All Other Destinations and Attractions in Virginia

The Smith's Fort Plantation is located in the pleasant town of Surry. Built over an eleven year timeframe from 1751 till 1765, this home was once the home of Jacob Faulcon and his family. The house is decorated in the fashions of the mid 18th Century and many interesting artifacts along with the family history are on display. The home is near the James River and the well kept grounds make for pleasant strolling.

Bacon's Castle located in Surry was built in the mid to late 17th Century and looks much as it did back then, the only exception being the Greek Revival Addition added in the mid 19th Century. Bacon's Castle is furnished in period pieces and decorated in the fashions of the time. A museum store is located on site and sells mementos of the castle.

The Chippokes Plantation State Park located near Surry is a pleasant place to spend an afternoon or to stay overnight. The park is located on the James River and features a swimming complex, visitor's center, picnic sites, and a campground. Hiking and biking trails wind their way through the park.

Learn everything you ever wanted to know about Nuclear Energy at the Surry Nuclear Information Center. Models and interactive displays are used to help educate the public about nuclear power stations.

The Stonewall Jackson Museum at Hupps' Hill is located in Strasburg. The museum features the life and times of General Stonewall Jackson, and his role in the US Civil War. Also on display are uniforms and all manner of Civil War memorabilia. The museum has an active event calendar featuring education and fun targeted at children.

The Museum of American Presidents in Strasburg looks at the presidents of the United States and their role in history. The museum also has a unique collection of personal items, furniture, and documents belonging to some of the presidents.

The Strasburg Museum looks at life in the mid 19th Century. Stroll through recreated workshops and view displays of antique items from Strasburg and the surrounding area. The old Railroad Station houses the Strasburg Museum.

The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum located in Staunton traces the life and times of this great American and 28th President of the United States. Here visitors will find a detailed history of Wilson's life along with his personal possessions. The museum is housed in a large chateau style mansion and the galleries are well laid out. Be sure to check out the Boxwood garden originally planted in 1933 and maintained by the Garden Club of Virginia.

The Frontier Culture Museum located in Staunton offers a fascinating glimpse of farm life from three different countries; Britain, Germany, and the United States. Costumed interpreters recreate life from days gone by and interact with visitors answering any questions they may have.

The Burwell-Morgan Mill is water powered grinding mill located in Millwood. The mill was built in 1785 and has been in operation ever since, ceasing commercial operations in 1943. Tours are available and visitors will be treated to fresh ground wheat.

Long Branch was built around 1805 by Robert Carter Burwell. The estate has been owned by such famous men as Lord Culpeper, Lord Fairfax, and Robert "King" Carter.

Mount Rogers National Recreation Area offers a variety of outdoor opportunities. There are 11 campgrounds within the Recreation Area, as well as backcountry campsites. For those looking for a little more comfort there are also a few cabins available.Mount Rogers National Recreation Area prohibits motorized vehicles along trails but there are extensive trails designated specifically for hiking, horseback riding, and biking.

The Appalachian Spirit Gallery features mixed media paintings, jewelry design, stained glass and fabric art. The Appalachian Mountains are celebrated through a display of local talent. Paintings range from traditional to impressionist, landscapes to landmarks.The Appalachian Spirit Gallery is housed in the former home of Lola Poston Harriman, the artist who painted the large murals in the Lincoln Theatre.

If you are passing through Marion be sure to visit the State Trout Culture Station. The Marion Hatchery is one of the oldest of its kind in Virginia.

Flowerdew Hundred located in Hopewell is one of the oldest land tracts in Virginia. It was established in 1619 along the James River and has been continuously occupied since. There is a museum on site that provides further insight into Flowerdew Hundred and the surrounding areas.

Hopewell's Weston Manor was built in 1789 by the Gilliam family. With much of the interior being original, this Georgian Manor is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Tours of Weston Manor provide details on the history of the home and the families that have lived here.

City Point Unit of Petersburg National Battlefield was the supply depot of the Union Army. General Grant made his headquarters here during the Siege of Petersburg.

