Prince William Forest Park
Prince William Forest Park, located in the northern region of Virginia, is an escape into nature for city dwellers and country folks alike.
Only 35 miles south of Washington, D.C., Prince William Forest is accessible to residents of the nation’s capital and its surrounding areas. (more…)
Great Falls State Park
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| Great Falls, National Park Service |
Located only 15 miles from the nation’s Capital, Great Falls Park is an 800 acre escape into nature for dwellers of Washington, D.C.
The falls are an overflow of the Potomac River, which flows into the Mather Gorge.
For centuries, the Great Falls have been a gathering place for people to fish, hike, and discover nature.
In 1784, George Washington’s plan was to make the Potomac River as navigable as the Ohio River, thus drawing people west. George Washington’s work on the river required the cooperation of multiple states, thus preparing him for the job of President a few years later.
Constructors worked to make a canal of the river, with locks to bypass the Great Falls. Getting around the falls involved a system with a series of five locks that lowered or raised boats around the sharp drop.
Thousands of boats used the Patowmack Canal upon its completion. The canal was abandoned in 1830, when workers aimed to build a waterway stretching from Georgetown to Maryland.
Today, Great Falls and the Patowmack Canal are protected by the National Park Service.
Location
Great Falls National Park is located in Northern Virginia, in the town of McLean.
The address of the park is 9200 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, Virginia, 22102.
Great Falls is a 30 minute drive from Washington, D.C., and a two hour drive from Richmond.
From Roanoke and from Virginia Beach, the park is a three and a half hour drive away.
Hours and Admission
The park is open daily from 7 a.m. until dusk.
The Visitor Center is open daily from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The snack bar is open seasonally.
The Visitor Center contains brochures, trail maps, and a museum. Throughout the year, events are held in the auditorium of the Visitor Center.
A children’s room is also located in the Visitor Center. This room contains puzzles, games, and educational activities for children.
Admission to the park is $3 per individual or $5 per vehicle. These passes last for three consecutive days.
Annual passes to the park are $20.
Things to Do
From the Visitor Center, the three Falls overlooks are can be reached by walking within two to ten minutes.
The park has fifteen miles of hiking, biking, and bridle trails, including the River Trail, which offers one of the best views of the Falls.
Fishing is permitted with a valid Virginia or Maryland license. Swimming and wading are not permitted.
Picnic tables and grills are available for use. They cannot be reserved and are filled on a first come, first serve basis.
Petersburg National Battlefield
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| Petersburg National Battlefield, Source: U.S. Park Service |
During the Civil War, the historic town of Petersburg played an important role in what has since been called the longest siege in American warfare.
Petersburg, located twenty five miles south of Richmond, was the Confederate Capital’s most prominent supplier. Petersburg had five railroads and thus the Union army had a strong desire to take control of it.
The Union army knew if they could cut off Richmond’s main line of supply, the city would be greatly weakened and susceptible to surrender. In June of 1864, Union General Ulysses S. Grant began his siege on Petersburg.
The Siege of Petersburg lasted nine and a half month and resulted in over 70,000 casualties.
The end of the siege resulted in Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House in April of 1865.
Today, the Petersburg National Battlefield stands as a monument to the valiant soldiers on both sides, and the bravery of the citizens of Petersburg, who held on for ten months in harsh conditions.
A full day visit is usually recommended to experience all the park has to offer.
The battlefields are located along a 33 mile loop. The park has 13 battlefield sites and 3 visitor centers.
The park map outlines a driving tour through the battlefields.
Location
Petersburg, Virginia is about 25 miles south of Richmond. The park stretches across the counties of Dinwiddle, Prince George, and Hopewell.
The park has three separate visitor centers.
Grant’s Headquarters at City Point is located at 1001 Pecan Avenue, Hopewell, Virginia.
The Eastern Front Visitor Center is located at 5001 Siege Road in Petersburg, Virginia.
Five Forks Battlefield is located at 9840 Courthouse Road, Dinwiddle, Virginia.
Hours and Admission
The Petersburg Battlefield grounds are open daily from 8:30 a.m. until dusk.
Each of the visitor centers are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The centers are closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Five Forks Battlefield, Poplar Grove National Cemetery, and Grant’s Headquarters at City Point all charge no admission.
The Eastern Front Visitor Center charges a fee of $5 per vehicle and $3 per individual.
Annual passes to the Petersburg National Battlefield can be purchased for $15.
