3 Star Places To Visit in Virginia, United States (50)
3.5Natural Bridge Zoo(325 reviews) - Great experience Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Zoos
The Natural Bridge Zoo Park is and always has been privately owned and has never accepted any sort of federal, state, or local funding. The Natural Bridge Zoo opened its doors to the general public in 1972 and has been growing ever since. The main purpose for Natural Bridge Zoo has always been the propagation and rearing of threatened or endangered species. We try to offer students and the general public the opportunity to learn about the living animals, birds, and reptiles that share the earth with us. Many children have little or no contact with natural living things in their daily lives. While television programs are educational, there is nothing like standing next to a giraffe, getting nuzzled by a llama, hugging a baby dromedary camel, or gazing into the eyes of a huge white tiger to make you feel and appreciate our wonderful world of animals.See more..
3.5Mill Mountain Zoo(305 reviews) - Another Little Zoo in Need of Help Thursday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Zoos
Mill Mountain Zoo was founded in 1952 as a nursery-rhyme themed petting zoo that featured farm animals, birds, and native Virginia wildlife. For the first twenty-five years, we were operated by Roanoke's Parks and Recreation Department. In 1978, the Roanoke Jaycees renewed the zoo and replaced old exhibits to create a place appealing to all ages. Governance was turned over to the Blue Ridge Zoological Society of Virginia, Inc. in 1988 (more commonly known as Mill Mountain Zoo). In the early 1990's, a citizens' committee created a master plan for exhibitions, visitor amenities, and expansion of the site to our current eight acres. Other improvements included new exhibits and an upgrade of infrastructure. Mill Mountain Zoo (MMZoo) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to promoting an appreciation and understanding of animal and habitat preservation through the use of quality exhibits, educational programs, and partnerships with other conservation programs. Mill Mountain Zoo is currently home to more than 183 animals, representing 70 species from around the world. Through our admissions and donations, we support local and global conservation efforts. The Zoo is also restoring habitat on-grounds to benefit declining pollinator species and participates in a national monitoring program for amphibians -- Frogwatch. Keeper Chats The zoo keepers love sharing information about their animals. Kids (of all ages) love watching them interact with their charges and learning more about the special relationships they share and how the animals are cared for. Plan to spend some time watching the animals during their feeding times.The schedule changes daily, so check with Guest Services when arriving or call in the morning to find out what will be happening during your visit. Zoo Choo Rides The Zoo Choo is a miniature model G-16 train that operates seasonally at the Mill Mountain Zoo.The train leaves from the station every 30 minutes and follows a 16-inch wide track arou...See more..
3.5Horton Vineyards(253 reviews) - Slice of Europe in Virginia Thursday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Wineries & Vineyards
Horton Vineyards specializes in high quality Virginia wine. Varieties include Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Norton, Tannat, Petit Manseng, and much more. Visit for the largest variety offering in the area and an enthusiastic staff to help you find the wines you enjoy.See more..
3.5Wintergreen Resort(189 reviews) - Fun time tubiny Ski & Snowboard Areas
We went to go tubing for the second year in a row. We were there on a Thursday and there were no crowds. We had a blast and will return again!See more..
3.5Tarara Winery(164 reviews) - Great Place to Relax and Enjoy some Wine Thursday: Wineries & Vineyards
Having been here years ago - I was a bit turned off by the increase to $10 per tasting. - and then one by one other wineries started charging for wine tastings - So, after a recent recommendation from a friend, we went back this month. Charming place. Great grounds quietly tucked into the NoVa woods. Large Tasting room and ample deck. There are stairs - a lot - but might be a back way in for wheelchair accessibility. Nice lake with picnic tables just on the upper half of the property. Ample parking. Wines were pretty decent as well - and we bought a few bottles. Definitely get a white for the patio. Friendly staff. No up-sell. Couldn't tell if there was food for sale. Would definitely recommend.See more..
