10 places in Virginia that are straight out of a fairytale

Discover 10 magical Virginia destinations that transport visitors to fairytale settings, from historic English manors to enchanted forests with wild ponies.

Virginia’s landscape is dotted with magical destinations that transport visitors to storybook settings. From historic English manors and Bavarian villages to wild ponies and mystical forests with carved tree characters, these destinations offer enchantment for all ages. Here are 10 Virginia locations that seem plucked straight from the pages of fairytales.

1. Agecroft Hall & Gardens 

4305 Sulgrave Rd., Richmond, VA 23221

A genuine 16th-century English manor house transported piece by piece to Richmond in 1926, Agecroft Hall creates an authentic Tudor experience overlooking the James River. The museum offers guided tours that feature original 16th-century paneling, armor, period furniture, and a magnificent window adorned with an ancient coat of arms.

The 23-acre property includes beautiful gardens that visitors can explore through self-guided tours. The venue hosts special events year-round, including the annual Richmond Shakespeare Festival each summer, adding to its storybook atmosphere.

2. Fenton Inn

29 Shelton Laurel Trl., Roseland, VA 22967-2161

Described as a “charming Bavarian village,” the Fenton Inn nestles in the Blue Ridge Mountains between the Blue Ridge Parkway and Wintergreen Resort. The architectural marvel combines museum-quality craftsmanship with European aesthetics and modern amenities.

Built by an architect who mastered octagons while rebuilding Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, the inn features complex shapes, towers, a curving street, and countless artistic details. Guests begin each day with a complimentary breakfast in a quaint bakery setting, completing the fairytale European village experience.

3. Chincoteague Island

3335 Main St., Chincoteague Island, VA 23336

Famous as the setting for “Misty of Chincoteague,” Chincoteague Island offers enchantment beyond its wild ponies. Visitors can see ponies up close at the Chincoteague Pony Centre, view Misty herself at the Museum of Chincoteague Island, or book boat tours to observe ponies in their natural habitat.

The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge provides miles of sandy beach, birding opportunities, hiking and biking trails, and a historic lighthouse. Families enjoy activities ranging from mini-golf to pirate-themed boat rides, while shoppers and diners find plenty of options throughout the island.

Mare with young foal in morning fog at Chincoteague National Wildlife Reserve. (David Kay/Shutterstock)

4. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

1800 Lakeside Ave., Richmond, VA 23228

Over 50 acres of spectacular gardens create botanical magic at the popular Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond. A classical domed Conservatory, the only one of its kind in the Mid-Atlantic, anchors more than a dozen themed gardens, including a Children’s Garden, Rose Garden, Asian Valley, and Cherry Tree Walk.

Seasonal events and exhibits, including art installations, outdoor concerts, and a holiday light show, enhance the garden’s natural beauty throughout the year. Secret spaces and world-class botanical displays provide enchantment for visitors of all ages.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden features more than a dozen themed gardens. Photo courtesy of Paul Fries

5. Luray Caverns

101 Cave Hill Rd., Luray, VA 22835

Described as “Geology’s Hall of Fame,” Luray Caverns offers an underground world of wonder in the Shenandoah Valley. Well-lit, paved walkways guide visitors through cathedral-sized rooms with 10-story-high ceilings filled with towering stone columns and crystal-clear pools.

The caverns feature the world’s only Stalacpipe Organ, which creates music of symphonic quality from stone formations. Above ground, visitors can explore the Car & Carriage Caravan Museum and the Shenandoah Heritage Village, completing a day of both natural and historical enchantment.

6. Great Falls Park

9200 Old Dominion Dr., McLean, VA 22102

Just 15 miles from the nation’s capital, Great Falls Park offers 800 acres of spectacular natural beauty where the Potomac River builds speed and force as it falls over jagged rocks and flows through the narrow Mather Gorge. The park provides extraordinary views along with 15 miles of hiking trails and five miles of horseback riding and biking paths.

Visitors can explore the area’s rich history along the historic Patowmack Canal, while enjoying the park’s stunning scenery and tranquil rapids. Whether with family or friends, Great Falls provides an enchanting day trip filled with natural wonders.

Great Falls Park is the place where the Potomac River builds speed and force as it falls over jagged rocks and flows through the narrow Mather Gorge. (Courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation)

7. Grayson Highlands State Park

829 Grayson Highlands Ln., Mouth of Wilson, VA 24363

Wild ponies roam freely among alpine-like peaks at Grayson Highlands State Park, creating scenes reminiscent of fantasy novels. Located near Virginia’s two highest mountains, the park provides access to Mount Rogers and offers spectacular views from elevations exceeding 5,000 feet.

Visitors should maintain a respectful 50-foot distance from the wild ponies while enjoying the park’s network of hiking trails, waterfalls, and overlooks. The high elevation that provides stunning views can also bring dramatic weather changes, requiring hikers to be well-prepared for their adventures.

A fall landscape in Grayson Highlands State Park. (AlbertHerring/CC BY 2.0)

8. Fairy Stone State Park

967 Fairystone Lake Dr., Stuart, VA 24171

Fairy Stone State Park, Virginia’s largest original state park, draws visitors seeking its namesake rare mineral crosses. Legend holds that when fairies heard of Christ’s crucifixion, their crystallized tears formed beautiful cross-shaped stones.

These staurolite crystals, formed during the rise of the Appalachian Mountains, are found in abundance here but are rare elsewhere. Beyond the mystical stones, the 4,741-acre park offers a 168-acre lake, cabins, camping, hiking trails, swimming, and boat rentals.

Cabin in Fairy Stone State Park. (Virginia State Parks/CC BY 2.0)

9. Natural Bridge State Park

6477 South Lee Hwy., Natural Bridge, VA 24578

Once owned by Thomas Jefferson and listed as a National Historic Landmark, the 215-foot-tall Natural Bridge creates a scene worthy of fantasy illustrations. This limestone gorge, carved by Cedar Creek, anchors a state park that also features beautiful forests, rolling meadows, and vistas of surrounding mountains.

Seven miles of hiking trails include the Cedar Creek Trail, which leads from the visitor center under the bridge to Lace Falls with its 30-foot cascade. The natural arch, formed through karst terrain processes, has inspired wonder for centuries and continues to enchant visitors today.

Natural Bridge is a 215-foot-tall limestone gorge. (Courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation)

10. The Enchanted Forest

211 Wallace St., Warsaw, VA 22572

Hidden on a wooded property in Warsaw, The Enchanted Forest lives up to its name with nearly 100 tree carvings depicting beloved characters. Visitors follow winding trails to discover figures like Thor, Harry Potter, Winnie the Pooh, and Elsa emerging from tree trunks. Creator Tom Rhodes, a retired engineer from the Virginia Department of Transportation, began transforming the 11.5-acre woods in 2004 with his first carving of the Wood Spirit.

The property features approximately a mile of winding paths through dense woods, where cartoon characters, superheroes, and Virginia state symbols, such as the cardinal and dogwood, appear around every bend. Although Rhodes sold the property five years ago, the local realtor who purchased it has preserved the magical forest and allows Rhodes to continue maintaining it.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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