Must-see attractions in Virginia

  • Dale Chihuly glass reed sculpture at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts VMFA in Richmond, Virginia

    Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

    Richmond

    Richmond is a cultured city, and this splendid art museum is the cornerstone of the local arts scene. Highlights of its eclectic, world-class collection…

  • Reconstruction of wooden fort in the Historic Jamestowne Settlement in Virginia.

    Historic Jamestowne

    Virginia

    Run by the NPS, this fascinating place is the original Jamestown site, established in 1607 and home of the first permanent English settlement in North…

  • Exterior sign for the Art Museums at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.

    Art Museums

    Virginia

    Entered through Colonial Williamsburg's former public hospital, this complex is home to two equally splendid museums: the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts…

  • The Mariners' Museum in Newport News, Virginia.

    Mariners' Museum

    Virginia

    One of the biggest, most comprehensive maritime museums in the world. The on-site USS Monitor Center houses parts of the Civil War–era Monitor, one of the…

  • Richmond, Virginia, United States, North America

    Poe Museum

    Richmond

    Contains the world's largest collection of manuscripts and memorabilia of poet and horror-writer Edgar Allan Poe, who lived and worked in Richmond…

  • Virginia State Capitol, Richmond, Virginia, America..Photograph taken after sunset..The Capitol Building houses the oldest elected legislative body in USA, first established as the House of Burgesses in 1619

    Virginia State Capitol

    Richmond

    Designed by Thomas Jefferson, the capitol building was completed in 1788 and houses the oldest legislative body in the Western Hemisphere – the Virginia…

  • The historic Berkeley Plantation in Virginia.

    Berkeley Plantation

    Virginia

    Dating from 1726, this plantation on the James River was the birthplace and home of Benjamin Harrison V, a signatory of the Declaration of Independence,…

  • The interior hallway at the Chrysler Museum of Art.

    Chrysler Museum of Art

    Virginia

    A glorious setting for an eclectic collection of artifacts from ancient Egypt to the present day, including works by Henri Matisse, Albert Bierstadt,…

  • Rappahannock Oyster Company

    Virginia

    This influencer in the oyster world was established in 1899. It harvests more than 180,000 oysters each week, many of which are shipped to restaurants…

  • Visitors walk past the “Welcome to Virginia” and “Welcome to Tangier Island!” signs on their way to Main Street on Tangier Island.

    Tangier Island

    Virginia

    This island in the middle of the Chesapeake is a veritable trip into the past. Its inhabitants, watermen whose families have lived here for centuries,…

  • The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center.

    Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

    Virginia

    If you want to see an aquarium done right, come here. In various habitats, you can see a great array of aquatic life, including sea turtles, river otters…

  • Historical reenactors at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

    American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

    Virginia

    Formerly the Yorktown Victory Center, this expanded exhibition space and living history museum vividly describes the build-up to the Revolutionary War,…

  • Sunset in the marshes of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia.

    Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

    Virginia

    This lush preserve has hiking trails where you can look for wild horses. There's also beachfront and a lighthouse. The 3¼-mile Wildlife Loop is open to…

  • Yorktown Battlefield

    Virginia

    Yorktown Battlefield, run by the NPS, is the site of the last major battle of the American Revolution. Start your tour at the visitor center and check out…

  • Interior exhibit

    Freedom House Museum

    Alexandria

    This demure Federal-style row house holds a tragic story. At a time when Alexandria was the nation’s second-largest slave center (after New Orleans), a…

  • Alexandria Black History Museum

    Alexandria

    Paintings, photographs, books and other memorabilia documenting the African American experience in Alexandria, one of the nation’s major slave ports, are…

  • The historic Carlyle House, in Alexandria, Virginia.; Shutterstock ID 302612909; Your name (First / Last): redownload; GL account no.: redownload; Netsuite department name: redownload; Full Product or Project name including edition: redownload

    Carlyle House

    Alexandria

    If you have time for just one historic house tour in Alexandria, make it this one. The house dates from 1753 when merchant and city founder, John Carlyle,…

  • The compounding room

    Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum

    Alexandria

    In 1792 Edward Stabler opened up his apothecary (pharmacy) – a family business that would operate until 1933, when the Depression forced its doors to…

  • National Battlefield Park Civil War Visitor Center, American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar, Richmond, VA, U.S.A.

