In the event you’re on the lookout for enjoyable issues to do in Virginia, right here’s a spherical up of a number of the finest days journeys from Charlottesville!
I’ve lived in Charlottesville for greater than a decade now (that’s so laborious to imagine!!) and it’s one of the vital stunning locations to dwell! There’s a lot to see and do inside a number of hours drive. You’ll be able to roll out on a day journey from Charlottesville to see stunning landscapes, waterfalls, mountaintops, mountaineering trails, historic landmarks, theme parks, and lakes. You’ll be able to even attain the ocean – Virginia Seaside – in a few hours!
We’ve got a objective to do extra day journeys with the boys this 12 months. Now that Birch is older, capable of make it by means of a day with out a nap, and doesn’t cry in his automobile seat (more often than not!), we’re prepared for brand new household adventures. A day journey is a lot simpler than an in a single day – a lot much less packing to do!
With hotter climate on the horizon, listed here are a few of my favourite day journeys from Charlottesville, plus a number of new ones on our bucket listing!
Greatest Day Journeys From Charlottesville
Notice that earlier than you go to, you’ll wish to verify with every vacation spot to see what well being/security pointers are at present in place..
1. Monticello + Highland
Tremendous near residence, you possibly can simply spend an entire day at Monticello! One of the well-known historic websites within the state, Monticello is the house of Thomas Jefferson, the founding father of the College of Virginia, sits on the prime of “little mountain.” Monticello is the one U.S. presidential and personal residence on the UNESCO World Heritage Websites Checklist. It’s vital to notice that the property was a plantation and Jefferson had enslaved folks. The curators don’t gloss over this historical past, and there are reveals on how the slaves lived and the way Jefferson profited off of their labor.
Be ready to stroll round lots – the grounds and gardens are expansive. And the views are stunning. Monticello holds a number of festivals all year long, together with Founders Day within the spring, a Naturalization Ceremony on the 4th of July, and the Heritage Harvest Pageant each fall. Whereas the grounds are extra crowded, there’s much more to see and do throughout a pageant.
Highland, which was James Monroe’s residence, can be simply outdoors of Charlottesville. Highland gives excursions of the farmhouse and outlying buildings and has a museum store together with a Virginia Artisans Room. I’ve truly by no means finished the tour, however I’ve been to Highland for a marriage and a rustic truthful!
2. Colonial Williamsburg + Jamestown
A second very well-known historic website in Virginia is Colonial Williamsburg, about 2 hours from Cville. There’s a ton to see and do within the coronary heart of the historic district, and we’ve been a number of instances. Take a look at this submit from after I took child Mazen: A Weekend in Colonial Williamsburg. As a residing historical past museum, you’ll see plenty of folks in costumes within the working village with a blacksmith, potter, baker, brick maker, farmer, and different colonial retailers. At every one, you’ll discover a reenactor who will inform you in regards to the course of for creating their items. Make sure you dine in a number of the taverns and have some actual Colonial fare and ale! I’d suggest a spring or fall go to because you’ll be doing a whole lot of strolling and going out and in of buildings, however Christmastime can be a particular time to go!
Make sure you jump over to Jamestown too and go even additional again in historical past to America’s first everlasting settlement. The reenactments in Jamestown are very real looking to what life should have felt like again then.
3. Busch Gardens + Nice Wolf Lodge
These are fantastic child adventures you possibly can add on to a Williamsburg journey! Busch Gardens is a big journey theme park full of curler coasters and rides. It has a European theme and meals choices with a enjoyable Oktoberfest celebration!
Nice Wolf Lodge is an indoor water park positioned inside a kid-friendly resort. You’ll be able to examine our go to in February 2019 right here. Mazen had a BLAST!
4. Richmond
Richmond is Virginia’s capital and a simple one-hour drive from Cville. Final 12 months Thomas and I went to Richmond for an in a single day: Enjoyable Issues To Do In Richmond, VA. We packed lots into our go to, however there’s nonetheless a lot left to see! From our keep on the Jefferson Resort to strolling throughout the James River to Belle Isle to beer tasting in Scott’s Addition, you’ll discover plenty of leisure. There’s additionally the Quick Pump space for purchasing, which is a day journey we used to make commonly. The Maymont Gardens are additionally on our listing of locations to take the children. There are gardens and an incredible nature middle with plenty of animals to see.
5. Washington, DC
A 2.5 hour drive by means of stunning countryside, DC makes an incredible day journey or weekend getaway. Our listing contains visits to the Nationwide Zoo, which is free to the general public, and a few of DC’s wonderful museums. I do know Mazen would love the Smithsonian Air and House Museum. Clearly there’s a ton to see in DC: the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Reflecting Pool, the Capitol and the White Home. Take a look at my go to to the White Home right here!
6. Blue Ridge Parkway + Humpback Rock Hike
Simply off the Blue Ridge Parkway about an hour from Charlottesville is Humpback Rock Hike. This hike is brief and steep – about 1 steep mile to the highest. Take a picnic to eat on the prime! The views of the Shenandoah Valley are wonderful! Undoubtedly go on a heat fall day. Might I recommend October 26? It could get fairly crowded and in addition chilly on the prime, so maintain each of these in thoughts. Right here’s an in depth submit in regards to the mountaineering expertise.
