Highest-rated things to do in Virginia, according to Tripadvisor
When planning your next holiday, you might feel an instinctual pull toward destinations that would take you across oceans, like Tokyo or Paris, but there are experiences closer to home that will have you thinking twice before booking a trip abroad ever again.
If you're craving a burst of adrenaline, why not reserve a spot in Michigan's famed Saugatuck Dune Rides? The activity's charmingly dated website is a great indication of its word-of-mouth notoriety and timeless appeal. Over in Arizona, you might be surprised to find that it's not just the Grand Canyon that tempts travelers to its desert landscape—it's also one-of-a-kind venues like the Musical Instrument Museum, where music enthusiasts can find over 7,500 instruments from 200 countries around the world.
Indeed, even if you've lived in Virginia your whole life, you might be surprised by just how many top-rated things you've yet to cross off your list. From architectural wonders and picturesque views to historical museums and other must-see sights, you'll find your appreciation for Virginia reignited just by reading through this list of top-rated things to do.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated things to do in Virginia using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 3, 2024.
Whether you're a family of five traveling in a recreational vehicle or a duo of friends looking for a quick getaway in Virginia, read on for a list of sights you could easily plan a trip around.
#30. Sandbridge Beach
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,487 reviews)
- Address: Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. Governor's Palace
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,546 reviews)
- Address: 300 Palace Green St. Colonial Williamsburg Williamsburg, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. Hollywood Cemetery
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,441 reviews)
- Address: 412 South Cherry St. Richmond, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Grand Caverns
- Rating: 5/5 (571 reviews)
- Address: 5 Grand Caverns Road Grottoes, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. Natural Bridge State Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,144 reviews)
- Address: 6477 South Lee Hwy Natural Bridge, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,446 reviews)
- Address: Arlington Blvd. and Meade St. Arlington, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. Chrysler Museum of Art
- Rating: 5/5 (1,032 reviews)
- Address: 1 Memorial Place Norfolk, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. National D-Day Memorial
- Rating: 5/5 (975 reviews)
- Address: 3 Overlord Cir Bedford, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. National Museum of the Marine Corps
- Rating: 5/5 (1,174 reviews)
- Address: 18900 Jefferson Davis Hwy Triangle, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Great Falls Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,373 reviews)
- Address: 9200 Old Dominion Drive McLean, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,639 reviews)
- Address: 1800 Lakeside Ave. Richmond, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Virginia Creeper Trail
- Rating: 5/5 (1,283 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. Old Town
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,818 reviews)
- Address: Alexandria, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. Battleship Wisconsin at Nauticus
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,685 reviews)
- Address: 1 Waterside Drive Norfolk, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Virginia Safari Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,883 reviews)
- Address: 229 Safari Lane Natural Bridge, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. Military Aviation Museum
- Rating: 5/5 (1,461 reviews)
- Address: 1341 Princess Anne Road Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
- Rating: 5/5 (3,162 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Maymont
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,101 reviews)
- Address: 1700 Hampton St. Richmond, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Rating: 5/5 (4,117 reviews)
- Address: 1 Wilson Ave. Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Skyline Drive
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,791 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
- Rating: 5/5 (3,140 reviews)
- Address: 200 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard Richmond, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Jamestown Settlement
- Rating: 4.5/5 (4,444 reviews)
- Address: 2110 Jamestown Road Route 31 South Williamsburg, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Virginia Beach Boardwalk
- Rating: 4.5/5 (7,984 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. George Washington's Mount Vernon
- Rating: 4.5/5 (4,860 reviews)
- Address: 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Mount Vernon, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Luray Caverns
- Rating: 4.5/5 (4,898 reviews)
- Address: 101 Cave Hill Road Luray, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center
- Rating: 5/5 (4,527 reviews)
- Address: 14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy Chantilly, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Historic Jamestowne
- Rating: 4.5/5 (5,560 reviews)
- Address: 1368 Colonial Pkwy Williamsburg, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Monticello
- Rating: 4.5/5 (7,236 reviews)
- Address: 931 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy Charlottesville, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Colonial Williamsburg
- Rating: 4.5/5 (12,812 reviews)
- Address: 101 Visitor Center Drive Williamsburg, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Arlington National Cemetery
- Rating: 5/5 (9,650 reviews)
- Address: Entrance at Arlington Memorial Bridge Arlington, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Michelle No, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.