A Day Trip to the Virginia Zoological Park in Norfolk

The Virginia Zoological Park is located in Norfolk, Virginia. If you're located in south central Pennsylvania, it's a 5-6 hour drive depending on traffic. If you don't mind the car ride...it makes for a great day trip with the kids! If the car ride is a little long for you...you can find hotels and motels located nearby. If you're vacationing in Virginia Beach, the drive will take approximately an hour heading north. 

Virginia Zoological Park was founded in 1901 and is spread out on 52 beautifully landscaped acres with over 500 animals calling it home. During your visit you'll see giraffes, zebras, ostrich, kangaroos, lions, bald eagles, black bears, beavers, cheetahs, bison, emu, wallaby's, prairie dogs, elephants, flamingos, tigers, snakes and more! 

If you've never visited before, I highly recommend that you visit the Virginia Zoo's website and print out a copy of the zoo map to take along with you. Due to Covid-19 and the pandemic you'll want to make your reservations online (at least that was their policy the day that we visited). At the time they were operating at limited capacity and following all of the CDC recommended guidelines. You can read their re-opening policy HERE. 

We have two grandchildren (ages 5 years and 11 years old) and one of their highlights from our trip was their ride on the popular Zoo Train. You will have to pay a separate fee to ride the ZooTrain, but the kids loved it. The entire ride lasts for approximately 20 minutes as the train takes you around a lot of the areas within the zoo. The train is handicap-accessible and fun for both kids & adults. 

When visiting the zoo I recommend that you wear comfortable walking shoes (you'll be doing a lot of walking) and dress seasonably appropriate. Like most places, you'll be spending the majority of your visit outdoors. There are places within the zoo where you can sit down for a rest, grab a bite to eat, etc. If you're looking to pick up some souvenirs & gifts, you'll find those in the gift shop located near the entrance gate to the zoo. 

This was our third visit in the past 7 years to the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk and every time we visit, it gets better and better. We enjoy visiting in the spring or early fall months when the zoo isn't quite as busy. In other words, during their "off peak" months. When planning you're visit, I recommend spending a minimum of 3 hours at the zoo. You'll want to experience as much as you can during your visit. 

You can learn more about the Virginia Zoo by visiting their official website online. You can purchase tickets on the web or pay your admission price at the zoo. You can connect with them on social media by hooking up with them on Facebook and/or Twitter.

Family Fun at the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News

Looking for a fun day trip or weekend getaway to do with the kids? The Virginia Living Museum is approximately a 5 hour drive from most south central Pennsylvania locations and is located in Newport News. Admission ranges from $15.00 to $20.00 per person, special events and tours cost extra.

The museum is home to 250+ animal species that are native to the state of Virginia. You'll have the opportunity to American Alligators, Bald Eagles, Beavers, Barking Tree Frogs, Bobcats, Pelicans, Ducks, Coyotes, Snakes, Lizards, Owls, Egrets, Herons, Squirrels, Sea Turtles, River Otters, Red and Gray Foxes, Raccoons, Skunks, and more!

If you enjoy aquatic animals you'll have the opportunity to see American Eels, Beach Fish, Coral Fish, Flounder, Loggerhead Sea Turtles, James River Fishes, Mountain Stream Fishes, Shrimp, Seahorses, Trout, etc. You'll see some of them indoors and others are located in outdoor exhibits and areas.

During out visit the kids enjoyed the museum's Shark Zone which is a special event exhibit that runs through September 2nd, 2019. You'll learn about our beautiful oceans and the amazing animals that live there. You can touch live "cat sharks" in the touch-tank, track a shark as it swims in the ocean in real time, enter a shark cage and come face-to-face with a Great White Shark (a replica), and dig for shark teeth in Fossil Beach. Shark Zone offers a lot of great hands-on activities for the kids!

The Outdoor Boardwalk is a 3/4 elevated boardwalk that gives visitors the opportunity to see Red Wolves, River Otters, Wild Turkeys, Deer, Red Foxes, Coyotes, Turtles, Bull Frogs, and other animals that are native to the wetlands in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. There are information stations along the way where visitors can stop to read the information about specific animals, plants and the environment related to them. It's a great learning experience and gets you outside into the fresh air.

Outside the museum you'll explore Dinosaur Discovery Trail where you'll see 16 realistic, prehistoric dinosaurs who use to roam the earth. Follow the marked trail to see them up close and along the way the kids can play around in the man-made Dig Pits. A few of the dinosaurs that you'll see along the way include: Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Brachiosaurus, Stegosaurus, and others.

Virginia Living Museum
524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd.
Newport News, Virginia 23601

Website: https://thevlm.org/
Phone: 757-595-1900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VirginiaLivingMuseum/

Hours of Operation: Open daily 9am-5pm
Closed: Thanksgiving, December 24th, 25th and January 1st

Inside the museum you'll find the Wild Side Cafe that serves a casual menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is limited indoor seating with over-flow seating located on the outdoor patio that's adjacent to the cafe. If you're looking to do a little shopping you'll want to check out the Wild Things Museum Store to pick up your gifts and souvenirs.

