Traffic on I-95 is no joke. The next time you're traveling through Southern, Central, and Northern Virginia, take a detour for fun, great food, and charming experiences. You'll forget these small towns and cities weren't on your itinerary to begin with — and next time, they will be!
OCCOQUAN
Downtown Occoquan
The sweet 18th century mill town of Occoquan is situated along the Occoquan River, a Potomac River tributary. Hop off I-95 at exit 160 and treat yourself to a glance back in time. The historic buildings house more than 100 art galleries and boutiques, plus great dining. Your first stop into town should be at Mom's Apple Pie. It feels like a country general store and offers freshly baked treats. You might need to stop again on the way out of town. You know, to have a snack for the road.
Don't Miss:
Make a beeline for The Golden Plum, a cozy store and bakery with freshly baked treats.
Explore the Mill House Museum, located at the site of the nation's first automated gristmill.
TRIANGLE
National Museum of the Marine Corps
Triangle is the home of the National Museum of the Marine Corps and is a seven-mile hop-skip-jump from Quantico, which you've no doubt heard of if you watch any kind of prime-time crime. Exit 150 is where you want to go. As you approach the exit, you'll see an interestingly shaped building jutting above the trees. That's the Marine Corps Museum, and it should be your first stop.
Don't Miss:
The 12,000-acre one-time World War II covert ops training ground now known as Prince William Forest National Park is tucked quietly away and feels a world away for those accustomed to the hustle and bustle of DMV life.
National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico is the final resting place of decorated war heroes, four-star generals, and famed Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima flag-raising photographer Louis Lowery.
Fredericksburg is the ideal mid-way stop between Richmond and metro DC. Pull over and stretch your legs with a walk through the Historic Downtown Fredericksburg, where the oldest building dates back to 1737. There's plenty of places to eat and shop in town.
Don't Miss:
Learn more about the fifth President of the United States at the James Monroe Museum, where you can see pieces from the collection and explore the gardens.
Historic Kenmore is a beautiful Georgian home that dates to the 1770s. Take the tour and see the amazing plasterwork on the ceilings.
If you have an appreciation for artisans and their crafts, a stop at LibertyTown Arts is a must. You'll likely come across the artists at work!
Virginia is dotted with Founding Father history and Hanover is a key dot, if you will. Take exit 92 east and you'll find historic sites related to Patrick Henry, like Hanover Tavern, which was once owned by his wife's parents and is one of only a few surviving colonial-period taverns.
Don't Miss:
Hanover Courthouse is where Patrick Henry argued the Parsons' Cause in 1763, which some reference as a jumping off point for the American Revolution.
If you're passing through in July, you may happen upon the Hanover Tomato Festival, held annually on the second weekend of the month.
Explore the shops and cafes in Historic Downtown Ashland, affectionately referred to as the "Center of the Universe."
Continue your Patrick Henry-inspired detour by traveling around 11 miles from the courthouse to Historic Polegreen Church, or keep going south to Richmond to find Historic St. John's Church, where he delivered his "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!" speech.
CHESTER
Captain D, Dutch Gap Conservation Area
Photo Credit: Kurt Engleman @kurt.photos
You'll find historical sites and refreshing outdoor attractions when you stop in Chester. The small town is part of Chesterfield County, a lively area just south of the City of Richmond.
Don't Miss:
Explore a colonial living history museum at Henricus, located at the site of a 1611 colony which was one of the first successful English settlements in the New World.
Eat at The Half Way House Restaurant, a Richmond area tradition since 1760. Esteemed guests have included George Washington and Thomas Jefferson
The Dutch Gap Conservation Area is an 810-acre playground that includes opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, wildlife watching, fishing, hiking and biking. You can even spot "Captain D," an abandoned pusher boat that has transformed into an island in the tidal lagoon.
