Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the James River, Lynchburg is known as the “City of Seven Hills.” It’s a city nestled in its surroundings. If you’re a history buff, you’ve come to the right place — there’s history galore here. Interestingly, it’s a Southern city grappling with […]
Virginia
Poe Museum in Richmond
Although Edgar Allen Poe was born in Boston in 1809, Richmond was where he grew up, married and first became renown in the literary world. Richmond was his home. He even called himself “a Virginian.” As America’s first writer to attempt to make his living as a fiction writer, the Poe Museum in Richmond is […]
Malvern Hill Battlefield – Seven Days Battle
Now, birds nest in cannon that once sought to kill. The Battle of Malvern Hill, which took place July 1 1862, was the culmination of the Seven Days Battles, which were the climax of the Peninsula Campaign, in which the Northern Army of the Potomac, sailing around Confederate lines, landed at the tip of the […]
A Mural Surprise in Strasburg VA
More and more towns are creatively enlivening their outdoor spaces with murals — and what a wonderful trend! Strasburg VA, a sleepy but quaint town tucked into the Shenandoah Valley, about 75 miles west of Washington DC, offers eight lovely murals around town. Rich in beautiful views and history, Strasburg was founded in 1761 and was […]
Kayaking Lake Laura
Lake Laura is a mile-long, man-made lake near the border of the Virginia, West Virginia state line, in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. The lake is surrounded by mountains, homes hidden in the trees high up on the shore. We’d intended to launch our own kayak… Literally up a creek without a paddle but […]
Fredericksburg Murals
During a recent visit to the quaint city of Fredericksburg, VA, I noticed a number of murals. Since a visit to York PA and an exploration of that city’s murals, I’ve gained an appreciation for this art form, and now look for murals on all my travels! The American Canoe Association painted a mural of […]
Visiting Mary Washington’s House
George Washington purchased this house for his mother from Micheal Robinson in Fredericksburg, Virginia in 1772 for $275. Mary Ball Washington spent her last few years in the white frame house on the corner of Charles and Lewis Street. New evidence indicates that Mary Washington actually lived in a fairly small house. The portion to […]
Historic Jamestowne
A model of the Susan Constant. In 1607, the Susan Constant, the Godspeed, and the Discovery landed, carrying 104 men and boys. These first colonists constructed a fort to protect themselves from the nearby Virginia Indian tribes and from a potential attack from the Spanish settlements in Florida. The following year, young women were recruited from England to travel […]
Battle of Fredericksburg
Innis House, which witnessed the Battle of Fredericksburg. We first noticed the signs as we drove in along River Road, adjacent to the Rappahannock River: we were traveling through the battlefield of the Battle of Fredericksburg, which was fought December 11 -15, 1862, in and around Fredericksburg. The Union forces, led by Maj. Gen. Ambrose […]
31 Days of the Best MidAtlantic Daytrips for Kids
Looking for kid-friendly adventures for the summer? Below is MidAtlanticDayTrips’ curated kid-friendly daytrip destinations for Summer 2019, pulling from places I’ve visited in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Washington DC! Although there are some “obvious” destinations — the National Zoo comes to mind — I’ve looked for lesser known daytrips, such as the living history […]
Maymont Mansion, Richmond’s Gilded Age Spendor
Victorian exuberant excess is on display at the lovely Maymont Mansion, overlooking the James River in Richmond. Originally a 100-acre Victorian estate, Maymont is now a public park, and the mansion a house museum. On the grounds there’s an arboretum, formal gardens, a carriage collection, native wildlife exhibits, a nature center, and a children’s farm. […]
Fredericksburg: Quaint Town, Fun Shops, Good Eats
Fredericksburg, with its old, historic streets and predominantly colonial-era buildings downtown, really is a quaint town, with lots to see and do. The historic downtown area retains its colonial-era charm and is very walkable. I particularly enjoyed walking along Caroline and William Streets, browsing its many shops, including quite a few interesting boutique stores. I […]
9 Great Hikes for Kids
The MidAtlantic states region offers numerous opportunities for hiking that will intrigue your kids without destroying their will to ever step into a forest again. The point of these daytrips is to have fun (actually, the point of ALL daytrips is to have fun!). Before you head out, though, a little preparation can go a […]
Daytripping Hampton VA
Sure, there’s history at Hampton VA — in fact, more than 400 years of recorded history, which makes Hampton an interesting place to visit. But there are plenty of other good reasons to visit Hampton as well, including the Virginia Air and Space Center and a harbor cruise that will take you to see the […]
Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop
Hugh Mercer Apothecary was a pharmacy founded by Hugh Mercer in the mid-18th century. Mercer is an interesting figure in his own right. He initially served with the Jacobite forces of Bonnie Prince Charlie; he fled Scotland after the Battle of Culloden. He initially settled in Pennsylvania, and served with the British forces during the […]