Virginia is a beautiful state with many natural wonders and opportunities for adventure.
The mountains, rivers, and beaches in Virginia are beautiful. You can do many things there. The outdoors or the beach: you can do whatever you want!
Virginia is a state with many mountains. It is home to some of the most beautiful places in Virginia, like Roanoke and Charlottesville. There are many parks in Virginia. They have beautiful views and hiking trails. You can camp or just enjoy nature at her finest. There are 19 national parks in Virginia that you can visit!
There is no better time to visit this state. There are low rates on flights and hotels here so you can stay in hotels or fly and see all of the things in our state. You won’t regret it!
1. Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
The Appomattox Court House National Historical Park is a place where you can see many things. It was made into a park to show what life was like during the Civil War and World War II. It’s one of twelve parks that are federally designated.
The place where General Robert E Lee signed his surrender at the end of the Civil War has been restored thanks to donations from people across America for projects like this.
Pets: Pets are not allowed in buildings at parks. They can be a little more relaxed at the visitor center.
Camping: Appomattox Court House National Historical Park is a beautiful place to visit. It’s also not like other parks because there are no lodging or camping services available. Be sure to plan before you come!
Tour: Appomattox Court House National Historical Park has many things to do. You can go birding, hiking or driving. Go to the Visitor Center and learn about what you can do there. There are some places where you can meet people from history and explore more of Virginia’s Civil War history at Wilderness Road State Park & Museum.
Entrance Fee: You can visit different parks in the US. You may have to pay a fee. But there are ways to get a pass for free: you can buy a one-day pass, or you can become an American citizen over 62 years old and then you don’t need to pay any money at all!
2. Assateague Island National Seashore
One of the things that make Assateague Island special is its location. It has miles and miles of beautiful beaches for exploring, it’s surrounded by saltwater with views out to sea forever, but you can also explore wildlife like deer or birds without leaving your car!
It has two different parts. One is a freshwater marshland with many animals and the other is the beach. You can go to the beach if you want to see the ocean.
Pets: Assateague Island National Seashore is a dog-friendly place. Dogs can go to campsites without any extra payments. It has beautiful views of the ocean and other beaches.
Camping: Assateague Island is a beautiful beach destination. But you must be careful of the waves and high tides. If you camp on the Maryland side, then make sure that you have a permit before coming, and don’t reserve more than 10 campsites at once if you are not reserving them ahead of time.
Tour: Explore the wilds of a national seashore! You can do many things there: camp, take programs with rangers, explore wildlife photography, and more. There are many ways to enjoy it. Maybe you like hiking or biking through its scenic landscape or taking in a horseback ride on the beach.
Entrance Fee: In order to get into the park, you need to pay $20 at a time. But if you want to go in all year, there is an annual pass available for $40 which will save you time!
3. Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial
The Arlington House is an interesting and often overlooked building located in Washington D.C., only a short walk away from the White House.
The Robert E. Lee Memorial was built for General Robert E. Lee but he never lived there because it was burned down during the Civil War. It then became a home for Union troops and they eventually made it into a memorial in his honor.
Pets: Arlington House is a historic landmark. They protect it with dogs. They can’t come inside when they’re not leashed and even when they have an off-leash hour, they are only allowed in dog parks.
Camping: The Robert E. Lee Memorial is a house in Arlington, Virginia. It was the home of the most famous white supremacist in American history. There are no hotels or campsites nearby.
Tour: Arlington House tells many stories about the south’s culture and history. The house doesn’t just have slave quarters on the Northside of the property. There are also archeological discoveries in the Slave Quarters that you will want to explore!
Entrance Fee: Arlington House is a historic estate in Virginia that is now a memorial and offers free entrance to visitors all year.
4. Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is the longest park in America. It goes through Virginia and North Carolina. Along the way, there are a lot of beautiful views. You can see beautiful streams and other things that we hold dear in our country from your car window. One day, you might see an eagle flying high overhead!
The 469-mile long national park offers many incredible sights, including Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Pets: There are dogs on the Parkway. This is good because it means people can take their pets to walk.
Camping: The Blue Ridge Parkway has three backcountry campgrounds. To go camping, you need to get a permit first. You can only stay at designated sites.
Tour: The Blue Ridge Parkway is a beautiful scenic route through the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina and Virginia. You can stop at many parks to camp, enjoy music concerts or just take leisurely hikes through all sorts of different terrain from forests to mountain peaks shrouded with misty fog. The views are breathtaking!
Entrance Fee: The Blue Ridge Parkway is a free scenic highway. It goes through the mountains and landscapes of Southern Appalachia.
5. Booker T. Washington National Monument
The Booker T. Washington National Monument is a place where you can get an up-close look at the life of one of America’s most inspirational figures, as well as learn about his contributions to society today.