7. Shenandoah Nationwide Park
About half-hour from Cville, the 105-mile Skyline Drive runs alongside the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains and takes you proper by means of Shenandoah Nationwide Park. It’s the one public street by means of, and there’s a toll. This can be a nice journey to soak up the autumn when the foliage is at its peak of orange and crimson and the times are nonetheless heat for some nice mountaineering! This submit outlines a number of itineraries and routes to take to see the overlooks and pack in some mountaineering: Shenandoah Nationwide Park Day Journey Planner.
8. Previous Rag Hike
Previous Rag is likely one of the finest mountaineering trails on the East Coast, if I do say so myself! The 8-mile hike is one large loop that takes the higher a part of a day to do. Pack loads of water, particularly within the summertime, and a picnic for the highest of the mountain. After I first hiked it, I used to be shocked at how a lot scrambling we needed to do on the prime. There have been some rocks I couldn’t recover from with out a raise or hand from a companion (at my top!). So observe that this hike isn’t for freshmen or anybody with restricted bodily means. Take a look at my weblog submit recap right here (the day that Anne received engaged!!).
9. Crabtree Falls
Just a little over an hour’s drive southwest of Charlottesville is George Washington Nationwide Forest. The Crabtree Falls hike winds subsequent to 1,000 toes of waterfall drop – an excellent spectacular waterfall! The three.5-mile hike took us a few hours, together with stops for images, a picnic, and pausing to admire nature’s magnificence : ) Seize sandwiches from Bellair Market to take pleasure in on the prime.
10. Luray Caverns
Found in 1989, Luray Caverns are the most important caverns within the jap U.S. and also you’ll discover some actually spectacular underground rock formations. Bear in mind stalactites and stalagmites from science class? That’s what’s inside! You’ll be capable to wander by means of the cave and see mud flows and swimming pools. Nice for a steamy scorching summer time day when it is advisable to cool off underground. Your ticket additionally contains entrance to the Automobile & Carriage Caravan Museum, Shenandoah Heritage Village, and Toy City Junction. The drive is about 1.5 hours from Cville.
11. Richmond Metro Zoo
We had a blast on the Richmond Metro Zoo final 12 months! This regional zoo is on the smaller aspect, which makes it stress-free and nice for youths. You’ll nonetheless see tons of untamed animals! There’s a safari trip and a ski raise trip and lots to fill a day. I like to recommend feeding the giraffes, too! We purchased tickets on-line (whole of $67 for the 4 of us) for a 9:45 a.m. entrance time. We left Charlottesville round 8:30 and made the journey in about an hour and quarter-hour. Parking was free and straightforward, however we discovered fairly a protracted line to enter. I undoubtedly suggest going early – by the point we left the place was crawling with folks! Lastly, you possibly can convey a picnic lunch, which we did to simplify lunchtime.
12. Wintergreen
About 40 minutes from Cville is the Wintergreen Resort, the closest snowboarding to city. We’ve had a blast going there the previous few years. As a newbie, I discover the slopes very difficult! In the event you’re used to West Coast snowboarding you won’t 🙂 Listed below are my suggestions for snowboarding at Wintergreen. Ski college is fashionable for households however fills up quick. Verify the forecast to make sure there’s snow. It will get heat right here and generally all of it melts! There are condos surrounding the slopes which you could lease for the weekend.
Wintergreen can be enjoyable mid-summer, and the resort has tennis, golf, and a pool.
13. Middleburg
In Loudoun County, Middleburg is likely one of the most charming small cities in Virginia. Often called the “horse and hunt capital,” it’s on our listing to go to both for a day journey or an in a single day on the Salamander Resort.
14. The Virginia Creeper Path
On the far western tip of Virginia is the tiny city of Abingdon. From there, you possibly can lease bikes and take a shuttle to Whitetop Station and cruise down the 35-mile Virginia Creeper Path. The outdated railway path takes you thru stunning countryside and throughout bridges. The primary 17 miles are downhill; the second 17 are flatter. Enjoyable truth: I did this journey with my dad and mom after I was in highschool and cherished it!!! It’s the final word journey for youths who like to bike (though I might suggest for older youngsters).
15. Smith Mountain Lake
We’ve been to Smith Mountain Lake a number of instances as a household, and it’s one among our favourite summer time spots. Take a look at my weblog submit right here from Mariner’s Touchdown and right here from an Air B&B home we rented with my dad and mom within the fall. The lake is gorgeous and deep, excellent for fishing, boating, and swimming.
16. Civil Conflict Battlefields
In the event you’re keen on American historical past, you’ll wish to go to a number of the historic battlefields in Virginia. Manassas Nationwide Battlefield is 5,000-acre park that was the scene of two main Civil Conflict battles, and the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania Nationwide Navy Park that features preserved battlefields, a church, cemetery, and extra.
17. Charlottesville Space Vineyards
Clearly I’ve to say all of our vineyards! Discover a designated driver, pile right into a automobile, and spend the day with your folks winery hopping. We’ve got so many wonderful vineyards inside a 20-minute drive. From polo at King Household on Sundays to Saturday night time Starry Nights at Veritas, there are many particular occasions to plan round, too. There are vineyards each massive and small, so combine and match relying on how intimate of an expertise you’re after. An ideal spring, summer time, or fall day!
Please add to the listing within the feedback!! The place are your favourite locations to go to?
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