Mama Mystic's "All the Things" Virginia Tourist Guide

Virginia, known as the "Old Dominion," offers a rich tapestry of experiences for moms, families, friends, groups, organizations, and individuals who love beaches, forests, national parks, museums, outdoor sports, hiking, surfing, fishing, hunting, driving, entertainment, dining, arts, and culture. This guide provides a detailed overview of Virginia’s attractions, seasonal activities, ticket rates, children’s activities, holiday events, park activities, sporting events, concerts, transportation, lodging, traffic patterns, dining, notable personalities, major cities, interstates, backroads, and outdoor pursuits.

Beaches

Virginia’s 112-mile coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay is a haven for beach lovers, offering surfing, fishing, and family-friendly activities.

Beach Location Activities Notes Virginia Beach Virginia Beach Surfing, fishing, boardwalk strolls 3-mile boardwalk, hosts Neptune Festival Sandbridge Beach Virginia Beach Swimming, kayaking, relaxing Quieter alternative to Virginia Beach Chincoteague Island Eastern Shore Birdwatching, kayaking, pony tours Famous for wild ponies Cape Charles Eastern Shore Family vacations, fishing Calm, shallow waters Ocean View Beaches Norfolk Surfing, beachcombing Less crowded, local vibe

• Ticket Rates: Most beaches are free to access; parking fees may apply ($5–$10/day). Surfing lessons at VB Surf Sessions start at $60/hour.

• Activities: Surfing is popular at Virginia Beach’s 1st Street Jetty and Croatan Beach, especially during the East Coast Surfing Championships in August. Fishing is excellent at the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier ($10/adult).

Forests and National Parks

Virginia’s forests and national parks offer hiking, camping, and scenic drives.

• Shenandoah National Park: Features 500+ miles of trails, including the Appalachian Trail, and Skyline Drive’s 105-mile scenic route. Entrance fee: $30/vehicle for 7 days (NPS Shenandoah).

• George Washington and Jefferson National Forests: Spanning 1.8 million acres, these forests offer hiking, camping, and fishing.

• Blue Ridge Parkway: A 469-mile drive from Shenandoah to the Great Smoky Mountains, ideal for fall foliage.

Museums

Virginia’s museums cover art, history, science, and more, with many offering free admission.

Museum Location Admission Highlights Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Richmond Free (special exhibits $2–$20) 50,000+ artworks, Fabergé collection Science Museum of Virginia Richmond $18.50/adult, $15.50/youth Interactive science exhibits Virginia Living Museum Newport News $22/adult, $17/child Zoo, aquarium, planetarium Jamestown Settlement Williamsburg $18/adult, $9/child Living history of 17th-century Virginia Chrysler Museum of Art Norfolk Free Glass collection, American art

Outdoor Sports and Activities

Virginia is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering hiking, surfing, fishing, and hunting.

• Hiking: Top trails include McAfee Knob (Appalachian Trail), Old Rag Mountain (Shenandoah), and Dragon’s Tooth (Roanoke). Some require permits, like Old Rag ($1/day, Recreation.gov).

• Surfing: Virginia Beach’s 1st Street Jetty and Croatan Beach are prime spots, with waves averaging 3–5 feet in fall (Surfline).

• Fishing: Chesapeake Bay and Smith Mountain Lake offer bass, trout, and catfish. Licenses start at $7.50/day (Virginia DWR).

• Hunting: Seasons include deer (September–January), turkey (April–May), and bear (October–January). Licenses vary by game ($18–$50, Virginia DWR).

Driving and Scenic Routes

Virginia’s roads offer scenic drives and historic backroads.

• Skyline Drive: A 105-mile route through Shenandoah National Park with panoramic views.

• Blue Ridge Parkway: A 469-mile drive showcasing the Blue Ridge Mountains.

• The Crooked Road: A 432-mile music heritage trail in southwestern Virginia, featuring bluegrass venues.

Entertainment, Arts, and Culture

Virginia’s cultural scene is vibrant, with live music, theater, and festivals.

• Live Music: Venues like The National (Richmond, The National) and Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater (Virginia Beach) host major acts.

• Theater: The Barter Theatre in Abingdon and the Signature Theatre in Arlington offer diverse performances.

• Festivals: The Neptune Festival (Virginia Beach, September), Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival (Winchester, April), and Virginia Wine Festival (Leesburg, October) are highlights.

Seasonal and Holiday Activities

Virginia’s seasons offer unique experiences.

• Spring: Cherry blossoms in Richmond, Dogwood Festival in Petersburg.

• Summer: Beach days, water parks like Water Country USA ($60/adult, Water Country USA).

• Fall: Leaf-peeping on Skyline Drive, harvest festivals.

• Winter: Skiing at Wintergreen Resort, holiday markets in Williamsburg.

Holiday activities include:

• Christmas: Colonial Williamsburg’s Grand Illumination with fireworks and historic reenactments.

• Thanksgiving: Parades and feasts in Richmond and Norfolk.

• Fourth of July: Fireworks at Virginia Beach and Mount Vernon.

Local, State, and National Park Activities

Virginia’s parks offer diverse activities.

• State Parks: 41 parks, including First Landing (Virginia Beach) and Douthat (Millboro), offer camping ($20–$40/night), hiking, and fishing (Virginia State Parks).