The Ralph Hostetter Museum of Natural History is home to more than 6,000 artifacts and specimens including Virginia wildlife, mounted North American and African game animals, insects, minerals and marine life. Highlights at the Museum of Natural History are the the 3,000 year-old mummy hand, the Kodiak bear, and the two-headed calf.The Discovery Room has hands-on activities, aquariums and herbariums with live animals.

Harrisonburg Children's Museum features exhibits geared to families such as the Creation Station Art Studio, Construction Zone, Science Area, theatre and performing arts stage, Country Kitchen and a mountain climbing wall. Children 12 and under will enjoy the numerous hands-on displays.

The Virginia Quilt Museum in Harrisonburg displays quilts, old and new, and discusses the history of quilt making and its role in society. The museum present rotating exhibits and is located in the Warren-Sipe House, which some say is haunted.

Cave Mountain Lake Recreation Area in the Blue Ridge Mountains is a wonderful natural area. The Recreation area offers opportunities for swimming and relaxing on the man made Cave Mountain Lake. There is a campground here for tents and RVs.

The Belle Boyd Cottage located in Front Royal is a 19th Century home that was once used by Belle Boyd, the infamous Confederate spy. The home is done up in the style of the 19th Century and is full of period pieces and information on Boyd. The Warren Heritage Society manages the cottage.

Skyline Caverns offers all the typical cavern sights, with the addition of some unique as well. Anthodites, found here at Skyline Caverns, is a rare sight in caves, with pointy spikes jutting out in all directions.Also on site is the Skyline Arrow, a miniature train for kids.

The Warren Rifles Confederate Museum located in Front Royal will be of interest to those whose passion is the US Civil War. The museum has all manner of memorabilia and tells the story of what went on and why.

The Quartermaster Museum located at Fort Lee is a must see for US Army history buffs. This interesting museum traces the history of the Quartermaster Corps from 1775 to present day. The museum contains over 20,000 interesting articles. The Quartermaster Museum is also noted for its extensive collection of documents detailing the corps history. The museum is located 5 miles from Petersburg, and over 70,000 people visit this facility yearly.

The Daniel Harrison House, also known as Fort Harrison, is the oldest house in Dayton, VA. The two-story stone house was built about 1749 by Daniel Harrison, first settler of Dayton.A brick wing was added sometime between the 1830s and the1850s by owners John and Sarah Allebaugh, who raised 10 daughters here.

The Shenandoah Valley Folk Art and Heritage Center located in Dayton, contains displays and information on the Shenandoah Valley. The center also has displays of folk art, an excellent genealogy library, gift shop and a library.

The Danville Science Center aims to make science fun through interactive exhibits designed for all ages. The center offers children's programs, temporary exhibits, and will host birthday parties for youngsters. The building that houses the Danville Science Center is the historic Southern Railway Passenger Station, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History is housed in the 1859 Sutherlin Mansion. The home is probably best known for one week in early April, 1865, when it was occupied by Jefferson Davis. The Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History features temporary exhibitions on a variety of subjects.

Bristol Caverns are easily explored on lighted paths that lead between the chambers. The areas are quite open and the colors are remarkable. Visitors will find stalactites and stalagmites of varying sizes, along with all kinds of other strange formations.

The Breaks Interstate Park Visitors Center is a combined rest area and park visitor center. It is located beside Interstate 80 near the park, 7 miles East of Elkhorn City. Featured at the visitor's center are displays on the area including the highlights, a working corn gristmill and moonshine still.

The Smithfield Plantation in Blacksburg came into existence in the mid to late 18th Century. The Smithfield Plantation is listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks and the Virginia Landmarks Register. A beautiful garden is located on the premises as is a gift shop selling mementos. The plantation also has an active event calendar including a lecture series.

The Harry W Meador Jr Coal Museum located in Big Stone Gap provides visitors with the history of coal mining in Virginia. Also on display are items used in the extraction of coal from the mines along with a variety of other interesting memorabilia. Strangely enough, a small dentist office is located on the site as well.

The June Tolliver House in Big Stone Gap is famous for being the home of the heroine portrayed in the novel "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine", by John Fox. Listed as a National Historic Landmark, this late 19th Century home is furnished in period and open to the public.