3.5George Washington's Ferry Farm(122 reviews) - Thrilled to see Ferry Farm come to life! Thursday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites
Ferry Farm was the boyhood home of George Washington, just across the Rappahannock River from the bustling young town of Fredericksburg. The future general and first president was 6 years old when his family moved to King George County (now Stafford County), Virginia, in 1738.See more..
We arrived early to the movie theatre in order to select our seating. While we were waiting for the movie to start, we reviewed the menu, ordered our meals and sat back to wait. The food came quickly and, while not hot, was warm and was fairly good for typical movie fare. The service was excellent, during the course of the meal we were visited several times by service attendants. One note about serving size; they were large. We ordered a small popcorn and received a bowl that was typical of the traditional bucket and too much for even two people to share unless that is all you eat. The meals appear to be large enough that they can easily be shared if you preferred a smaller size meal, particularly during the matinee showsSee more..
3.5Berglund Center(114 reviews) - New Name! Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Civic Centres
Western Virginia's premier full-service convention, exhibition and cultural complex, the center plays host to popular Broadway shows as well as big name music concerts.See more..
3.5Uptown Alley(108 reviews) - Great Atmosphere for Fun Thursday: 11:00 AM - 1:00 AM Bowling Alleys
Uptown Alley checks all the blocks when it comes indoor entertainment for adults and kids of all ages. My wife, and grandchildren recently visited the Uptown Alley bowling alley for a fun afternoon (and to give our daughter a break). We ate lunch in the restaurant, played arcade games, and then bowled. Bowling with young grandchildren can be a bit challenging (and very funny) as the hand to eye coordination and upper body strength isn’t quite there yet. Nonetheless and in spite of gutter balls, slow motion rolling bowling balls, and balls getting stuck between the rails, we all had fun. I would definitely recommend visiting, especially on a rainy, blah kind of day.See more..
The building is magnificent (all in marble) and it is clear that the inside used to be as well. The owners are doing their best to maintain the building (and deal with vandalism and trespassing attempts, very sad). The tour is informative and details the history of the place. Some great element remains (grand staircase, huge Tiffany stained glass, one nice chimney) but overall the building is in a bad state. The gardens look nice as well and it is a good walk but again a good renovation would turn this place into an amazing landmark.See more..
3.52 Silos Brewing Co(90 reviews) - Good Place To Meet Friends Thursday: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Breweries
Visited with a group of friends and had a good time. The establishment is actually a mix of a couple of restaurants and bar areas, as well as food trucks. There is a playground for children, too. There is indoor and outdoor seating, and you seat yourself. The staff was very helpful in getting outdoor tables dried after a bit of rain. Aside from being helpful, we found the staff to be quite friendly, too. There are no hosts in the main part of the facility, which means that you get your own drinks and food. Once you open a tab, you can purchase items at any of the bar or food areas; that is convenient. There is a stage for live music.See more..
3.5The Yellow Barn at Shenandoah Caverns(80 reviews) - Goo collection of Antique carriages and farm equipment in the Yellow Barn Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks
The Yellow Barn is a seasonal attraction used mainly as an event venue. It's located next to Shenandoah Caverns, and is part of its family of attractions.See more..
3.5Chateau O'Brien(74 reviews) - Very interesting and good whites and reds!! Thursday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Wineries & Vineyards
My wife and I joined another couple at their request for a white wine tasting and a private red tasting with Howard, a gracious, knowledgeable, and patient owner who listens to customers with humor and enthusiasm. The whites were splendidly light yet tasteful, each with their own characters. However I have to state they offer the best reds and a champagne the likes of which I’ve never enjoyed so much!! Before anybody goes please note the location is on the side of a steep ridge and limos and buses are not allowed—that was a nice feature adding to the coziness of the whole place.See more..
3.5White's Mill(67 reviews) - Nice historic site Historic Sites
This is a treasure and deserves a visit. Learn how corn and other grain was processed in the past. Take home some fresh ground flour or other product. See more..
