Saltwater ponies, golf carts, and island charm all await you when you visit Chincoteague Island, one of the country's most unique towns, and it happens to be located right here in Virginia. With sandy beaches, loads of charm, and scenery that will stop you in your tracks, this remote town is always worth a visit. Whether you value culture, history, or the natural landscape, you'll find that this day trip won't disappoint.
Chincoteague Island is located at the northeastern tip of Virginia's Eastern Shore. Route 175, also known as Chincoteague Road, will take you over the bay and into town.
One of the most popular destinations on the island is the historic lighthouse. Known as the Assateague Lighthouse, it was constructed in 1833 and stands 142 feet tall.
Of course, no trip to Chincoteague is complete without visiting the island ponies. Stop by the Chincoteague Pony Centre where you can pet or perhaps even ride one of these majestic animals.
The island offers plenty of boating and kayak tours depending on your interest.
Speaking of wildlife, you won't find a better place for spotting it than the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Miles of shoreline without any tourist stops means you'll be totally immersed in the coastal landscape.
And while you can experience Chincoteague Island in a day, you'll definitely want to consider spending the night so that you can wake up to a sunrise view like this!
Have you ever visited Chincoteague Island in Virginia? What was your favorite part about the experience? We'd love to hear from you - leave us a comment!
On a recent road trip, my family and I seized our chance to visit one of the most famous small towns in Virginia: Appomattox. We just had time to eat lunch and explore a bit of this beautiful, historic area, but even though our time was limited, we made the most of it! Here are some things to do in Appomattox, Virginia, the highlights of our visit, and also what I would do differently if I were to take a day trip to Appomattox again.
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Our first stop in Appomattox was the visitor center, which is housed in a historic old train depot.
There were several cute shops and boutiques, but I decided that for myself that, from my sampling of the area, if I ever get a chance to visit downtown Appomattox again, I'll set up camp in Baines Books and Coffee and never leave.
The quiche and pastries looked delicious, and I could have spent hours and hours sipping coffee and browsing the treasure trove housed on their shelves. As it was with the few minutes I had, I contented myself with a quick perusal of the children's corner, my prize being the first book of the Wingfeather Series in like new condition (but an out-of-print edition that matches the others in the series that I've collected!) for only $4.
When we first pulled into town, I noticed a sign with the town's slogan: "Where our nation reunited." That's a reference to historic events that occurred at the nearby community of Appomattox Courthouse, where, on April 9, 1865 in the parlor of the McClean family home, General Robert E. Lee and General Ulysses S. Grant met to end the Civil War.
In light of that, no trip to the Appomattox area is complete without a stop at the Appomattox Courthouse National Historical Park, so of course we spent a few fascinating hours wandering the grounds. Admission is free, and the park is only five minutes from downtown Appomattox.
I recommend starting at the visitor center (don't miss the exhibits upstairs -- we almost did!), which is the brick two-story house on the right as you walk into the village. From there, loop around through the village, exploring the jail, the general store, the McClean House, and more.
We had just a few extra minutes after we finished exploring Appomattox Courthouse, so for our final stop in Appomattox, we went on to the neighboring Clover Hill Village. Wow! I wish I had known about this hidden gem before we planned our trip so I could have allotted it more time! Open Fridays through Sundays in season and run by the city's historic society (admission is free but donations are appreciated), Clover Hill Village is a living history museum just two minutes from Appomattox Courthouse National Historical Park.
Featuring a diverse set of authentic pioneer buildings jam-packed with antiques and evidences of days gone by, it's a treasure trove for the curious historian. The friendly proprietor let my boys try out an old slide projector. He showed my mother-in-law and I a turn of the century Sears-Roebuck catalogue and some miniature product models that general stores used to stock for customers to see what kind of stove or lamp or iron they wanted to order. He challenged my husband to a game of checkers around the potbelly stove (sadly, we had to decline because of time).
Before we left, we did manage a peek inside the blacksmith shop, though, and the one-room furnished cabin. Next time, we'll be sure to see the church, the schoolhouse, and the gardens.
Another one of the places to eat in Appomattox, Virginia that we want to try when we visit again is the Taco Wagon, a restaurant that came highly recommended by several locals. We've also heard that two other excellent things to do in Appomattox, Virginia are the The American Civil War Museum and Holliday Lake State Park. Appomattox, I enjoyed the chance to get to know you a bit! I definitely hope to take another day trip to this charming small town in Virginia soon. Maybe we'll even spend the night!
There are small towns and then there are tiny towns. Rocky Mount, Virginia certainly qualifies as a tiny little town, but it delivers in history, charm, natural beauty, and some fun things to do. It's Franklin County's county seat, and it's considered part of the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area. But with a population of just over 4,000, it's one of those blink-and-you'll-miss-it spots that you most certainly don't want to miss. Come with us as we explore this charming day trip destination.
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Welcome, one and all, to a delightful corner of our state known as Rocky Mount, Virginia.
The town's iron furnace provided employment opportunities for about half the population by 1836. During the Civil War, planter families from the state's Tidewater region brought enslaved Americans with them so they would not escape to the Union. By 1867, a Sunday School was built in Rocky Mount under the Freedman's Bureau, an agency to assist newly freed men throughout the country.
By the 20th century, many new businesses were established, including a Coca-Cola bottling plant that opened in the 1920s.
Visit today and you'll be impressed by the thriving small businesses, the welcoming community, and the diverse array of local interests. From musicians to farmers, entrepreneurs, and outdoor enthusiasts, many ways of life are embraced here.
When you're in need of a pick-me-up, head downtown to explore the local businesses and be sure to pop into the Whole Bean Coffeehouse for a coffee and perhaps something sweet.
Have you ever visited Rocky Mount, Virginia? What did you think of your trip? Feel free to share your stories with us -- we would love to hear from you! If you need a place to stay, check out these unique vacation rentals near Rocky Mount, Virginia.
For more travel inspiration, check out our list of the best small towns in Virginia:
