Highest-rated free things to do in Virginia, according to Tripadvisor
Highest-rated free things to do in Virginia, according to Tripadvisor
It is incredibly expensive to be an American. While workers in the United States have seen an 80% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2024 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1970 and 2022, the national consumer price index increased by over 500%, while wages only grew by 80%.
That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. The number of cost-burdened households in the U.S. reached an 11-year record in 2022, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In June 2024, Redfin reported that the median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $394,000.
It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Virginia.
Think about the most common items on a vacation getaway itinerary: sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you're just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. Whether you're a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.
To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free 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 12, 2024.
Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!
#30. Virginia Military Institute
- Rating: 5/5 (474 reviews)
- Address: 319 Letcher Ave. Lexington, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. Carter Mountain Orchard
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,223 reviews)
- Address: 1435 Carters Mountain Trail Charlottesville, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. Torpedo Factory Art Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,224 reviews)
- Address: 105 North Union St. On the waterfront at the intersection of King and Union Streets Alexandria, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (560 reviews)
- Address: 120 Chatham Lane Fredericksburg, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. William & Mary
- Rating: 4.5/5 (795 reviews)
- Address: 111 Jamestown Road Williamsburg, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. Carytown
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,169 reviews)
- Address: 3166 West Cary St. Richmond, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. Jamestown Glasshouse
- Rating: 4.5/5 (708 reviews)
- Address: 1348 Colonial Pkwy Williamsburg, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Bruton Parish Episcopal Church
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,188 reviews)
- Address: 201 West Duke of Gloucester St. (Next to Palace Green) Williamsburg, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Old Town Alexandria Waterfront
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,312 reviews)
- Address: 1 Prince St. Alexandria, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Virginia Capitol Building
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,080 reviews)
- Address: 1000 Bank St. Richmond, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. John F. Kennedy Grave Site
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,483 reviews)
- Address: 1 Sheridan Drive Arlington, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. University of Virginia
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,279 reviews)
- Address: Emmet St. Charlottesville, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. Jamestown-Scotland Ferry
- Rating: 5/5 (737 reviews)
- Address: 2289 Jamestown Road Williamsburg, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. Pentagon Memorial
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,576 reviews)
- Address: 1 Rotary Road Arlington, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Manassas National Battlefield Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,144 reviews)
- Address: 6511 Sudley Road Manassas, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. Mill Mountain Star & Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,302 reviews)
- Address: 2000 Jb Fishburn Pkwy Southeast Mill Mountain Park Roanoke, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Virginia Beach
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,105 reviews)
- Address: Atlantic Ave. Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Sandbridge Beach
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,488 reviews)
- Address: Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Hollywood Cemetery
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,441 reviews)
- Address: 412 South Cherry St. Richmond, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. 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
#10. Chrysler Museum of Art
- Rating: 5/5 (1,032 reviews)
- Address: 1 Memorial Place Norfolk, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. National Museum of the Marine Corps
- Rating: 5/5 (1,174 reviews)
- Address: 18900 Jefferson Davis Hwy Triangle, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Virginia Creeper Trail
- Rating: 5/5 (1,283 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Old Town
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,818 reviews)
- Address: Alexandria, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. 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
#5. Maymont
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,101 reviews)
- Address: 1700 Hampton St. Richmond, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
- Rating: 5/5 (3,140 reviews)
- Address: 200 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard Richmond, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Virginia Beach Boardwalk
- Rating: 4.5/5 (7,984 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center
- Rating: 5/5 (4,527 reviews)
- Address: 14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy Chantilly, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Arlington National Cemetery
- Rating: 5/5 (9,652 reviews)
- Address: Entrance at Arlington Memorial Bridge Arlington, Virginia
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zuri White-Gibson, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.
