The Ultimate American Road Trip in Virginia, USA

Day 1: Shopping & History in Alexandria, Virginia

Recognised as one of the area’s top shopping destinations, Old Town Alexandria boasts a blend of independent galleries, stylish shops and vintage venues.

Start your trip in Old Town, a nationally designated historical district founded in 1749 that today hums with more than 200 independent restaurants and unique retailers. Only minutes inland from the Potomac River is the bustling King Street, a walkable mile recognised as one of the “Great Streets” of America. Discover hard-to-find international labels alongside well-known, big-name brands and everything from antiques to dog boutiques.

Just off Market Square, you can browse for homemade jewelry, local produce and other gifts every Saturday at one of the nation's oldest continually operating farmers’ markets. You’ll also find several captivating museums as you explore the previous home of George Washington, the first president of the United States. Visit the George Washington Masonic Memorial to view artefacts and take the lift to the top for spectacular views of King Street.

Dig deeper into Alexandria’s fascinating history at the Alexandria Visitors Center or through some of its many intimate museums like the Alexandria Black History Museum and the Watson Reading Room, the Alexandria Archaeology Museum and the Friendship Firehouse.

Keep the history lesson going into the night and lay your head at one of the many hotels that honour Alexandria’s storied past. Stay at The Autograph Collection’s Morrison House or The Alexandrian, both conveniently located on, or just off, King Street in the heart of Old Town. Or book a room at the Hotel Indigo Alexandria, on the waterfront, featuring playful nods to the city’s shipping past.

Day 2: Eats & Arts in Alexandria, Virginia

You’ll begin today’s journey on a Potomac Riverboat Company cruise to head south of Alexandria for a trip to George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the most visited historic estate in the nation. Tour the centuries-old grounds, gorgeous gardens and interactive museum before enjoying lunch at the Mount Vernon Inn. This charming restaurant has costumed servers and delicious regional and colonial cuisine (try the peanut chestnut soup and cornbread).

For drinks, visit George Washington’s Distillery and Gristmill during their open season — April–October — and admire the once-largest distillery in the US and a major source of Washington’s income. Artfully restored and producing whiskey, you can purchase a sample at the gift store.

Voyage back up to Alexandria for cocktails at a modern speakeasy, Captain Gregory’s. Toast your new discoveries with an old fashioned or a Jaws of the Python — Jamaican rum with hints of sugar, cinnamon and passion fruit.

With close proximity to the waters of the Potomac River, Alexandria boasts a wealth of fresh seafood. Stop for fried oysters and ceviche at Hank's Oyster Bar or char-grilled halibut with steamed squash at the Fish Market.

Keep the good times going with live entertainment at a local pub or catch a show at The Birchmere, America’s legendary music hall where top-named entertainers perform nightly. If you’re looking for musical theatre, purchase tickets for a performance at the Little Theatre of Alexandria. Or, appreciate public and accessible art in Alexandria, like the neon-pink “I Love You” sign at Waterfront Park in Old Town.

Day 3: Day trip to Washington, DC from Alexandria

Less than 10 miles (16 km) from Alexandria is Washington, DC, so you don’t have to travel far to dedicate a day to exploring historic landmarks. Witness the iconic US Capitol Building, the White House, the United States Botanic Garden and the more than 20 museums and monuments lining the National Mall. The numerous Smithsonian museums (including the Zoological Park) present everything from dinosaurs and historical artefacts to fine-art and film memorabilia.

The Monuments Sightseeing Tour cruise is one of the best ways to take in both the waterside beauty of Alexandria and the famed monuments of DC, like the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.

Don’t miss out on the many Black and African-American exhibitions in DC, as well. Uncover the history of enslaved people through eye-opening sites, including the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, the homestead of the most prominent African-American civil rights reformist and abolitionist of the 1800s.

Or, enjoy the sweet sounds of jazz and blues in nearby Georgetown while paying homage to the genre’s most formative contributors like Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.

Day 4: Outdoor Activities in Shenandoah National Park

Set out for Shenandoah National Park and the charming small town of Luray, Virginia, just a couple hours west of Washington, DC.

