open daily.

NASA Langley Research Center
www.nasa.gov/centers/langley
(757) 727-0800
Getting there: I-64 East to Rt 134 and follow signs (165 miles)

The Virginia Air & Space Center features a moon rock, the Apollo 12 command module, and an IMAX theater. Films are also shown in the evening hours Thu-Sat. Fees for theater and exhibits.

Richmond
www.richmondva.org
1-800-370-9004
Getting there: I-64 East and follow signs (1 hour - 70 miles)

The former capital of the Confederacy still retains many of the Confederate trappings, but a good dose of interesting culture as well (greater Richmond's pop. is 800,000).

The Metro Richmond Visitor Center
http://dev.visit.richmond.com/visitors/index.aspx
(804) 358-5511
Getting there: Exit 78 off I-95/I-64, 1710 Robin Hood Rd.

Information, maps, tour tickets, specialty gift items, Virginia products.

Downtown Richmond Visitor Center
www.ci.richmond.va.us
(804) 648-3146

State Capitol grounds at the historic Bell Tower.

Agecroft Hall
www.agecrofthall.com
(804) 353-4241
4305 Sulgrave Rd.

A Tudor-style house built in England during the latter part of the 15th century. In the late 1920s it was dismantled and one-third of the house was shipped to its current location above the James River. Fee.

State Capitol
(804) 698-1788
9th St., Capitol Square

Visitors can tour Richmond's most visited spot daily.

Children's Museum
www.c-mor.org
(877) 295-CMOR
2626 West Broad St.

This museum for children 2-12 years old allows them to explore and participate in exhibits. Fee.

Kings Dominion
www.kingsdominion.com
(804) 876-5000
Getting there: 22 miles north of Richmond on Rt. 30 off I-95

Open daily Memorial Day (last Monday in May) through Labor Day (first Monday in September). Open weekends only the rest of the year. A 400-acre theme park. Hair-raising rides, 16-acre water park, daily stage shows. Fee, but cheaper in the off-season. Look for discount tickets in grocery stores or fast food chains.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
www.lewisginter.org
(804) 262-9887
1800 Lakeside Avenue

Open 7 days/week 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Closed only on January 1, Thanksgiving Day, and December 25. 40 acres of spectacular gardens features large glass, classically styled conservatory. Has on-grounds dining room and special children's garden/play area. Directions on web site. Admission: $10/adults, $6 children 3-12. Children under 3 free. Senior discount (55 and over).

Maymont Park & Estate
www.maymont.org
(804) 358-7166
2201 Shields Lake Dr.

This 100-acre turn-of-the-century estate includes Japanese, Italian, English, and herb gardens. Restored Victorian home, carriage collection, Nature Center/Wildlife Habitats, and Children's Farm. Gardens and grounds are free. Donation requested for estate home, Nature Center, and Children's Farm.

Museum/White House of the Confederacy
www.moc.org
(804) 649-1861
12th & Clay Streets

Collection of Civil War memorabilia, home of Jefferson Davis. Fee.

Science Museum of Virginia
www.smv.org
(804) 367-0037
2500 West Broad St.

Great for kids, but adults and children alike will be delighted by the IMAX films. Fee.

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
www.vmfa.state.va.us
(804) 367-0844
2800 Grove Avenue & North Boulevard

Particularly famous for its collection of Fabergé jewels, including five of the famous Easter Eggs. Entrance donation requested. Call for special exhibits.

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North/Northeast:

Washington, D. C.
www.washington.org
Visitors Center by White House (202) 789-7000
Metro Info (202) 637-7000
Getting there: Rt. 29 North to I-66 East and follow signs (115 miles)

Smithsonian Institute and associated museums, U.S. Capitol, White House, Arlington Cemetery, Supreme Court, and National Zoo. Monuments such as the Washington, Vietnam Veterans, Jefferson, and Lincoln. The National Art Gallery, various private art galleries, the Kennedy Center, theaters, historic Georgetown, Old Town Alexandria, and much more.

Mount Vernon
www.mountvernon.org
(703) 780-2000
Getting there: I-64 East to I-95 North to Rt. 1, take George Washington Pkwy (100 miles)

The 3,000 acres of George Washington's historic estate and burial place are located nine miles south of Alexandria via the George Washington Memorial Parkway. The mansion contains much of the original furniture and many of the family's personal belongings. Concerts Fri/Sat nights April-August. Fee.

Middleburg
www.middleburgonline.com
Getting there: Rt. 29 North to Rt. 15 North to Rt. 50 W (1.5 hours)

Middleburg, and nearby Leesburg, are charming country towns loaded with antique shops. The 1700s-era Red Fox Inn (800-223-1728) is a very romantic spot to spend an evening. Each room has a roaring fire, four-poster bed, and antique appointments. Leesburg has expanded as part of the Washington, D.C. suburbs in recent years, and has an outlet mall with good deals on Pottery Barn and Williams & Sonoma products.

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West/Northwest:

Staunton
www.staunton.va.us
(540) 332-3838
Getting there: I-64 West and follow signs (35 miles)

Pronounced Stan-ton, it is the birthplace of Woodrow Wilson. Take Rt. 11 North from Staunton to find several interesting antique "malls," including Rocky's at Weyer's Cave. Visit Wright's Dairy-Rite, and original drive-in restaurant. Staunton's Blackfriars Theater, a recreation of an indoors Elizabethan playhouse, features the internationally acclaimed Shenandoah Shakespeare.

Museum of American Frontier Culture
www.frontiermuseum.org
540-332-7850
1290 Richmond Rd., Staunton

Four working farms, each from a different time and place—18th-century German and Scotch-Irish farms, a 17th-century English farm, and a 19th-century American farm. Self-guided tours take about 2 hours. Open 9 am - 5 pm March-Dec. and 10 am - 4 pm Dec.-March. $10/adults, $9/college ID, $6/children.

Woodrow Wilson Birthplace
www.woodrowwilson.org
(540) 885-0897
24 N. Coalter St.

Shenandoah Mountains Area (around I-81)

Grand Caverns
1-888-430-CAVE
Getting there: I-81 exit 235 to Grottoes

Shenandoah Caverns
www.shenandoahcaverns.com
540-477-3115
Getting there: I-81 exit 269 to Shenandoah Caverns (about 75 miles from C'ville).

See the Capitol Dome, the famous bacon formations, Rainbow Lake, and Cardross Castle. Bring a jacket. While you're there, check out "American Celebration on Parade," a collection of floats from the presidential inaugural parades. Open year-round starting at 9 am; closing hours vary with the season.

Luray Caverns
www.luraycaverns.com
(540) 743-6551
Getting there: I-64 West to I-81 North to Rt. 211 Exit 264 and follow signs (90 miles)

Huge underground chambers, one with an organ. Tours depart every 20 minutes and last one hour. Adults $19, children $9. Includes admission to the Historic Car and Carriage Caravan Museum.

Mount Solon
Getting there: I-64 West to I-81 North, Exit 240. West to Bridgewater and follow signs

Natural Chimneys Regional Park comprises seven great natural limestone towers. The National Jousting Hall of Fame jousting tournament is held here. Hiking, picnicking, swimming, and camping available.

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Photo courtesy of U.S. Marshals Service.