Virginia · best-of list
12 Top Things to Do in Virginia
All 12 things to do our route editors picked in Virginia, across 3 destinations, gathered in one list. Expect sights and experiences, with Williamsburg contributing the most (6).
Our curated picks
12 things to do in Virginia, grouped by destination. Destinations with the most picks come first; this is not a ranking.
Williamsburg 6 picks
Bruton Parish Church
Williamsburg · On our Williamsburg & Richmond route
Working Episcopal church from 1715 on Duke of Gloucester Street, known for its evening concerts and Christmas services.
Photo: Michael Kotrady · CC BY-SA 3.0
Busch Gardens Christmas Town
Williamsburg · On our Williamsburg & Richmond route
Busch Gardens Williamsburg's winter event, with millions of lights, holiday shows and Santa's workshop across the European-themed park.
Tip: Go on a weeknight and arrive at opening to see the lights come on.
Photo: Cjh1452000 · CC BY-SA 4.0Duke of Gloucester Street
Williamsburg · On our Williamsburg & Richmond route
The Historic Area's main street, its doors hung with wreaths of fruit, pinecones, shells and dried flowers in December.
Tip: Walk it in the morning light, then again after dark when the windows are lit.
Governor's Palace
Williamsburg · On our Williamsburg & Richmond route
Reconstructed residence of Virginia's royal governors at the head of the Palace Green, with formal gardens and a maze.
Tip: Included in a Colonial Williamsburg admission ticket.
Photo: David Broad · CC BY 3.0Grand Illumination
Williamsburg · On our Williamsburg & Richmond route
Colonial Williamsburg's opening of the Christmas season, with candles in windows, music across the Historic Area and fireworks.
Tip: Arrive before dusk and stake out a spot near the Palace Green or the Capitol.
Wren Building
Williamsburg · On our Williamsburg & Richmond route
The College of William & Mary's oldest building, begun in 1695, closing the west end of Duke of Gloucester Street.
Photo: David Broad · CC BY 3.0
Richmond 3 picks
GardenFest of Lights
Richmond · On our Williamsburg & Richmond route
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden's winter light show, with lit gardens, model trains and a glowing conservatory.
Tip: Timed tickets sell out on December weekends; book ahead.
Photo: Eli Christman · CC BY 2.0
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Richmond · On our Williamsburg & Richmond route
Free-admission art museum with Faberge eggs, American paintings and a large sculpture garden.
Photo: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts · CC BY-SA 4.0
Virginia State Capitol
Richmond · On our Williamsburg & Richmond route
Capitol designed by Thomas Jefferson after a Roman temple, with free guided tours.
Photo: Ron Cogswell · CC BY 2.0
Shenandoah 3 picks
Luray Caverns
Shenandoah · On our Blue Ridge Parkway Slow Drive route
Large show cave with stalactites and the Great Stalacpipe Organ.
Tip: Tours are self-paced; go early on weekends.
Photo: User:Alejocrux · Public domain
Old Rag Mountain
Shenandoah · On our Blue Ridge Parkway Slow Drive route
Rock-scramble summit hike, the park's most famous and toughest day hike.
Tip: Day-use ticket required Mar–Nov via recreation.gov.
Photo: Acroterion · CC BY-SA 4.0
Skyline Drive
Shenandoah · On our Blue Ridge Parkway Slow Drive route
105-mile ridgetop road through Shenandoah National Park with 70 overlooks.
Tip: Speed limit is 35 mph; fill up on gas before entering.
Photo: Chris Sheft · Google
How we picked these
Every entry is a stop on at least one of TripsCircle's hand-curated routes, chosen by our route editors, who wrote the reason to go shown with each place. These are our curated picks, not a scored ranking: we haven't rated or reviewed them against each other. The list is grouped by destination, and within each destination places that appear on more routes come first.
Prices ($ to $$$$) and visit lengths are rough guides from our route notes, not quotes. Check opening hours before you go.
About this list
How did you choose the things to do in Virginia?
Each one is a stop on a TripsCircle route that our editors built by hand, and each comes with a written reason to go. This page shows all 12 of them. They are curated picks, not a ranked score.
Which part of Virginia has the most things to do on this list?
Williamsburg has the most (6 of 12), followed by Richmond (3) and Shenandoah (3).
Are any of these free?
6 picks on this list are marked free in our route notes: Duke of Gloucester Street, Grand Illumination, Bruton Parish Church, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Wren Building, and more. Check ahead, since parking or special exhibits can cost extra.
More lists for Virginia
Top things to do nearby
Destinations on this list
- Williamsburg 6 on this list
- Richmond 3 on this list
- Shenandoah 3 on this list
Turn this list into a plan
Open a curated route in TripsCircle, add the spots your crew wants, vote with polls and keep everyone on one shared itinerary.