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Best Virginia attraction? 10Best readers say Colonial Williamsburg!
Best Virginia Attraction (2018)
Virginia, the birthplace of America, is steeped in history having witnessed many of the nation's most defining moments. But its heritage is only part of the appeal of Old Dominion. The state's natural attractions are as diverse as its history, from the shores of Chesapeake Bay and the beaches of the Atlantic coast to the Blue Ridge Mountains and spectacular Shenandoah Valley.
We asked a panel of Virginia travel writers and photographers to nominate their favorite attractions in the state, and for the past four weeks, 10Best readers have been voting for their favorites.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Virginia Attraction are as follows:
- Arlington National Cemetery - Arlington
- George Washington's Mount Vernon - Mount Vernon
- Thomas Jefferson's Monticello - Charlottesville
- Appomattox Court House National Historical Park - Appomattox
- Grayson Highlands State Park - Mouth of Wilson
- Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge - Chincoteague Island
- Natural Bridge State Park - Natural Bridge
- Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest
- Virginia Creeper Trail - Abingdon
- Colonial Williamsburg - Williamsburg
Photo courtesy of iStock / OceanFishing
No. 10:
Arlington National Cemetery is perhaps the most famous burial ground in the nation. The 600-plus acres of green hills are lined with seemingly countless white tombs. This military cemetery honors people who have lost their lives in service to the nation, from the American Civil War forward. Visitors who take a tour of the cemetery can see John F. Kennedy’s grave site, the changing of the guard and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Photo courtesy of Pierrette Guertin/iStock
No. 9:
Mt. Vernon, a historic site in Virginia, has roots to the nation’s first president; it was George Washington’s plantation. Visitors experience the 18th century for themselves as they stroll through the flowering grounds (four different gardens), the nearby woodlands and explore educational exhibits designed to pay tribute to Washington and his family.
Photo courtesy of Tony Fischer / Flickr
No. 8:
Monticello in Virginia was the main plantation of Thomas Jefferson, as well as his family and workers, both free and enslaved. Jefferson was also buried on site, in what is now called the Monticello Cemetery, a National Historic Landmark. The 5,000-acre plantation lot and home in Charlottesville is now run by the nonprofit Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which aims to educate visitors about the time period and, of course, America’s third president. Leave time to stroll through stunning botanic gardens.
No. 7:
On April 9, 1865 the Civil War came to a close with General Robert E. Lee's surrender at the McLean House in Virginia. Appomattox Court House National Historical Park preserves the sites associated with this important day, including restored original buildings.
Photo courtesy of iStock / jcarillet
No. 6:
Located on the iconic Appalachian Trail, Virginia's Grayson Highlands State Park offers access to the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, known as one of the nation's top hiking destinations. While exploring the park's 4,522 acres, it's common to encounter wild ponies, including newborn colts during late spring.
Photo courtesy of Patrick J. Hendrickson
No. 5:
Virginia's Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge ranks among the most-visited refuges in the United States. Established in 1943, the refuge protects 14,000 acres of coastal habitat for migratory and other birds. Visitors might also spot some Chincoteague ponies grazing within the refuge.
Photo courtesy of iStock / zrfphoto
No. 4:
The 215-foot-tall natural bridge, once owned by Thomas Jefferson, sits in the state park by the same name. The newest park in the Virginia State Park system, Natural Bridge State Park features 6 miles of hiking trails, including the accessible Cedar Creek Trail.
Photo courtesy of Margaret Hill / Flickr
No. 3:
While not as well known as Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's other home, Poplar Forest was where the former president would come to "renew his personal creativity" after leaving the White House. The National Historic Landmark is one of only two homes Jefferson designed for his own personal use.
Photo courtesy of US Forest Service - Southern Region / Flickr
No. 2:
Extended for 34.3 miles, the Virginia Creeper Trail follows the path of the historic steam engine that once wound into the Iron Mountains. The rail-to-trail path winds through two counties – a favorite among hikers and bikers.
Photo courtesy of iStock / phakimata
No. 1:
A visit to this unique living-history museum in Virginia is like stepping back in time. Across 300-plus acres, the museum encompasses an impressive selection of historical buildings, including reconstructed, re-created and restored buildings that paint a picture for life in Colonial Virginia, back when Williamsburg was the heart of the state. Guests can browse cultural and educational museums, play golf, go shopping and even relax in the spa in and around “Revolutionary City.” This is a destination like nowhere else.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Leonard M. Adkins (The Habitual Hiker), Ken Budd (650,000 Hours), Jason Frye, Gina Gallucci White, Charles McCool (McCoolTravel.com), Julie McCool (Fun in Fairfax VA) and Martha Steger were chosen based on their knowledge and experience of travel in Virginia.
Congratulations to all these winning attractions.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Charles McCool
Charles McCool loves to find hidden gems, off the... Read More
Charles McCool loves to find hidden gems, off the beaten path places, and amazing local food and beverages. He runs McCoolTravel.com, which was recognized as the #2 online travel brand for audience engagement. He has taught people how to be happier travelers for over 25 years and is a member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW). Join the McCool Travel family at Facebook, Flipboard, Instagram and Twitter.
