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Museums and Historical Sites Worth Visiting in Virginia
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items I'm an avid museum-goer and I've been to good, unique, and sometimes even bad museums across the world. My home state of Virginia is rich in history and as a result, there's a lot of emphasis across the state on historical societies, protecting histo...
Map
Sections
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Historical Homes
Museums
Living History Museums and Places
Historical Homes
These are homes of famous people that you can tour.
Montpelier is the home of the fourth president of the United States, James Madison and located in Orange, Virginia. There have been a lot of preservation and restoration efforts over the last few years to restore the property which includes not only ...
I recommend purchasing tickets ahead online. Tickets are $27.19 for adults and $9.33 for children but they do special events with discounted tickets (e.g., his birthday and constitution day). They are open Thursday-Monday.
I recommend purchasing tickets ahead online. Tickets are $27.19 for adults and $9.33 for children but they do special events with discounted tickets (e.g., his birthday and constitution day). They are open Thursday-Monday.
James Madison's Montpelier
The home of the first president of the United States, George Washington, its located in Vernon (in Northern Virginia). There is a lot to see here from the beautiful grounds (George Washington loved gardening!), house and buildings on the property. It...
George Washington's Mount Vernon
Home of third U.S. president Thomas Jefferson, it is located in Charlottesville, Virginia. The grounds are well-kept and the house and surrounding buildings are rich with history and knowledgeable guides.
Monticello
John Marshall is known as the “Great Chief Justice” for his role in creating the modern Supreme Court. He served from 1801 until 1835 and his influential decisions, such as Marbury v. Madison (1803) and Fletcher v. Peck (1810) Treason Trial of Burr h...
Marshall's home in Richmond was built in 1790 and he lived there for forty-five years until his death.
Marshall's home in Richmond was built in 1790 and he lived there for forty-five years until his death.
John Marshall House
Museums
These are my favorite museums in Virginia.
The Packard Campus of the Library of Congress is the very definition of a hidden gem. Located in Culpepper Virginia, from a distance it looks like an abandoned building. In reality it is the world's largest collection of multimedia and is in fact a f...
They have regular events here and sometimes you can even explore their cold storage with thousands of films. They also have an art deco theater that has periodic shows!
They have regular events here and sometimes you can even explore their cold storage with thousands of films. They also have an art deco theater that has periodic shows!
Library of Congress - Packard Campus
Udvar-Hazy is an incredible museum that has a wide-ranging collection of different airplanes and air vehicles, including a space shuttle! Located in Chantilly (in Northern Virginia) this is a must-visit for the area and you can easily spend hours her...
If you have the time, be sure to catch a movie in their imax theater!
If you have the time, be sure to catch a movie in their imax theater!
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley is a must-visit. Not only is the museum itself massive and well curated, it features a massive, well-maintained garden. This is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon or relaxing morning. They also often have even...
Museum of the Shenandoah Valley
This is a small museum but it packs quite the punch. It is very well organized and features some very unique exhibits in addition to the history of Highland County. These special exhibits include one on pin cushions, musical media and cameras.
It is worth noting that you should visit this museum during the Maple Festival in Highland county (two weekends in March). It's not an easy drive (mountains) but worth it if you hit the festival and this museum!
It is worth noting that you should visit this museum during the Maple Festival in Highland county (two weekends in March). It's not an easy drive (mountains) but worth it if you hit the festival and this museum!
Highland County Museum
This is not only a museum but you can actually play several pinball and arcade machines. Some pinball machines are just on display for historical purposes with information.
For the pinball and arcade machines you can play, all the machines are set to “free to play” after you pay a fee.
For the pinball and arcade machines you can play, all the machines are set to “free to play” after you pay a fee.
Roanoke Pinball Museum
The Living History Museum located in Newport is an incredible museum and experience. It features several exhibits including an aquarium, science center, aviary, botanical preserve and planetarium. There's a lot to see here and its easy to spent a goo...
Virginia Living Museum
Living History Museums and Places
Sometimes to better understand history you have to live in it a little. These are places that allow you to interact within old places and often have live actors or historians on site.
Located in Staunton, the Frontier Culture Museum is the largest open-air museum in Virginia. There are several recreations of cultures who lived in or settled in Virginia, including Germans, Native Americans, Scots and Irish.
It's easy to spend an entire day here and it does involve a lot of walking so be sure to bring water, snacks and good walking shoes.
It's easy to spend an entire day here and it does involve a lot of walking so be sure to bring water, snacks and good walking shoes.
Frontier Culture Museum
Williamsburg is a must-visit in Virginia and an incredible living history "museum." Featuring re-enactors who are very knowledgeable, historical buildings and historical findings around every corner, it is a dream location for anyone who enjoys histo...
Williamsburg is also close to Jamestown and Yorktown and the three make up the “triangle” of early Virginia settlement.
Williamsburg is also close to Jamestown and Yorktown and the three make up the “triangle” of early Virginia settlement.
Colonial Williamsburg
The infamous Jamestown Settlement (the first permanent and successful one in Virginia) is located close to Colonial Williamsburg.
Jamestown Settlement
Appomattox is most famously known as where on April 1865 Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses Grant in the Appomattox Court House. The Court House is surrounded by several historical buildings making this a great pla...
They also have events going on from time to time and I highly recommend going during one of those (which is when I went).
They also have events going on from time to time and I highly recommend going during one of those (which is when I went).
Appomattox