Start your day on the curving Shenandoah River, a top scenic destination for fishing, canoeing, kayaking and camping. Companies like Shenandoah River Outfitters provide rentals, transportation and all the necessary equipment. Trek more than 500 miles (805 km) of hiking trails, including parts of the famous Appalachian Trail, and encounter pristine waterfalls ascending to ancient granite summits.

In the evening, head for the park’s gateway city of Luray, a Virginia Main Street Community and registered National Historic District where festivals, performing arts, paved walking trails, an art museum, murals and monuments are accessible year round. Century-old buildings house antique, boutique and outdoor stores. A selection of locally owned and operated fine or casual eateries are all within walking distance of B&Bs, inns and hotels. Stay at the historical Mimslyn Inn for a taste of the American South or the Hotel Laurence.

Day 5: Vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains & Caves in Shenandoah National Park

While you’re in town, stop by the Luray Caverns, eastern America's largest and most popular cavern system. This US Natural Landmark is recognised by the Smithsonian Institution for its variety of formations and unsurpassed natural colour. Discover cathedral-sized rooms filled with towering stone columns, shimmering draperies and crystal-clear pools and hear the haunting sounds of the world’s largest musical instrument, The Great Stalacpipe Organ.

After your cave foray, take a drive through the playground in the middle of the Blue Ridge Mountains — Shenandoah National Park, one of the most popular and picturesque areas in the United States National Park system. The curving Skyline Drive scenic byway crosses and re-crosses the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, stretching like a ribbon among the peaks.

Continue on the scenic byway and the road becomes the legendary Blue Ridge Parkway, which continues through the Virginia mountains, where you can peer over thick forests of trees that lead to heavenly ridge views as far as the eye can see.

Day 6: Day Trip On the Water at Virginia Beach

Time to head for the coast to live the beach life! Three and a half hours south of DC, Virginia Beach’s mild temperatures make for year-round outdoor enjoyment.

Rent a beach cruiser and bike along the shore at low tide, where you'll find beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean and a wealth of fun beach-front activities. Stop along the way for lunch at Waterman’s Surfside Grille and try their signature drink, the Orange Crush — a mouth-puckering mixture of freshly squeezed orange juice, Sprite and citrus-infused vodka.

Cycle beyond the boardwalk for a stop at the historical Cape Henry Lighthouse, commissioned to be built by George Washington, where a climb to the top rewards with gorgeous ocean views. Then, on to First Landing State Park — the exact site where the English colonists first landed in 1607 is marked by a cross.

Want to kayak with dolphins? The playful creatures are often easily found just off the shore in the Chesapeake Bay. Chesapean Outdoors has developed a reputation for knowing just where to spot them. The gentle waves of the bay help ensure your kayak experience is as friendly as the dolphins. For glimpses of other wildlife along the waterway banks, check out the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, try Blue Pete’s with a view provided by Mother Nature. The body of water on which Blue Pete’s is situated, Tabernacle Creek, was appropriately named after a place of worship. Combined with fresh seafood, it’s the ideal salute to the heaven that is Virginia.

Now you’re more than ready to rest for the night in your ocean-front room as the sound of waves rocks you to sleep.

Day 7: Day Trip to Explore the Arts Scene in Virginia Beach

After a day on the water, it’s time to devote day seven to the booming arts scene in Virginia Beach. Start at the award-winning Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, which exhibits a multitude of mediums like paint, print, sculpture, glass, photography and video from a myriad of talented regional artists.

Schedule a pottery lesson at the Virginia Beach Art Center and try your hand — or hands — at creating a masterpiece yourself. If admiring art is more your speed, take a waltz through their gallery and studio exhibitions to see what others have produced.
If live theatre is calling your name, take a look at the shows playing at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. While on your trip, stroll around the streets of Virginia Beach and you’re sure to find public and street art, from wall murals to the 34-foot-tall, 12-tonne iconic bronze King Neptune statue (complemented by live music on the boardwalk).

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