The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State is located in Big Stone Gap. Visitors will find collections related to the town's pioneering days and the coal boom of the late 19th Century. The museum is housed in an 1880s mansion.

The Bedford City / County Museum is located in Romanesque Revival style building that was once a Masonic Temple. The museum focuses on the history of Bedford and also contains the Bedford Area Genealogy Library room.

See the Fields-Penn 1860 House on a guided tour that explains the history, architecture and contents of this historic Abingdon home. As the name suggests the home was built in 1860 and owned first by the Fields, who built the home, and later the Penns, who lived here for 75 years. The Fields-Penn 1860 House is furnished in period and displays decorative and folk art exhibits.

The William King Museum in Abingdon features a range of art from local and international artists. Visitors will find a permanent collection along with changing exhibits. In addition to this the William King Regional Arts Center tries to promote the arts by offering a variety of classes and workshops.The Arts Center is located in a historic school house in Abingdon.

The Barter Theatre located in Abingdon is one of the main performing locations in this pleasant city. The theater has two halls, one able to accommodate 507 patrons and the other, 167 patrons. Barter Theatre has an active schedule of performances; check to see what's playing when you are in town.

Located near Wytheville, the Shot Tower / New River Trail State Park follows an old railway bed for 57 miles and is a favorite haunt of outdoor enthusiasts. Activities include hiking, walking, biking, fishing, and horseback riding. Also in the park is a tower once used for making lead shot. The tower is said to resemble a fortress and was built at the turn of the 17th Century. The Shot Tower / New River Trail State Park is a great spot to enjoy a summer afternoon.

The P. Buckley Moss Museum, located in Waynesboro, houses the permanent collection of renowned artist,Patricia Buckley Moss. A retrospective tour of Pat's achievements in her art and life includes early religious art, the Virginia collection and other modernistic styles not commonly associated with Pat's distinctive Valley Style.Patricia Buckley Moss is the daughter of a Sicilian-born mother and an Irish-American father. She developed her artistic interests at an early age. As a young student, Pat was labeled "un-teachable," only to discover later in life that dyslexia was the cause of her learning difficulties. This discovery inspired her to communicate through her art. Today, Pat continues to paint and uses her images to support many charitable endeavors including that of her own foundation, The P. Buckley Moss Foundation for Children's Education.

Sky Meadows State Park located near Paris is a wonderful place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Located only an hour from Washington, DC, this park features rolling parklands and cool woodlands. The Appalachian Trail can be accessed from Sky Meadows State Park and there are primitive walk in campsites. Visitors will also find walking trails, picnic sites, and horseback riding trails. Fishing is allowed in the 1 acre pond where large mouth bass and other species can be caught.

Ambrose Madison, grandfather of the president first settled Montpelier in 1723. James Madison spent the first nine years of his life at Mount Pleasant, Montpelier's original name. The original section of the current house was built by Madison's father in 1760. Madison made two major additions to his father's home and made structural changes to the interior. Over time the home has seen five additional owners until the duPont family purchased the estate in 1901.

The James Madison Museum in Orange features exhibits on the life and times of James and Dolley Madison. Period pieces are on display and one of the standouts is a special Campeche chair given to James by President Thomas Jefferson.

Belle Grove National Historic Park features an authentic 1797 Manor House, located in Middletown which preserves significant Civil War areas. Currently restored to Belle Grove's early 19th century elegance, the house is remarkably unscathed despite more than two centuries years of turmoil including serving as a headquarters by Union General Phillip Sheridan during the Civil War Valley Campaign of 1864. The plantation grounds also feature an 1815 icehouse and smokehouse, demonstration garden, slave cemetery, and a heritage apple orchard.The park is spread over 300 acres and much of the land is privately owned. The park encompasses the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation lands along with the Shenandoah Battlefield Foundation lands.

The Jeff Matthews Memorial Museum in Galax, is spread over two restored log cabins. The cabins have been furnished in period pieces and showcase collections from the Civil War era. Also on display are mounted game animals.

The Woodstock Museum in Woodstock, VA, explores the history of the town and surrounding area.