WHAT TO SEE IN VIRGINIA

• Historic Jamestowne: the historic site in which the first colony of what was to become the United States of America is now a well-preserved archeological park in Virginia complete with exhibits, museums, and building reconstructions. Visitors can easily spend an entire day in the park, with two of the best ways to absorb the history being walking or driving tours.
• Mount Vernon Estate: the estate at Mount Vernon where America’s first president, George Washington, and his wife, Martha, lived is now the main attraction. It has educational centers, a museum, galleries, theaters, and interactive displays which include Washington’s actual dentures. The beautifully landscaped property holds the restored mansion and tombs of America’s first couple.
• Virginia Civil Rights Memorial: one of the best-known landmarks in Virginia commemorates civil rights hero Barbara Rose Johns. In 1951, 16-year-old Johns led a protest advocating for equal education in Farmville, Virginia. Her subsequent legal suit became part of the historic Brown v. Board of Education case which saw the US Supreme Court effectively end racial segregation in American public schools.
• Appomattox Court House and National Historical Park: arguably the best place to learn about the American Civil War is the Appomattox Court House. The Virginia site commemorates the events of April 1865, which marked the end of one of the bloodiest chapters in US history. The walking tour includes a visit to the McLean House where General Lee of the Confederate Army and General Grant of the Union Army drafted the terms of the Confederacy’s surrender.
• Grayson Highlands State Park: Virginia is a vast state with a number of scenic state parks, one of which is Grayson Highlands. Located within the Jefferson National Forest close to Virginia’s two highest peaks, Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain, the park’s beautiful surroundings include a visitor center, campground, waterfalls, hiking trails, and bike paths.
• Kings Dominion: one of the largest amusement parks in Virginia is Kings Dominion, situated 20 miles north of the capital of Richmond and about 75 miles south of Washington DC. The 60 or so attractions include 14 roller coasters as well as a large water park, both of which help to make this 400-acre amusement park well worth a visit.

WHEN TO GO TO VIRGINIA

The best period to visit Virginia is from June to September.

Virginia is a huge state and the weather changes significantly as you move around. It gets warmer and more humid the more south, east, or southeast you go. To the east lies the vast Atlantic Ocean, which greatly affects the coastal areas, in particular, the Chesapeake Bay, which experiences hurricanes brought on by the Gulf Stream. The average annual precipitation is 42.7 inches.

The southwest and west are dominated by the Blue Ridge Mountains, which bring snow in the winter. The coldest temperatures can be felt in the north, with January averaging only 19°F to 42°F, while the warmest temperatures can be felt along the coast, with July staying comfortable at 71°F to 85°F.

WHAT TO DO IN VIRGINIA

Cycle past national monuments

Not too many bikes ride packed in more iconic sites than the Mount Vernon Trail, which starts at George Washington’s famous estate and winds through 18 miles of American history. You’ll pass through historic Alexandria, where Colonial-era architecture makes you feel like you’re doing the ride on horseback. On your right side, you’ll have unfettered views of the Potomac River and Washington, D.C., alongside which the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, Washington Monument, and Kennedy Center all give the ride a distinctly American backdrop.

Following is a list of typical festivals and celebrations of Virginia.

• Lee-Jackson Day: early January in Lexington sees the commemoration of two prominent figures in US history: Robert Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, who both served as Confederate generals. A wreath-laying ceremony is followed by a military parade, which is capped off by a daytime ball with live music and dancing. The event is open to the public.
• Historic Garden Week: late April sees this week-long Richmond event kick off with statewide house and garden tours. Over 250 houses are open to the public, who enjoy the first signs of spring in the gardens of Virginia’s most prized properties.
• Mineral Bluegrass Festival: this mid-July celebration at Walton’s Park, Mineral, is a must-see for three days of bluegrass and arts and crafts. Attracting over 1,000 guests each year, the musical event is increasingly growing in popularity.
• Virginia State Fair: the much anticipated Virginia State Fair takes place annually from late September through early October. The lively event is a treat for locals and visitors alike as they get to experience the best of the state: animals, music, fine arts, crafts, and food.
• Civil War Encampment: Virginia is all about history and one weekend in early December, the past comes alive with a reenactment of how life was in a Civil War camp. The encampment takes place in George Washington’s boyhood home, Ferry Farm.
• Richmond Christmas Parade: those visiting Virginia during the holidays are in for a treat. The capital, Richmond, annually holds a Christmas parade which attracts more than 100,000 spectators from all over the state.

HOW TO REACH AND TRAVEL THROUGH VIRGINIA

The most popular method of getting around is by renting a car. Virginia has a good network of interstate highways that are linked by secondary and local roads. Alamo, Avis, Budget, Hertz, National, and many other well-known car rental brands have offices in the airports and main cities.

The Virginia Department of Transportation provides ferry services at three different locations. In Jamestown, a free ferry takes passengers and vehicles across the James River into Scotland in Surry County. There are also free ferries crossing Little Wicomico River as part of Route 644 and another crossing Corrotoman River as part of Route 604.

There are three train routes in Virginia. One is the Virginia Railway Express, which is a commuter line that links northern Virginia to Washington DC. Additionally, the Washington Metro is a rapid transit system covering the DC area, Virginia, and Maryland. Amtrak Virginia also connects many cities in the state along with the rest of the network.

Greyhound is the main bus provider in Virginia, as with many other states. It serves over 3,700 destinations in the US as well as locations in Canada and Mexico. Buses are an effective and cheap mode of transportation.

Main airports are:

• Washington-Dulles International Airport
• Ronald Reagan National Airport

GENERAL INFORMATION ON VIRGINIA

health tips & vaccination: none

local currency: US Dollar

local time zone: GMT-5 (-4)

electricity: [su_lightbox type=”image” src=”http://www.traveltv.me/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/A_plug.png”]type A[/su_lightbox] and [su_lightbox type=”image” src=”http://www.traveltv.me/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/B_plug.png”]type B[/su_lightbox] (120V – 60 Hz)

WHAT TO DO IN VIRGINIA

Typical food in Virginia

• Rappahannock oysters
• BBQ
• Smithfield Ham
• Country Ham
• Blue crabs
• Brunswick stew
• Southern Fried Chicken
• Pimento Cheese
• Shrimp
• Mountaineer
• Peanut Soup
• Sailor Sandwich
• Appalachian
• Grayson
• Ham Biscuits
• Fried Pies
• Apple Butter
• Shrimp & Grits
• Trout
• Apples
• Peanuts
• Norton Wine
• Viognier Wine
• Shad Roe
• Chilled watermelon soup

Souvenirs from Virginia

• Apples
• Peanuts
• Virginia Craft Beers, Spirits, & Wines
• Honey
• Artisan Confections Chocolate
• Coffee
• Oysters
• Maple Syrup
• Cirrus Vodka
• Bone Doctors’ BBQ Sauce

Source

http://www.thebesttimetovisit.com/
http://www.roughguides.com/