Any suggestions for a historical driving tour in Virginia?

[cbayer]

During an upcoming road trip, Monticello is definitely on the agenda. We will be coming from the west (Chattanooga area) on the way to DC. We have two days to explore the area and my husband is a huge history buff, particularly the colonization and Revolutionary period.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also suggestions for places to eat and sleep on a low budget would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[FSogol]

1. Go see the Museum of Frontier Culture near Stanton, Va

I could spend a whole weekend there.
http://www.frontiermuseum.org/

New Market Battle Field and the Bull Run Battlefields are nice also.

Go to Old Town Alexandria, see the Carlyle House and Gadbsy's Tavern (Jefferson and Washington kicked back some ice cold ones there).
In Old Town, the Hard Times Cafe (a chili parlor) is good and cheap. The Fish Market is also awesome. The building for the Fish Market is ancient (by US standards) and the calm chowder is great. Also in Old Town, there is a restaurant/bar that is a duplicate of a turn of the century bar with brass rails, tin ceiling, etc called the Union Street Tap Room. Good food and beer.

[damyank913]

2. Lots of Colonial and Civil War History...

...Try the birthplace of Washington; the Yorktown Battlefield; The Jamestown archeological digs are a few of the colonial sites.

[FSogol]

3. True, although Monticello is much nicer than Mt. Vernon. If you only have time for one,

see Jefferson's home. George Mason's home, Gunston Hall is nice too.
Jamestown, the actual site is great. I like it better than the interpretive center they build there.

[dgibby]

4. Don't forget the University of Va. in Charlottsville,

"Mr. Jefferson's School". As long as you're going to Monticello, you might as well check out UVa. Beautiful campus, full of history, and designed by TJ.

[cbayer]

5. Thanks to all of you so far.

Trip is still a month away, so please add more. Once i put the trip together, will let you know how it looks and maybe post a short video or picture montage of the sites we visit.

Really looking forward to this. I grew up in Alexandria, and, as you natives know, history was Virginia based every other year. The other years were taken up with the rest of the world. We made field trips to all the major sites, but it was a long time ago and I look forward to taking my husband there. He is British, so it should be fun showing him how and why we threw them out.

:hi:

[FSogol]

6. So, how'd the trip go. What did you see? n/t

[emanymton]

7. Winchester Virginia Has Much To Offer As Far As History ...

.

Winchester hosts three different museums offering different time span history. All within walking distance.

Washington's pre-colony headquarters building, 'Stonewall' Jackson's civil war headquarters, and Abrams Delight early life museum.

The Handley Library is is worth a visit just for its architecture. The library is the jewel of the valley.

Ema Nymton
~@:o?
.

[Carni]

8. Yikes! I live here and didn't know that!

Well actually I live near Front Royal (out in the sticks south of Front Royal) I had no idea Winchester hosts the museums you mentioned!

I am late to this thread, but I hope the original poster also visited Staunton. They have some great restaurants and it's a really cool town.

[elleng]

9. Oh MY, no one's mentioned Williamsburg or Jamestown!

HUGE amounts of history here, and tho Williamsburg's commercialiazed, its valuable. Queen Eliz visited, to commenorate such.

http://www.history.org/visit/eventsAndExhibits/specialEvents/queensVisit.cfm

Have a great time!

[handmade34]

10. question for you

I am looking to give away 4 tickets to Jamestown Settlement... know of any takers??