3.5Huntington Park(66 reviews) - A pleasant little beach Parks
Not far off the beaten path, this little beach is a gem. There are life guards which make swimming a safe bet. You can launch boats and various water craft. It's a good spot for fishing or wandering along the water's edge. It has historical interest, a nice place for children to play (Fort Fun) and a marvelous little rose garden. Be sure and bring your camera.See more..
Anchored by Macy's, Macy's for Home & Children, Belk, JCPenney, and Sears, Valley View offers an unbeatable combination of specialty stores, restaurants and eateries.See more..
3.5Burnley Vineyards(57 reviews) - Very nice people Thursday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Wineries & Vineyards
Did the wine tasting. Very friendly and helpful staff. If you have an ailment that prevents you from climbing stairs beware. Good wine and reasonably priced. See more..
3.5DC Skydiving Center(50 reviews) - Great fun. I did it twice--at 69 and 70 years! Thursday: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Adrenaline & Extreme Tours
The instructors were great and confidence-inspiring. The little planes that took us up were a bit old and creaky...but they did the job. See more..
Greenbrier Mall features stores like JCPenney, Macy's, and Sears. While shopping, grab a bite to eat at one of the many food court eateries or restaurants such as Abuelo's or Cinema Cafe.See more..
Our "Hoofprints of History" tours of Secretariat's birthplace at The Meadow showcase the Virginia farm that produced an American legend. Author/historian Leeanne Meadows Ladin takes visitors to the historic barns and grounds, as well as through pictorial galleries and rare exhibits that illustrate the glory days of Meadow Stable and its immortal Triple Crown champion. Reservations required.See more..
Bowling is one of my favorite sports to do with my family. This place is the closest to my house, and its super worth it! They have an arcade, you can print out your score, reserve birthday party's, and you can order food and bowl while your waiting to eat. 10/10.See more..
3.5Apple Blossom Mall(35 reviews) - Can't keep stores, hit nova for "nice" places. Thursday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM Shopping Malls
As a local to this area I have had plenty of experience with this mall. High rental prices, not quite big enough walkways and stores, and a general lack of interest have made this mall a hodgepodge of stores with high turn-over. While not horrible, it is not a quality shopping destination. Also, avoid the attached carmine cinema at all costs. Go to the Alamo drafthouse for a fun movie watching experience, just be sure to get there early.See more..
3.0Southpark Mall(33 reviews) - Eyebrow threading with Perfection! Thursday: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Shopping Malls
Southpark Mall, located in Colonial Heights, VA, features Sears, JCPenney, GNC, The Children's Place and many specialty shops. While shopping, grab a bite at Knock Out Burgers or Picadilly Cafeteria.See more..
Locally owned & operated Northern Virginia destination brewery. Situated on a picturesque 52 acre farm with a nursery & animals for the family to enjoy.See more..
My husband, one year old daughter, my parents and I paid a recent visit to here. We went during grandparents weekend, and our daughter was free, so only my husband and I had to pay the entry fee. I was really excited to have my daughter experience the pumpkin patch for the first time. She loved it! She enjoyed the hayride, picking out her own pumpkin, and seeing the animals. I do wish there was a bit more to do for younger children/toddlers. When we arrived in the patch via hayride, there were lots of pumpkins to choose from, various sizes and colors. It didn’t seem picked over and we had no trouble finding some beautiful ones to take home. We enjoyed our visit, but may try Ashland Berry Farm or somewhere else next year. As I understand it, Ashland will let you pay $20 for as many pumpkins as you can carry. It’s a bit disappointing to pay an entrance fee then have to pay for each pumpkin you get also. It’s a nice little outing with family or friends though.See more..
