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Virginia
Curated by Our Guild Explorers · Updated August 2026
Old Dominion · Capital: Richmond · The South
Colonial history, Blue Ridge drives and the beaches of the Chesapeake.
Why go
What makes Virginia worth the trip.
Founding history
Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown.
Shenandoah
Skyline Drive along the Blue Ridge crest.
Presidents' homes
Monticello, Mount Vernon and Montpelier.
Virginia on the map
The capital and the places worth building a trip around. Click a marker for a quick note and hotels.
Virginia — State Facts
A short history
Virginia's tidewater and piedmont regions were home to the Powhatan Confederacy, a network of Algonquian-speaking nations, when English colonists founded Jamestown in 1607, the first permanent English settlement in North America. The colony's tobacco economy grew increasingly dependent on enslaved African labour, and Williamsburg later served as the colonial capital where ideas of self-government took shape.
Virginia produced four of the first five U.S. presidents and was central to the Revolutionary War's conclusion at Yorktown in 1781. It joined the Confederacy during the Civil War, and Richmond served as the Confederate capital, but the western counties broke away to form West Virginia; the state's battlefields, from Manassas to Appomattox, remain deeply significant historical sites.
Modern Virginia pairs a technology and government-contracting economy anchored near Washington, D.C. with strong agricultural and military traditions, including major naval installations at Norfolk. Its living-history sites at Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown, the Blue Ridge scenery of Shenandoah National Park, and presidential homes like Monticello and Mount Vernon make it one of the most historically dense states in the country.
Virginia earned the nickname 'Old Dominion' because it stayed loyal to the crown even after England's Civil War, and Charles II supposedly added it to his official title in gratitude. It's also why you'll see Jamestown called the first permanent English settlement in America, founded in 1607, well before Plymouth.
Where to go
The signature places to build a trip around.
Richmond
Colonial and Civil War history along the James River.
Selected hotels
Colonial Williamsburg
A living-history colonial capital.
Selected hotels
Shenandoah National Park
Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge overlooks.
Selected hotels
Virginia Beach
A long Atlantic boardwalk resort.
Selected hotels
Charlottesville
Monticello and the Blue Ridge foothills.
Selected hotels
Skip the crowded Skyline Drive overlooks around midday and catch one near sunrise instead, the light on the ridges is unreal and you'll have the pull-off to yourself. In Virginia Beach, walk two blocks off the boardwalk for a crab cake, that's where the locals actually eat.
When to go
Spring and autumn are ideal; the coast is warm in summer.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cool and occasionally snowy inland, milder on the coast; a quieter time for museums and history sites.
Spring (Mar–May)
Mild temperatures and blooming gardens make this a top season for Williamsburg and Charlottesville.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Warm and humid, with Virginia Beach and the Chesapeake shore at their busiest.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Crisp air and vivid colour along Skyline Drive make fall the best season for the Blue Ridge.
Virginia FAQ
What is the capital of Virginia?
Richmond is the capital of Virginia.
What is the largest city in Virginia?
Virginia Beach is the largest city in Virginia.
When did Virginia become a state?
Virginia became the 10th U.S. state on June 25, 1788.
What is Virginia known for?
Virginia is known for colonial history, Blue Ridge drives and the beaches of the Chesapeake.
When is the best time to visit Virginia?
Spring and autumn are ideal; the coast is warm in summer.
Plan your Virginia trip
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