Places to Visit in Virginia

Before we take a sneak peek on the places one can visit in Virginia, let us learn a bit about the state's history. Known as the Commonwealth of Virginia, the state was originally dominated by the Native Americans. Permanent European settlement occurred with the establishment of Jamestown in 1607, which was initiated by the English colonists. It is often called the Old Dominion and sometimes the Mother of Presidents because it is the birthplace of eight U.S. presidents, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe. This state was also one of the thirteen colonies that joined the American Revolutionary War to gain independence from Great Britain.

There are so many places in this state that it may get a little difficult trying to decide what to see or do. But no matter wherever you are in Virginia, there will be abundance of nature in its amazing beauty, with pleasant people just waiting to greet you.

Five Best Places in Virginia
If you are planning to visit the place, just make sure that you don't miss these top five destinations. So make sure these top five places are in your itinerary during your vacations.

Virginia's Explore Park
Located on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the top point of this park is the historic area. This 1,100 acre environmental, historical and recreational park give you the facility to explore three historic areas that depicts life in the state from 1000 A.D. to 1850. You will see people here dressed in periodic costumes of the Native Americans.

Oatlands Plantations
One of the National Trust for Historic Preservation sites, the Oatlands Plantation was built in 1804. This place will give you a glimpse into the life of a nineteenth century working plantation as well as early twentieth century English style country houses. While staying at the Oatlands Plantation, don't forget to step outside and visit the breathtaking gardens. These gardens are complete with ornamental statues and connecting terraces.

Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum
The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum has the world's finest collection of folk art. This 10,400 square foot museum exhibits different genres of paintings. It is also home to a number of periodic stoneware, musical instruments and patriotic arts. You can also see early quilts and coverlets and also objects of mourning as you make your way through the museum.

Historic Jamestown
If you are a history enthusiast, you will love the Historic Jamestown. You will get to see the first permanent English settlement guided by a National Park Service ranger who will take you through a walking tour of the original settlement. Step back in time with a visit to the Jamestown Settlement. This 'living' museum offers new galleries and board replicas of the three ships that crossed the Atlantic ocean in 1607. You can also see real life archeologists working hard to uncover the past.

Virginia Living Museum
This museum offers a unique combination of nature that ranges from a zoological park all the way to a planetarium. The museum is an attraction for all nature lovers. You can experience the wonderful smells and beautiful sights inside the Living Museum's botanical gardens. Don't forget to walk on the boardwalk that crosses the lake. Keep your eyes open to witness the wildlife, you will find river otters and even birds such as bald eagles.

Besides these, you can also visit Charleston which is famous for its numerous museums dedicated to the American Civil War. You can also add Beckley to see the New River Gorge National River, along with Wheeling which was the site of the last battle of American Revolution in 1782.

Best time to Visit Virginia
Virginia has a very erratic weather with moderate precipitation all over the year. You can make a visit in late spring, i.e. May, June or late summer and autumn or even summer if you want to enjoy the beach life in Virginia beach. You can also visit the place around the time when the Virginia Wine Festival is celebrated, which usually falls between June to September. However, the months from July to September can be unbearably hot.

These were some of the places to visit in Virginia state. Remember this is just a fraction of what you can do there. So take time out of your daily routine and experience the wonderful places and opportunities that this state has to offer.