Virginia Travel Guide

GALLERY

Fodor's Washington, D.C.: with Mount Vernon and Alexandria
For over 80 years, Fodor's Travel has been a trusted resource offering expert travel...

View Details

A wonderland for history buffs, Virginia has an incredible past that's still on display. It's possible to visit the Virginia of George Washington or Thomas Jefferson (their historic homes are here), skip through Colonial times in Williamsburg, or absorb the power of the Civil War in Manassas. But don't miss the appeal of modern Virginia, from its wineries to its beaches.

Fodor's Washington, D.C.: with Mount Vernon and Alexandria
For over 80 years, Fodor's Travel has been a trusted resource offering expert travel...

View Details

Find a Hotel

Top Destinations

Filter By:

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, epitomizes the refined elegance of...

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...

Williamsburg and Hampton Roads

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

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...

Richmond

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

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 by...

Williamsburg

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

Fredericksburg

Halfway between Richmond and Washington, near the falls of the Rappahannock River, Fredericksburg is a popular destination for history buffs. The town's 40-block National Historic...

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 small...

Charlottesville

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

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 decades. With...

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 city...

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 historic village...

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...

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 and huge...

Lynchburg

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

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...

Staunton

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

Chincoteague

The island resort town of Chincoteague (pronounced shin-coh-teeg), which means "large stream or inlet"—also known as Chincoteague Island—exudes a pleasant aura of seclusion. Small, but...

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 each year...

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 292...

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 2010. It also holds the country's...

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 culture...

Bath County

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

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, listed on the National Register of...

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 Revolutionary...

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...

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) and...

Woodlawn

...

Tysons Corner

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

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 in...

Portsmouth

Portsmouth, across the Elizabeth River from Norfolk, has a well-maintained historic area called Olde Towne, which has handsome buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries...

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...

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 nation's...

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 District is on...

Blue Ridge Parkway

...

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 rocks...

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...

Jamestown

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

Irvington

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

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 farmers' market...

Manassas

The county seat of Prince William County (though officially an independent city), Manassas was considered a strategic crossroads during the Civil War, which is why...

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 beaches beckon, as do a marina...

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...

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...

Stratford Hall Plantation

...

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...

Woodbridge

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

George Washington Birthplace National Monument

...

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...

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 jewelry...

Tangier Island

Crab traps stacked 10 feet high, watermen's shanties on the water, and a landscape virtually devoid of modern commercialization characterize this Virginia island fishing community...

Chantilly

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

Waterford

...

Occoquan

...

Wintergreen Resort

...

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, epitomizes the refined elegance of...

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...

Williamsburg and Hampton Roads

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

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...

Richmond

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

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 by...

Williamsburg

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

Fredericksburg

Halfway between Richmond and Washington, near the falls of the Rappahannock River, Fredericksburg is a popular destination for history buffs. The town's 40-block National Historic...

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 small...

Charlottesville

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

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 decades. With...

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 city...

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 historic village...

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...

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 and huge...

Lynchburg

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

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...

Staunton

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

Chincoteague

The island resort town of Chincoteague (pronounced shin-coh-teeg), which means "large stream or inlet"—also known as Chincoteague Island—exudes a pleasant aura of seclusion. Small, but...

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 each year...

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 292...

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 2010. It also holds the country's...

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 culture...

Bath County

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

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, listed on the National Register of...

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 Revolutionary...

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...

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) and...

Woodlawn

...

Tysons Corner

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

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 in...

Portsmouth

Portsmouth, across the Elizabeth River from Norfolk, has a well-maintained historic area called Olde Towne, which has handsome buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries...

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...

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 nation's...

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 District is on...

Blue Ridge Parkway

...

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 rocks...

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...

Jamestown

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

Irvington

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

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 farmers' market...

Manassas

The county seat of Prince William County (though officially an independent city), Manassas was considered a strategic crossroads during the Civil War, which is why...

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 beaches beckon, as do a marina...

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...

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...

Stratford Hall Plantation

...

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...

Woodbridge

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

George Washington Birthplace National Monument

...

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...

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 jewelry...

Tangier Island

Crab traps stacked 10 feet high, watermen's shanties on the water, and a landscape virtually devoid of modern commercialization characterize this Virginia island fishing community...

Chantilly

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

Waterford

...

Occoquan

...

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 Virginia into...

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 by...

Williamsburg

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

Fredericksburg

Halfway between Richmond and Washington, near the falls of the Rappahannock River, Fredericksburg is a popular destination for history buffs. The town's 40-block National Historic...

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 small...

Charlottesville

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

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 decades. With...

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 city...

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 historic village...

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 and huge...

Lynchburg

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

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...

Staunton

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

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 each year...

Chincoteague

The island resort town of Chincoteague (pronounced shin-coh-teeg), which means "large stream or inlet"—also known as Chincoteague Island—exudes a pleasant aura of seclusion. Small, but...

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 292...

Hampton

Founded in 1610, Hampton is the oldest continuously existing English-speaking settlement in the United States—having celebrated 400 years in 2010. It also holds the country's...

Bath County

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

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 culture...

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, listed on the National Register of...

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 Revolutionary...

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...

Woodlawn

...

Tysons Corner

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

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) and...

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 in...

Portsmouth

Portsmouth, across the Elizabeth River from Norfolk, has a well-maintained historic area called Olde Towne, which has handsome buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries...

