Berkeley Plantation
With many claims to fame, Berkeley Plantation in Charles City County is a must-see attraction for anyone who is interested in Virginia history.
The stone marker above the door reminds visitors that this Georgian mansion was built in 1726. It is the oldest three-story home in the entire state. Benjamin Harrison built the home with a bit of advice from his friend Thomas Jefferson. At one time it was a thriving plantation, just like so many others in the South. (more…)
Museum of Fine Arts
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is the largest of its kind in Virginia with more than 500,000 square feet of exhibit space on 13 acres of land. (more…)
Norfolk Botanical
Norfolk Botanical Garden in Hampton Roads is the place to visit for anyone who enjoys gardens, wildlife or just spending time outdoors.
It began in 1939 when the Work Progress Administration gave the city a grant for just over $76,000 to create a garden that would attract visitors. (more…)
Virginia Beach Attractions
Virginia Beach attractions will keep just about any visitor (or resident) busy for days.
Although the main draw is the oceanfront, the tourist district has plenty to do, and other major attractions are close enough by car that they take little time to reach. (more…)
Virginia Zoo: 500+ Animals
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| Virginia Zoo has added two cheetahs to its list of 500+ animals. Credit: Wikimedia (Creative Commons license) |
The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk, one of two accredited zoos in Virginia, covers 53 acres and has more than 500 animals.
It is adjacent to Lafayette Park and bordered by the Lafayette River in downtown Norfolk. It has been in existence for more than 115 years.
Zoo residents include more than 500 animals such as elephants, tigers, cheetahs, red pandas, kangaroos and giraffes as well as small creatures such as skinks and tree frogs.
The four major animal collections are mammals, amphibians and reptiles, birds, and invertebrates.
Visitors can go nose-to-nose with prairie dogs in viewing bubbles.
The “Asia – Trail of the Tiger” exhibit that opened in April 2011 includes several exotic Asian species such as orangutans, moon bears, tapirs, small-clawed otters and colorful birds.
Virginia Zoo also has 10 themed gardens scattered over its 53 acres. They include the African Village, Butterfly, Color, Herb, Organic Rose, Ornamental Grass, Rain, Shade, Tropical and Virginia Barnyard gardens.
The zoo train, which runs on a track 3/4 of a mile long, is a 1/3 scale model of a C.P. Huntington steam engine. Four coaches can hold more than 80 passengers.
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| Virginia Zoo entrance; credit: Wikimedia Creative Commons license |
Tickets are $2 per rider for the 20-minute ride. Children under age 2 ride for free. Funds raised from the sales of train tickets support conservation programs and animal exhibit expansion. The train runs between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. daily.
The Water Plaza has entry fountains where children can frolic in the water. They are turned on during Saturdays and Sundays.
Children’s activities include Animal Crackers, which has stories, crafts and a chance to meet animals up close.
Other features include a series of themed gardens — African village, butterfly, herb, rose, shade and more.
Outside food and beverages aren’t allowed. The zoo has four dining options. They are the African Village Restaurant, Beastro snack bar, Dippin’ Dots and Snack Shack.
Visitors who would rather bring a picnic can go to Lafayette Park just outside of the zoo. They can re-enter the zoo on the same day using an admission receipt.
Virginia Zoo shares reciprocal memberships with more than 125 zoos and aquariums nationwide.
Nearby Attractions
Major attractions within five miles include the Norfolk Waterside District, USS Wisconsin by Town Point Park and the Chrysler Museum of Art.
Attractions more than five miles away include the Virginia Beach waterfront as well as key attractions there such as the Virginia Aquarium, First Landing State Park and Marine Science Center. They are about 20 to 25 miles to the east.
Williamsburg, Yorktown and Busch Gardens amusement park are about 45 miles to the north.
Top Richmond Attractions
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| © 2019 by Scott Bateman |
The top 10 Richmond attractions are a matter of opinion, but the following 10 are hard to beat.
1 – Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Avenue, features more than 50 acres of gardens. More than a dozen themed gardens include a Healing Garden, Sunken Garden, Asian Valley, Rose Garden, a wetland garden, a Victorian garden, and a Children’s Garden. A classical domed Conservatory, which is the only one of its kind in the mid-Atlantic, has displays, orchids and tropical plants. General admission tickets are $13 per person with discounts for seniors, children and military.
https://www.lewisginter.org/
2 – Maymont
This 100-acre estate, 2201 Shields Lake Drive, includes an historic mansion atop a hill with views of surrounding gardens, rolling landscape, a children’s zoo, majestic trees and a nature center. Admission to the grounds is free. The farm and wildlife center have a suggested donation of $5.
https://maymont.org/
3 – Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
VMFA, 200 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard, completed a four-year, $150 million expansion project in 2010 that added more than 165,000 square feet to the museum’s previous 380,000 square feet. The new James W. and Frances G. McGlothlin Wing houses a number of galleries, including the American art collection, the Lewis collection of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and others. Admission is free.
https://www.vmfa.museum/
4 – Virginia Museum of History and Culture
The society collects, preserves and interprets numerous examples of Virginia history. Founded in 1831, its first president was Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall. The museum is right next to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts at 428 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard. Admission is $10 for adults with discounts for seniors, children and active military personnel.
