Virginia was the tenth state in the United States, coming about in 1788. The Old Dominion State was established at Jamestown in 1607 by the first Europeans that attempted to settle in North America. Virginia is also the site of the first permanent English colony in North America. You can relive history and visit incredible historic sites and museums when visiting. Virginia is not only beautiful with its variety of landscapes, but it’s one of the safest states in the United States with the fourth lowest violent crime rate making it an excellent travel destination, especially with kiddos.

Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park leads visitors to the protected wilderness, waterfalls, and preserved human history. In addition, the scenic drives make the Shenandoah Valley a hotspot for bikers and motorcyclists. Shenandoah National Park was established on December 26th, 1935 to preserve the natural beauty and give the people in the surrounding region recreational opportunities; in 1976, Congress declared almost half of the park as protected wilderness. While roaming the park, you can also check out places like Rose River Falls, Skyland Dining Room, or Skyline Drive Mary’s Rock Tunnel. While here, you should stay at Lydia Mountain Lodge & Log Cabins, Breccia Cabin, or the Shenandoah Yurt to give yourself plenty of time to take in the world around you. The Shenandoah Yurt is a luxury retreat resting in the secluded woods of the mountains. Its cabin-like construction, hot tub, elevated deck, and pool table make it a hot spot if you’re traveling in a large group, as it sleeps eight. Although it’s a hot commodity, because of its popularity and luxury amenities, it can be priced over $500 a night. Lydia Mountain Lodge & Log Cabins has its definite advantages, not only being less pricey but also having pet-friendly cabins, an in-cabin spa, the Bearrr Appetit Restaurant, and hosting live music and events at the lodge. The Breccia Cabin is a one-bed (king-sized) one loft with central AC, a gas fireplace, smart TV, a full kitchen, and a charcoal grill. The cabin’s beautiful mountain views can be seen from the hot tub or screened-in porch for extreme relaxation. There are only a few special rules at Shenandoah National park, including special use permits that are required for special events such as weddings, commercial filming, group bicycle rides, or a specific permit for backcountry camping. During your exploration, you may come across some wildlife like white-tailed deer, voles, big brown bats, gray squirrels, or maybe even a bobcat or two.  

Charlottesville 

Charlottesville is the gorgeous home and history of three of our former U.S. presidents, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe. Charlottesville has the only UNESCO World Heritage cultural site in Virginia, which are cultural and/or natural sites considered ‘Outstanding Universal Value’ according to the Historic Environment Scotland, inscribed on the World Heritage List by the World Heritage Committee. It’s one of ten in the U.S. The town was established in 1762 by an Act of the Assembly of Albemarle County. Charlottesville was established to serve as the new county seat of Albemarle County and was situated along a trade route called Three Notched Road that we now know as U.S. Route 250, which led from Richmond to the Great Valley and grew as a tobacco-trading point. You should visit places like the Graduate Charlottesville, Oakhurst Inn, or Boar’s Head Resort. Don’t forget to take some stops to explore and partake in fun activities through Charlottesville. You shouldn’t miss out on Monticello. The Monticello is the architectural masterpiece by President Thomas Jefferson and Italian Renaissance artist Andrea Palladio that also serves as the United States’ only home recognized by the United Nations as a World Heritage site. You can tour the house and outside gardens to witness the neoclassical design. Or maybe you wanna check out the Virginia Discovery Museum. The Virginia Discovery Museum is a non-profit children’s museum established in 1981 and offers excellent educational fun for your kiddos. The museum provides an interactive play environment to solve challenges and discover their surroundings. After having some fun, grab a bite to eat at plenty of the highly rated restaurants in Charlottesville, like The Local, Petit Pois Restaurant, The Alley Light, or The Fitzroy.

Blackwater Falls State Park

Blackwater Falls State Park was established in 1937. In the 1930s, the Blackwater Canyon was donated by West Virginia Power and Transmission Company; they donated a scenic view over the head of the canyon, including the falls. Blackwater Falls State Park is the longest sledding magic carpet on the East Coast in the winter, with twenty miles of hiking trails. While exploring, you may see some exciting wildlife that calls the Blackwater Falls State Park home, like the northern two-lined salamander, black-throated green warbler, northern azure butterfly, the white-tailed deer, or the Virginia opossum. The State Park has many lodges, cabins, campsites, and unique places to stay, like Cass Company Houses, Tomlinson Run Yurts, The Old Inn, and Primitive Outpost Cabin. While their popular spots to hit are Lindy Point, Elakala Falls, or Pendleton Point and you can’t forget to grab a bite like Purple Fiddle’s homemade hummus and their “Wild Turkey Wrap” with freshly sliced turkey breast, cream cheese, walnuts, crisp leaf lettuce, and homemade cranberry & red onion cilantro chutney served in a flour tortilla wrap or The Smokehouse’s Beef Brisket Sandwich or Beer-Braised Bratwurst Sub. 

Luray Caverns 

The Luray Caverns were formed millions of years ago by underground rivers and acid-bearing water seeping through layers of limestone and clay but were discovered in 1878. The Luray Caverns are unique due to their stunning formations made by the combination of stalactites and stalagmites within the cave system; another unique place home to the Luray Caverns is the Great Stalacpipe Organ. The Great Stalacpipe Organ is a lithophone, a musical instrument consisting of a rock or pieces of stone which are struck to produce musical notes, that is made by solenoid-fired strikers that tap stalactites of a multitude of sizes to make notes like tuning forks or even xylophones and even homes animal such as blind crayfish, blind salamander, cave beetles, and blind cave newts. The caverns aren’t the only fun thing about Luray Caverns; nearby, you can also check out the car and Carriage Caravan Museum, take little ones to the Luray Zoo, book a kayaking adventure, or visit Castle Vineyard. If you get a little hungry, you can always make sure to stop by Gathering Grounds Patisserie and Café for a Mediterranean Wrap with a fresh blend of spinach, basil, tomatoes, red onions, black olives, feta, and cream cheese drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette and rolled in a soft wrap, Il Vesuvio Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria for eggplant parmesan sandwich, or The Speakeasy Bar and Grill for a quick bite of a black bean burger. Since you’re already here, you might as well stay a night or two to get the full experience! Make sure to make your way over to The Mimslyn Inn, Skyland, or Hotel Laurence to get a great night’s rest and prepare for tomorrow’s next journey. 

Natural Bridge of Virginia

The Natural Bridge of Virginia was established in 2016 in Rockbridge County. Although established, it was yet to be opened to the public; the bridge stayed on private land until the Commonwealth of Virginia transferred it to public ownership after the debt for the property was paid. The bridge was bought into the United States when Tomas Jefferson purchased it and the 157 acres around it from King George lll of England for twenty shillings in 1774, or in today’s terms, less than three dollars. The Natural Bridge is estimated to be 500 million years old and part of the Beekmantown Formation. It came about from an underground cave that reached too close to the top and caused a near-complete collapse. The bridge shows off the beautiful forests and rolling meadows surrounded by gorgeous mountains and the grand James River Valley. Suppose you want to take a couple days for a sweet adventure with an exciting itinerary like the Caverns at Natural Bridge, Virginia Safari Park, or Dinosaur Kingdom ll. In that case, you should check out the Natural Bridge Historic Hotel and Conference Center, the Forest Oaks Bed and Breakfast Inn, or Herring Hall Bed and Breakfast. You have just about everything checked off your travel checklist except one thing, FOOD! So make sure to snag some food down at Pink Cadillac Diner, Foot of the Mountain Café, or the Natural Bridge General Store and Café.