Take a Day Trip to Civil War Battlegrounds and Historical Sites in Virginia – Fun History Lesson
More Civil War battles were fought in Virginia than any other state. If you’d like to take an affordable, fun, and educational family day trip while on vacation in Virginia, visiting Civil War battlefields is a great choice. Virginia is one of the most historical locations in the US and you just might smell smoke from musket-fire or hear echoes of the soldiers’ battle cries as you traipse around a Virginia Civil War battlefield.
Famous Battlefields in Virginia
Some famous Civil War battlefields in Virginia include Chancellorsville Battlefield, Petersburg National Battlefield, New Market Battlefield State Historical Park, Richmond National Battlefield Park, McDowell Battlefield, and Manassas National Battlefield Park. The Chancellorsville Battlefield in Fredericksburg, Virginia was home to a battle with the most casualties on Virginian soil. General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was wounded there. The New Market Battlefield State Historical Park hosts an interpretation of the 1864 Battle of New Market. The Richmond National Battlefield Park is home to the Civil War Visitor Center, which hosts artifacts and commemorates eleven different sites in the area where battles were fought.
The McDowell Battlefield was home to the Civil War Battle of McDowell, which was General Stonewall Jackson’s first victory in the Valley Campaign. Buildings that existed during the time of the battle remain standing to this day and the battlefield is largely untouched. The Manassas National Battlefield Park is a must-see for anyone who wants to gain an understanding of Civil War history because two major battles were fought there. You can take walking or driving tours and the park’s visitor center is fascinating, complete with electronic battle maps and displays of equipment and memorabilia.
Other Fun Historical Activities for Families in Virginia
Downtown Lexington is a beautiful historical area near Natural Bridge, Virginia. There are numerous activities families can enjoy in the area such as a tour of haunted houses in Historic Lexington or a tour of Stonewall Jackson’s home. The Hunter Raid Civil War Trail is a scenic driving tour with trail markers along the way. It follows Union General David Hunter’s 1864 raid through the Shenandoah Valley. The Natural Bridge area is home to numerous other attractions popular with families such as the Virginia Safari Park and Monocan Indian Village.
Williamsburg is another popular historic area for family vacations in Virginia. The Jamestown Settlement in Williamsburg is near the banks of the James River where the first English Colony settled in North America. The site is home to Powhatan Village, where kids can play games, make crafts, and view demonstrations. At Apprentice Goes to the Farm in Colonial Williamsburg, kids can participate in a 90-minute demonstration, learning about what it was like to live as a colonial child and work on a plantation.
So there you have it. If you would like to take an affordable vacation that is enjoyable and educational for family members of all ages, consider staying at one of the Natural Bridge campgrounds or taking a daytrip to visit a Civil War battlefield or historical site in Virginia. Virginia is rich with historical heritage, natural beauty, and fun activities for families so it is the perfect destination for your next family vacation
About the Author
Margie Dettman, is the owner and operator of the Jellystone Park Camp-Resort at Natural Bridge. Her work has allowed her to become very familiar with VA Camping hotspots such as the Natural Bridge caverns and accompanying campground at Natural Bridge, enabling her to give insider tips for fun family vacations.
Historic Virginia: Our unit in the Powhatan Plantation in Williamsburg