Our family had a great time exploring the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News and look forward to visiting again next year. When planning your visit we recommend that you allow at least 3 hours in your schedule, so that you can see and do all of the wonderful activities that the facility has to offer. You'll want to wear comfortable walking shoes and wear clothing appropriate for the current weather conditions.

Exploring the Susan Constant at the Jamestown Settlement

The replica Susan Constant is docked at the Jamestown Settlement (a living history museum) in Virginia. The original Susan Constant was in service around 1606 and went out of service around 1615. Christopher Newport, the captain of Susan Constant led her on a voyage across the Atlantic in 1606 - 1607 along with her two sister ships Godspeed and Discovery, owned by the Virginia Company of London.

Susan Constant measures 116 feet from tip to stern with an estimated weight of 120 tons. She was a fully-rigged sailing ship. During that initial voyage to the Colony of Virginia she carried 71 passengers (colonists), all male.

When visiting the historic Jamestown Settlement in Virginia you'll have the opportunity to see the replica Susan Constant, along with her sister ships Godspeed and Discovery. They're docked in the Jamestown River, adjacent to historic Jamestown.

The ships are commemorated on the back of the Virginia State Quarter. In 2007 the United States Postal Service commemorated the ships on .41 cent postage stamps. If you're a collector, you may want to save them if you can find them.

The Jamestown Settlement is really cool place to visit, especially if you enjoy learning about our country's early history. Since its a living history museum, you'll find people walking around dressed in colonial attire. You can tour the James Fort, visit the Powhatan Indian Village, watch live on-site demonstrations and tour the Susan Constant, Discovery and Godspeed.

We've had the opportunity visit twice and every time we go we learn something new. It's a great way to educate yourself on the early days of this country and makes for a GREAT family-friendly outing with the kids. When visiting, we recommend allowing at least 3 hours in your schedule, so that you can experience everything that they have to offer.

Spending the Day at Kings Dominion Amusement Park

Kings Dominion is a  family-friendly amusement park located in Doswell Virginia, located about 20 miles north of Richmond. This amusement park has been in continuous operation since 1975. Every year we take a road trip from central Pennsylvania down to Virginia Beach to visit family and to have some fun. Every time we go down there we plan on spending one day at Kings Dominion.

The park sits on 400 acres and offers over 60 amusement park rides, including 13 thrilling roller coasters. If amusement park rides aren't your thing, they also offer a 20 acre water park on-site and various shows are held throughout the day. No matter what your age...there is something fun for you to see and do while there.

Hours of Operation: The park is open seasonally...spring, summer and fall. Their hours depend on the season and the weather. They reserve the right to close on days that severe weather is in the area. If you're in doubt, consult their website, social media channels and/or call ahead before visiting.

When visiting the park you want to dress appropriately for the current weather conditions and wear comfortable footwear. For security reasons they recommend that you don't bring any bags with you into the park unless they're baby diaper bags, medical bags, etc. Alcohol and drugs are not permitted. If you're a smoker, you can only smoke in designated areas. Please be courteous to those around you.

You'll find rides that the entire family can enjoy.

Thrill Rides Include: Anaconda, Backlot Stunt Coaster, Berserker, Drop Tower, Flight of Fear, Grizzly Roller Coaster, Rebel Yell Roller Coaster, The Crypt, Windseeker, Volcano Blast Coaster, White Water Canyon, Richocet, plus many more!

Family Rides Include: Blue Ridge Tollway, Carousel, Boo Blasters, Dodgem, Americana (like a Ferris Wheel), Bad Apple, Flying Eagles, Flying Ace, Eiffel Tower, Wave Swinger, Scrambler, plus many more!

Often times when we're visiting the park we have our two young grandchildren along with us. If you're traveling with kids you'll want to visit the park's Planet Snoopy area which includes Peanut's themed rides, characters dressed in costume, fun shows and other Peanut's themed attractions. Kids of all ages enjoy visiting Planet Snoopy!!!

If you're looking to visit the park and save some time...you can buy your tickets online and print them off to take along with you. You can visit Kings Dominion online to get their current operating schedule, driving directions and if you're looking for a place to stay nearby, you can find that information on their site too.

I've got a few additional tips to share with you. If you want to avoid big crowds and extremely long lines...try visiting during their spring & fall operating months and/or weekdays. During the summertime weekends...the park can get extremely crowded!!! Next, if you're bringing children along with you...make sure you put all of your contact information on the child in case they would accidentally get separated from you. You can write your info on their shoes, place a slip of paper into their pocket, etc. Always nice to plan ahead and to be prepared!

Family Fun at the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk

A few months ago we spent the weekend down in Virginia Beach enjoying an end-of-summer vacation. We spent 5 days and 4 nights exploring the Virginia Beach area and having some family fun. When our family travels we enjoy visiting zoos, wildlife parks, and aquariums, so we had to take a little trip up to the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk. The drive took us approximately an hour from Virginia Beach, however, if you're driving down from south central Pennsylvania, it will take you approximately 5-6 hours to get there.

The Virginia Zoo was founded in 1901 and is spread out on 52 beautifully landscaped acres with over 500 animals calling it home. During your visit you'll see giraffes, zebras, ostrich, kangaroos, lions, bald eagles, black bears, beavers, cheetahs, bison, emu, wallaby's, prairie dogs, elephants, flamingos, tigers, snakes and more!

