Top 12 Day Trips From Richmond, Virginia - Updated 2024

day trips from richmond va
Nduku
Nduku 
Updated
| 4 min read

For a long period of time, Richmond has been considered an ancient city, but it’s not that way anymore. The city has since developed with lots of scenic places that you can visit. A stroll around the city will bring you to various eat-outs providing exquisite cuisines for its customers. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is one of the ideal places you should visit while here, to learn about the history of the region. You will also enjoy the outdoors, packed with many scenic landscapes. The town is dotted with antique houses that you will cherish viewing as well as luxury hotels that have become landmarks themselves. The areas around Richmond are similarly worthwhile to visit. You can even consider hopping on an RV rental for that ride of a lifetime. Continue reading below, for more information on the best day trips from Richmond, Virginia.

1. Jamestown (from USD 85.0)

Jamestown is a historic destination just a short drive away from Richmond. Visitors can journey back in time and explore the birthplace of America, where the first permanent English settlement was established in 1607.

The town offers a variety of attractions for history buffs, including the Jamestown Settlement, where visitors can experience life in colonial times, and the nearby Historic Jamestowne site, where the original fort and settlement are located. The site also houses a museum and visitor center, showcasing artifacts and exhibits from the period.

Nature lovers can explore the nearby Jamestown Island, a wildlife refuge with several walking trails that offer beautiful views of the James River and the surrounding marshland.

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Jamestown and Yorktown Full-Day Group Tour

Duration: 9 to 10 hours

183 reviews

2. Fredericksburg

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

What do you love about parks? Besides being Valentine's Day, today is our birthday! Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania...

Posted by Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County Battlefields National Military Park on Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Fredericksburg is a nice destination if you’re planning to experience one of the best road trips from Richmond. This city is steeped in history and offers a variety of attractions for visitors to explore.

Visitors can head to the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, which includes four historic battlefields and several museums dedicated to the Civil War. The town also has several historic homes and museums, including the home of George Washington’s mother.

There are also many outdoor activities that visitors can explore at the nearby Rappahannock River and Canal Path, such as hiking, cycling, and kayaking.

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3. Shirley Plantation (from USD 155.0)

Take a fascinating bike tour across Virginia countryside to the final destination at Shirley Plantation. The 25-mile (40-kilometer) journey starts at Segway of Richmond StoreFront, through various scenic landscapes, a memory that will surely stick with you for the rest of your life. Once you arrive at the plantation, you will be welcomed to taste various wine brands. Afterward, you can go on a tour around the vineyard and learn more about how the olives grow. The transportation will take you back to where you came from.

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Electric Bike Tour to Upper Shirley Vineyards

Duration: 6 hours

2 reviews

4. Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg (3205781804)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Humberto Moreno used under CC BY 2.0

Come with your friends or spouse to this ancient colonial capital known as Williamsburg. While here, you will get to learn that the city has a rich historical background since it played a major role in the American Revolution. This historical city offers you amazing museums where you can go and learn about the culture and history of the region. You will enjoy strolling around the city because, at some point, you will get lost in time due to the availability of ancient structures.

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5. Charlottesville

Lee Park, Charlottesville, VA
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Cville dog used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Charlottesville is a beautiful city in Virginia with lots to offer you. This place is home to various famous landmarks that you can go visit, such as UNESCO World Heritage Site, Virginia Discovery Museum, Art Park, and many more. The region also has lots of natural features from parks, rivers, mountains, and many others that you can visit for a sightseeing adventure. Additionally, you can also visit attractions such as restaurants, markets, and recreational facilities. Come and have a wonderful time at this wonderful tourist destination.

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6. Monticello Wine Trail

Posted by Monticello Wine Trail on Saturday, 23 February 2019

Explore the home of American wine at Monticello Wine Trail, for a truly exciting time. Here, you will get to know more about the rich historical background and also cherish the breathtaking views of the nearby mountains. The countryside atmosphere will make you relax as you take the pleasure to taste some of the finest wines in the world. Furthermore, a stroll around the vineyard will make you learn more about how grapevines grow to full maturity. The wine trails lead you to various points on the farm, where you will enjoy your sightseeing adventure.

