Start your visit to Central Virginia in the state capital, Richmond, which is full of not only history, but also culture and traditional foods. The city has a wealth of information about the Civil War, with Richmond National Battlefield Park extending through the urban setting. Visit battle sites and a cannon factory. Learn about a hospital that was integral during the war.
Richmond has many other attractions, such as the Jackson Ward neighborhood, considered the birthplace of Black capitalism. Here you’ll find the Victorian mansion of Maggie L. Walker, a successful businesswoman and daughter of a former slave in the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site. Tour the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia. Try traditional soul food at many popular eating establishments.
Virginia has a history of winemaking. President Thomas Jefferson was instrumental in introducing grape varieties to the area. Of greater importance, he was an author of the Declaration of Independence. Tour his home, Monticello, in Charlottesville, to learn about its historic owner and the history of slavery on the estate.
President James Monroe also had a home, Highland, near Monticello. President James Madison’s estate, Montpelier, is in Montpelier Station, 28 miles (45 kilometers) from Monticello. Enjoy tranquil settings at all these attractions.
Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, in the southern part of the region, marks where the Civil War ended on April 9, 1865 and the country began its journey to reunification. While in Charlottesville, stop at the historic Downtown Mall. Numerous shops and restaurants rejuvenate the downtown with a pedestrian mall setting.
Explore Central Virginia’s eight state parks and numerous gardens. In the northwest quadrant of the region is the town of Wintergreen, with a four-season mountain retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Boar’s Head Resort in Charlottesville is owned by the University of Virginia Foundation and has trails spanning its 570 acres (230 hectares), as well as various facilities and attractions. Fly to Richmond International Airport and rent a car to explore the region.
