Whether you’re a history buff with a penchant for the olde-worlde or love getting a little hands-on history, Virginia should be on your travel wish list. It’s the Birthplace of America, after all! Its rich cultural heritage has shaped America as we know it, and the state is full of fun-filled ways to discover incredible moments in time.
Virginia is a Big Deal. The state has birthed eight US presidents, that’s more than any other state! It’s how it’s got one of its nicknames as the ‘Mother of Presidents’.
The other one? The Birthplace of America.
History is fun!
Touring Virginia’s heritage sites would provide teachers the world over with an ideal history lesson: fun, engaging, and leaving attendees wanting more. It’s a place to uncover stories from some of America’s most significant residents at the state’s renowned heritage sites, from colonial to modern times.
Mount Vernon is a must: it was George Washington’s home, the first Founding Father. And if that’s not intriguing enough, it has a working distillery on site with whiskey tasting available (never had that in our history classes)! And Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello is a UNESCO World Heritage site with a fascinating wine story to tell, too.
A few of Virginia’s most captivating destinations are ready for discovery along the Historic Triangle. Stop at Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in the New World where you can get your hands on real artefacts.
Next, Colonial Williamsburg has the world’s largest living history museum. It’s an opportunity for visitors to get immersed in times past. And in Yorktown, discover the location of the final battle of the Revolutionary War.
BTW, did you know, Virginia was home to more American Civil War battles than any other state? This is just one of the countless historical facts you’ll learn when you tour this mesmerising state.
The foundation of America
English explorers landed on the banks of the James River on 14 May 1607 and Historic Jamestowne continues to unveil its history with ongoing archaeological digs.
Jamestowne’s original site is preserved, protected, and promoted to tell the story of three cultures – European, North American, and African – that came together to lay the country’s foundation of democratic government, language, free enterprise, and society.
Jamestown Settlement offers a different perspective through the recreation of the original site, including the ships that were used to bring the colonists to the New World.
Step back in time
A visit to the 18th-century city of Colonial Williamsburg is a trip back in time. Here, you’ll discover why it was America’s largest, most prosperous American colony at the time. As you tour Colonial Williamsburg, you’ll follow in the footsteps of the countless men and women who strolled these streets.
See how life once was as you explore dozens of original buildings, homes, and shops, most on their original foundations. Discover rare animal breeds, historic trades, and lovingly restored gardens that bring the olden times to life.
At Yorktown, walk the hallowed grounds of America’s battle for independence. It was home to the final battle of the Revolutionary War. The American Revolution Museum regales visitors with tales of bravery and heroism, too.
Richmond unveiled
No visit to Virginia is complete without time spent in Richmond, the current capital and once the Capital of the Confederacy in America’s Civil War. Explore the unparalleled significance that America’s ‘war between the states’ holds to the complexities that exist today.
As you explore the state, trace the US Civil Rights Trail and learn about influential Black Virginians. There are several significant museums and sites dedicated to sharing the ‘Mother of President’s’ full story, inclusive of its history with slavery.
For a more light-hearted journey, travel The Crooked Road. Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail runs through the southwest, sharing the state’s toe-tapping musical history.
Discover more Virginia
Dive headfirst into America’s bountiful heritage and culture, and have the time of your life!
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Learn more right here.
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