Best things to do in Virginia

For an in-depth look at the private life of the third president of the United States, take a behind-the-scenes tour of Monticello. Jefferson built this estate after inheriting land from his father, eventually creating a vast plantation used primarily for cultivation of tobacco and mixed crops. Utilizing slave labor, Jefferson later switched his production from tobacco to wheat. The main house sits on the summit of a 260 m (850 ft) mountain peak, featuring design elements popular in late 18th-century Europe. The surrounding grounds include several historical outbuildings, including a nailery, slave quarters, and rooms Jefferson used for his plant breeding experiments. Check online for upcoming events and available tours.

Connect with your inner thrill-seeker with a day of fun-filled adventure at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Set on almost 120 hectares (300 acres), the combination zoo and amusement park offers attractions for the whole family, including thrill rides, live shows, and more than 12,000 animals. Take a 112.6 km/h (70 mph) plunge on the floorless dive coaster SheiKra, or ride the Rhino Rally Safari to admire dozens of free-grazing elephants, giraffes, and tigers. Book online to receive discount ticket prices.

Walk along the ocean on Virginia Beach Boardwalk, known for its sidewalk performers and restaurants offering alfresco seating and live entertainment. The boardwalk is about 3 mi (5 km) long and 8 m (27 ft) wide, with separate paths for cycling and rollerblading. A major tourist attraction, this concrete boardwalk connects over 40 hotels, nightclubs, and outdoor oceanfront stages, which host live musical acts every night during the warmer months. Along one of the longest beaches in the world, you can explore two amusement parks and several themed play areas. Don't miss a stop at the two boardwalk museums, which chronicle the natural and cultural heritage of Virginia Beach.

Remember the United States' fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery, where casualties and deceased veterans of every U.S. war lie buried. The cemetery covers an area of over 253 hectares (624 acres), and was established in 1864 on an estate that once belonged to the wife of Confederate general Robert E. Lee. The final resting place for nearly 260,000 dead, the cemetery also includes the grave of John F. Kennedy, marked by an eternal flame. Uniformed soldiers protect the graves of unidentified bodies from the wars fought in the 20th century, with a ceremonial changing of the guard every hour. Start your tour at the visitor center, where you can look at informative exhibits and pick up a free map.

Step back in time to the days of the Founding Fathers and the Revolutionary War at Colonial Williamsburg. The interactive, living-history museum--which covers 122 hectares (301 acres)--is actually a network of restored Colonial structures manned by costumed, in-character employees. Ride in a rented horse-drawn carriage down the cobblestone streets past the Governor's Palace and Capitol Building. Walk through Merchants Square, an 18th-century marketplace dotted with original storefronts. Take part in America’s fight for independence during a reenactment of the storming of the Governor's Palace or the march to victory at Yorktown. You can even participate in a trial. Purchase the combined Historic Triangle ticket for discounted entries to Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown.

The attraction has never been officially named, but it's known as The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier or Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The U.S. soldiers interred here after World War I are all holders of the Medal of Honor, while the foreign nationals are all recipients of the their respective militaries' highest honors. The burial plot was opened in 1921 when the U.S. Congress approved a tomb for an unknown soldier. You can see the changing of the guard ceremony daily. Visit this tomb along with Tomb 31 to honor soldiers from World War I.

Situated on the banks of the James River, Historic Jamestowne represents the site of the first English colony in North America. You can wander among reconstructed buildings of the original James Fort, which resemble their 17th-century appearance. Dig deeper by exploring the archaeological museum that displays items from the original English colonists, local Native American tribes, and the Africans who called the region home. Facing the river, catch a glimpse of the statue of John Smith, a leader in the development of the Virginia Colony in its early years.

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Jamestown Settlement offers a living recreation of the first successful English colony in North America. Located near the actual archaeological Jamestown site, the museum provides an open-air display of replica 17th-century buildings, a fort, and colonial life. You can explore the social history of the settlement through a series of exhibits and galleries, and experience a life-size Powhatan Native American village. To track the journey of the Jamestown colonists to the New World, don't miss the three sailing ships docked in the river. Visit the museum's gift shop for historical-themed souvenirs, hand-made ceramics, jewelry, and glassware.