10 Amazing Virginia Day Trips That Are Worth The Drive
In Virginia, within a few hours of its bigger cities, you can tour George Washington’s Mount Vernon or drive Shenandoah’s Skyline Drive. If you are craving fresh air and wide-open scenery, you can stand beneath the towering limestone arch at Natural Bridge or spot wild ponies near Chincoteague’s windswept beaches. Families can chase thrills at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, while nature lovers can paddle, hike, and watch for wildlife in the Great Dismal Swamp. Whether you want history, mountain views, or coastal beauty, these Virginia day trips are worth the drive.
Mount Vernon
Less than an hour away from Dulles International Airport, Mount Vernon is one of the most visited historic estates in the country. Just south of Washington D.C., on the banks of the Potomac River in Fairfax County, the former home of George Washington is a perfect day trip for history buffs and families visiting the nation’s capital or the Northern Virginia area.
The focal point of the 500-acre historic landmark is, of course, the meticulously preserved Palladian-style mansion, which is now a museum filled with documents and artifacts once owned by some of the most important figures from the American Revolution. Reenactors roam the house and grounds, bringing the 18th century to life for visitors and providing insight into the life and times of the country’s first president. After touring the residence, you can also wander through the farm and gardens, view Washington’s final resting place, take a bike ride along the Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Trail to the historic distillery and gristmill, or take in gorgeous views of the Potomac from the Mount Vernon Wharf.
Shenandoah National Park
Some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in Virginia can be found just an hour and a half away from the D.C. area in Shenandoah National Park. This 200,000-acre park encompasses part of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the western part of the state and is full of waterfalls, gorgeous vistas, wooded hollows, and vast wildflower meadows.
A great option for a day trip from Northern Virginia is driving Skyline Drive, the 105-mile scenic byway that traces the mountain ridgeline through the park. It takes about three hours to drive from the Front Royal Entrance Station in the north to Rockfish Gap at the southern boundary of the park, and the route features dozens of scenic overlooks as well as popular trailheads like Compton Peak and Lewis Springs Falls, which make for excellent day hikes. From Rockfish Gap, it’s a short drive to Interstate 81, the fastest route back to D.C., or, if you didn’t get enough of the valley views, you can drive back up Skyline Drive to Front Royal. The area near the southern end of the park is also home to some of the finest vineyards in Virginia, so be sure to stop for a glass of wine and a bite to eat before heading back north.
Charlottesville
About an hour’s drive west of Richmond in Albemarle County, Charlottesville has enough historical, cultural, and natural attractions to fill a weeklong itinerary, but within just a day, you’ll be able to gain an understanding of why it attracts millions of visitors every year.
Charlottesville was the home of two former US presidents, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Their former estates, Jefferson’s Monticello and Madison’s Montpelier, are both preserved as public museums. The city is also home to the University of Virginia. Founded in 1819 by Jefferson, the campus is noted for its extraordinary architecture, intended as a teaching tool for architectural students. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.
The nearby Blue Ridge Mountains have great hiking and rock climbing opportunities. The town has a vibrant indie music and film scene, a thriving commercial area, and an abundance of great restaurants, wineries, and breweries. The Downtown Mall is one of the longest outdoor pedestrian malls in the country and contains locally owned stores as well as the Paramount Theater, which presents a wide variety of entertainment, including Broadway shows, concerts, and movie screenings.
Maymont
Maymont is a 100-acre historic estate and public park in Richmond. It's a great way to feel like you're getting out of the city without ever leaving the city. The sprawling park sits on the banks of the James River, just a short walk from Carytown, one of Richmond’s most popular commercial districts, and is full of activities for the whole family.
A perfect starting place is The Robins Nature Center, which houses nearly 30,000 gallons of aquaria showcasing the fauna of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and offers a great introduction to the unique ecology of the Bay and its tributaries. The park also contains the Virginia Wildlife Trail, an easy walk through the valley between the nature center and historic estate, which passes through outdoor wildlife habitats. Each habitat features a native animal species, most of which are wildlife rescues, including porcupines, bald eagles, red foxes, and even black bears.
One of Maymont’s most striking attractions is the Romanesque-revival style mansion, a flawlessly preserved relic of Gilded Age opulence. The former home of James and Sallie Dooley has been open to the public as a museum since 1925 and is unique among historic houses as it has had no intervening owners between the Dooleys’ residency and its present condition. The mansion contains a large collection of fine art, and the interior has remained largely unchanged for the past century. After touring the inside, you can stroll through the magnificent gardens and take in the gorgeous stonework, statuary, fountains, and brilliant multi-colored flowers set against the beautiful natural backdrop of the river.
Natural Bridge State Park
If city parks don’t cut it for you, a natural wonder awaits just over two hours west at Natural Bridge State Park. The park charges a fee (currently $9) to enter, but if you had surveyed the park in the 1760s with Thomas Jefferson, you could have bought the whole thing for roughly $160. The park is named for the 200-foot-tall limestone arch, spanning a gorge carved out by Cedar Creek, which has been a National Historic Landmark since 1988.
There’s more to the park than just the arch, however. Ten miles of hiking trails will take you through the striking karst terrain of the James River valley, offering gorgeous views of surrounding mountains, wildflower meadows, and ancient forests. One of the most popular, the Cedar Creek trail, takes you down 137 steps and past 1,000-year-old trees to the floor of the Cedar Creek Canyon, then traces the path of the creek under the bridge to the foot of the gorgeous cascade, Lace Falls.