Things to Do
Walking paths through the battlefields provide visitors the opportunity to get exercise and learn about history at the same time.
Outdoor hiking and bicycle trails are located at the Eastern Front location and the Five Forks Battlefield location.
Fishing is permitted at the Grant’s Headquarters unit.
Maps are provided to visitors who wish to complete the driving tour of the park. The driving tour covers 33 miles, with 13 stops.
Fort Monroe National Monument
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| Lighthouse at Fort Monroe, Wikimedia |
The Fort Monroe National Monument on the tip of the Virginia Peninsula has been an integral part of Virginia history for centuries.
The fort was built by French engineer General Simon Bernard between 1819 and 1834. The construction was built in response to the War of 1812 to strengthen America’s borders and fortifications.
Located on Old Point Comfort, the 565-acre peninsula on the Chesapeake Bay, Fort Monroe was designed to protect the bay and those living around it.
Robert E. Lee, head of the Confederate Army, was among many who helped to build Fort Monroe.
The fort was operated by Union troops during the Civil War, serving as a safe haven for thousands of slaves fleeing the Confederacy.
Today, the fort remains in adaptive use. Visitors flock to the monument to learn more about its rich history and many uses.
Location
Fort Monroe is located 65 miles east of Richmond, along the Chesapeake Bay. It is located on the Virginia Peninsula in Continental Park.
Visitors to the park are asked to follow signs for Casemate Museum upon entering the peninsula.
The park is a three-hour drive from Washington, D.C., and a 40-minute drive from Virginia Beach. From Roanoke, the park is a four-hour drive.
Hours and Admission
The Fort Monroe National Monument is one of the newest national parks. Hours and programs have not yet been set, but full schedule programing is expected to develop within a few years.
The grounds at Fort Monroe National Monument are open continuously for outdoor activity.
Casemate Museum, operated by the Commonwealth of Virginia with support from the United States Army, is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The museum is not open on Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day, New Year’s Day, and Easter Sunday.
The museum is wheelchair accessible.
Guided tours are available for groups of 10 or more.
Admission to the museum and to the grounds of Fort Monroe is free.
Things to Do
Visitors to Fort Monroe can enjoy exploring the 63-acre fort and the peninsula on which it is located.
Casemate Museum offers an extensive history of the fort complete with displays and exhibits.
Visitors can walk along the Civil War trails and can take a virtual tour of Casemate Museum.
Fort Monroe National Monument offers a variety of concerts and exhibits throughout the year.
For the summer of 2013, the fort is hosting a Summer Concert Series called Music by the Bay. Concerts take place every Thursday evening and are free to attend.
On the Fourth of July, the U.S. Fleet Forces Band performed at Fort Monroe Music by the Bay.
Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
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| Map of the John Smith Trail, Wikimedia |
The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail stretches across several states, but begins in Maryland and Virginia.
The trail gives visitors and history enthusiasts to walk in Captain John Smith’s footsteps, and to imagine what the land was like for Smith and his crew on their first journey to the New World.
Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, and canoeing at this national park.
Location
The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail is located in Chesapeake Bay, in the eastern portion of the state of Virginia.
The routes and trails of John Smith cover more than 3,000 miles, reaching into Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. Access points to the trail are located in numerous places.
Those visiting the Virginia portion of the trail can access it in the Chesapeake Bay area.
Numerous access points to the trail are located in the Chesapeake Bay. Most notable access points are the Elizabeth River Trail in Norfolk, Virginia, and the Rappahannock River Water Trail in Norfolk, Virginia.
Hours and Rates
The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail is open cyear round.
Due to inclement weather, parts of the trail are sometimes closed at certain times throughout the year. Before setting off on the trail, it is important to check the map to see if any parts of the trail have been temporarily closed.
This national trail has no admission fee for hikers or bikers.
No permit is needed to travel by boat along the trail, apart from any licenses required by the state of Virginia.
Some access points associated with the trail may require separate fees or reservations.
Things to do
Exploring the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail is bound to keep visitors engaged and busy for any extended amount of time. Here are a few things to do in the Virginia portion of the trail.
Boaters and paddlers can follow John Smith’s Adventures along the James River. This is a way to experience and follow John Smith’s journey by water.
Those who do not own a boat, but still wish to see some of John Smith’s journey by water can take a ferry to Tangier Island. From there, visitors can also take the ferry to Smith Island in Maryland.