This monument stands on 207 acres. This is where Booker T. Washington used to live. The building also has a Memorial Day event every year which includes tours around the current day landmarks from African American history like Brown v Board (which we all know went down back when he was alive).
Pets: The Booker T. Washington National Monument is a place where pets are allowed inside the building.
Camping: This national park does not have many places to stay, but you can still visit. The views are breathtaking and the terrain is beautiful.
Tour: You can hike on the Jack-O-Lantern Branch Trail. The trail is 1½ miles long, but you are never too far from a guide at the visitor center. If you need to eat while out there, feel free to have your picnic in one of many scenic spots.
Entrance Fee: Know the great Americans by visiting them. You do not have to pay an entrance fee.
6. Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park
Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park is a beautiful place to visit. There are big forests for exploring, creeks, and open fields.
The park is near Virginia’s Route 56. It was established by President George W Bush, who left office after 8 years. President Bush did this on December 19th, 2002 with 388 units under his presidency.
Pets: No pets are allowed in Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park because they want the history of both places to be preserved.
Camping: Camping spots are hard to find, but the ones that are available are usually reserved months in advance by people who love nature and people who like the military.
Tour: The Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park is a great place to go on hikes with the rangers, attend ranger programs, or even go to nighttime star parties. You can also just take beautiful walks there.
Entrance Fee: Cedar Creek and Belle Grove have different rules. Cedar Creek entrance is free, but at Belle Grove, you need to pay $10.
7. Colonial National Historical Park
The natural beauty of the Colonial National Historical Park is on full display. You can see trails, forests, and meadows where there are animals like deer, raccoons, and more.
The scenery in this park will have you feeling like you are in a different time. Trees from all over America grow there and people can do hiking or horseback riding to experience something new.
Pets: Pets are allowed at the National Park Service. You can explore the Historic Site and Island Loop Drive with your pet, but not in any visitor center or museum areas. Except for seeing-eye dogs/service animals.
Camping: Camping is not allowed in the bounds of Colonial National Historical Park.
Tour: Colonial National Historical Park is a good place to go for people who want to enjoy nature. You can watch birds or hike in this park. It’s perfect in the spring when the ground is covered with wildflowers and in the fall when leaves are changing colors.
Entrance Fee: To enter Colonial National Historical Park, you’ll need to pay the entrance fee of $15.
8. Cumberland Gap National Historic Park
The Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is one of the most beautiful parks in America. Visitors can explore different regions. You can see it through three states: Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia.
The park has many opportunities for people to enjoy. There is the natural beauty that travelers can explore as well as history where we walk on trails where pioneers walked westward in the early 19th century.
Pets: The Cumberland Gap National Park is a great place for your dog to explore. Dogs are allowed as long as they are on their leash and doing what their owner tells them to do.
Camping: Golden Age, Interagency Senior Pass, or Interagency Access Pass holders can stay in any tent or RV site for just $9.00 per night! Group campsites are also available; they cost $4.50 per person when there are up to 10 people.
Tour: Cumberland Gap National Historic Park tells the history of a very important place. There are trails for exploring with beautiful views and waterfalls, too. You can take a tour of Cumberland Gap Cave with a ranger to learn more about it!
Entrance Fee: Cumberland Gap is a national park for people to go hike. There are no entrance fees. The best part is that it’s free!
9. Fort Monroe National Monument
Fort Monroe was built in the 18th century. It is one of America’s most important historical sites. For a long time, it was occupied by Union forces, Confederate troops, and then as a military prison for captured Confederates after 1861. In 2011, it was decommissioned as an Army training facility.
This building has been a prison for people. It was a prison from 1776 to 1911. This building had prisoners like Robert E Lee and Jefferson Davis. They were prisoners from this place who were not free to go anywhere else with chains on their legs so they couldn’t get away on the train.
Pets: Fort Monroe is a place to go for people who love pets. When you go, make sure that you bring your pet with you. Pets are allowed on leashes and there are places where they can be unleashed too.
Camping: You can stay with your family at Fort Monroe National Monument. There are campsites for RVs and tents. You will enjoy the area.
Tour: Fort Monroe was a fort from the Civil War. Now it is a museum. There are displays of military history, including uniforms and weapons that span centuries. There is information about attractions like museums for people who want to visit Hampton.
Entrance Fee: The Fort Monroe National Monument is a free monument for everyone.
10. Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park
There is a place in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park called Fredericksburg. It has four major battles, including one called Fredericksburg. There are many different places to go there. You can visit a visitor center or see monuments that honor each battle throughout the day.
The Gettysburg National Military Park is a place where not only those who died are remembered, but also key historic sites like battlefields where Union and Confederate troops fought.
