Fun-Filled Day Trips To Experience Virginia To The Fullest, According To Research

Virginia is the birthplace of the United States, and although nearly 250 years have passed since then, this Southeastern state still packs a serious punch. It's a natural paradise that offers all of Mother Nature's diversity in one spot, with towering peaks, beautiful beaches, endless fields, and more. There are also tons of charming small towns in Virginia. Plus, it never forgets its history, showcasing spots like the largest military cemetery in the country and Thomas Jefferson's former residence. Virginia is also home to plenty of underrated destinations. With so much to do, day trips are your friend here.  

Explore rounded up the best day trips of them all to make for one fun-filled getaway. We selected those we deemed premium by determining which had the best and highest number of reviews, as well as the most acclaim from media organizations. We also considered the attractions that offered the richest experiences in one visit, making for a day trip that's worth the trek. To learn more about how we assembled this list, visit the last slide of this article.

Just 15 minutes from the White House is the cemetery dedicated to those who paid the ultimate price for their country. Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington is the final resting place for nearly half a million veterans, elected officials, and military personnel. More are buried here daily, as up to 30 funerals occur on the site each weekday. A visit here is one of the things every American should do in their lifetime.

The people buried here include former U.S. President John F. Kennedy and John J. Pershing, the only person to have ever earned the title of General of Armies. Even those who will never have their own gravesites have found a place at Arlington Cemetery. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, erected in honor of soldiers who couldn't be identified, is one of the cemetery's most esteemed sites. It's guarded at all times by members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment. Many visitors gather to see the half-hour changing of the guard. They can see it on any day they choose, as the cemetery is open every day of the year. 

"A truly special place to visit," wrote one past visitor on Tripadvisor. "The Iwo Jima monument was something to behold and seeing the changing of the guard for the tomb of the unknown soldier is very moving and everyone was silent and respectful." The cemetery, which offers free admission, has earned 4.8 stars from more than 9,700 reviews on Tripadvisor.

Virginia day trippers only have to trek less than an hour from Richmond to get to what's been voted as the World's Most Beautiful Theme Park for nearly five decades and counting. Spread over 130 acres, the place in question is Busch Gardens, and it comprises over 50 rides and attractions. This European-inspired theme park takes visitors around the continent, from England to Italy and beyond. More than 50 rides are packed in this family-friendly park, including the 195-foot Alpengeist roller coaster and Invadr, a 50-mile-per-hour wooden coaster.

There's a lot to do here for those who aren't thrill seekers, too. Within the family-friendly destination is an aviary for rescued bald eagles, an Oktoberfest with carnival games, and an Italian-themed theater. A ticket for a one-day visit is $118, although discount opportunities are ample, depending on the time you visit and the number of people in your party.

The cost seems to be worth it to Tripadvisor users, as Busch Gardens has earned 4.2 stars on the site from more than 9,300 reviews. "We spent a full day at Busch Gardens Williamsburg during our trip, and even with a heat index around 110°, it was an amazing experience from start to finish," wrote one past visitor on Tripadvisor. "Not everyone was in a coaster mood, but the park still had plenty to offer—animal exhibits, smaller rides, live shows, and great places to cool off or just take in the scenery."

With beaches, rolling hills, forests, and wildlife, Virginia is Mother Nature's playground. And one of the top places to experience it — coupled with world-famous wild ponies — is Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Chincoteague Island. About an hour from Ocean City, Maryland, the 14,000-acre refuge is home to more than 320 types of migratory birds.

Animals like bald eagles, formerly endangered fox squirrels, monarch butterflies, Atlantic loggerhead sea turtles, and more also live here. The refuge has protected them since it was established in 1943. Visitors can see them all by paying a $10 entrance fee and trekking the refuge's 15 miles of trails. Other fun activities here include biking, off-roading, and boating. The refuge is one of the most popular in the country. That's partly because this is the home of the Chincoteague ponies, which have swum across the waters each July for decades. It makes the refuge one of the top U.S. destinations to spot wild horses.

"Beautiful marshland, trails, and beach area highlight a very cool park," wrote one past visitor on Tripadvisor. "We were fortunate to see a small herd of the wild ponies that made our day. The lighthouse is nice and quite picturesque as well." The refuge has earned 4.8 stars derived from 3,170 reviews on Tripadvisor, with many reviewers raving about the lighthouse. A still-active lighthouse dating back to the 1860s, the Assateague Lighthouse can be climbed for free every weekend for scenic views.

You don't need a time machine to travel back to Revolutionary-era America if you head to Colonial Williamsburg for a day trip. Located less than an hour from Richmond, this destination is the largest and most storied living history experience in the country. Tickets are $31.50 per adult and $9 per child. Cobblestone paths lead visitors from one of the 88 original buildings to the next, spreading across 300 acres to create a city that's a blast from the past. But it's the characters in Colonial Williamsburg that bring it to life. The countless actors who walk The Revolutionary City's streets portray everyone from white patriots to black enslaved people, helping visitors understand the perspective of all who lived through the radical time.

