Things to do in  Virginia

Officially dedicated on October 14, 2006 by President George W. Bush, the U.S. Air Force Memorial is located in Arlington, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington D.C. This place of remembrance features three stainless steel spires that reach 402 feet (122.5 meters up into the sky.

Virginia’s Colonial Williamsburg is among the largest living history museums in the US. Here, visitors can experience what daily life looked like during the American Revolution. Historical re-enactors contribute to the immersive experience by working in preserved historic buildings and a variety of craft shops, from blacksmiths to wigmakers.

At Christ Church in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, visitors can sit in the same pews that George Washington and Robert E. Lee once worshipped. Commenced in 1767, the church is a living testament to American history, as is the site's cemetery, which memorializes 34 Confederate prisoners of war who perished in prison camps during the Civil War.

One of the largest and grandest buildings in Colonial Williamsburg, the Governor’s Palace was the seat of royal authority in the colony. Between 1710 and 1776, the landmark housed seven royal governors and two elected governors (Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson). After burning down in 1781, it was restored to its former glory in 1934.

Set on the Potomac River and lined with brick sidewalks, historic buildings, restaurants, and boutiques, Old Town Alexandria combines 18th-century charms with modern amenities. Integral to any tour of the US capital, Old Town lets you dine where George Washington did and shop at the farmers market where his family sold produce.

Located in Colonial Williamsburg, Bruton Parish Episcopal Church is a National Historic Landmark. Visit to view the well-preserved example of colonial religious architecture and perhaps take in a concert at the active church. First built in 1674, the current structure dates back to 1715.

Site of the American Revolutionary War’s decisive 1781 battle—where the British surrendered, leading to the war's conclusion—the Yorktown Battlefield is one of Virginia’s most important landmarks. Now part of the Colonial National Historical Park, the site features monuments, weaponry, and other historical and natural attractions.

Nestled among the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, Shenandoah National Park is full of wildlife, natural beauty, and opportunities for outdoor recreation. The 105-mile (169-kilometer) Skyline Drive—considered one of the country’s most scenic routes—cuts through the park, offering a great way to discover its scenery. Additionally, hundreds of miles of hiking trails lead to stunning vistas, waterfalls, protected wilderness, and historic sites.

See how America’s first English settlers lived at the Jamestown Settlement. The living history museum sits in Virginia near the site of the original colony where settlers landed in 1607. It explores colonial history through films, exhibits, and interactive experiences. Plus, climb aboard replicas of the ships that sailed to Virginia.

Located in Yorktown, Virginia—the site of the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War—the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown dives into early US history. The two-part museum offers a sweeping, multimedia exhibition space with hundreds of artifacts, as well as an immersive living history area.

Set on a hill overlooking Alexandria, the towering George Washington Masonic National Memorial honors the nation’s first president as well as the history and heritage of the Freemasons. The 9-story neoclassical structure and the museum within it tell the story of Washington and the contributions his Freemason fraternity made to the United States.

Stretching nine blocks in the heart of Richmond, Carytown is a charming district for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Known as the “mile of style,” the area features more than 230 shops and restaurants, emphasizing independently owned boutiques, eclectic shops, and the historic Byrd Theater.

See the country’s first hospital devoted to the care of the mentally ill, and learn about the treatment of mental illness in early American history at the Public Hospital of 1773. The building is located in the Colonial Williamsburg living history area, and features exhibition cells, galleries, and artifacts. The hospital was first founded in 1773 and reopened as a museum in 1985. There are six exhibition cells on the first floor of the east wing, set up to show the types of treatments used over the years. Additional galleries and artifacts illustrate the history of the hospital and the practices of 18th and 19th century medicine. Guided tours offer additional insights. Entrance to the Public Hospital of 1773 is included as part of your Colonial Williamsburg ticket.Guided tours are held on Mondays and Wednesdays at 9am and last for about an hour. The topics and displays of the museum may not be suitable for young children. The museum is wheelchair accessible. The museum is located south of Francis Street in Colonial Williamsburg. The shuttle bus stops just outside. There’s also an underground concourse that leads to the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. The Public Hospital Museum is open daily from morning until evening. Since it’s open later than many of the other attractions on the Colonial Williamsburg tour, it makes sense to save the museum for the end of the circuit. It's easy to visit the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg, which includes the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, as it's located in the same building as the Public Hospital of 1773. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s holdings include more than 70,000 antiques and works of art, 15,000 architectural elements, and 20 million archaeological artifacts, including clothing, instruments, toys, furniture, and paintings.

Explore the first English settlement in the United States at Historic Jamestowne, part of the Colonial National Historical Park. Located on Jamestown Island, the town was founded as James Fort in 1607. Learn about the ongoing excavation work and see the ruins and thousands of artifacts that have been unearthed so far.

Experience military and maritime history aboard the USS Wisconsin, one of the biggest battleships ever built. Having been through three wars, “Wisky” now serves as a floating museum docked next to the Nauticus Maritime Center in Norfolk.