Best Places to Visit in Virginia

It is interesting that Virginia's state slogan is "Virginia Is For Lovers," because here there is something for everyone to love. Rich in history, culture, arts and entertainment, Virginia has everything you could ask for. Here are a few things every tourist should add to their itinerary when coming to visit this great commonwealth.

Located near Charlottesvile, Virginia, Montichello was the home of Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States and author of the Declaration of Independence. Declared by the United Nations as a World Heritage Site, Montichello holds significant American and world meaning.

The tour of Montichello begins at the visitors center where there are plenty of Jeffereson's personal artifacts, videos and information about his personal life. Take a quick bus ride to the grounds at the top of the hill and tour the grounds. Additional tickets can be purchased to tour the inside of the house. All well worth the money.

When you get hungry be sure to stop into the Michie Tavern, a restaurant in business since 1784. Also close by is the Carter Mountain Apple Orchard and nearby vinyard a great place for family fun.

Considered by many as one of the most significant historic sites in the United States, Colonial Williamsburg is a treasure trove of history and culture. The area encompasses the historic towns of Jamestown (first settlement), Williamsburg, and Yorktown.

Virginia Beach is the party city of Virginia. With the beach, boardwalk and great clubs and hotels there is no shortage of fun and entertainment.

One the first destinations for any Virginian tourist should be The Museum of the Confederacy. With Richmond being the capital city of the Confederate United States many of the battles were fought in and around the city. The Museum did a great job collecting much of those Civil War relics you just can't find anywhere else.

Formed as a partially collapsed limestone cave the Virginia Natural Bridge is a National Historic Landmark. The bridge is breathtaking to see in person as it stands 215 ft high and 90 ft wide. It was a holy site for the local Monacan Tribes and was thought to be first seen by George Washington when he worked as a surveyor. It was later purchased by Thomas Jefferson who built a small cabin to house dignitaries who came to see the marvels of the New World.

Located in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, the Luray Caverns are a great place to take the family for a day of adventure. Discovered in 1878 the Luray Cavern is open year round and sees many visitors who marvel at some of the best preserved geological marvels like speleothems, stalactites, stalagmites and flowstone. The cave is well known for it's Great Stalacpipe Organ, a natural xylophone that creates unique music.

Luray, Virginia has many other attractions to keep the family occupied like the Luray Valley Museum, Car and Carridge Caravan Museum, Garden Maze, and the Luray Singing Tower.

Established in 1611, Henricus is the second town established by the Virginia colonists 400 years ago. Excavated and rebuilt for tourists, the Henricus Historical Park is a great destination for history lovers and nature seekers. See how life was like inside the walls of the fortified town and how the local Native Americans lived during those times.