Shenandoah Area

Shenandoah Valley is a beautiful area to visit there are so many great things to do you can visit the beautiful Luray Caverns or you can visit the Shenandoah National Park. There are so many awesome things to visit my favorite place is probably Luray Caverns and The Natural Bridge.

The Lurary Caverns is the most popular cave in Eastern America and is also an international tourist destination. You can take one hour tours, along well-lighted, paved walkways that lead you through cathedral-sized rooms with ceilings 10 stories high. Enormous chambers are filled with towering columns, shimmering draperies and crystal-clear pools. Also you can “Hear Rocks Sing” from the Great Stalacpipe Organ which is completely unique and a one of a kind instrument. The most popular areas in the cavern include the wonderous Titania’s Veil, the Totem Poles, Frozen Fountain, Double Column, and Dream Lake. Lurary Caverns also has a garden maze, the Luray Valley Museum, and the Singing Tower.


The Natural Bridge is also an amazing wonder to visit. The Natural Bridge is 20 stories of solid rock carved by the fingers of nature. On your visit to the Natural Bridge you can visit the Natural Bridge Caverns, Cedar Creek Trail, Monacan Indian Village, and the Wax Museum and Factory Tour. You can also take a break at the Cedar Creek Café or visit the Archway Grill next to the gift shop.

The Shenandoah National Park is another great place to visit you can hike the beautiful Shenandoah Mountains, take a bike ride or a horseback ride you can enjoy some camping and fishing as well. You can also visit the beautiful waterfalls such as Overall Run Falls which is the tallest waterfall in the park and there are also 8 other falls around the area. The Shenandoah Valley is also a beautiful area where you can visit George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. There is also a great number of beautiful wineries in the Shenandoah Valley.

There are a couple other great areas to visit such as:
• Virginia Military Institute

• Washington and Lee University
• Stonewall Jackson House
• The George C Marshall Museum located at VMI
• Shenandoah University
• Lee Chapel

The Shenandoah area is one of my favorite places in Virginia and it is also a wonderful place to visit. It has beautiful mountains, and other natural wonders and also some wonderful historical areas. So embrace your outdoors side and visit the stunning Shenandoah area.

Charlottesville Virginia

Charlottesville Virginia is a self-regulating city located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In 2004 it was voted the best place to live. It is the home to many places including the home of the University of Virginia founded by President Thomas Jefferson. The city is also known for Jefferson’s home Monticello. Charlottesville brings in many visitors every year due to its rich history and also the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
Charlottesville is the home to three former presidents Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe and James Madison. Thomas Jefferson’s home Monticello overlooks the city from a top Monticello Mountain; you can tour the home and gardens and step into history. There is also the Monticello Wine Trail which is what Thomas Jefferson envisioned he saw vineyards and wines from his native state standing shoulder to shoulder with the great wines of the Old World. Today, the Commonwealth of Virginia is the 5th largest producer of wine in the United States, with the Monticello Wine Trail as its crown-jewel, truly fulfilling Jefferson’s vision of winemaking in Virginia.

James Monroe’s home Ash-Lawn Highland was originally called the “Highland” but was later called Ash Lawn but both names are used today. You can take a look into how James Monroe lived and the plantation hosts several activities such as a yearly wine fest sometime in May that lets you sample wines from Virginia's notable wineries, hosts live music, hearty gourmet foods, selected handcrafted gifts and tours of the Monroe house.

The mansion of James Madison is called Montpelier which has historic buildings, exhibits, archaeological sites, gardens, forests, hands-on activities, a new Visitor Center, and a freedman's cabin and farm. Here you can you can spend an hour or two—or a day or two—strolling the grounds, picnicking, and learning more about the man whose contemporaries called "Father of the Constitution," and the woman who inspired the title "First Lady."

Charlottesville also is known for the Charlottesville Downtown Mall which is considered one of the finest urban parks in the country. This pedestrian mall is home to a vibrant collection of more than 120 shops and 30 restaurants located in the historic buildings on and around old Main Street Charlottesville. In the downtown mall you can stop by the Virginia Discovery Museum which is a great place for families to engage minds, excite imaginations and explore the world around them. The Charlottesville Downtown Mall also is the home to some of the best entertainment venues in Central Virginia such as The Paramount Theatre which was opened in 1931which was the grand movie place for four decades until it was closed and then reopened in 2004. It also is the home of the Live Arts Theatre and the Charlottesville Pavilion which hosts many spring and summer concerts every year.

There are several things to do in Charlottesville weather you are a history buff or would just like to go somewhere to relax and see the beautiful mountains around you. There is something for everyone so come visit sometime.

Williamsburg, Virginia

Williamsburg, Virginia is the home a most of Virginia’s history. Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown, William and Mary College are all extremely important areas of history. Although there are a lot of historical areas here there is also a great deal of other exciting things to do which makes Williamsburg a great place to visit with family or with a significant other.

Some fun and exciting activities to do while you’re in Williamsburg is to visit Busch Gardens Theme Park it has a 17th century charm with 21st century technology it more than 50 rides and attractions which provide fun for the whole family whether you are a roller coaster person or are interested in getting lost in their many themed shows or you are interested in taking your children to the park there is something for everyone. Also during the spring and summer season Water Country USA is also a great place to relax and take a fun dip in the many water rides at the largest water park in Virginia.

