A Tour of History and Culture
Drive the southern portion of the Shenandoah Valley to enjoy these sites along the way.
Staunton
Begin in Staunton and enjoy five National Historic Districts, where many artist studios and galleries also are located, not to mention a booming locavore community.
At the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum Gardens, learn about Wilson's first wife who was a talented artist.
Tour the Frontier Culture Museum where they will learn about the various European cultures that influenced the lifestyles of the settlers that settled in the Valley, and to see the blending of these cultures in the New World.
Afterwards, enjoy a performance at American Shakespeare Center's Blackfriars Playhouse, the only re-creation in the world of William Shakespeare's legendary indoor theatre.
Waynesboro
Travel to nearby Waynesboro to visit the P. Buckley Moss Museum featuring works by one of America's most popular artists.
Lexington
See the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery where 144 Confederate soldiers, two Virginia governors, and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson himself are interred. Walk the beautiful front campus and colonnade at Washington &Lee University to visit Lee Chapel and Museum. Robert E. Lee and his family are interred beneath the Chapel.
Tour the post and parade ground at Virginia Military Institute, the nation's oldest state-supported military college. Include a visit to the VMI Cadet Museum and the George C. Marshall Museum.
Take a guided tour of the Stonewall Jackson House, the only home the Confederate General ever owned.
In the evening, you might enjoy a performance at the beautiful outdoor Theater at Lime Kiln.
Natural Bridge
Travel to Natural Bridge for a breathtaking and memorable experience of one of Virginia's most cherished natural wonders. Adventure past the Natural Bridge to the Monacan Indian Living History Village to see 300 year old living history in progress.
In the evening, enjoy the Natural Bridge Drama of Creation, a sound and light show.
Roanoke
See the Historic Farmers' Market and all the the cultural attractions at Center in the Square in downtown Roanoke, which is home to the History Museum and Science Museum of Western Virginia. Don't miss out on Taubman Museum of Art - a new museum for the Star City.
Speaking of stars, travel up to see the Valley's most spectacular overlook to see the city's most famous landmark - the 100-foot illuminated Roanoke Star.
Top off your tour at the Virginia Museum of Transportation exhibiting nearly 60 pieces of rolling stock including the N&W Class J 611 and Class A 1218 steam engines!
Bedford
Travel 40 minutes east into the Central Virginia region to the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, a tribute to the Allied Forces who invaded Normandy on June 6, 1944, better known as "D-Day". Bedford suffered the highest per capita D-Day losses in the nation.
Hardy
Visit the Booker T. Washington National Monument to see the plantation life of this esteemed educator, orator and presidential advisor.