Pets: Pets are welcome at any place in the park. But not in the Fredericksburg National Cemetery.
Camping: The Fredericksburg National Cemetery is a place with lots of history. There are no hotels or camping spots there because it is near the battlefields and other places in town.
Tour: The Fredericksburg National Cemetery is an important place. It is home to many Confederate soldiers, including a man named Stonewall Jackson. There are other battlefields nearby that you can visit and learn more about the history of this area.
Entrance Fee: The Fredericksburg National Cemetery entrance fee is $2 for those ages 10-61. For seniors over 61, the price drops to just a dollar! Children under ten and school groups up until 12th grade are free of charge as well.
11. George Washington Birthplace National Monument
The George Washington Birthplace National Monument is a site of American history. It was an English colonial tobacco plantation, and now it is home to the first president.
The story begins with John Washington and his wife Anne Pope settling in Westmoreland County during 1659-1674 for their family’s new life as planters on former Native American hunting grounds that were rich in resources such as fish from the Rappahannock River valley and game animals like deer, turkey, rabbits all easily hunted by pioneers or later settlers alike who settled this area because they knew there would be no competition when harvesting these goods which could last them through winter before supplies needed replenishing again next year.
Pets: George Washington Birthplace National Monument is a good place to visit if you love dogs. They can’t come in unless they are on their leash and under your control.
Camping: There are camping spots near the George Washington monument. You can sleep there while you visit it.
Tour: The George Washington you can enjoy in many ways, such as from the comfort of a bike, on foot, or from your fishing boat.
Entrance Fee: The George Washington Monument is a popular tourist spot in DC. It’s free to enter. But you must have your ID ready!
12. George Washington Memorial Parkway
The George Washington Memorial Parkway is a road that goes through Virginia. It goes next to the Potomac River and you can see the water. It also leads to Mount Vernon because General and President George Washington lived there for a while.
The parkway is between Arlington and Mclean. One side of the parkway is the beltway, and the other side is I-66. Access to Ronald Reagan National Airport is only from I-66, not from the beltway.
Pets: Pets are not allowed in historic homes on the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
Camping: There are no camping facilities on this site. It still makes a good place to stop and take in some history before continuing your journey.
Tour: The George Washington Memorial is a building to honor the first president of the United States. The cost of going inside has just gone up a little bit. You can go in for free, but it will now cost $5 to go inside.
Entrance Fee: Last month, the George Washington Memorial was raised $5. The monument is open every day from sunrise to sunset for free admittance and tours.
13. Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site
The Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site is very interesting. It has a house with a style called Queen Anne that is being restored, and there are also exhibits about the history of African Americans in America as well as Ms. Walker’s own life story!
This historic site provides you with information about African-Americans. They were able to become successful business owners even though they were not allowed to do things like drink out of the same water fountain as white people. You may have never known that before visiting the site.
Pets: Only the animals that help people with disabilities are allowed in this place. It’s accessible for those who need the assistance of their pets.
Camping: Camping is not allowed at the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, but if you want to experience the history and be close to your family, this could be your ticket!
Tour: If you get a Junior Ranger badge, you will know how to be an excellent ranger. You can learn about Black history in America.
Entrance Fee: The Maggie Walker National Historic Site is free and open to the public every day.
14. Manassas National Battlefield Park
Many battlefields are across the country where American soldiers fought. Manassas National Battlefield Park is one of them, and it’s just north of our city! This historic site commemorates two major battles that took place during Civil War times near what was then a small town called “Manassas Junction.”
It would be so cool to go to this park for field day next year or just take your kids out there soon. You’re sure they will like it because they will get to run all over the large fields with nothing around them, and you’ll also get a chance to see the history from when this park was built.
Pets: The dog park is a good place to let your dog off its leash. Be sure to keep it on a leash when you take it out for walks through nature!
Camping: Manassas National Battlefield Park does not have camping spots, but they do offer other things to do such as hiking trails. You might also enjoy their memorials from this historic battle site.
Tour: Manassas National Battlefield Park is a place to see how people fight. It is also for kids to learn about nature, outdoor activities, and military tactics. There are guided tours during the year and living history events like BARK Ranger where visitors can explore the park as if they were there during The First Battle Of Manassas!
Entrance Fee: People can get into the Manassas National Battlefield Park if they don’t have money. It is a good place to explore.
15. Petersburg National Battlefield Park
Petersburg National Battlefield is very interesting. It has a lot of different places to go, like the Petersburg Breakthrough Museum, Bermuda Hundred Campaign Area Visitor Center, and Fort Gregg Interpretive Stop & Park Store – all in addition to many other exhibits. The battlefield was very important during the Civil War era!