"Visiting Colonial Williamsburg was one of the highlights of our trip and a truly immersive experience for the whole family," wrote one past visitor on Tripadvisor. "The historic area is beautifully preserved and offers a fascinating glimpse into colonial life with living history interpreters, authentic buildings, and engaging activities." Colonial Williamsburg has earned 4.5 stars from more than 12,900 reviews on Tripadvisor.

Although it's impossible to see all of Colonial Williamsburg's nearly 500 buildings in one visit, there are a few you must add to your itinerary. One is the Capitol, which, dating back to the early 1700s, is an original structure that once housed the Virginia legislature. Also, don't miss the Governor's Palace, which was where Thomas Jefferson lived.

Since Williamsburg dates back to 1699, Colonial Williamsburg isn't the only taste of history that day trippers can get in town. About an hour from Richmond is the Jamestown Settlement, another living history museum that offers a sample of what Virginia was like in the 1600s. The museum explores this through a variety of films, which are shown every 20 to 30 minutes, as well as exhibits.

"The film in the Jamestown museum was especially interesting and provided important historical perspectives, and the detailed exhibits were well curated, reflected a lot of research, and helped us learn so much about Native American culture before Europeans arrived, how things changed, and English settlement and plantation," wrote one past visitor on Tripadvisor. The museum has earned 4.6 stars from over 4,400 reviews on Tripadvisor. Tickets are $10 per child and $20 per adult.

One of the favorite exhibits is the life-sized replicas of the ships Godspeed and Discovery that brought colonists to the New World more than four centuries ago. Visitors can walk upon these ships just as the colonists did. Another must-visit part of the Jamestown Settlement explores how the indigenous people who lived in the area long before the colonists thrived. Day trippers can walk among recreations of the reed homes of the Powhatan and learn about how they made canoes and pottery, hunted, gathered, and more. By heading to the James Fort, visitors can also explore a former colonist's village with a church, store, and blacksmith's forge.

Virginia is an epicenter of history, and that's true above and below ground. Just 20 minutes from Shenandoah National Park is Luray Caverns in Luray, which is 4 million centuries in the making. Since it was discovered in 1878, it's been known as one of the largest cave systems in the U.S. Throughout its 64 acres, visitors can see stalactites, stalagmites, underground pools, stone columns, 10-story-high rooms, a calcite formation known as Titania's Veil, and more. Some of the highlights include the Great Stalacpipe Organ — the World's largest musical instrument — and a 47-foot-tall rock formation.

"A vast, long network of caverns with easy access, great lighting and not too crowded," wrote one past visitor on Tripadvisor. "From the 'magical lake' to the 'sea star' there a so many cool formations!" Luray Caverns, which is a Registered Natural Landmark, has garnered 4.5 stars from approximately 4,900 reviews on Tripadvisor. Tickets are about $34 per adult and $18 per child, and are available every day of the year.

However, there's plenty more to do at Luray Caverns than the destination's name suggests. Also on the property is the Car & Carriage Caravan Museum, which features throwback, restored cars. More history can be found at the Shenandoah Heritage Village, which showcases what life was like during the 1800s with a life-sized village. There's also the 1-acre Garden Maze featuring more than 1,500 evergreen hedges for a lush yet challenging maze.

As historian Jon Meacham said, "Monticello is as close as any of us can ever get to having a conversation with Thomas Jefferson." Visitors can do just that by visiting Monticello, which was the former U.S. president's home that he designed himself. It's about a half-hour from the University of Virginia. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it began as an eight-room structure before he was inspired by French architecture to transform it into something greater. On the backs of enslaved people, he created the three-floor home with a library, tea room, nursery, greenhouse, and more.

Visitors can choose from a variety of Monticello tours. Those with kids may want to opt for the 45-minute family-friendly tour, which costs $42 per adult and $4 to $13 per child. Or, see the best of Monticello with the 45-minute highlights tour, which has the same cost. For a one-of-a-kind visit to this stately brick home, book the 90-minute, $99 behind-the-scenes tour. It brings visitors through all three floors of the home and shares stories about Jefferson and the enslaved workers.

"We did a 'Behind the Scenes' tour; it was expensive, but worth it," wrote one past visitor on Tripadvisor. "Deborah was our guide, and she was excellent – both knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the history she was sharing ... Nothing was either glossed over or condemned, just presented as facts before moving on the to the next topic." Monticello has earned 4.7 stars from more than 7,200 reviews on Tripadvisor.

Architecture wasn't the only thing that Jefferson was inspired by in Europe. He also brought the French regard for wine home with him, eventually co-founding the Virginia Wine Company to make the industry profitable in the New World. His efforts were successful at home in Virginia and elsewhere. Today, the same region where Jefferson planted vines at Monticello is where the Monticello Wine Trail thrives. It's more than 40 wineries that make up the trail, which is nestled in what Wine Enthusiast has called the International Wine Region of the Year.

