Whether you’re close enough to make it a road trip, want to travel romantically by train, or decide on a quick flight in, let’s take a look at some must-visit destinations in the great state of Virginia.
If you're looking for a fun getaway, no matter what time of year you're trying to travel, the state of Virginia has so much to offer. There's a reason the state's motto is "Virginia Is For Lovers." From majestic mountain views, multiple shorelines, and big cities, what's not to love? Whether you're close enough to make it a road trip, want to travel romantically by train, or decide on a quick flight in, let's take a look at some must-visit destinations in the great state of Virginia.
Richmond, Virginia
Not only the state capitol, but Richmond was also the capital of the Confederacy pre-civil war. The city is rich in history, a lot of it controversial, but that still doesn't mean it's not worth a visit while in Virginia. Whether you're into art and want to experience the VMFA (Virginia Museum of Fine Arts), which hosts world-class exhibits; explore Maymont park, which is a historic estate with stunning botanical gardens as well as a petting zoo if you're traveling with little ones or are a kid at heart. Richmond also has a fantastic culinary scene, so whether you're vegan, looking for authentic Italian, or want to get Michelin star (there are several with that honor in the city), it's easy to enjoy good food while you're there. Lastly, Richmond scores points in its proximity to other must-visit destinations making it a short drive to the next place on our list.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach is one and half hours from Richmond by car. Even if you're visiting Virginia during the off-season, the city of Virginia Beach is an exciting place to spend a day. If you're visiting during the summer, you might want to stay several! With a relatively long boardwalk culminating in a beautiful pier, the ocean views are gorgeous there. Not to mention, the boardwalk is lined with shops both kitschy and high-end, so there's something for everyone as far as shopping. The same can be said for eating out in Virginia Beach. Of course, pizzerias and fast food joints abound. Still, many local restaurants either on the boardwalk or down their side streets offer delicious, fresh fare – especially if you're looking for seafood.
Another great thing about Virginia Beach is if you're not looking for a cliche touristy experience, you can accomplish that by staying in the North End of the oceanfront or visiting one of the many nature preserves within ten miles of the central oceanfront.
Charlottesville, Virginia
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains lives the charming small city, Charlottesville. Having been voted one of the best places to live in the country before, there's plenty of reasons to visit. Boasting more restaurants per capita than any other American city aside from New York, NY, you'll be eating well no matter where you decide to dine in town. Charlottesville was home to Thomas Jefferson, and his touch is felt throughout the city, especially on the campus of the University of Virginia, which he helped found.
Charlottesville, though small, also has a variety of fun shopping experiences many cities three times its size don't offer. With luxury shops like Scarpa or Eloise while walking the charming streets. The town is also home to the longest pedestrian mall in the country, known as The Downtown Mall. Brick-lined with shops and eateries along both sides, you can easily spend a day shopping, eating, and grabbing coffee on "the mall," as locals referred to it.
The beauty of Virginia is its centrality to so many other amazing cities. So if you're visiting Philadelphia, you're only four hours from central Virginia. New York? Six. Boston? Nine. Atlanta? Eight. So, no matter where your travels take you if you're traveling on the road, it's 100% worth it to take a couple of days to explore and find out why Virginia truly is for lovers. So go ahead and start shopping for road trip snacks, new luggage, plus size clothing online, petite sizes online, or straight sizes, because everybody has a great time in this beautiful state! Happy trails!
Photo by STEPHEN POORE on Unsplash