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7. Belmont Farm Distillery

Need Saturday plans? Come on out to the farm for a tour and tasting! We're open 11am-5pm #belmontfarmdistillery #culpeper #tasting #whiskey #moonshine #weekend #saturday

Posted by Belmont Farm Distillery on Friday, 16 November 2018

A visit to Belmont Farm Distillery will surely be a memorable day trip near Richmond if you’re curious about whiskey making. You will get to learn about the process of how grain is processed to make fine whiskey. The process is slow to ensure the aroma is prevented from escaping, so as to provide you with the best final product.

You will also get to learn that the large farm planted with barley and wheat produces enough whiskey to be sold all around the region. Some of the products produced here include Kopper Kettle Vodka, Lil Buddy Tropical Rum, Virginia Lightning, and many more.

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8. Washington DC

Washington DC
Source: Pixabay

Considered the capital of the United States of America, Washington D.C is surely a destination you should visit. This place is known for housing landmarks and monuments significant to the country, such as the White House and Supreme Court building. Furthermore, you can head to iconic museums located in different parts of the region, for an excellent sightseeing experience. Come and take a tour across this beautiful city as you try out different dishes at the various eateries and restaurants, for amazing bonding time with family.

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9. Merroir

Sunday and @rroysters Old Salts. We think it's a great way to prepare for the week. Come by today and stay for awhile!...

Posted by Merroir on Sunday, 4 June 2017

Dine at Merroir and enjoy a delicious dish of seasonal seafood accompanied by a glass of wine or crafts beer. The restaurant offers you an excellent outdoor setting that allows you to fully enjoy your food while relishing the spectacular views of the landscape. Additionally, the interior also has a lively aura contributed by the great lighting and space. The chefs are highly trained, thus providing you with the best overall food experience. Some of the dishes you will find on the menu include roasted oysters, steamed clams, red pepper crab soup, smoked fish dip, and many others.

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10. Great Dismal Swamp

Photo of the Week - Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (VA) (4578425529)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user U.S. Fish and Wil... used under CC BY 2.0

Visit the Great Dismal Swamp for an exciting sightseeing adventure. While here, you will get to learn about the region’s historical past and why it is considered a natural landmark. This serene location provides you with a good environment to relax while enjoying its natural beauty. You will also get to know about Lake Drummond, which is connected to the swamp. These unique ecological and geological features will surely be intriguing to you. Come for a once-in-a-lifetime tour experience.

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11. Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user forestfufighting used under CC BY 2.5

Immerse yourself in natural beauty at Shenandoah National Park, for breathtaking views of the landscape. This region, which is worthy of being tagged as one of the best day trips from Richmond, is perfect for you to indulge in various outdoor activities such as camping, mountain climbing, hiking, sightseeing, and many more. Some of the physical features you will find in the park include waterfalls, wetlands, mountains, hills, and valleys.

You will also be able to see various animal species and rare plants around the park. Visit this place with family or friends for an unforgettable sightseeing adventure.

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12. George Washington and Jefferson National Forest

White Rocks Little Sluice Mountain GWNF
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Aneta Kaluzna used under CC BY-SA 2.5

Stretching across spectacular scenes of the landscape is George Washington and Jefferson National forest. Here, you will have plenty of activities to indulge in such as fishing, camping, hiking, horseback riding, and many more. This vast piece of land is filled with lots of breathtaking sights to chill and unwind as you enjoy your holiday. The place is also home to different animal species that you will enjoy staring at in close range. Explore this region with loved ones for an awesome holiday.

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Explore Richmond

Visit this beautiful tourist destination, filled with lots of amazing outdoor activities that you can indulge in. Also, the region is packed with many attractions that you can visit for a sightseeing adventure. Consider our list above to plan an unforgettable day trip around Richmond.

Frequently asked questions about the day trips from Richmond, Virginia


Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Nduku Mulwa is an accomplished online freelancer with a penchant for travel. She has explored various countries, including Canada, South Africa, Ghana, and Japan, in pursuit of stunning landscapes,...Read more

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