    Richmond National Battlefield Park

    Richmond

    The dozen Civil War sites and four visitor centers that comprise this park can be visited on an 80-mile driving tour around Richmond. The best place to…

  • Raised walkway through marsh at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  ; Shutterstock ID 511038628; Your name (First / Last): Trisha Ping; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Trisha Ping/65050/Online Editorial/Virginia

    Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

    Virginia

    This 9250-acre wildlife and migratory-bird marshland habitat is most stunning during the December migration season. The refuge's visitor center is open…

  • Belle Isle State Park

    Virginia

    Belle Isle State Park beckons travelers who want a full menu of outdoor activities. This is a small state park, yet it boasts picnic areas, boat launches,…

  • George Washington Masonic National Memorial

    Alexandria

    Alexandria’s most prominent landmark features a fine view from the observation deck of its 333ft tower. Modeled after Egypt’s Lighthouse of Alexandria, it…

  • National Inventors Hall of Fame & Museum

    Alexandria

    Housed in the atrium of the US Patent and Trademark Office, this museum tells the history of the US patent. Step inside to see where the story started in…

  • Historic Christ Church

    Virginia

    Built in 1735, this historic country church approximately two miles north of Irvington was the gift of wealthy landowner and colonial politician, Robert…

  • Hollywood Cemetery

    Richmond

    Perched above the James River rapids, this tranquil cemetery contains the gravesites of two US presidents (James Monroe and John Tyler), the only…

  • Shirley Plantation

    Virginia

    Built on the banks of the James River, this is Virginia's oldest plantation (1613). It retains an original row of brick service and trade houses – tool…

  • St John's Episcopal Church

    Richmond

    It was here that firebrand Patrick Henry uttered his famous battle cry – 'Give me Liberty, or give me Death!' – during the rebellious 1775 Second Virginia…

  • Jamestown Settlement

    Virginia

    Popular with kids, the state-run Jamestown Settlement reconstructs the 1607 James Fort; a Native American village; and full-scale replicas of the first…

  • Reedville Fishermen's Museum

    Virginia

    Here’s the place to get the historical lowdown on the region’s fishers. The small museum is filled with photos and artifacts. See the historic work boats…

  • Torpedo Factory Art Center

    Alexandria

    What do you do with a former munitions dump and arms factory? How about turning it into one of the best art spaces in the region? Three floors of artist…

  • Historic Tredegar

    Richmond

    Part of the multisite American Civil War Museum, this fascinating exhibit – housed inside an 1861 iron works that at its height employed 800 free and…

  • College of William & Mary

    Virginia

    Chartered in 1693, the College of William & Mary is the second-oldest college in the country and retains the oldest academic building in continued use in…

  • Nauticus

    Virginia

    This massive, interactive, maritime-themed museum has exhibits on undersea exploration, aquatic life of the Chesapeake Bay and US Naval lore. The museum's…

  • Virginia Museum of History & Culture

    Richmond

    Virginia's attic is looking pretty darn impressive after a multimillion-dollar renovation. With easy-to-digest changing and permanent exhibits tracing the…

  • Canal Walk

    Richmond

    The 1.25-mile waterfront Canal Walk between the James River and the Kanawha (ka-naw-wha) and Haxall Canals is a lovely way of seeing a dozen highlights of…

  • Naval Station Norfolk

    Virginia

    The world's largest navy base, and one of the busiest airfields in the country. Hampton-based company Tidewater Touring works with the base to offer 45…

  • First Landing State Park

    Virginia

    Shake off the Virginia Beach flash at this lower key 2888-acre woodland, which has 20 miles of hiking trails and 1.5 miles of beach, plus opportunities…