This place preserves important sites related to America’s most devastating war. There are lots for people who love history or want to go on outdoor adventure activities like hiking through the forest and going kayaking down rivers where there have been sightings of otters.
Pets: Dogs are welcome at Petersburg National Battlefield. They can run off-leash as long as they don’t go into the battlefield.
Camping: People can choose to stay in a hotel or sleep in a tent. They can also camp out. This is like when you sleep outside in the wilderness, but only for one night.
Tour: Do you want to go for a hike or bike ride? You can do that at Petersburg National Battlefield Park! There are trails and exhibits with history. You will be able to learn about the past and even try your luck fishing.
Entrance Fee: Petersburg National Battlefield is a place where you can come and spend time. You will not have to pay anything.
16. Prince William Forest Park
Prince William Forest Park is a place where animals can live. There are many different types, like red-spotted newts and white-tailed deer. It’s also got salamanders and green herons, too!
Prince William Forest Park was established by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936. It is a place for recreation and conservation. They have saved many animals from going extinct over the past 60 years, including frogs and salamanders!
Pets: Prince William Forest Park is a great place for pets. It has lots of trails and animals that will make any pet happy.
Camping: William Forest Park Prince is a land that welcomes everyone. You can stay in the park, but only with two tents per site and no campfires.
Tour: Prince William Forest Park is a place you can explore. You can climb trees and bike on dirt roads or paved paths. You could stay in one of their cabins for a night to experience what the park has to offer, including ranger-led programs like orienteering!
Entrance Fee: To enter the park, you have to pay a fee of $20. But if it is too expensive for one day, then an annual pass is only $35. That way you can always go and not worry about paying again.
17. Richmond National Battlefield Park
If someone goes to the Richmond National Battlefield Park, they can see a lot of Civil War history. There are 13 different battlefields that people can visit. They are all in the downtown area. People can explore these battlefields, following in the footsteps of famous generals from both sides throughout their defense or attack on this former Confederate capital city.
The park is really big. It has 150 acres for preservation and 500 acres with paths and other things like picnic areas. The park is over 1,000 acres total, which makes it one of the largest parks in Virginia.
Pets: The Richmond National Battlefield Park welcomes your pet, as long as they are on a leash. They can explore the natural beauty and wartime history of this park.
Camping: You can’t sleep in your camper at the Richmond National Battlefield Park. If you want to take a camper with you when visiting, it is not good. It is camping and not allowed by the park rules.
Tour: The Richmond National Battlefield Park is the perfect place to exercise and explore! There are many trails, bike paths, and ranger-led events that you can do all year round.
Entrance Fee: Richmond National Battlefield Park has a place called Fort Magruder. It is famous and people can explore it without paying entrance fees. There is also the White House that people can visit without paying entrance fees.
18. Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park is a place with many animals. There are deer, squirrels, and black bears. It is home to lots of birds too. The park is 500 miles long and it goes along the Blue Ridge Mountains which have trails that go through them.
A lot of people like Skyline Drive. It has more trails and is a park. Skyline Drive is so popular that it has been voted America’s favorite national park since 1936!
Pets: You can take your dog to Shenandoah National Park. You should not leave him behind because he cannot go on the trails.
Camping: Camping in Shenandoah National Park will take you back to when there were fewer rules, like before cities. There is still wildlife here. It is a good place for people who want peace and quiet.
Tour: Camping in Shenandoah National Park is like going back to a time before people lived there. There are lots of animals and it’s the perfect place for someone who wants some peace.
Entrance Fee: Shenandoah National Park is a place with woods, hills, and views. You can go there for a day. But you need to pay $30 if you want to enter.
19. Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
One of the performing arts centers is in a national park. Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts has 117 acres of land to play on. It also has great amenities available for you to use.
The main thing at this place is a 3200-seat amphitheater. Every year, they have some of America’s best performances. There are also two other outdoor venues: one that can seat 870 people and the other that can seat 1836 people.
Pets: The Wolf Trap National Park has many kinds of pets. You can bring your pet to the park as long as they are on a leash or in an enclosed carrier.
Camping: You cannot camp at the campground. Unless you are allowed to do so by the Camp Director, you will be expelled from the park and lose all of your money if you sleep at the site for more than one night.
Tour: Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is a place that you can go to do many things. You can bark like a dog, take tours in Fairfax County, or see animals. If these things are not your cup of tea, there are other activities such as catching some talks about performances before they happen and seeing children’s performances too!
Entrance Fee: Wolf Trap National Park has a lot of trees and flowers. You can go there for picnics. There is also an amphitheater where people can play music.
Virginia is a great place to go on vacation. The state has many natural wonders that are waiting for you. Virginia is beautiful every season of the year.
We’ve told you about some things that you will see if you visit Virginia this year. There are lots of other places to go. Which adventure will your family do next?
