The top 10 day trips from Richmond, VA
Dec 16, 2024 • 10 min read
After you've explored the historic sites of Richmond, plenty of day trips to the surrounding cities and countryside await 漏 joe daniel price / Getty Images
Richmond is officially on the radar for travelers seeking great food and beer, cultural attractions, and outdoor adventures 鈥� all without the crowds and price tag of more established tourist towns.
Once you鈥檝e had your fill of Virginia鈥檚 capital city, you鈥檙e also in the perfect position to explore the rest of the Commonwealth. From its convenient location smack in the center of Virginia, Richmond is an easy drive 鈥� or train ride 鈥� from the coast, the mountains, and the countryside. Here are the ten best day trips from Richmond, Virginia.
1. Explore the Historic Triangle
Travel time: 57 minutes (to Williamsburg)
Why go? To take a step back in time to the earliest days of the American colonies.
Virginia鈥檚 Historic Triangle 鈥� Jamestown, Yorktown and Williamsburg 鈥� is located less than an hour away from Richmond, making this an ideal day trip. Follow the scenic Colonial Parkway to explore historic sites, including the first English settlement at Jamestown and the Yorktown battlefield where the Revolutionary War ended. Wrap up at the world鈥檚 largest living history museum in Colonial Williamsburg, where you can see what life was like in colonial times before grabbing a bite to eat in the nearby Merchant鈥檚 Square.
If you get hungry, visit the famous . If the city didn鈥檛 already, this Terrace Room will transport you to an earlier era of America, while the pre-fixe menu lets you sample creative dishes showcasing local ingredients. Berrett鈥檚 Seafood Restaurant & Taphouse is another good choice in Williamsburg鈥檚 Merchant Square.
While you can make it to the Historic Triangle in less than a day, you may want a few to fully explore all the area has to offer.
How to get to Virginia鈥檚 Historic Triangle from Richmond: Follow Interstate 64 east for about 50 miles (under an hour) to reach Williamsburg. Yorktown and Jamestown are about 10 minutes farther on. Public transportation is limited, so a car is recommended to navigate this area.
2. Cruise Virginia's Northern Neck
Travel time: 1 hour and 22 minutes
Why go? Because you don鈥檛 have to drive all the way to Virginia Beach to find sandy shores and briny oysters.
Virginia鈥檚 Northern Neck region follows the western shores of Chesapeake Bay, with tiny fishing villages and historical sites scattered throughout. Start in charming Irvington for a cup of coffee at The Local and then head over to the Tides Inn for lunch with views over the water at Fish Hawk Oyster Bar. Choose from state parks like and Belle Isle for walking and biking trails through the scenic wetlands. On your way back to Richmond, swing by Merroir Tasting Room to sample oysters from the celebrated farms of Rappahannock Oyster Company.
How to get to Virginia鈥檚 Northern Neck from Richmond: Head east of the city on Interstate 64 and then hop on Route 33 to reach the remote wilds of these wetlands. You鈥檒l reach Irvington in about an hour, but you could spend an entire day getting lost on these pretty country roads if you wanted.
3. Take a walk through Fredericksburg
Travel time: 58 minutes
Why go? To stroll across Civil War battlefields and sip award-winning bourbon.
Fredericksburg is a quaint college town about an hour north of Richmond. The 40-block historic district is brimming with charming shops and restaurants. Try to snag a spot at the seasonally inspired , located in a restored bank building. Just outside of town, you can tour numerous Civil War battlefields; visit George Washington鈥檚 boyhood home at Ferry Farm; and get a taste of another sort of history at the , the oldest bourbon in Virginia.
How to get to Fredericksburg from Richmond: Fredericksburg is straight up Interstate 95 about an hour鈥檚 drive from Richmond. You can also reach the city via Amtrak train. There鈥檚 a direct route from Richmond鈥檚 Main Street Station to downtown Fredericksburg.
Under the radar USA: Fredericksburg's culinary revolution
4. Experience Virginia Wine Country
Travel time: 1 hour and 12 minutes
Why go? To sample wine from one of the East Coast鈥檚 buzziest growing regions.
The Virginia Wine Country is home to more than 300 wineries located in 10 distinct growing regions across the state. Those in the central part of the Commonwealth are known as the . This pastoral region located on the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains is known for its fertile clay soil and long growing season. With roots reaching all the way back to Thomas Jefferson鈥檚 early experimentation with European grape varieties, wines in this region tend to have a complex old-world flavor with a modern twist. From stately Barboursville Vineyards and picturesque Pippin Hill to the quirky in Keswick, there鈥檚 a winery to suit every style of sipper.
With more than 300 wineries to explore, you would need months or years to visit them all. But the short drive makes this a great day trip during your visit to Richmond.
How to get to Virginia Wine Country from Richmond: Head west from Richmond to find some of Virginia鈥檚 top wineries, many of which are scattered around the rolling countryside about an hour from the city. You鈥檒l need a car to navigate these country roads, but wine tours are available (and a safer bet than driving).
A world of wine near Washington, DC
5. Marvel at the Appalachian Mountains
Travel time: 4 hours
Why go? To see why this part of the Appalachian Mountain range is known as the Blue Ridge.
If you鈥檙e craving more dramatic landscapes than Richmond鈥檚 gentle hills, head west toward the Appalachian Mountain range for miles of hiking trails, picturesque parkways and breathtaking vistas. Point your GPS toward Rockfish Gap 鈥� from this point you can drive north into the Shenandoah National Park on or head south onto the . On either of these scenic drives, you鈥檒l find numerous hiking trails and overlooks where you can pull off to enjoy the views. If you鈥檙e road tripping in the winter, you may want to pop down to for a day of skiing. If you鈥檙e hungry before or after hitting the slopes, the resort has several restaurants. Stop by for a hot slice or for food inspired by the food traditions of the early settlers of the Appalachians.