3.5Grey Horse Vineyards(31 reviews) - New winery, lots of potential Wineries & Vineyards
Grey Horse Vineyards is a destination winery in Virginia's Piedmont Region. We specialize in boutique wines produced in the European tradition, blending the best of the old world and the new. The tasting room features a large, stone, wood burning fireplace to chase away the chill. In the warmer months, guests enjoy the large covered and screened deck. Live music is featured on the weekends. The property offers a unique blend of both the vineyard and woodlands, featuring walking trails and picnic sites. Grey Horse Vineyards is located in Fauquier County, close to Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Fredericksburg.See more..
3.0Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel(30 reviews) - Driving Under A Bay is a Unique Experience, But Traffic Be Warned Thursday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent < 1 hour Bridges
My wife and I were routed through here going from Williamsburg to Virginia Beach. Driving under a bay is definitely a unique experience, but the traffic to get into it was absolutely brutal. When we first left the hotel, Siri said we had a 45 minute trip ahead of us. 2 hours and 15 minutes later, we arrived at our destination.... Most of this extra time came in the form of a total stand-still on the interstate for over an hour waiting to get into this tunnel.See more..
3.5Fort Boykin(29 reviews) - Nice Natural Area Thursday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 AM Historic Sites
This is a wonderful natural area that has many trails. The beach is a bit hard to find but it’s worth it. It was a great day at the beach. See more..
3.5John Custis' Tomb(29 reviews) - A meaningful place to visit Cemeteries
The ride through the farmlands to the Custis tomb is long and beautiful. The tomb is located north of Cape Charles, VA on the Eastern Shore. There is a small sign on the main road saying "Custis Tomb." It is a meaningful opportunity to recall our nation's history. John Custis' son Daniel was the first husband of Martha Washington. This is a peaceful location beside the Chesapeake that we enjoyed visiting.See more..
3.0Sunshine Tours(28 reviews) - Unorganized at Best Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Bus Services
Sunshine Tours, founded in 1982, conducts Escorted Motorcoach Tours to all Destinations in the United States and Canada. We offer various pickup points for these Tours in Southwestern Virginia; Eastern Tennessee; Southern West Virginia, Staunton, Charlottesville, and Richmond. Tours range from 1 day to 31 days in length. We also have Buses available for Charter. Our Office and Bus Terminal is located in Dublin, Virginia.See more..
3.5Fort Huger(28 reviews) - Interesting browse through River fort Thursday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Historic Sites
The name attracted us - we're from SC, and SC produced a family of Huger patriots . This fort, intended to protect Richmond from Federal incursions up the James River, let us see its importance in Confederate defense, but also its powerlessness once ironclads entered the picture. Signs explaining how the rather large fort was designed help you visualize the scene. We were surprised how very wide the river is at its mouth and even this far up...so it was well worth the trip. Use your GPS to get there - Highway signs not always great - and walk a bit from the parking lot to the fort. That walk helps you see the terrain that was a protection from the land side.See more..
3.0Ashland Berry Farm(27 reviews) - One of the best experiences of the year! Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Farms
I went to Ashland Berry Farm's Haunted Event last year, and it sent chills down my spine when I saw the people in the horrifying costumes, and the gruesome looking buildings. What really had me spooked was the Boogar Woods because even though it wasn't entirely scary you were dropped off in the middle of the woods in pitch black darkness, and you don't know what to expect. Something could just come jumping out at you any second. The only thing that I was impatient with was the lines that were pretty long, but other than that I thought it was one of the best experiences of my life. I'm definitely going to the Ashland Berry Farm this year for their hayride and scary woods haunting. Oh, and also afterwards when we would head back to the location as to where we started there would be chainsaw murders that would chase you for the majority of the hayride. It was a lot of fun!See more..
I go to a lot of festivals and this is a good, small venue. The tickets are super cheap and they get a good variety of artists. Lots of food and drink options (yes, overpriced but aren’t all festivals). They do need more restrooms and I’m not a fan of their token system for buying alcohol. Seems like an extra unnecessary step. See more..
