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Highest-rated things to do in Virginia by visitors

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Alita Xander // Shutterstock
Alita Xander // Shutterstock
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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 Aug. 15, 2025.

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.

You may also like: Best NFL players born in Virginia

#30. Tarnished Truth Distilling Co.

Tripadvisor

1 / 30

#30. Tarnished Truth Distilling Co.

- Rating: 4.9/5 (967 reviews)
- City: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#24. Military Aviation Museum

Tripadvisor

7 / 30

#24. Military Aviation Museum

- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,495 reviews)
- City: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#23. Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

Tripadvisor

8 / 30

#23. Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

- Rating: 4.8/5 (3,174 reviews)
- City: Chincoteague Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#22. Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Tripadvisor

9 / 30

#22. Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

- Rating: 4.3/5 (3,646 reviews)
- City: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#18. Natural Bridge State Park

Tripadvisor

13 / 30

#18. Natural Bridge State Park

- Rating: 4.3/5 (2,156 reviews)
- City: Natural Bridge
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#15. Great Falls Park

Tripadvisor

16 / 30

#15. Great Falls Park

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,384 reviews)
- City: McLean Fairfax County
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#13. Virginia Safari Park

Tripadvisor

18 / 30

#13. Virginia Safari Park

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,927 reviews)
- City: Natural Bridge
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#12. George Washington's Mount Vernon

Tripadvisor

19 / 30

#12. George Washington's Mount Vernon

- Rating: 4.6/5 (4,905 reviews)
- City: Mount Vernon Fairfax County
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#10. Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center

Tripadvisor

21 / 30

#10. Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center

- Rating: 4.8/5 (4,564 reviews)
- City: Chantilly Fairfax County
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#9. Skyline Drive

Tripadvisor

22 / 30

#9. Skyline Drive

- Rating: 4.7/5 (2,802 reviews)
- City: Shenandoah National Park
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#5. Virginia Beach Boardwalk

Tripadvisor

26 / 30

#5. Virginia Beach Boardwalk

- Rating: 4.5/5 (8,013 reviews)
- City: not available
- Read more on Tripadvisor

#4. Arlington National Cemetery

Tripadvisor

27 / 30

#4. Arlington National Cemetery

- Rating: 4.8/5 (9,705 reviews)
- City: Arlington
- Read more on Tripadvisor

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