Charles McCool
Charles McCool loves to find hidden gems, off the beaten path places, and amazing local food and beverages. He runs McCoolTravel.com, which was recognized as the #2 online travel brand for audience engagement. He has taught people how to be happier travelers for over 25 years and is a member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW). Join the McCool Travel family at Facebook, Flipboard, Instagram and Twitter.
Gina Gallucci White
Gina Gallucci White is an award winning freelance... Read More
Gina Gallucci White is an award winning freelance writer with articles appearing in such regional publications as Frederick Magazine, The Daily Record, Montgomery Magazine and The Gazette. She writes about a wide variety of subjects and holds a Bachelor's degree in journalism from West Virginia University. Gina has two kids, can tell the difference between Coke and Pepsi in a blind taste test and admits to knowing all the songs from Frozen.
Gina Gallucci White
Gina Gallucci White is an award winning freelance writer with articles appearing in such regional publications as Frederick Magazine, The Daily Record, Montgomery Magazine and The Gazette. She writes about a wide variety of subjects and holds a Bachelor's degree in journalism from West Virginia University. Gina has two kids, can tell the difference between Coke and Pepsi in a blind taste test and admits to knowing all the songs from Frozen.
Jason Frye
Jason Frye is a travel and food writer and the... Read More
Jason Frye is a travel and food writer and the author of Moon North Carolina, Moon Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip and Moon Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He writes for Dallas Morning News, Cruise Critic, Coastal Living and DK Travel, among others. Follow his adventures on Instagram.
Jason Frye
Jason Frye is a travel and food writer and the author of Moon North Carolina, Moon Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip and Moon Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He writes for Dallas Morning News, Cruise Critic, Coastal Living and DK Travel, among others. Follow his adventures on Instagram.
Julie McCool
Julie McCool is a travel writer and editor with a... Read More
Julie McCool is a travel writer and editor with a passion for Virginia and the mid-Atlantic U.S. Her site, Fun in Fairfax VA, is a Virginia travel blog that helps residents and visitors discover fun things to do; places to stay, eat and drink; and events to attend in the Northern Virginia and Washington DC metro area.
Julie McCool
Julie McCool is a travel writer and editor with a passion for Virginia and the mid-Atlantic U.S. Her site, Fun in Fairfax VA, is a Virginia travel blog that helps residents and visitors discover fun things to do; places to stay, eat and drink; and events to attend in the Northern Virginia and Washington DC metro area.
Ken Budd
Ken Budd is the author of the award-winning memoir... Read More
Ken Budd is the author of the award-winning memoir The Voluntourist and the host of 650,000 Hours, a web series on travel and giving back that will debut in 2018. A lifelong Virginian, Ken’s writing credits include The New York Times, National Geographic, The Washington Post and Smithsonian, and he’s a former travel editor of AARP The Magazine. Ken’s work has won gold awards from the Society of American Travel Writers and the North American Travel Journalists Association.
Ken Budd
Ken Budd is the author of the award-winning memoir The Voluntourist and the host of 650,000 Hours, a web series on travel and giving back that will debut in 2018. A lifelong Virginian, Ken’s writing credits include The New York Times, National Geographic, The Washington Post and Smithsonian, and he’s a former travel editor of AARP The Magazine. Ken’s work has won gold awards from the Society of American Travel Writers and the North American Travel Journalists Association.
Leonard M. Adkins
Leonard M. Adkins, profiled by Backpacker... Read More
Leonard M. Adkins, profiled by Backpacker magazine, and referred to as “The Habitual Hiker,” has hiked more than 20,000 miles exploring the backcountry areas of the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and New Zealand. He is the author of more 200 magazine and newspaper articles on the outdoors, nature and travel. His awards include the National Outdoor, Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year, and SATW Foundation’s Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards. Find out more about his adventures at The Habitual Hiker.
Leonard M. Adkins
Leonard M. Adkins, profiled by Backpacker magazine, and referred to as “The Habitual Hiker,” has hiked more than 20,000 miles exploring the backcountry areas of the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and New Zealand. He is the author of more 200 magazine and newspaper articles on the outdoors, nature and travel. His awards include the National Outdoor, Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year, and SATW Foundation’s Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards. Find out more about his adventures at The Habitual Hiker.
Martha Steger
Freelance writer Martha Steger is a Marco Polo... Read More
Freelance writer Martha Steger is a Marco Polo member of the Society of American Travel Writers, past president of Virginia Professional Communicators, member of the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame and, as member of the Poetry Society of Virginia, a sometimes-poet.
Martha Steger
Freelance writer Martha Steger is a Marco Polo member of the Society of American Travel Writers, past president of Virginia Professional Communicators, member of the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame and, as member of the Poetry Society of Virginia, a sometimes-poet.