The Visitors Center was closed but it seemed as though the site is a welcome spot for walking/hiking. The property offers a 1+ mile cleared path routing visitors through a storyline of notable milestones and accomplishments throughout the life of former President James Monroe. Additionally, for those that are adventurous and enjoy hiking we discovered a trail that fed to the creek complete with a small dock. It made for a wonderful photo opportunity. Lots of flora and fauna about the property including wild berries. The main house seems to be undergoing some maintenance as there is a building permit posted along with what appears to be new windows recently installed. If you enjoy history, I would recommend carving an hour or so out of your day and visiting. The signage offers an abundance of teachings about our 5th President. See more..
We found Thunder Valley on a road trip where my friend's parents didn't want to do anything outside the hotel so it was up to us to have fun. We'd been searching all along the route for go-karting and found Thunder Valley! Their $12/2hr unlimited wristband deal was unbeatable! We only had 1.5hr of the 2hr by the time we arrived and we still had a blast. A well crafted mini-golf course, 3 options for go-karting (2 outdoor and 1 indoor), a full arcade, laser tag and food! My one complaint is that their photobooth was out of order but I'm sure they'll fix it soon. All in all a really fun time! See more..
3.5King Pin Lanes(22 reviews) - Affordable and fun! Thursday: 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM Bowling Alleys
Conveniently located near 288 and Midlothian Turnpike, King Pin Lanes is a 32 lane bowling center with arcade machines, pool tables and a restaurant/lounge that is fully equipped with optional bumpers for children 8 & under along with state of the art scoring systems. In addition we have a full service Pro Shop for all of your bowling needs.See more..
Cool brewery. Wish we could have enjoyed - but thanks to the COVID-19 lockdown we couldn't stay - and we had to get home well. Super cool set up, and very friendly and helpful staff. I sampled 2 of the 3 beers, and picked up 6 crowlers (2 of each) to go. Can't wait to enjoy!See more..
3.0Uptown Christiansburg(21 reviews) - Going down Thursday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Shopping Malls
The property is anchored by Dick's Sporting Goods, Kohl's, Belk's, Home Goods, New River Community College, and Planet Fitness. Features more than 19 national retailers which include American Eagle Outfitters, Bath & Body Works, Claire's, Journeys, maurices, Hallmark, Spencers, Ben & Jerry's, Shoe Dept. Encore, Kirkland's and Ulta Beauty. The center is also home to 13 local stores including one of the biggest toy stores in Southwest Virginia.See more..
We are a farm-to-bottle winery offering award-winning wines made from a variety of grapes we grow such as: Chambourcin, Norton, Steuben, Chardonel, and Vidal Blanc. Our winery is conveniently located only 1-1/2 miles off Interstate 81 at Exit #54 (Groseclose Exit) in Rural Retreat, VA. Our tasting room is open seven days a week 10:00am-5:00pm Mon-Sat and 12:00 Noon-5:00pm on Sundays and closed major holidays. We also have a distillery on the premises. See "Spirits Resources" on this site for details. Come visit us!See more..
Stopped here with a few friends to do a wine tasting. It is a beautiful property and a lovely tasting room. One of the owners did our tastings. There was a wide variety of wines - something for everyone! I really enjoyed the Norton Reserve. They also had a few fruit wines that were fun. Would definitely visit again!See more..
We took a large group (11) riding while vacationing at smith mountain lake. The horses were great and the ride was a lot of fun. Ron (the owner) was a little gruff and yelled at some of our riders who were having trouble controlling the horses. See more..
3.5St. Albans Sanatorium(18 reviews) - Old, Haunted ? Sanitorium for the "Insane" Spent More than 3 hours Historic Sites
I love touring old institutions, and St. Albans provided a great opportunity for a photography group I belong to. The staff were incredibly helpful, and we were allowed to tour the facility on our own after being shown some landmarks and areas of interest by tour guides. All of them swore to having experienced different paranormal phenomena. Although not one to believe in these things, I captured two different possible occurrences in photos (that I did not see while taking the shots), and a fellow videographer caught some unexplained humming and singing. His video, along with others are on Youtube. The place is very run down, with lots of points of interest, such as an old bowling alley, old water therapy tubs, and the attic and the boiler room, both of which are supposedly active paranormal areas. A bit pricey, but worth it to me. Would not recommend for small children, or those easily frightened by strange places. A favorite with paranormal groups for overnight stays.See more..