https://www.virginiahistory.org
5 – Science Museum of Virginia
The Museum at 2500 West Broad Street offers hundreds of interactive exhibits and has permanent exhibitions on health, energy and natural science. It also features artifacts, live animals, a theater company and an IMAX®DOME. Other attractions include visiting exhibitions, educational programming, overnight adventures, lectures, demonstrations and summer camps. General admission is $15.50 for teens and adults; discounts are available for seniors and children.
https://www.smv.org
6 – Richmond International Raceway
The raceway, 600 E. Laburnum St., hosts two NASCAR Doubleheader weekends every year that feature the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series, under the lights on a ¾-mile D-Shaped oval. It also hosts many other events throughout the year such as festivals.
https://www.richmondraceway.com/
7 – Canal Walk
Richmond’s Canal Walk is a free 1.25 mile trek along the banks of the Haxall Canal and the James River & Kanawha Canal. The walk is accessible on 5th, 7th, Virginia, 14th, 15th, and 17th Streets. It presents four hundred years of Richmond history via medallions, monuments and exhibits.
http://www.rvariverfront.com/
8 – Virginia Capitol and Executive Mansion
Since 1788, the Virginia Capitol at 9th and Grace Streets has been home to the General Assembly, the oldest legislature continuously operating in the Western Hemisphere. The Capitol was designed by Thomas Jefferson and was the first public building in the New World constructed in the Monumental Classical style.The Executive Mansion is the oldest continuously occupied governor’s home (since 1813) in the country. It has free 20-minute tours available to the public.
https://www.executivemansion.virginia.gov/
9 – Hollywood Cemetery
Hollywood Cemetery, 412 S. Cherry Street, has been operating as a cemetery in Richmond since 1849. It is the final resting place of two American presidents (James Monroe and John Tyler), Confederate President Jefferson Davis, six Virginia governors, two Supreme Court justices, twenty-two Confederate generals, and thousands of Confederate soldiers. Admission is free; guided tours are available.
https://www.hollywoodcemetery.org/
10 – Agecroft Hall
Agecroft, 4305 Sulgrave Road, is an actual British manor house built in the 15th century in Lancashire, England. It eventually fell into disrepair and was sold at an auction. Richmond resident Thomas C. Williams Jr. bought the property, dismantled it, shipped it to Richmond and rebuilt it. The mansion is open to tours, which also include a garden. Admission costs $10 for adults with discounts for seniors, children and military personnel.
https://www.agecrofthall.org/
Natural Bridge Nature’s Art
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| Natural Bridge. Credit: Wikimedia Creative Commons license |
The Natural Bridge, located in Rockbridge County, Virginia, is one of the oldest attractions in the entire country and has been visited by George Washington and marched across by soldiers during the Civil War.
Thomas Jefferson loved Natural Bridge so much that he purchased the land it sits on and built a cabin that he used as a retreat.
Today the site, which is both a Virginia Historic Landmark and a National Historic Landmark, continues to draw visitors from around the country. It is one of the better known natural attractions in Virginia on the I-81 corridor along with Luray Caverns.
As the name implies, this is a natural formation. The waters of Cedar Creek have peeled away at the layers of limestone creating the arch known as Natural Bridge.
It is a site that is made more picturesque by the Blue Ridge Mountains that serve as a backdrop to the Bridge.
The Natural Bridge is the main attraction in this area, but those who visit will also find many other things to do and see. A visit to Natural Bridge, Virginia is a perfect choice for families and for those who enjoy spending time outdoors.
The Blue Ridge Mountains offer gorgeous hiking trails. You’ll also find the opportunity for white water rafting, fishing, horseback riding and more.
Be sure to bring along your camera. It seems like everywhere you turn in this beautiful town are sights that you’ll want to capture on film to enjoy later.
Nearby Attractions
Many other attractions are located near the Natural Bridge. A few of the most popular are listed below.
Wax Museum and Factory: See fabulous wax creations and watch artisans as they make new pieces.
Drama of Creation: This popular theatrical production tells the Bible’s story of Creation.
Monacan Native American Village: The Natural Bridge was an important site to the Monacan tribe. Today you can visit a recreation of a Monacan Village. Guides conduct presentations about Monacan life throughout the day and answer visitor questions.
Butterflies at the Bridge: A beautiful indoor butterfly garden. Note: This attraction is only open seasonally, so call 800-533-1410 ahead of your visit to see if it will be open.
Natural Bridge Caverns: The caverns at Natural Bridge are some of the largest on the East Coast. The caverns, opened to the public in 1977, descend more than 34 stories deep. Guided tours are available and last 45 minutes. Tourists can see cavern structures such as the Colossal Dome room, Mirror Lake, the Well Room and the Canyon Room’s stalactites and stalagmites.
Access is convenient for anyone planning to visit or just travelling through the area. It is 13 miles south of Lexington just off I-81 in the Shenandoah Valley. Look for signs on the highway indicating the upcoming exit to take.
Some of the Natural Bridge can be seen from the roadway, but to get a good look you will need to purchase a ticket.