Memorial Day day trip (Virginia Beach, Norfolk: ski resort, 2009, rent)

[Novael]

Hello All,

My wife and I have lived in NoVa for a few years now and realized we haven't discovered more of our beautiful state. We wanted suggestions for day trips in VA. We were thinking of Williamsburg, 7 cities area (we like water). Any suggestions on areas, things to do, and places to stay are greatly appreciated.

[normie]

A weekend trip to Annapolis is fun--you can browse through the shops and go kayaking. They often have fairly good concerts and things like that for night time entertainment.

You've probably already been to the Delaware beach cities, if not those are fun. I also like taking the ferry across to Cape May.

If you want to stay overnight in the Shenandoahs, the NPA can rent you a camp site or a cabin. We liked our cabin, it had quite a view and wasn't expensive at all.

If you want to get away from it all but still be in town, try renting one of the cottages on the Potomac River at Algonkian Park. Very reasonably priced, right on the river, and hiking trails and the various park facilities are within walking distance.

Any book store will have books you can browse through with ideas of other day trips and weekend trips nearby.

[normie]

I just realized you were talking about Memorial Day--aka next weekend. A lot of the places I suggested are probably already booked. Have you gone downtown for Memorial Day yet? It's an amazing experience. There are several different celebrations which will put you in a very patriotic mood. My favorite is Rolling Thunder. It's also very moving to go to Arlington cemetary. Memorial Day 2009 in Washington, DC

[springfieldva]

I love going to Colonial Williamsburg. We always stay at the Woodlands Hotel which is in walking distance of the historic area. It has a pool, playground area with mini golf and a casual restaurant "Huzzah's". There are also some Hotels right at the historic grounds which are very nice, and probably more for grown ups than kids.

Wintergreen Ski Resort outside of Charlottesville is a wonderful place to go to enjoy the mountains. There is a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, hiking trails, nature classes, golf, among other things. There is also a lake to enjoy at nearby Stoney Creek.

Natural Bridge, Bryce Mountain Resort, Virginia Beach are some other popular vacation get aways.

[Bigfoot424]

I'd take a nice drive into W Va and see their beautiful roads and sights. Head towards Seneca Rocks and drive thru the mountains on Rt 33 back into VA.

[Caladium]

I don't know if it's still there, but I used to love stopping by Williamsburg Pottery Factory. They have a website that can give you more information.

[Alanboy395]

Originally Posted by Novael

Hello All,

My wife and I have lived in NoVa for a few years now and realized we haven't discovered more of our beautiful state. We wanted suggestions for day trips in VA. We were thinking of Williamsburg, 7 cities area (we like water). Any suggestions on areas, things to do, and places to stay are greatly appreciated.

I second the 7 cities and Williamsburg. Hampton and Norfolk has some beautiful waterfront views from their respective Downtowns and there is always the beach in VA Beach. Yorktown and Jamestown have a whole mess of historical attractions.

[Novael]

Thanks for all the suggestions

[irisheyes13]

All great suggestions but I agree with normie if you are looking specifically for Memorial Day weekend. Traffic will be a nightmare leaving town and there are some great things to do around town for the weekend. We went to both Rolling Thunder and Arlington Cemetary last Memorial Day and I would highly recommend them both.

[juniperbleu]

Fredericksburg is cute. They have a little downtown area with shops and restaurants, a brewery and several wineries nearby, and then a bunch of battlefields (if you're into Civil War history). The historic houses/museums in downtown are also pretty cheap to get into for a tour (Mary Washington's house, Apothecary shop, and Rising Sun Tavern). It's an easy day trip. To avoid I-95 I often took route 17 if coming from/going to the western suburbs or route 5/301/218/212/3 on the eastern side.