In Love With – Virginia

by Au Pair in America

Welcome to our latest blog, In Love With Virginia!

Virginia is a beautiful state with a mix of nature, history, and fun cities. You can hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains, relax on the beach in Virginia Beach, or visit famous places from American history, like Colonial Williamsburg and Mount Vernon.

Whether you love the outdoors, small towns, or history, Virginia has something for you. 🌄🏖️🏛️

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Must-see Sights in Virginia

🌄 Shenandoah National Park: A stunning mountain park with scenic drives, hiking trails, and beautiful views. Skyline Drive is a must, especially in the fall when the leaves change colour!

🏛️ Colonial Williamsburg: Step back in time at this living history museum. Walk through the streets, meet people in costume, and see what life was like in the 1700s.

🏖️ Virginia Beach: A popular beach town with a long boardwalk, soft sand, and plenty of spots to swim or relax. Great for a sunny day!

🏰 Mount Vernon: Visit the home of George Washington, the first U.S. President. Walk through his house and gardens by the river.

🦅 Luray Caverns: Explore underground caves filled with giant rock formations. The magical stalactites and echoing chambers make it a unique experience.

🌸 Maymont (Richmond): A peaceful park with gardens, animals, and a historic mansion. A lovely place for a relaxing day out.

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Virginia Bucket List: Top Activities and Experiences to Try

🌄 Drive Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park: Cruise along this beautiful road for amazing mountain views, wildlife, and photo stops.

🏖️ Swim or Sunbathe at Virginia Beach: Enjoy the ocean, beach games, and tasty local food. Don’t forget to walk the famous boardwalk!

🕰️ Visit Historic Jamestown: Learn about America’s first permanent English settlement and see where early American history began.

🚴 Bike along the Virginia Capital Trail: This scenic route connects Richmond and Williamsburg. Perfect for a day trip with lots of nature and history.

🎶 Attend a Bluegrass or Country Music Festival: Virginia has a rich music tradition. Find a local event and enjoy live performances.

🌸 Explore the Gardens at Lewis Ginter (Richmond): Wander through colourful flower gardens and peaceful paths.

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Exciting Celebrations in Virginia

🏃‍♀️ March – Shamrock Marathon (Virginia Beach): A fun race by the ocean with options for all fitness levels. Enjoy the beach and Irish-themed celebrations! (more info)

🎻 July – FloydFest (Blue Ridge Mountains): A music and arts festival with amazing mountain views and lots of good vibes (more info).

🎆 July – Fourth of July Fireworks (Washington, D.C. area/Northern Virginia): Watch colourful fireworks light up the sky near famous U.S. landmarks.

🌻 September – State Fair of Virginia (Doswell): Classic fair fun with farm animals, rides, music, and tasty food (more info).

🎃 October – Fall Foliage Festival (Waynesboro): Celebrate the changing leaves with crafts, food, and mountain views (more info).

🎄 December – GardenFest of Lights (Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden): See the gardens lit up with thousands of lights for the holidays (more info).

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Best Selfie Spots

🌄 Skyline Drive Overlooks (Shenandoah): It’s top on the list again for good reason! Snap a selfie with rolling mountains and endless sky behind you.

🏖️ Virginia Beach Boardwalk: Get a beachside photo with the ocean and the King Neptune statue.

🏰 Mount Vernon’s Riverside View: Take a peaceful photo with the Potomac River and George Washington’s historic home.

🌸 Maymont Gardens: Capture a colourful photo in the Japanese Garden or by the waterfall.

🦇 Luray Caverns Mirror Lake: Snap a dramatic underground selfie with the water reflections and rock formations.

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Must-Try Foods and Drinks

🥧 Virginia Ham Biscuits: Soft biscuits filled with salty, smoked ham. Perfect for a quick bite.

🍎 Apple Butter: A sweet, smooth spread made from apples. Try it on toast or biscuits, especially in the fall.

🌽 Brunswick Stew: A warm, hearty dish made with vegetables and meat, great comfort food from Southern Virginia.

🍰 Chess Pie: A rich, sweet pie made with simple ingredients. A classic Southern dessert that’s hard to resist!

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Fun Facts About Virginia

🏛️ Birthplace of Presidents: Eight U.S. presidents were born in Virginia—including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson!

🎓 Oldest College in the South: The College of William & Mary, founded in 1693, is the second oldest college in the U.S.

🦅 Historic Triangle: Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown form a special area where you can learn about early American history all in one place.

🌸 Virginia is for Lovers: This is the state’s famous slogan. You’ll see it on signs, souvenirs, and everywhere you go.

🏞️ Blue Ridge Mountains: These peaceful mountains run through western Virginia and offer some of the best hiking and views on the East Coast.

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