3.0Sly Fox Golf Club(17 reviews) - Challenging and affordable Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Golf Courses My golfing buddies and I played Jackson's Chase three times this past year. It can be a bit of a challenge but is a good playable course. I enjoy playing this course as much as or more than the other three courses we play in Front Royal. As seniors we usually play from the forward tees and are able to improve our scores as well as our pace of play (to the extent anyone ahead of us is playing). We last played in the middle of December and thought the course was in decent shape for that time of year. We did not use them but I noticed a number of carts lined up with cold weather coverings on them (the day was nice enough, we did not need them). Have seen a few carts on courses using the cover but not a whole line of them. As seniors, the rates at Jackson's Chase are reasonable and if you have the Tee Time booklet, you can play one time for $15 and four times for $20 (Monday through Friday).See more..
Looking forward to visiting since we saw weeks ago while we traveled on route 522. Made the mistake of visiting on a Saturday. Lots of missing vendors. Lots of vendors packing up and leaving early. Lots of absolute junk. When we asked some of the vendors about the missing and leaving vendors we were told Sunday is the day to visit. Sure enough, we passed on a Sunday and the place was packed with vendors. Unfortunately, we didn't have the time to visit.See more..
Before entering the 'reserve,' you will be checked by security, which means getting out of your vehicle, getting your ID copied/checked, vehicle inspected for bombs, weapons or powder residue by security guards with branishing heavy weaponary. This is because of driving through nuclear grounds to get to your destination. It's basically a slow drive to view wildlife of which we saw wild turkeys, a doe and her fawn, buzzards, bobwhites, hawks, ospreys, etc. There were a ca-zillion Mayflies bombarding the vehicle, so we didn't get out at the end to visit the little museum, or utilize the overlooks. There were a few people fishing from the shore; however much of it is marshland. If you intend to venture from your vehicle, be sure to have bug spray or you'll end up in the ER to get a transfusion of replenished of blood.See more..
We tubed two days in a row. The first day was more fun, but through no fault of The Homestead. Yesterday we got to hook tubes together, ride together, just be silly. Conditions got a little icy today so we weren't allowed to do silly things. Unlike another reviewer, we were very happy to have to make reservations. It guaranteed that we were never stuck waiting. They limit tubers to 20-30 people, depending on how busy they are. We had no difficulty navigating the TINY slopes to the tubing area, but I could understand how it would be difficult for anyone with physical limitations. That said, the path was not cleared of snow from the lodge to the tubing area, nor was it clearly marked. All in all, a great time was had by all.See more..
3.0Hampton City Hall(15 reviews) - Workshop At City Hall Architectural Buildings
I've visited City Hall several times but the last time was to attend a workshop offered by Source For Teachers. Security is always friendly and helpful when it comes to getting to the right office on the right floor. I'm always pleased when the restroom facilities are clean and smell pleasant. I've always found the building to be cleaning and inviting as well. The conference space was in good condition and equipment worked as intended. All experiences have been pleasant. To pay personal property taxes, I use the online service which is very easy, therefore I don't have to visit for that reason. See more..
Betsy Bell and Mary Gray are the names of the two small mountains within the Staunton city limits. You can drive to the top of Betsy Bell where there is are overlooks and picnic tables. There is also a hiking/mountain biking trail circuit. Mary Gray has a hiking only circuit but not much in the way of views. You can make a figure 8 circuit if you do both. There are no bells and whistles here as it is a wilderness area and is not kept up as well as it should be but the great thing is there is rarely anyone there so if you want to walk or mountain bike ride away from everyone but don't have time to travel to the mountains, this is a great little getaway. See more..