by Dylan Moskowitz
Let’s face it—even folks basking along Virginia Beach shores year-round need a little getaway. If you and your family are looking for a change of pace, there’s no need to board a plane. The Old Dominion has more than enough to offer for a weekend getaway, from historical sites and hiking to city glitz and glam. Just make sure you’ve gotthe best SUV for the trip.
- The Home of History: Williamsburg, VA
Distance: 1 hour, 5 minutes (59 miles)
Just a short drive away from Virginia Beach is one of the nation’s treasures. Colonial Williamsburg’s 301-acre historical area allows you to become part of history through restored living exhibits such as the historic Governor’s Mansion. Costumed reenactors will help you and your children feel as if you’re stepping back in time, and you’ll have plenty of opportunity for noshing at local institutions like the Dog Street Pub.
- The Capital: Richmond, VA
Distance: 1 hour, 45 minutes (107 miles)
If you’re looking for a trip to the big city, Richmond checks all the boxes: a great food scene, activities, a truly mind-boggling amount of history, and of course, plenty of charm. Thrills and chills are in supply, too, with family-focused activities such as go-kart racing at G-Force Karts or zip lining through Richmond’s own little jungle at the Metro Zoo. Visit the acclaimed Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the nearby Science Museum for a little culture, or on a sunny day, climb the rocks and take a dive in Pony Pasture or Texas Beach. See the famous “birdcage” in Hollywood Cemetery, or stroll the streets of Carytown for shops and sights (and make sure you’ve got the right SUV for parallel parking). Wherever you go, be sure to stop by Buz and Ned’s for some of best BBQ in the state.
- Virginia’s Eastern Shore
Distance: roughly 2 hours, 10 minutes (105 miles)
There’s plenty to explore on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Travel up to Chincoteague to watch the pony drive, the town’s biggest annual event, corralling Assateague’s wild ponies across the channel to the center of town. Drive along the Chesapeake coastline for local beaches and landmarks—we promise it’s well worth the trip.
- The Always-Scenic Skyline Drive
Distance: 3 hours, 48 minutes (210 miles)
If you’re looking for Virginia’s most beautiful sights, you’ll find plenty along Skyline Drive. Starting in Front Royal, the road is a stretch of about 107 miles of Virginia’s Most Scenic, cutting through the Shenandoah Valley and along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Fuel up and grab some granola bars and snacks at Front Royal, then drive along for fall foliage and gorgeous sights all year. Stop along your way to hike Shenandoah National Park for the best view (that is, on top of the Blue Ridge Mountains).
- The Star City: Roanoke, VA
Distance: 4 hours, 33 minutes (295 miles)
Roanoke has become one of Virginia’s big up-and-comers. The city’s dining and culture have boomed, and it doesn’t hurt that it boasts its own giant illuminated star. Nosh local at one of the restaurants in the City Market Building and visit the Roanoke Pinball Museum, for kids who like to keep it lo-fi. Go for a bike ride around town, or go underground at the Dixie Caverns. Then, grab a root beer float at the authentically ‘50s style soda fountain, Pop’s Ice Cream and Soda Bar.
- The Birthplace of Country Music: Bristol, VA
Distance: 6 hours, 25 minutes (430 miles)
Right on the border of Virginia and Tennessee sits VA’s best-kept secret. Bristol, VA, is home to all things country music—it even has a museum named the Birthplace of Country Music. Stroll around the historic downtown, check out historic recordings and famous names at the museum, and, for a little local history, stop in at the Burger Bar, rumored to be the last place country music star Hank Williams Jr. was seen alive.