Richmond
1 hostel
A lively capital with murals, food and river rapids.
Points of interest
- Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
- Belle Isle
- Scott's Addition
State guide
Things to do in Virginia
Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park, colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown, Richmond's murals and food, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, Alexandria's old town near Washington DC, and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
1
Hostels across its 4 main cities
10.0
Average, from 16 reviews
1607
Jamestown founded
Colonial history and the Blue Ridge
Virginia is where English America began: Jamestown, founded in 1607, was the first permanent English settlement in North America. Eight US presidents were born here, more than in any other state, and its history runs from colonial towns to Civil War battlefields.
In the east, the Historic Triangle links Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg, a restored 18th-century town with costumed interpreters, and Yorktown, where the War of Independence was effectively won. Richmond, the capital, is a lively small city with street art, breweries and river rapids running through downtown. Charlottesville has Monticello, Jefferson's home, and the University of Virginia, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Alexandria, a historic port town, is a short metro ride from Washington DC.
In the west, the Blue Ridge Mountains rise above the Shenandoah Valley. Skyline Drive runs the length of Shenandoah National Park, with overlooks and trails, and the Blue Ridge Parkway continues south. Virginia Beach is on the coast. Give Virginia five days to a week. Spring and autumn are best.
Where to base yourself
Alexandria near DC, Richmond and Williamsburg for history, and Charlottesville for Shenandoah.
Williamsburg
A restored colonial town.
Points of interest
- Colonial Williamsburg
- Jamestown
- Yorktown
Charlottesville
Jefferson's university town, near Shenandoah.
Points of interest
- Monticello
- University of Virginia
- Wineries
- Skyline Drive
Alexandria
A historic port town next to Washington DC.
Points of interest
- Old Town
- Waterfront
- Mount Vernon
Regions of Virginia
Northern Virginia near Washington DC, the Historic Triangle and beaches in the east, Richmond in the centre, and mountains in the west.
Northern Virginia
Near Washington DCAlexandria, Arlington and Mount Vernon.
Historic Triangle
Colonial historyJamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown.
Richmond
Capital, food, riverThe capital on the James River.
Charlottesville
Monticello, wineJefferson's town and the vineyards.
Shenandoah and the Blue Ridge
Mountains, Skyline DriveThe national park and the valley.
Virginia Beach
Beach, boardwalkThe coast and Hampton Roads.
Things to do
Things to do in Virginia
Drive Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park and hike to Old Rag, Dark Hollow Falls or the summit of Hawksbill. Explore the caves at Luray Caverns, and drive the Blue Ridge Parkway south from the park.
In the Historic Triangle, spend a day in Colonial Williamsburg, then visit Historic Jamestowne and Yorktown. In Charlottesville, tour Monticello and walk the University of Virginia's Lawn, designed by Jefferson, and visit wineries in the hills around the town.
In Richmond, see the murals, walk across to Belle Isle and watch kayakers on the James River rapids, and visit the free Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. In Alexandria, stroll Old Town and the waterfront, and visit George Washington's home at Mount Vernon nearby. Virginia Beach has a long boardwalk.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond is free, and so is Belle Isle and the city's mural trail. Colonial Williamsburg's streets are free to walk, though you need a ticket to go inside the buildings.
Alexandria's Old Town and waterfront cost nothing to explore.
Shenandoah National Park charges entry, and so do Monticello and Mount Vernon.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Virginia is known for country ham, served on biscuits, peanuts and Chesapeake Bay seafood, especially oysters and blue crab. Brunswick stew is a hearty local classic.
Richmond has one of the best food scenes in the South for its size, and Northern Virginia has excellent Vietnamese, Korean and Salvadoran food.
Virginia has more than 300 wineries, many near Charlottesville, and many breweries and cideries. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.
Nightlife
Going out
Richmond has bars and breweries in Scott's Addition and the Fan, and live music venues. Arlington and Alexandria have plenty of bars close to Washington DC. Charlottesville's Downtown Mall is lively with students.
Virginia Beach is busy in summer.
Bars close at 2am.
Getting around
Getting around
Washington Dulles and Reagan National airports are in Northern Virginia, and Richmond and Norfolk have airports. The DC Metro reaches Arlington, Alexandria and Dulles Airport.
Amtrak runs frequently from Washington DC to Alexandria, Richmond, Williamsburg, Charlottesville and Roanoke.
A car is needed for Shenandoah and the mountains.
Costs
What Virginia costs
Northern Virginia is expensive, like Washington DC. Richmond, the Shenandoah Valley and the south-west are much better value.
Sales tax is 5.3 per cent in most of the state, 6 per cent in Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads and Central Virginia, and 7 per cent in the Historic Triangle. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.
Colonial Williamsburg, Monticello and Shenandoah charge entry.
Safety
Safety and scams
Virginia is generally safe; take normal city care at night.
In Shenandoah, black bears are common, so store food properly and keep your distance. Check yourself for ticks after hiking, and carry water and layers, as mountain weather changes quickly.
The coast has hurricane season from June to November. In an emergency, call 911.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Garden Week, autumn colour and colonial celebrations.
April
Historic Garden Week
Across Virginia
Private gardens and houses open to visitors.
October
Autumn colour
Shenandoah
Skyline Drive turns red and gold.
Early December
Grand Illumination
Colonial Williamsburg
The town lit up for the holidays.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in and around Virginia, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
When to go
April to June and September to October are the best times. October brings autumn colour to Skyline Drive. Summers are hot and humid, and winters are mild in the east and snowy in the mountains.
Jan
Cool
Feb
Cool
Mar
Spring
Apr
Garden Week
May
Pleasant
Jun
Warm
Jul
Hot, humid
Aug
Hot
Sep
Pleasant
Oct
Autumn colour
Nov
Cool
Dec
Colonial Christmas
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs for Richmond, rounded. The mountains are cooler.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Richmond prices.
Treat these as a guide. Northern Virginia costs more.
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Virginia questions
The ones we get asked most.
How many days do you need in Virginia?
Five days to a week for the Historic Triangle, Richmond, Charlottesville and Shenandoah.
Can I visit Virginia from Washington DC?
Yes. Alexandria and Arlington are on the Metro, and Amtrak reaches Richmond and Williamsburg.
When is the best time to drive Skyline Drive?
October for autumn colour, or spring for wildflowers.
Is Colonial Williamsburg free?
The streets are free to walk. You need a ticket to go inside the buildings.
Do I need a car in Virginia?
For Shenandoah and the mountains, yes.
When is the best time to visit Virginia?
Spring and autumn.
What is the sales tax in Virginia?
5.3 per cent in most places, up to 7 per cent in the Historic Triangle.
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