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...

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 nation's...

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 District is on...

Blue Ridge Parkway

...

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 rocks...

Irvington

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

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...

Jamestown

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

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 beaches beckon, as do a marina...

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...

Manassas

The county seat of Prince William County (though officially an independent city), Manassas was considered a strategic crossroads during the Civil War, which is why...

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 farmers' market...

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...

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...

Woodbridge

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

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...

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 jewelry...

Chantilly

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

Occoquan

...

Waterford

...

Richmond

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

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 by...

Williamsburg

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

Fredericksburg

Halfway between Richmond and Washington, near the falls of the Rappahannock River, Fredericksburg is a popular destination for history buffs. The town's 40-block National Historic...

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 small...

Charlottesville

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

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 decades. With...

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 city...

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 historic village...

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 and huge...

Lynchburg

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

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...

Staunton

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

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 each year...

Chincoteague

The island resort town of Chincoteague (pronounced shin-coh-teeg), which means "large stream or inlet"—also known as Chincoteague Island—exudes a pleasant aura of seclusion. Small, but...

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 292...

Hampton

Founded in 1610, Hampton is the oldest continuously existing English-speaking settlement in the United States—having celebrated 400 years in 2010. It also holds the country's...

Bath County

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

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 culture...

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, listed on the National Register of...

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 Revolutionary...

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...

Woodlawn

...

Tysons Corner

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

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) and...

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 in...

Portsmouth

Portsmouth, across the Elizabeth River from Norfolk, has a well-maintained historic area called Olde Towne, which has handsome buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries...

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...

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 nation's...

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 District is on...

Blue Ridge Parkway

...

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 rocks...

Irvington

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

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...

Jamestown

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

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 beaches beckon, as do a marina...

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...

Manassas

The county seat of Prince William County (though officially an independent city), Manassas was considered a strategic crossroads during the Civil War, which is why...

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 farmers' market...

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...

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...

Woodbridge

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

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...

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 jewelry...

Chantilly

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

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, epitomizes the refined elegance of...

Williamsburg and Hampton Roads

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

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...

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...

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...

Loudoun County

...

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, epitomizes the refined elegance of...

Williamsburg and Hampton Roads

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

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...

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...

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...

Loudoun County

...

Shenandoah National Park

...

George Washington Birthplace National Monument

...

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 this Virginia island fishing community...

Tangier Island

Crab traps stacked 10 feet high, watermen's shanties on the water, and a landscape virtually devoid of modern commercialization characterize this Virginia island fishing community...

See All Destinations Hide All Destinations

Top Experiences

History

Recent Forum Posts

F
Toll without E-ZPass in Virginia
Fabio started Oct 23, 2024 |Last reply Oct 24, 2024 View Post 5 replies 426 views View Post
Virginia
Bilboburgler started Nov 23, 2022 |Last reply Nov 23, 2022 View Post 7 replies 154 views View Post
Virginia shooting
Bilboburgler started Nov 14, 2022 |Last reply Nov 16, 2022 View Post 11 replies 344 views View Post
Amtrak: A Day in Fredericksburg, Virginia
Daniel_Williams started Jul 25, 2022 |Last reply Jul 28, 2022 View Post 19 replies 3993 views View Post

SEE ALL POSTS

Guidebooks

Our worldwide travel correspondents bring you the best and most up-to-date coverage of over 7,500 global destinations.

Shop Now

Fodor's Washington, D.C.: with Mount Vernon and Alexandria
For over 80 years, Fodor's Travel has been a trusted resource offering expert travel...

View Details

Fodor's The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the USA: All 63 parks from Maine to American Samoa
Whether you want to hike through the jaw-dropping scenery of Acadia, see rare wildlife and...

View Details

Fodor's Best Weekend Road Trips
Whether you want to explore a national park, visit major tourist sights, or escape to a...

View Details

Virginia

Find a Hotel

Find a Hotel

Top Destinations

Top Destinations

Central and Western Virginia

Northern Virginia

Williamsburg and Hampton Roads

Richmond, Fredericksburg and the Northern Neck

Richmond

Alexandria

Williamsburg

Fredericksburg

Arlington

Charlottesville

Virginia Beach

Roanoke

Norfolk

Virginia's Eastern Shore

Blacksburg and the New River Valley

Newport News

Lynchburg

Lexington

Staunton

Chincoteague

Abingdon

Petersburg

Shenandoah National Park

Hampton

Middleburg

Bath County

Winchester

Harrisonburg

Yorktown

Reedville

Charles City County

Woodlawn

Tysons Corner

Leesburg

Portsmouth

Mount Vernon

Orange County

New Market

Blue Ridge Parkway

Great Falls Park

Hopewell

Jamestown

Irvington

Dayton

Manassas

Cape Charles

Warsaw

Middletown

Stratford Hall Plantation

Wolf Trap

Woodbridge

George Washington Birthplace National Monument

Gunston Hall

Washington

Tangier Island

Chantilly

Waterford

Occoquan

Wintergreen Resort

Central and Western Virginia

Northern Virginia

Williamsburg and Hampton Roads

Richmond, Fredericksburg and the Northern Neck

Richmond

Alexandria

Williamsburg

Fredericksburg

Arlington

Charlottesville

Virginia Beach

Roanoke

Norfolk

Virginia's Eastern Shore

Blacksburg and the New River Valley

Virginia

TRAVEL GUIDE