Virginia Day Trips for Every Season

1. July: Abingdon

Tucked away in the mountains of southwest Virginia, Abingdon is a small town with a rich history. The entire town is a National Historic Landmark, and popular sites include the Fairview Historic Homestead, the Abingdon Muster Grounds, and the Sinking Spring Cemetery, where some of the graves date as far back as 1776. Another highlight is the Barber Theater, which was opened in 1933 and is the longest-running professional theater in the country.

Thanks to the town's beautiful mountain location, there are also plenty of opportunities to explore the great outdoors, and hikers and cyclists will particularly love the local Virginia Creeper Trail.

2. August: Shenandoah National Park

Encompassing approximately 200,000 acres of land in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah National Park is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in America.

Almost the entire park is covered in forest, and there are approximately 500 hiking trails for visitors to enjoy, some of which lead to shimmering waterfalls. If you'd rather explore the park by car, you can take the scenic Skyline Drive, which traverses the entire length of the park and passes by some incredible viewpoints. Like many places in Virginia, the park is at its most beautiful in the fall, when the leaves put on a colorful show.

3. September: Farmville

Despite what the name might make you think, Farmville isn't an agricultural community. Instead, it's a vibrant college town best known for being home to six blocks of re-purposed tobacco warehouses filled with furniture for sale. Browsing the warehouses is a truly unique shopping experience that can take up the better part of the day, but there's an abundance of other things to do in the town as well. Cycle above the Appomattox River on the High Bridge Trail, visit the R.R. Moton Museum to learn about a Civil Rights-era student strike, or go ziplining at the Adventure Park at Sandy River Retreat.

4. October: Lexington

Lexington is a small Virginian town nestled in the Shenandoah Valley region. The charming downtown is full of unique shops and art galleries, but it also offers historic sites like the Stonewall Jackson House. Don't forget to make some time to enjoy the beautiful nature while you're here; go for a walk along the Woods Creek trail, or if you'd rather enjoy the scenery from the comfort of your car, take a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway to admire the views.

5. November: Historic Shirley

Set on the banks of the James River, Historic Shirley was founded in 1613, making it the oldest plantation in Virginia.

Address: Historic Shirley, 501 Shirley Plantation Rd, Charles City, VA 23030, Phone: 804-829-5121

6. December: Virginia Beach

Boasting an incredible coastal location on Chesapeake Bay where it meets the Atlantic Ocean, the vibrant city of Virginia Beach offers world-class restaurants, wonderful family-friendly attractions, and a relaxing energy that puts you in the mood for a vacation.

As you might guess, a major highlight of the city is the oceanfront, which features sandy beaches and a three-mile boardwalk perfect for walking, rollerblading, or cycling. However, you should also try to find time to stop by the Norfolk Botanical Garden, and if you're traveling with kids, make sure to visit the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center.

7. January: Occoquan

With just a little over a thousand residents, Occoquan is one of Virginia’s smallest towns, but it’s also undeniably one of its most vibrant. This riverfront town, south of D.C., is teeming with thriving small and family-owned businesses. Discover award-winning restaurants and feast on unique and mouthwatering dishes, visit small art galleries and see what local talent has to offer, or head to one of the dozens of boutiques and stores in town to spot your next unique buy.

Occoquan also has some great historical attractions to visit, accessible hiking, walking, and biking trail maps, as well as great annual events like the River Fest and Craft Show.

8. February: Bristol

One of the only cities in America that is split between two states, Bristol can be found straddling the Virginia-Tennessee border in southwest Virginia.

The state line is marked by State Street, which runs right through the heart of downtown, but there are lots of wonderful shops, restaurants, and art galleries to enjoy no matter which side of the border you find yourself on.

The town is also widely considered to be where country music got its start, and visitors can learn about the history of the genre at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.

9. March: Charlottesville

Known to locals as "Mr. Jefferson's Town", Charlottesville was proudly the home of president Thomas Jefferson, and many visitors come here to tour Monticello, his former home and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

It's unlikely that you'll want to spend the entire day at Monticello, but luckily, the town offers plenty to see and do, including bookstores, antique shops, and eclectic boutiques to keep you entertained after your tour. The town is also an up-and-coming wine region, and visitors can tour the local wineries and vineyards or even admire them from above while floating through the sky in a hot air balloon.

10. April: Culpeper

Culpeper might not be as well known as some of the other cities in Virginia, but it has more than its fair share of things to see and do. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the nearby Shenandoah National Park or paddle around on Lake Pelham, while foodies will enjoy the town's many farm-to-table restaurants and the chance to visit the local breweries, distilleries, and wineries.

A farmer's market is held every Saturday between May and November, and the town also hosts special events year-round, including the Gnarly Hops & Barley Festival in April and the Libations street fair in September.