Highest-rated things to do in Virginia by visitors

When planning your next holiday, you might feel an instinctual pull toward destinations that would take you across oceans, like Tokyo or Paris, but there are experiences closer to home that will have you thinking twice before booking a trip abroad ever again.

If you're craving a burst of adrenaline, why not reserve a spot in Michigan's famed Saugatuck Dune Rides? The activity's charmingly dated website is a great indication of its word-of-mouth notoriety and timeless appeal. Over in Arizona, you might be surprised to find that it's not just the Grand Canyon that tempts travelers to its desert landscape鈥攊t's also one-of-a-kind venues like the Musical Instrument Museum, where music enthusiasts can find over 7,500 instruments from 200 countries around the world.

Indeed, even if you've lived in Virginia your whole life, you might be surprised by just how many top-rated things you've yet to cross off your list. From architectural wonders and picturesque views to historical museums and other must-see sights, you'll find your appreciation for Virginia reignited just by reading through this list of top-rated things to do.

compiled a list of the highest-rated things to do in Virginia using data from . Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of Aug. 15, 2025.

Whether you're a family of five traveling in a recreational vehicle or a duo of friends looking for a quick getaway in Virginia, read on for a list of sights you could easily plan a trip around.

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1 / 30

#30. Tarnished Truth Distilling Co.

- Rating: 4.9/5 (967 reviews)
- City: not available
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2 / 30

#29. Hollywood Cemetery

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,444 reviews)
- City: Richmond
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3 / 30

#28. Trump Winery

- Rating: 4.2/5 (969 reviews)
- City: Charlottesville
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4 / 30

#27. Norfolk Botanical Garden

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,135 reviews)
- City: Norfolk
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5 / 30

#26. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

- Rating: 4.9/5 (4,124 reviews)
- City: Arlington
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6 / 30

#25. Grand Caverns

- Rating: 4.8/5 (631 reviews)
- City: Grottoes
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7 / 30

#24. Military Aviation Museum

- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,495 reviews)
- City: not available
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8 / 30

#23. Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

- Rating: 4.8/5 (3,174 reviews)
- City: Chincoteague Island
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9 / 30

#22. Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

- Rating: 4.3/5 (3,646 reviews)
- City: not available
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10 / 30

#21. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,652 reviews)
- City: Richmond
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11 / 30

#20. Virginia Creeper Trail

- Rating: 4.9/5 (1,298 reviews)
- City: Abingdon
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12 / 30

#19. Virginia Beach

- Rating: 4.4/5 (3,131 reviews)
- City: not available
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13 / 30

#18. Natural Bridge State Park

- Rating: 4.3/5 (2,156 reviews)
- City: Natural Bridge
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#17. Old Town

- Rating: 4.6/5 (2,830 reviews)
- City: Alexandria
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15 / 30

#16. Battleship Wisconsin at Nauticus

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,724 reviews)
- City: Norfolk
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16 / 30

#15. Great Falls Park

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,384 reviews)
- City: McLean Fairfax County
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17 / 30

#14. Sandbridge Beach

- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,498 reviews)
- City: not available
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18 / 30

#13. Virginia Safari Park

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,927 reviews)
- City: Natural Bridge
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#12. George Washington's Mount Vernon

- Rating: 4.6/5 (4,905 reviews)
- City: Mount Vernon Fairfax County
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#11. Virginia Museum Of Fine Arts

- Rating: 4.8/5 (3,162 reviews)
- City: Richmond
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21 / 30

#10. Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center

- Rating: 4.8/5 (4,564 reviews)
- City: Chantilly Fairfax County
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#9. Skyline Drive

- Rating: 4.7/5 (2,802 reviews)
- City: Shenandoah National Park
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23 / 30

#8. Historic Jamestowne

- Rating: 4.7/5 (5,590 reviews)
- City: Williamsburg
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24 / 30

#7. Maymont

- Rating: 4.7/5 (2,108 reviews)
- City: Richmond
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25 / 30

#6. Jamestown Settlement

- Rating: 4.6/5 (4,493 reviews)
- City: Williamsburg
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#5. Virginia Beach Boardwalk

- Rating: 4.5/5 (8,013 reviews)
- City: not available
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27 / 30

#4. Arlington National Cemetery

- Rating: 4.8/5 (9,705 reviews)
- City: Arlington
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28 / 30

#3. Monticello

- Rating: 4.7/5 (7,294 reviews)
- City: Charlottesville
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29 / 30

#2. Luray Caverns

- Rating: 4.5/5 (4,975 reviews)
- City: Luray
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30 / 30

#1. Colonial Williamsburg

- Rating: 4.5/5 (12,943 reviews)
- City: Williamsburg
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This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.

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