• National Parks: Shenandoah National Park provides hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing.

• Activities: Kayaking, birdwatching, and ranger-led programs are popular.

Sporting Events and Conferences

Virginia hosts a range of sporting events and conferences.

• Sporting Events:

  • NASCAR at Richmond Raceway (April/September, $50–$150, Richmond Raceway).

  • Virginia Tech football in Blacksburg (Virginia Tech).

  • Yuengling Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach (March, Shamrock Marathon).

• Conferences: The Virginia Beach Convention Center and Richmond Convention Center host events year-round (Virginia Beach Convention Center).

Major Concert Events (June 2025–March 2026)

Specific concert schedules are subject to change, but major venues include:

• Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater (Virginia Beach): Hosts artists like Thomas Rhett (August 23, 2025, $50–$200, Ticketmaster).

• The National (Richmond): Features bands like Dispatch and John Butler.

• John Paul Jones Arena (Charlottesville): Hosts concerts and events.

Check Concertful for updates.

Airport and Transit Information

• Major Airports:

  • Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD, Fly Dulles).

  • Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA, Fly Reagan).

  • Richmond International Airport (RIC, Fly Richmond).

  • Norfolk International Airport (ORF, Norfolk Airport).

• Transit Options:

  • Buses: GRTC in Richmond, Hampton Roads Transit in Norfolk (GoHRT).

  • Trains: Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express (Amtrak, VRE).

  • Trolleys: Virginia Beach Trolley ($2/ride, May–September, Visit Virginia Beach).

  • City Bikes: Capital Bikeshare in Northern Virginia ($2/ride, Capital Bikeshare).

Lodging

Virginia offers accommodations for all budgets.

Hotel Location Type Rates The Jefferson Hotel Richmond Luxury $300–$600/night

The Inn at Little Washington Washington Luxury $800+/night

Williamsburg Inn Williamsburg Historic $200–$400/night

The Greenbrier White Sulphur Springs Resort $250–$500/night

The Tides Inn Irvington Boutique $150–$300/night

Traffic Patterns

• Peak Hours: 6:30–9:30 AM and 3:30–6:30 PM, especially on I-95 and I-64.

• Strategies: Use public transit or schedule activities outside rush hours (VDOT).

Food Scene

Virginia’s culinary scene is diverse, with local specialties and international flavors.

• Local Specialties: Chesapeake Bay oysters, Virginia ham, peanuts.

• Notable Restaurants:

  • The Roosevelt (Richmond): Southern cuisine, $30–$50/entree (The Roosevelt).

  • The Inn at Little Washington: James Beard-nominated fine dining, $200+/person (Inn at Little Washington).

  • 1608 Crafthouse (Virginia Beach): Local seafood, $20–$40/entree.

Renowned Personalities

• Historical Figures: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison.

• Modern Celebrities: Sandra Bullock (Arlington), Chris Brown (Tappahannock), Pharrell Williams (Virginia Beach).

Major Cities and Attractions

• Richmond: Virginia State Capitol, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Maymont Park.

• Virginia Beach: Boardwalk, Virginia Aquarium, First Landing State Park.

• Norfolk: Nauticus, Chrysler Museum, Norfolk Botanical Garden.

• Arlington: Arlington National Cemetery, The Pentagon.

• Newport News: Virginia Living Museum, USS Monitor Center.

Interstates

• I-95: North-south, connecting Richmond and Alexandria.

• I-64: East-west, linking Virginia Beach, Richmond, and Charlottesville.

• I-81: North-south through the Shenandoah Valley.

Backroads

• Blackwells Hollow Road (Route 810): Scenic drive in Albemarle County.

• The Crooked Road: Music heritage trail in southwestern Virginia.

• Virginia Creeper Trail: 34-mile rail trail for biking and hiking.

Lake, Hiking, and Outdoor Activities

• Lakes:

  • Lake Anna: Boating, fishing, hiking ($7/vehicle, Lake Anna State Park).

  • Smith Mountain Lake: Water sports, camping.

  • Lake Moomaw: Fishing, hiking in George Washington National Forest.

• Hiking Trails:

  • McAfee Knob: 8.8-mile round-trip with iconic views.

  • Old Rag Mountain: 9.4-mile challenging hike with rock scrambles.

  • Dragon’s Tooth: 4.6-mile hike with unique rock formations.

Potential Barriers and Strategies

• Barrier: Crowded beaches in summer.

  • Strategy: Opt for Sandbridge or Chincoteague for fewer crowds. Visit in spring or fall for better access.

  • Evaluation: Check crowd reports on Tripadvisor and adjust plans based on visitor feedback.

• Barrier: Traffic congestion on major interstates.

  • Strategy: Use Amtrak or local buses for city travel. Plan drives outside peak hours.

  • Evaluation: Monitor travel times via VDOT and adjust schedules.

• Barrier: Limited event ticket availability.

  • Strategy: Book early through Ticketmaster or Eventbrite. Set alerts for new events.

  • Evaluation: Track ticket purchase success and event satisfaction via reviews.

Conclusion

Virginia offers a wealth of experiences, from historic sites and scenic drives to vibrant festivals and outdoor adventures. Plan ahead to navigate crowds, traffic, and ticket availability for a memorable visit.