Chincoteague
Chincoteague is a charming beach town on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, about a three-hour drive from Norfolk International Airport. The serene island features historic inns and bed-and-breakfasts, as well as the flagship location of Island Creamery, a staple Delmarva ice cream chain known for its unique flavors. The town also serves as the gateway to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island. The 14,000-acre preserve is one of the most visited wildlife refuges in the country, home to the historic Assateague Lighthouse, miles of hiking trails, and a vast array of coastal ecosystems that support over 200 species of birds, including ospreys, egrets, and great horned owls.
Of course, the island is best known for the herd of feral Chincoteague ponies made famous by Marguerite Henry’s book Misty of Chincoteague. Each July, the annual Pony Swim draws thousands of visitors who watch as the ponies are herded through the Assateague Channel to Chincoteague Island. The event is a local tradition that celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025. The trip from Norfolk to Chincoteague is an attraction in and of itself, as the route traverses the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, a 17.6-mile-long engineering marvel that connects the Delmarva Peninsula to the Hampton Roads area, providing gorgeous views across the water.
The Chrysler Museum of Art
It’s easy to spend an entire day wandering through the galleries and in one of Virginia's premier art museums, located on the boundary between downtown Norfolk and the historic Ghent District. The core of the Chrysler Museum comprises a massive donation of paintings from Walter Chrysler Jr.’s private holdings. The museum currently contains major works from El Greco, Mark Rothko, and Jackson Pollock, as well as a vast array of galleries dedicated to African, Asian, and Ancient Mediterranean art.
The highlight of the museum is the extensive, world-renowned glass exhibit. Ranging from ancient works to contemporary masterpieces, the 10,000-piece collection is one of the largest in the country, and the Perry Glass Studio, adjacent to the main building, offers daily glassblowing demonstrations and a robust visiting artist series. The museum also maintains the Moses Myers House, a Federal-style brick townhouse recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. The former home of a prosperous early American entrepreneur, the well-preserved residence still contains most of its original furnishings and provides exceptional insight into the lives of some of the city’s most prominent citizens in the late Federal period.
Great Dismal Swamp
Despite the rather off-putting name, this 113,000-acre expanse of forested wetlands is one of the most beautiful places in Virginia. Less than an hour away from downtown Norfolk, the Great Dismal Swamp is an incredible destination for hiking, fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. Those unwilling to brave the bugs and humidity can still explore the area from the comfort of their cars along the Lake Drummond Wildlife Drive. The six-mile gravel road will take you to the cypress-lined shores of Lake Drummond, one of only a few naturally formed lakes in the state.
The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge contains some of the most important wildlife habitat in the Mid-Atlantic. About 20% of the swamp’s forest is comprised of rare tree species like the tupelo gum bald cypress, and Atlantic white cedar. Ponds, canals, and sphagnum bogs are home to several semi-aquatic mammals like beavers, river otters, and minks. If you get lucky, you may be able to catch a glimpse of more reclusive creatures like bobcats, southern flying squirrels, and black bears hiding amongst the vegetation. The swamp also has a rich human history that archaeological evidence suggests stretches back some 13,000 years. During the 1800s, the swamp served as a refuge for escaped slaves and became a stop on the Underground Railroad.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Around thirty minutes from Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, Busch Gardens Williamsburg is one of the top attractions in Virginia and a perfect family-friendly day trip. The European-themed amusement park is routinely named one of the most beautiful in the country by the National Amusement Park Historical Association, and boasts 422 acres of thrilling roller coasters, live entertainment, animal encounters, and international cuisine. The park currently contains eleven world-class coasters, including the iconic Loch Ness Monster, the world’s first with interlocking loops, and the last of its kind still in operation.
For lower-octane thrill-seekers, gentler water rides like Escape from Pompeii, bumper cars, and the Aeronaut Skyride provide ample entertainment at much slower velocities. Busch Gardens also provides dozens of rides and attractions designed for younger guests, like the Sesame Street Forest of Fun and the Land of Dragons, as well as opportunities for memorable animal encounters with Clydesdale horses, gray wolves, and Scottish Highland Cattle. The park hosts several festivals and special events throughout the year, like Howl-o-Scream in the fall and Busch Gardens Christmas in the winter, many of which are included in the price of admission.
The Mariners' Museum
Located in the Riverside district of Newport News, just twenty minutes north of downtown, the Mariners' Museum is one of the largest of its kind anywhere in North America. The museum houses more than 32,000 artifacts, including model ships, scrimshaw, maritime paintings, figureheads, and one of the last surviving Kratz steam calliopes in the world. The museum’s crown jewel is the USS Monitor Center, which contains over 200 tons of artifacts raised from the wreck of the Civil War ironclad. The unique vessel was made famous during its two-day-long naval engagement with the Confederate warship CSS Virginia at the Battle of Hampton Roads in 1862. The museum allows you to relive this turning point in naval history, learn about how the Monitor’s unique design revolutionized naval warfare, and view the ship’s iconic revolving gun turret, Dahlgren guns, and steam engine, as well as the personal effects of several crew members. The museum also maintains the Mariners' Museum Park, 550 acres of serene rolling woodlands, which includes the award-winning Noland Trail around the Mariners' Lake.
Set aside a day to explore these incredible destinations!
With so many fantastic places close to its major cities, Virginia offers memorable day trips for your next vacation. World-class amusement parks, unspoiled nature, and fascinating historical landmarks can all be reached within a few hours. From immersing yourself in Colonial-era life in Williamsburg or Mount Vernon, to escaping into brilliant nature preserves like Chincoteague and the Great Dismal Swamp, some of the best attractions Virginia has to offer are just a short drive away.
