Those believing Virginia has little more than Civil War history couldn't be more wrong.
Did you know that the "Old Dominion State" is home to one of the world's seven natural wonders? How about the fact that the most heavily visited national park is found within this state's borders? Still not convinced? Then you're missing out on wondrous caves and caverns, splendid seashores and loads of natural wonders.
Consider the Shenandoah National Park - a can't-miss - thanks in big part to the 105-mile-long (and oh so spectacular) Skyline Drive.
This trip through the Blue Ridge Mountains in the north central part of the state traverses not only powerful overlooks, but through deep forests and rolling farmlands.
The park itself offers more than 500 miles of hiking trails, including 100 miles of the famed Appalachian Trail.
Looking for even a greater RV trip? Try a tour of the 469-mile-long Blue Ridge Parkway, which connects Shenandoah National Park to another gem, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Trivia buffs surely know that the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is another proud member of the NPS, frequently is the number one - or ranks very near the top - most visited national parks in the country.
Attractions abound below the earth's surface in Virginia.
Nearby Luray Caverns earned its landmark status as one of the largest - and most amazing - cavern systems on the East Coast.
Walkers experience staggeringly high ceilings of stone columns, bright pools and stalactite formations in all directions.
That chilling sound you no doubt will be hearing is coming from the world's only Stalacpipe Organ, which is just another perk of visiting this subterranean wonder.
The town of Chincoteague on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay is known best for the wild ponies frolicking along the Assateague Island National Seashore.
Of course, there's lots of other attractions, too, including pleasing beaches, lofty dunes, lush forests and marshes for your viewing pleasure.
Activities abound, including swimming, hiking, camping, biking and wildlife watching.
Nearby Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge makes a case for a lengthy stopover as well, especially when one factors in the 14,000 acres in this wooded, oceanside setting.
The refuge is a must stop for bird-watchers, considering that there's no shortage of viewing opportunities for waterfowl, wading and shorebirds.
If you visit nothing else on your way down south or back north from a winter of snow birding, make sure to plan a stop at Natural Bridge.
Wedged between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountain ranges in the west central part of the state, this spectacle has beauty, history and the recognition as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Once surveyed by a young George Washington and formerly owned by Thomas Jefferson, the 215-foot-tall (as high as Niagara, as the locals say) rock formation does just what its name promises - forms a 90-foot-wide natural bridge.
How did it form? Who knows? Cumberland Gap National Park in the southwestern part of the state delivers as much history as it does beauty.
The park's territory was a considerable thoroughfare in its day for everyone from Native Americans and westward settlers, to Daniel Boone and Union and Confederate soldiers battling for control.
And you can see why, when you consider all 20,000 acres of the Cumberland Gap area.
Of course, there's also such park highlights as the Cudjo's Caverns (home of one of the world's tallest stalagmites), colorful Sand Cave, and the beautiful White Rocks.
Did you know that the "Old Dominion State" is home to one of the world's seven natural wonders? How about the fact that the most heavily visited national park is found within this state's borders? Still not convinced? Then you're missing out on wondrous caves and caverns, splendid seashores and loads of natural wonders.
Consider the Shenandoah National Park - a can't-miss - thanks in big part to the 105-mile-long (and oh so spectacular) Skyline Drive.
This trip through the Blue Ridge Mountains in the north central part of the state traverses not only powerful overlooks, but through deep forests and rolling farmlands.
The park itself offers more than 500 miles of hiking trails, including 100 miles of the famed Appalachian Trail.
Looking for even a greater RV trip? Try a tour of the 469-mile-long Blue Ridge Parkway, which connects Shenandoah National Park to another gem, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Trivia buffs surely know that the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is another proud member of the NPS, frequently is the number one - or ranks very near the top - most visited national parks in the country.
Attractions abound below the earth's surface in Virginia.
Nearby Luray Caverns earned its landmark status as one of the largest - and most amazing - cavern systems on the East Coast.
Walkers experience staggeringly high ceilings of stone columns, bright pools and stalactite formations in all directions.
That chilling sound you no doubt will be hearing is coming from the world's only Stalacpipe Organ, which is just another perk of visiting this subterranean wonder.
The town of Chincoteague on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay is known best for the wild ponies frolicking along the Assateague Island National Seashore.
Of course, there's lots of other attractions, too, including pleasing beaches, lofty dunes, lush forests and marshes for your viewing pleasure.
Activities abound, including swimming, hiking, camping, biking and wildlife watching.
Nearby Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge makes a case for a lengthy stopover as well, especially when one factors in the 14,000 acres in this wooded, oceanside setting.
The refuge is a must stop for bird-watchers, considering that there's no shortage of viewing opportunities for waterfowl, wading and shorebirds.
If you visit nothing else on your way down south or back north from a winter of snow birding, make sure to plan a stop at Natural Bridge.
Wedged between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountain ranges in the west central part of the state, this spectacle has beauty, history and the recognition as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Once surveyed by a young George Washington and formerly owned by Thomas Jefferson, the 215-foot-tall (as high as Niagara, as the locals say) rock formation does just what its name promises - forms a 90-foot-wide natural bridge.
How did it form? Who knows? Cumberland Gap National Park in the southwestern part of the state delivers as much history as it does beauty.
The park's territory was a considerable thoroughfare in its day for everyone from Native Americans and westward settlers, to Daniel Boone and Union and Confederate soldiers battling for control.
And you can see why, when you consider all 20,000 acres of the Cumberland Gap area.
Of course, there's also such park highlights as the Cudjo's Caverns (home of one of the world's tallest stalagmites), colorful Sand Cave, and the beautiful White Rocks.
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