Charlottesville
#5 in Best Places to Visit in Virginia
Home to the prestigious University of Virginia, Charlottesville is a fun getaway for wine lovers and history buffs. Rolling countryside and dozens of wineries and vineyards surround the town, and the area’s excellent topography leads to some tasty wine varieties. Visitors should also spend some time walking around the historic Downtown Mall, which features more than 150 shops and restaurants, and touring Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s former home.
Jamestown
#6 in Best Places to Visit in Virginia
Outdoor and historical attractions are the highlights of Jamestown. Greenspring’s Interpretive Trail features 3 1/2 miles of hiking and bike paths, while Jamestown Settlement offers a look at 17th-century Virginia and the events that paved the way for the first permanent English settlement in the Americas. Travelers should also pop into the town’s Glasshouse to see glassblowing demonstrations and pick up a handblown glass souvenir.