Busch Gardens
This popular theme park gives you a unique tour around the world on high-tech simulator Europe in the Air. Always near or at the top of the list of best steel coasters, Alpengeist boasts 67 mph speeds and 6 inversions, while Apollo’s Chariot offers a 4 G experience. Animal encounters and demonstrations are featured as well, including lorikeets, wolves and eagles; visit Highland Stables to see sheep, border collies and Clydesdales. First-rate events and concerts can be enjoyed, as well as all kinds of delicious food. Sister park, Water Country USA, is less than 5 miles away. Find Discount Hotels near Busch Gardens.
Colonial National Historical Park
Locations of the first Permanent English Colony, Jamestown Settlement, and final major battle of the American Revolutionary War, Yorktown, may both be explored here. Visitor Centers and guided tours are available in both places. Also popular are self-guided drives along the 24 mile scenic Colonial Parkway, connecting Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg and Yorktown. Don’t miss the Cape Henry Memorial and the historic lighthouses! Find Discount Hotels near Colonial National Historical Park.
Douthat State Park
Arguably Virginia’s best state park, Douthat is tucked into the Allegheny Mountains. A 50-acre lake is offered to swimmers and fishermen; 40 miles of wooded hiking trails are available, many open to mountain bikers. Camping, RV, cabin and lodge facilities are superb. During the summer the park offers guided hikes, canoe tours and programs for kids. A 125-seat amphitheater is popular for weddings and other events. Find Discount Hotels near Douthat State Park.
Kings Dominion
The Intimidator 305 is just the newest of 15 outstanding coasters at this park; a whitewater rafting experience and pay-per-ride XTreme SkyFlyer are simply icing on the cake. Planet Snoopy provides fun for the little ones and several exciting live shows entertain families all day long; watch for seasonal events and concerts. As if that’s not enough, WaterWorks is free with admission, letting you float down a lazy river on a raft, slide down tubes and generally have a lot of wet and wild fun. Find Discount Hotels near Kings Dominion.
Manassas National Battlefield Park
In July 1861, the first major land battle of the Civil War took place here; August 1862 brought a Confederate victory and a move into the north. Spend some time in the Visitor Center exploring the battle map and seeing interesting museum artifacts. Daily walking tours are given; if time is limited, take a self-guided, one mile cell phone Henry Hill Loop Trail tour. Find Discount Hotels near Manassas National Battlefield Park.
Shenandoah National Park
Woodlands, rivers and streams are preserved amidst the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, providing spectacular wildlife, vistas and recreational opportunities. Scenic Skyline Drive features over 75 overlooks, and you can hike 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Watch for 570 million year old lava flows which cap many of the park’s peaks, known as Greenstones. Find Discount Hotels near Shenandoah National Park.