A cruise through the Appalachian Mountains is truly one of the best road trips in Virginia.
How to get to the Appalachian Mountains from Richmond: Drive west of Richmond and you鈥檒l see mountains appear on the horizon within about an hour. You鈥檒l be right in the midst of those mountains not long after that. You will need a car to navigate this rural region.
6. See the highlights in Washington, DC
Travel time: 1 hour and 47 minutes
Why go? Because it鈥檚 totally doable to hit up DC鈥檚 highlights in just one day.
Sure, the nation鈥檚 capital warrants a proper visit of its own, but at just about two hours from Richmond, it鈥檚 also a very manageable day trip, especially if you take the train and bypass traffic. Leave Richmond early in the morning and you鈥檒l have plenty of time to visit your favorite Smithsonian museum, see the White House, and walk or bike around the monuments. Many of the city's most popular spots are free to visit. Add them to your list alongside your list of free things to do in Richmond, VA. Depending on the season, you may prefer to schedule in some sports: , the and the are just a few of the teams based here. Grab some grub at a food hall like Union Market or before hopping back on the train to return to Richmond.
Unless you鈥檙e short on time and won鈥檛 be able to visit the area again soon, Washington, DC, is worthy of its own visit. You鈥檒l need to keep your itinerary short if you spend just one day here.
How to get to Washington, DC from Richmond: If you鈥檙e driving up Interstate 95 to reach DC from Richmond, you鈥檒l want to time your trip carefully 鈥� traffic can be brutal in northern Virginia. To make the trip easier, take an Amtrak train from one of Richmond鈥檚 two train stations. Two hours later, you鈥檒l be right in the heart of the city at Washington DC鈥檚 Union Station.
7. Visit Charlottesville
Travel time: 1 hour and 7 minutes
Why go? To experience a small Southern city that balances modern innovation with history and heritage.
Home to the University of Virginia, Charlottesville is a historic town with a refreshingly youthful energy. Visit the pedestrian-friendly Downtown Mall to explore the local shops and restaurants, many of which offer outdoor seating on the shady sidewalk. Nearby Monticello offers a fascinating glimpse into the life and mind of Thomas Jefferson, while is a favorite stop for apple-picking and cider-sipping in the fall.
This isn鈥檛 just a great day trip from Richmond; it鈥檚 also one of the best day trips from Washington, DC. You can hit most of the city鈥檚 highlights in a day, and with just an hour鈥檚 drive, it鈥檚 easy to get back if you find that you need more time.
How to get to Charlottesville from Richmond: The city is about an hour鈥檚 drive west of Richmond on Interstate 64. You鈥檒l need a car to get here.
8. Ride the coasters at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Travel time: 56 minutes
Why go? For thrills and family-friendly fun for individuals of all ages.
Many parts of Busch Gardens Williamsburg are themed after a historic European town, but the attractions here are far from rustic. Best known for its thrill rides, the park is home to the world鈥檚 first interlocking loop roller coaster. You鈥檒l also find the first all-indoor straddle coaster in North America, the DarKoaster, here. Busch Gardens even has one of the world鈥檚 fastest and tallest coasters, The Alpengeist.
Younger families will enjoy two themed play areas and the many kid's rides. The park has a partnership with Sesame Street, meaning little ones might just get to see their favorite characters.
The theme park covers more than 100 acres and features over 50 rides. If you鈥檙e going to make this a day trip, you鈥檒l want to set out from Richmond early to make the most of your time. Otherwise, plan to spend the night here and spend two days in the park.
How to get to Busch Gardens from Richmond: You鈥檒l need a car to get to Busch Gardens. Hop on I-64 and take exit 243A.
9. Discover Chincoteague Island
Travel time: 3 hours and 19 minutes
Why go? To experience stunning nature free of skyscrapers, billboards and even boardwalks.
As the only resort island in Virginia, it鈥檚 a tranquil destination for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers. The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge protects most of the island.
The island鈥檚 most famous feature is its herds of wild horses. Wild ponies have lived on the island for hundreds of years. Many believe the first wild horses here were owned by the island鈥檚 early inhabitants, but it鈥檚 more likely that the first horses here survived the wreck of a Spanish galleon off the coast of Assateague. There are around 150 horses on the island. Look for them while driving or book a tour specifically to see them.
If you have a UTV or other off-road vehicle, the island鈥檚 over-sand vehicle zones are a fun place to spend an afternoon. Make sure you stay until dark to catch a beautiful sunset, too.If you plan to go off-roading, consider spending the night to fully enjoy this side trip.
How to get to Chincoteague Island from Richmond: Heading out from the city, take Route 175 straight to the drawbridge connected to Chincoteague Island.
10. Golf and ski in the Shenandoah Valley
Travel time: 1 hour and 58 minutes
Why go? Fun outdoor activities are available across seasons.
A resort community in the mountains with more than 6000 acres of land, is popular for skiing, golfing and family-friendly fun.
In the winter, enjoy the resort鈥檚 14 ski trails, as well as a terrain park and tubing park. You can also ice skate and enjoy a holiday light display during the Christmas season. In the summer, golf, the resort鈥檚 water park and hiking are popular.
How to get to Massanutten Resort from Richmond: Take I-64 East for over 50 miles until it connects with US-250 W/E.