Hikers along the trail can see several historical landmarks along access points. Places of interest include recreated American Indian houses at Henricus Historical Park and First Landing State Park.
The Pamunkey Indian Reservation is another popular stop among visitors to the trail. Visitors will gain a thorough understanding of the tribe’s past and present identity.
Booker T. Washington National Monument
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| Booker T. Washington monument, Wikimedia |
Located in Franklin County the National Monument of Booker T. Washington honors an exceptional man come from humble beginnings.
The monument is located at the place of Washington’s birth, also the former 207-acre farm of James Burroughs, a plantation and slave owner.
Washington was born a slave to Burroughs. After the Civil War, Washington gained his freedom and went on to become the first principal of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial School.
Washington later became an author, scholar, and philosopher, and was seen by many as the most influential African American of his time.
Visitors to this national monument can explore the birthplace of Booker T. Washington and learn more about his early life.
Location
Franklin County is located in Central Virginia, about 25 miles southeast of Roanoke and 50 miles southwest of Lynchburg.
The park is located 16 miles northeast of Rocky Mount.
Hours and Admission
The park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the year.
The park is closed for major holidays, including Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. The park will also occasionally close due to inclement weather.
The national monument has no admission fee. Reservations are suggested for groups of five or more, and especially suggested for school groups.
Rangers can be contacted for reservations by calling (504) 721- 2094.
What to Do
Visitors are advised to begin their journey into Booker T. Washington’s past at the Visitor Center. The center has exhibits and information detailing the life of Washington.
Audio-visual presentations are shown to help orientate visitors.
The center also has a gift shop, where visitors can purchase books and other information about slavery, the Civil War, and African American History.
The Plantation Trail winds through the historic area of the park, about a quarter mile in length. Walkers along the plantation trail will see reconstructions of nineteenth century buildings once part of the Burrough’s Plantation.
The farm area, has pigs, sheep, horses, and chickens. The garden area provides information on gardening techniques used by slaves and owners on the farm in the 1800s.
Walking tours through the plantation are provided as tour guides are available. Tour guides provide a detailed history on the buildings and their uses.
Walking tours generally last thirty minutes to one hour. Tours also begin with a 15 minute introductory video in the auditorium.
Visitors hoping for a longer walk will enjoy the Jack-O-Lantern Branch Heritage Trail, a 1.5-mile walk through forest and field.
A picnic area is available for the convenience of park guests.
Arlington House and Robert E. Lee Memorial
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| Arlington House in the Arlington National Cemetery, Wikimedia |
Arlington House has served many purposes over the years, most notably as the historic residence of Confederate General Robert E. Lee and his family. The family resided in the Arlington House before the Civil War.
The Arlington House has been used as a military headquarters, a personal family home, and a national cemetery since it was built in 1802.
The house was built by George Washington Park Custis, grandson of Martha Washington through her first marriage. He was raised at Mount Vernon, by George and Martha Washington.
George Washington Park Custis was the father of Mary Anna Randolph Custis, who became the wife of Robert E. Lee. George Washington Park Custis remained at Arlington until his death in 1857, and played a prominent role in the lives of the Lees and their seven children.
Today, the house is an Historic National Park, and visitors to Arlington and the Robert E. Lee Memorial can learn even more about the house’s long history, and the prominent figures who walked its halls.
Location
Arlington House is located next to the Arlington Cemetery, via the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
From Wahington, D.C., the house and cemetery are reached by crossing Memorial Bridge.
Parking is available at the Arlington National Cemetery Visitor Center, and handicapped parking is available at the Old Administration Building, located behind Arlington House.
Hours and Admission
Arlington House is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Reservations are not required to enter the house, but there may be a delay on busy days. Tour groups can only take 25 people through the house at a time, due to weight restrictions on the second floor of the house.
Admission to the house is free.
What to Do
Visitors to the Arlington House will enjoy the Robert E. Lee Museum. The museum provides a detailed overview of the famous general’s life and influence.
The museum contains original artifacts from the Lee family.
Visitors may also explore the Arlington House. Visitors can take a tour, or walk through it at their leisure.
Audio tours can be taken via personal cell phones.
The grounds of Arlington House can also be explored. The slave quarters provide detailed information on the slaves who lived on the premises, and the kind of life they lived.
For children, the park has developed the Arlington House Junior Ranger Program, designed for children ages 5-12. Participants of the program receive a Junior Ranger Badge upon visiting the house and completing the Junior Ranger workbook.