Richmond is formally on the radar for vacationers searching for nice meals and beer, cultural points of interest, and outside adventures – all with out the crowds and price ticket of extra established vacationer cities.
When you’ve had your fill of Virginia’s capital metropolis, you’re additionally within the good place to discover the remainder of the Commonwealth. From its handy location smack within the middle of Virginia, Richmond is a straightforward drive – or prepare journey – from the coast, the mountains, and the countryside. Listed below are the ten finest day journeys from Richmond, Virginia.
1. Discover the Historic Triangle
Journey time: 57 minutes (to Williamsburg)
Why go? To take a step again in time to the earliest days of the American colonies.
Virginia’s Historic Triangle – Jamestown, Yorktown and Williamsburg – is situated lower than an hour away from Richmond, making this a super day journey. Comply with the scenic Colonial Parkway to discover historic websites, together with the primary English settlement at Jamestown and the Yorktown battlefield the place the Revolutionary Struggle ended. Wrap up on the world’s largest residing historical past museum in Colonial Williamsburg, the place you may see what life was like in colonial occasions earlier than grabbing a chew to eat within the close by Service provider’s Sq..
In the event you get hungry, go to the well-known Terrace Room on the Williamsburg Inn. If the town didn’t already, this Terrace Room will transport you to an earlier period of America, whereas the pre-fixe menu enables you to pattern artistic dishes showcasing native substances. Berrett’s Seafood Restaurant & Taphouse is one other good selection in Williamsburg’s Service provider Sq..
Whereas you can also make it to the Historic Triangle in lower than a day, it’s your decision a couple of to completely discover all the realm has to supply.
How one can get to Virginia’s Historic Triangle from Richmond: Comply with Interstate 64 east for about 50 miles (beneath an hour) to succeed in Williamsburg. Yorktown and Jamestown are about 10 minutes farther on. Public transportation is proscribed, so a automotive is really helpful to navigate this space.
2. Cruise Virginia’s Northern Neck
Journey time: 1 hour and 22 minutes
Why go? Since you don’t must drive all the best way to Virginia Seaside to seek out sandy shores and briny oysters.
Virginia’s Northern Neck area follows the western shores of Chesapeake Bay, with tiny fishing villages and historic websites scattered all through. Begin in charming Irvington for a cup of espresso at The Native after which head over to the Tides Inn for lunch with views over the water at Fish Hawk Oyster Bar. Select from state parks like Westmoreland and Belle Isle for strolling and biking trails by means of the scenic wetlands. In your method again to Richmond, swing by Merroir Tasting Room to pattern oysters from the celebrated farms of Rappahannock Oyster Firm.
How one can get to Virginia’s Northern Neck from Richmond: Head east of the town on Interstate 64 after which hop on Route 33 to succeed in the distant wilds of those wetlands. You’ll attain Irvington in about an hour, however you might spend a whole day getting misplaced on these fairly nation roads for those who wished.
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3. Take a stroll by means of Fredericksburg
Journey time: 58 minutes
Why go? To walk throughout Civil Struggle battlefields and sip award-winning bourbon.
Fredericksburg is a quaint school city about an hour north of Richmond. The 40-block historic district is brimming with charming outlets and eating places. Attempt to snag a spot on the seasonally impressed Foode, situated in a restored financial institution constructing. Simply exterior of city, you may tour quite a few Civil Struggle battlefields; go to George Washington’s boyhood dwelling at Ferry Farm; and get a style of one other kind of historical past on the A. Smith Bowman Distillery, the oldest bourbon in Virginia.
How one can get to Fredericksburg from Richmond: Fredericksburg is straight up Interstate 95 about an hour’s drive from Richmond. It’s also possible to attain the town through Amtrak prepare. There’s a direct route from Richmond’s Important Avenue Station to downtown Fredericksburg.
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4. Expertise Virginia Wine Nation
Journey time: 1 hour and 12 minutes
Why go? To pattern wine from one of many East Coast’s buzziest rising areas.
The Virginia Wine Nation is dwelling to greater than 300 wineries situated in 10 distinct rising areas throughout the state. These within the central a part of the Commonwealth are often called the Monticello AVA (American Viticultural Space). This pastoral area situated on the jap slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains is understood for its fertile clay soil and lengthy rising season. With roots reaching all the best way again to Thomas Jefferson’s early experimentation with European grape varieties, wines on this area are inclined to have a fancy old-world taste with a contemporary twist. From stately Barboursville Vineyards and picturesque Pippin Hill to the quirky Merrie Mill Farm and Winery in Keswick, there’s a vineyard to swimsuit each fashion of sipper.
With greater than 300 wineries to discover, you would wish months or years to go to all of them. However the brief drive makes this a fantastic day journey throughout your go to to Richmond.
How one can get to Virginia Wine Nation from Richmond: Head west from Richmond to seek out a few of Virginia’s high wineries, a lot of that are scattered across the rolling countryside about an hour from the town. You’ll want a automotive to navigate these nation roads, however wine excursions can be found (and a safer guess than driving).
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5. Marvel on the Appalachian Mountains
Journey time: 4 hours
Why go? To see why this a part of the Appalachian Mountain vary is called the Blue Ridge.
In the event you’re craving extra dramatic landscapes than Richmond’s mild hills, head west towards the Appalachian Mountain vary for miles of climbing trails, picturesque parkways and breathtaking vistas. Level your GPS towards Rockfish Hole – from this level you may drive north into the Shenandoah Nationwide Park on Skyline Drive or head south onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. On both of those scenic drives, you’ll discover quite a few climbing trails and overlooks the place you may pull off to benefit from the views. In the event you’re highway tripping within the winter, you might need to pop right down to Wintergreen Resort for a day of snowboarding. In the event you’re hungry earlier than or after hitting the slopes, the resort has a number of eating places. Cease by Higher Crust Pizza for a scorching slice or The Copper Mine for meals impressed by the meals traditions of the early settlers of the Appalachians.