If you are interested in a great museum you can always visit the Virginia Living Museum which hosts several displays, exhibits and hands on activities focused in areas such as a wildlife park, an aquarium, science center, aviary, botanical perserve, and a planetarium. This indoor/outdoor attraction provides fascinating fun adventures for all ages. Some highlights are a 3/4 mile outdoor trail with animals living in their natural habitats including bobcats, river otters, pelicans, and red wolves, a 30,000 gallon aquarium, a touch tank, hands on discovery centers and 6 different planetarium shows.

Williamsburg is a premiere golf destination so if you are a golfer then Williamsburg would be a wonderful place to visit. It has a collection of 15 championship golf courses that are challenging and beautiful. You can play several courses and still play 9 holes at a river course before the sun goes down. Kingsmill-Woods Course is a newer course and was named by GOLF magazine as one of the "Top Ten Courses Available for Public Play". All the courses here however will provide a truly memorable round of golf.

Williamsburg also is the residence of some wonderful shopping, restaurants, and some drinking venues. They include:
• Williamsburg Antique Mall
• Lenox Factory which sells fine china and other beautiful gifts
• Prime Outlets of Williamsburg has several brand name stores

• Fort Cherokee Native American Indian Arts and Crafts
• Gabriel Archer Tavern
• Williamsburg Winery, Ltd.

• Williamsburg Ale Werks
• Christiana Campbell’s Tavern
• The Haunted Dinner Theatre
• Mystery Dinner Playhouse
• Old Chickahominy House
As said above Williamsburg is known for its history, one of the most popular historical venues to visit is Colonial Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg gives tourists a spontaneous real-time feel of the area during the revolution. It holds 88 original 18th century structures such as the Governor’s Palace and The Capitol. Tourists can get tours from costumed interpreters some are dressed as George Washington, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Jefferson. There are also Ghost Walks at night which interpreters share ghost stories of the past by a candle light tour of the town. There are also several children activities and children can also rent a costume so they feel like part of history.

Jamestown and Yorktown are also popular areas to visit. Jamestown was the first English settlement in the United States and was established in 1607. Yorktown is where the 6 year struggle of the Revolutionary War came to an end. Things to do in Jamestown include replicas of the 3 ships that sailed from England to Virginia in 1607 and recreation of the Fort and Powhatan village.


Other Historical venues to visit include:
• Yorktown Battlefield

• Yorktown Victory Center
• The Berkley Plantation home to 9th and 23rd presidents and also a signer of the Declaration of Independence

• The College of William and Mary 2nd oldest university in the nation

Williamsburg is a beautiful area to visit. I have been there several times and everytime I learn or see something new. I recommend Williamsburg to anyone who is looking for a great time it has everything you could possibly want in a vacation history and fun activities.

Richmond, Virginia 101

Virginia as some say is the gateway to the South. There is so much to offer, which is why our slogan is "Virginia is for Lovers". It means something to everyone who lives here or visits here, it can mean love for our mountains, beaches, history, theme parks, vibrant cities, outdoor activities, or our hospitality. Love is at the heart of every Virginia vacation.
Richmond, Virginia the state capitol is a very popular tourist destination. While it hosts several historical aspects it also features a lot of entertaining characteristics for families with and without children. I have lived in Midlothian, Virginia my whole life; Midlothian is a suburb of Richmond so I have been able to experience most of Richmond’s attractions. One much known area in Richmond is the James River, it runs through the heart of Richmond. April through November you can take historically narrated canal cruises along the James River. Also during the spring and summer seasons you can park at Pony Pastures, or Belle Isle and walk out onto the large boulders in the river and where you can relax on the rocks, canoe, kayak, sunbath or go take a nice dip in the water.

Richmond hosts many museums such as the Black History Museum, Virginia Holocaust Museum, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and the Edgar Allen Poe Museum. The Virginia Museum of fine arts is an excellent place to visit it displays African, American, Modern and Contemporary and many other collections. It hosts adult lectures and other classes for adults and children.
Richmond offers other several interesting places to visit such as:
• Agecroft Hall
• Confederate War Memorial Chapel
• Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens

• The Science Museum of Virginia

• Hanover Tavern
• St. Johns Church
• Maymont Park

Hollywood Cemetery
• Virginia Capitol building
• Metro Richmond Zoo
• The River District
• The shops of Carytown
• White House of the Confederacy
• Virginia Commonwealth University
• University of Richmond
• The Landmark Theatre
• The Byrd Theatre


Richmond also offers wonderful companies, festivals, nightlife and restaurants.

• The Richmond Symphony
• The Richmond Ballet
• Theatre IV
• The Greek Festival
• The Food and Wine Festival
• Italian Street Festival
• The Watermelon Festival

• The National
• Delux
• Martini Kitchen and Bubble Bar

• Bella Italia
• Azzuro Restaurant
• Can Can Brasserie

• Nile Ethiopian Restaurant Café
• Carytown Burgers and Fries
• The Galexy Diner

Richmond has tons to offer I have visited many of the places listed above and enjoy visiting them every time. Although I have just listen popular attractions Richmond holds much more and if you visit you’ll be able to discover them just by walking down Cary street or Monumental Avenue. So if you’re looking for one amazing place to visit Richmond is one perfect place to start your Virginia vacation.