The start of the school year will be here before you know it. Although the start of school can be exciting, it also means less free time for things like traveling.
If you’re looking to make the most of the remaining days of summer, consider going on a last-minute day trip to one of these six underappreciated Virginia destinations.
Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg is an excellent destination for a day trip this year given the country’s 250th anniversary. Explore what life was like in Williamsburg in the 18th century by visiting original buildings, viewing active blacksmithing, woodworking, and gunsmithing workshops, and interacting with historically dressed interpreters.
The 301-acre former colonial capital also features two art museums, the Aldrick Rockefeller Folk Art Museum and the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Colin G. and Nancy N. Campbell Archaeology Center where you can learn about the work being done to preserve Williamsburg’s historical legacy.
Make sure you dine at one of the historic taverns, like Kings Arms Tavern, where costumed servers treat you to colonial-era dishes by candlelight.
If history isn’t your thing, you still may want to visit Williamsburg for a day of fun at Water Country USA, the Mid-Atlantic’s largest water park.
Arlington
If you want the excitement of the nation’s capital without actually having to go to Washington, D.C., Arlington is a great choice for a day trip. And Arlington National Cemetery should be at the top of your itinerary.
Marvel at the large Memorial Amphitheater while reflecting on the sacrifices service men and women have made over the generations before going for a peaceful stroll through the Memorial Arboretum, where more than 9,800 native and exotic trees grow. Be sure to also visit the gravesite of President John F. Kennedy, where an eternal flame burns from the center of a five-foot circular granite stone.
Arlington also has a lot to offer art lovers, with a range of self-guided public art tours, including those through Clarendon and Ballston.
Plan to picnic at Gravelly Point, a National Park Service site at the intersection of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and the Potomac River. While enjoying your lunch, you can watch the boats go by and planes take off.
Bedford
Located where the Piedmont Plateau collides with the Blue Ridge Mountains, Bedford offers a range of historical and recreational sites that make for an engaging day trip.
This year is an ideal time to visit the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, as it’s celebrating its 25th anniversary while the country marks its 250th anniversary. The memorial features plazas with striking depictions of various moments from D-Day, including the landing and fighting that went on.
While there, learn about The Bedford Boys, the 44 service members from Bedford who were sent to Normandy. Bedford experienced the country’s highest per capita D-Day loss in comparison with its wartime population. Admission is free for those under 6, $10 for students, and $15 for adults.
Not far from the town and still within the boundaries of Bedford County in Hardy, the Booker T. Washington National Monument is a great stop for families interested in learning more about African American history. Although he was one of the most influential Black leaders of his time, Washington was brought up as an enslaved person on a 207-acre tobacco farm.
The monument spotlights what the farm would have been like from the 1850s through the Civil War. Visitors can explore the Visitor Center to see exhibits related to Washington, the garden, and the farm. There are also two trails that lead to various plantation buildings, fields, and forests. Entry to the monument is free.
You can end the day peacefully on the water at Smith Mountain Lake State Park in Huddleston, which is also in Bedford County. Boat rentals for the large freshwater lake are available. The lake is also ideal for swimming or fishing. Then grab a casual dinner with waterfront views just down the road at Tiff’s.
Staunton
Staunton in the Shenandoah Valley offers small-town vibes but with a heaping dose of culture.
The town’s biggest cultural draw is the American Shakespeare Center. With its exposed beams and chandeliers, the Blackfriars Playhouse was built to resemble Shakespeare’s Blackfriars Theatre from the early 1600s. The center stages a range of Shakespearean works, modern classics, and adaptations.
After enjoying a show, take a 45-minute guided tour of the playhouse. They’re $10 per person.
Children and adults will also surely appreciate learning about life on the frontier during the 1600s and 1700s at the Frontier Culture Museum. The outdoor museum features historical exhibits that come alive with costumed interpreters.
Most people likely don’t realize that Staunton is also home to the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum, which tells the story of the 28th president’s tenure in office from 1913 to 1921. It’s located in The Manse, Wilson’s birthplace. While there, be sure to look for the Pierce-Arrow limousine Wilson used for official business. Tickets are free for children 5 and under, $12 for youth 6 to 17, and $20 for adults.
In between stops at cultural and historical sites, do some shopping at stores like the Foxtails gift shop in the downtown area.
Charlottesville
Take a day trip to Charlottesville to learn about early American presidential history. The city also offers a noteworthy art museum and lively downtown mall.
There’s no denying that Monticello is the city’s biggest draw. The plantation served as the primary home for Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. It’s also where he crafted the Declaration of Independence. Various tours and exhibits offer insights into Jefferson’s life and the workings of the household. Be sure to look for the Plantation Model, a bronze relief model of the 5,000 acres that made up Monticello. Ticket and tour pricing can be found here.
Just up the road is Montpelier, the home of James Madison, the fourth United States president. The site features active archaeological sites, the Montpelier Burial Ground, and the Annie duPont Formal Garden. Tours guided by interpretive staff can help you make the most of your visit. Look for the Mysteries of Montpelier exhibit, which uses artifacts to tell the story of those who lived there. Property passes are $5 for children ages 5 to 11, $10 for youth ages 12 to 17, and $15 for adults.
The Fralin Museum of Art at UVA is one of the commonwealth’s can’t-miss art museums, offering exhibits ranging from ancient times to the present day. Its 14,000 objects range from European and American paintings and photographs to African and Native American artifacts. The best part is that the museum offers free admission.
Continue your exploration of Charlottesville by visiting the historic Downtown Mall, where a variety of shopping and dining options can be found along the brick-paved route.
Petersburg
Visit Petersburg for a day trip to learn about its key role in 19th-century American history. After learning about its legacy, experience its present by shopping or dining in the Historic Old Towne.
A trip here wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the Petersburg National Battlefield, which preserves the site where eight offensives and 70,000 casualties occurred over a 292-day period as part of the Siege of Petersburg. The site can be appreciated by schoolchildren, those interested in Civil War history, and those simply looking to appreciate the natural beauty of the 2,659-acre park.
To make the most of your trip to the battlefield, go on the 16-stop driving tour, which includes Five Forks Battlefield where the battle that led to the Confederate troops retreating to Appomattox.
Be sure to wander around the grounds of Centre Hill Mansion, which was built in 1823 by Revolutionary War veteran Robert Bolling IV. The Federal-style mansion shows what life was like for the aristocracy in the 19th century. The basement galleries feature memorabilia and photographs from Petersburg history, as well as stuffed birds from Australia from a turn-of-the-century aviary.
It’s a good companion stop to the battlefield, since Abraham Lincoln visited the house to see Union General George Hartsuff following the fall of Petersburg and Richmond in 1865. The mansion has since appeared in a number of film and television productions, including “Killing Lincoln,” Turn,” and “Mercy Street.”
In the evening, head to The Brickhouse Run, a pub and restaurant serving homemade British and American specialties in a 190-year-old building, for dinner.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