A cruise by means of the Appalachian Mountains is actually among the finest highway journeys in Virginia.
How one can get to the Appalachian Mountains from Richmond: Drive west of Richmond and also you’ll see mountains seem on the horizon inside about an hour. You’ll be proper within the midst of these mountains not lengthy after that. You will want a automotive to navigate this rural area.
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6. See the highlights in Washington, DC
Journey time: 1 hour and 47 minutes
Why go? As a result of it’s completely doable to hit up DC’s highlights in simply someday.
Positive, the nation’s capital warrants a correct go to of its personal, however at nearly two hours from Richmond, it’s additionally a really manageable day journey, particularly for those who take the prepare and bypass site visitors. Depart Richmond early within the morning and also you’ll have loads of time to go to your favourite Smithsonian museum, see the White Home, and stroll or bike across the monuments. Lots of the metropolis’s hottest spots are free to go to. Add them to your checklist alongside your checklist of free issues to do in Richmond, VA. Relying on the season, you might favor to schedule in some sports activities: D.C. United, the Washington Nationals and the Washington Capitals are only a few of the groups primarily based right here. Seize some grub at a meals corridor like Union Market or The Roost earlier than hopping again on the prepare to return to Richmond.
Except you’re brief on time and gained’t be capable to go to the realm once more quickly, Washington, DC, is worthy of its personal go to. You’ll have to maintain your itinerary brief for those who spend simply someday right here.
How one can get to Washington, DC from Richmond: In the event you’re driving up Interstate 95 to succeed in DC from Richmond, you’ll need to time your journey fastidiously – site visitors may be brutal in northern Virginia. To make the journey simpler, take an Amtrak prepare from considered one of Richmond’s two prepare stations. Two hours later, you’ll be proper within the coronary heart of the town at Washington DC’s Union Station.
7. Go to Charlottesville
Journey time: 1 hour and seven minutes
Why go? To expertise a small Southern metropolis that balances trendy innovation with historical past and heritage.
Residence to the College of Virginia, Charlottesville is a historic city with a refreshingly youthful vitality. Go to the pedestrian-friendly Downtown Mall to discover the native outlets and eating places, a lot of which supply outside seating on the shady sidewalk. Close by Monticello gives an interesting glimpse into the life and thoughts of Thomas Jefferson, whereas Carter Mountain Orchard is a favourite cease for apple-picking and cider-sipping within the fall.
This isn’t only a nice day journey from Richmond; it’s additionally among the finest day journeys from Washington, DC. You possibly can hit a lot of the metropolis’s highlights in a day, and with simply an hour’s drive, it’s straightforward to get again for those who discover that you just want extra time.
How one can get to Charlottesville from Richmond: The town is about an hour’s drive west of Richmond on Interstate 64. You’ll want a automotive to get right here.
8. Journey the coasters at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Journey time: 56 minutes
Why go? For thrills and family-friendly enjoyable for people of all ages.
Many components of Busch Gardens Williamsburg are themed after a historic European city, however the points of interest listed here are removed from rustic. Greatest recognized for its thrill rides, the park is dwelling to the world’s first interlocking loop curler coaster. You’ll additionally discover the primary all-indoor straddle coaster in North America, the DarKoaster, right here. Busch Gardens even has one of many world’s quickest and tallest coasters, The Alpengeist.
Youthful households will take pleasure in two themed play areas and the various child’s rides. The park has a partnership with Sesame Avenue, that means little ones may simply get to see their favourite characters.
The theme park covers greater than 100 acres and options over 50 rides. In the event you’re going to make this a day journey, you’ll need to set out from Richmond early to take advantage of your time. In any other case, plan to spend the evening right here and spend two days within the park.
How one can get to Busch Gardens from Richmond: You’ll want a automotive to get to Busch Gardens. Hop on I-64 and take exit 243A.
9. Uncover Chincoteague Island
Journey time: 3 hours and 19 minutes
Why go? To expertise beautiful nature freed from skyscrapers, billboards and even boardwalks.
As the one resort island in Virginia, it’s a tranquil vacation spot for wildlife fanatics and nature lovers. The Chincoteague Nationwide Wildlife Refuge protects a lot of the island.
The island’s most well-known function is its herds of untamed horses. Wild ponies have lived on the island for a whole bunch of years. Many imagine the primary wild horses right here had been owned by the island’s early inhabitants, however it’s extra possible that the primary horses right here survived the wreck of a Spanish galleon off the coast of Assateague. There are round 150 horses on the island. Search for them whereas driving or e-book a tour particularly to see them.
When you have a UTV or different off-road automobile, the island’s over-sand automobile zones are a enjoyable place to spend a day. Be sure to keep till darkish to catch a good looking sundown, too.In the event you plan to go off-roading, think about spending the evening to completely take pleasure in this aspect journey.
How one can get to Chincoteague Island from Richmond: Heading out from the town, take Route 175 straight to the drawbridge linked to Chincoteague Island.
10. Golf and ski within the Shenandoah Valley
Journey time: 1 hour and 58 minutes
Why go? Enjoyable outside actions can be found throughout seasons.
A resort group within the mountains with greater than 6000 acres of land, Massanutten Resort is well-liked for snowboarding, {golfing} and family-friendly enjoyable.
Within the winter, benefit from the resort’s 14 ski trails, in addition to a terrain park and tubing park. It’s also possible to ice skate and luxuriate in a vacation mild show throughout the Christmas season. In the summertime, golf, the resort’s water park and climbing are well-liked.
How one can get to Massanutten Resort from Richmond: Take I-64 East for over 50 miles till it connects with US-250 W/E.