One of those wineries is Jefferson Vineyards, which pays homage to Jefferson's winemaking efforts on the same dozens of acres where he planted vineyards. It's about 15 minutes from the University of Virginia. The winery has earned 4.2 stars from more than 400 reviews on Tripadvisor. One past visitor wrote on Tripadvisor, "Lovely winery surrounded by beautiful hills. Staff is super friendly & the wine is always good. We will definitely return!"

Those who want to experience the Monticello Wine Trail's wide variety of wineries should consider a wine tour, which takes the need for a designated driver out of the equation. Monticello Wine Tour & Coach Co. offers five-hour, three- to four-winery treks. Or, visitors can stay the night at a winery, as some on the trail offer overnight stays. The Farmhouse at Veritas Vineyards Bed & Breakfast has a half-dozen guestrooms, while Afton Mountain Vineyards has guest cottages with stunning views.

It's hard to believe that just 30 minutes from Charlottesville, Virginia, is Shenandoah National Park, encompassing over 200,000 acres of land. Here, more than 500 miles of trails wind through waterfalls, wildflowers, and forests. However, there's no need to get overwhelmed. Shenandoah National Park is ideal for day trips, which is perhaps one of the reasons why it attracts a whopping 1.5 million people every year. It has a $30 per-car entrance fee. The park has been a staple of the area since 1935, when it was founded — although it was first used by indigenous people 15,000 years ago.

One of the bucket list things to do at this beloved park is to hike parts of the Appalachian Trail, which also conveniently leads people to some of the other must-visit park destinations. Those include Old Rag, a mountain that offers a challenging 9.5-mile loop hike. Or, just meander the car through Skyline Drive, which takes visitors to tens of stunning vista points.

"Absolutely beautiful. Skyline Drive alone is worth the trip — stunning views around every curve," wrote one past visitor on Google. "Tons of great hiking trails, peaceful vibes, and plenty of spots to just pull over and take it all in. Perfect getaway if you need a break from the city and want some real fresh air. Nature at its best." Shenandoah National Park has earned 4.8 stars from more than 17,500 reviews on Google.

Even those who prefer their day trip with bikinis instead of hiking boots can have fun in Virginia. Where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean is Virginia Beach, a seaside respite filled with natural beauty and manmade fun that's only 20 minutes from Norfolk. A 3-mile boardwalk runs parallel to the ocean, lined with bars, restaurants, shops, live music, a bike path, and traditional boardwalk fanfare. For a less crowded beach area, head to this overlooked East Coast beach nearby.

"The Virginia Beach Boardwalk is a fantastic place to visit, offering stunning ocean views, a lively atmosphere, and plenty of activities for all ages," wrote one past visitor on Tripadvisor. "The boardwalk is wide and well-maintained, perfect for walking, jogging, or biking. There are many restaurants, cafes, and shops along the way, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy the seaside vibe." The boardwalk has earned 4.5 stars from about 8,000 reviews on Tripadvisor.

If you would rather go vertical than horizontal, hike the 191 steps of the Cape Henry Lighthouse. History and scenic views are on tap here. The lighthouse was authorized by then-U.S. President George Washington in 1792. It's one of the oldest lighthouses in America.

You don't need to get on a plane to see cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, and rhinos, thanks to the Virginia Safari Park in Lexington. Here, at the only drive-through safari in the state, people can see over 1,000 animals on a 3-mile drive without unbuckling their seatbelts. The animals walk free here, spread out over 180 acres. Admission is about $22 per child and $29 per adult.

"We had an absolutely fantastic day," wrote one past visitor on Tripadvisor. "My expectations were exceeded a hundred times. The park was beautiful, clean and immaculate. The animals looked so well cared for and had plenty of room in their habitat." The Virginia Safari Park has earned 4.7 stars from over 1,900 reviews on Tripadvisor.

Visitors have plenty of opportunities to interact with animals, too. At the Giraffe Tower, people can hand-feed giraffes. Or, feed the friendly parakeets as you walk through their aviary.

As the 37^th largest state in the U.S., Virginia lacks the area that most other states do. However, what it lacks in size, it makes up for in opportunities for fun. Plus, this relatively smaller size makes it easier to head out for a day trip here. Explore rounded up the best day trips of them all, so you never have to go home saying, "I wish we would have done that."

To do so, we first determined which Virginia destinations had the most and best reviews on sites such as Tripadvisor and Google, earning a minimum of 4.2 stars from at least hundreds of reviews. But some of the sites on this list blow that out of the Chesapeake Bay, like Shenandoah National Park with 4.8 stars from more than 17,500 reviews. We also considered which day trips were the most iconic and had the most acclaim, such as the famous Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, home to the Chincoteague wild ponies. Plus, we evaluated which destinations were the best day trip material, offering plenty to do to keep people of all interests occupied for hours on end.