If you've never visited before, I highly recommend that you visit the Virginia Zoo's website and print out a copy of the zoo map to take along with you. It will show you where all of the exhibits are, the suggested routes to take, marked places to grab something to eat and of course...where you can find all of the public bathrooms. Not interested in printing out a map? Don't worry, you'll find them located at the entrance gate too! I highly suggest you grab one when entering the park.

Within the zoo you'll find the "ZooFarm" which is their hands-on petting zoo. Children love petting and feeding the animals. Throughout the year you'll find the zoo hosting a variety of different children's educational programs, which allows the kids to get up close & personal with some of their favorite animals. I'm all about "hands on" learning when it comes to kids!

We have two grandchildren (ages 3 years and 9 years) and one of their highlights from our trip was their ride on the popular Zoo Train. You will have to pay a separate fee to ride the ZooTrain, but the kids loved it. The entire ride lasts for approximately 20 minutes as the train takes you around a lot of the areas within the zoo. The train is handicap-accessible and fun for both kids & adults.

When visiting the zoo I recommend that you wear comfortable walking shoes (you'll be doing a lot of walking) and dress seasonably appropriate. Like most places, you'll be spending the majority of your visit outdoors. There are places within the zoo where you can sit down for a rest, grab a bite to eat, etc. If you're looking to pick up some souvenirs & gifts, you'll find those in the gift shop located near the entrance gate to the zoo.

This was our third visit in the past 6 years to the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk and every time we visit, it gets better and better. We enjoy visiting in the spring or early fall months when the zoo isn't quite as busy. In other words, during their "off peak" months. When planning you're visit, I recommend spending a minimum of 3 hours at the zoo. You'll want to experience as much as you can during your visit.

You can learn more about the Virginia Zoo by visiting their official website online. You can purchase tickets on the web or pay your admission price at the zoo. You can connect with them on social media by hooking up with them on Facebook and/or Twitter.

Virginia Safari Park & Zoo in Natural Bridge

The Virginia Safari Park is a 180-acre drive-thru zoo and safari park located in Natural Bridge, Virginia. Admission into the park ranges from $13.95 to $21.95, depending on age (children vs. adult). Hours of operation 9 AM to 6:30 PM, depending on the season.

Available Paid Extras:

* Safari Guidebook: One free per vehicle. Extra guidebooks are $2.00 each.
* Animal Feed: $4.50 per bucket
* Giraffe Grain: .50
* Giraffe Romaine Lettuce: $5.00 and includes souvenir cup.
* Budgie Feed Stick: $1.50

Directions:

If you're traveling down to the park from central Pennsylvania, you'll want to hop onto I-81 and follow that down into Virginia until you see exit 180, in Natural Bridge. Follow signs to the park. For GPS Users: Virginia Safari Park, 229 Safari Lane, Natural Bridge, VA 24578.

You'll enter the park at the main entrance located near the gift shop. If you need to use the public restrooms, you'll find them located in the gift shop building and another one at the watering hole & snack bar building within the park.

Once in the facility you'll want to use your park map to meander your way through the park. If you're looking for the petting zoo area, you'll want to enter via the Safari Village Entrance. If you have children along with you, they're going to love visiting the petting zoo where they can get up close & personal with the animals.

The Drive-Thru Safari has an entrance within the park that you'll utilize when doing the drive-thru portion of your visit. You'll want to drive slowly and always be observant of the animals around your vehicle and the cars in front & behind you. Per park rules: You must remain in your vehicle, keep your doors closed at all times and ONLY feed the animals the food you received at the park. No outside food! You can have your windows rolled down!

Some of the animals that you will encounter during your visit include (but are not limited to): Giraffes, Cheetahs, Spider Monkeys, Tigers, Spider Monkeys, Kangaroos, Pigs, Goats, Tortoises, Budgie Avery, Snakes, Turtles, Ostrich, Camels, Bison, Buffalo's, Llamas, Deer, Rhinos, Penguins, Kangaroos and more! There are a lot of different animal species for you to see and to learn about.

There is a picnic area in front of the park that you and your family can utilize. I recommend bringing along brown-bag or picnic lunches for you to enjoy. The picnic area has a covered pavilion, so you can sit down in a shady spot and enjoy your meal.

The Watering Hole Cafe is located within the park and you can purchase lunch, dinner, beverages and/or snacks at the cafe. They offer up hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, ice cream, soft pretzels, nachos, popcorn, icees,  hot and cold beverages, plus more. We found their prices to be fairly reasonable.

You can visit the Virginia Safari Park's official website online to learn more about them, obtain their operating schedule and to see a list of their current events. You can connect with them over on Facebook too.

Shenandoah National Park and Scenic Skyline Drive

The Shenandoah National Park is located in the great state of Virginia and encompasses part of the Blue Ridge Mountains. One of the major draws to the National Park is the scenic Skyline Drive that passes through 8 Virginian counties, for a total of 105 miles. The Shenandoah River runs to the west and to the east you'll find the Virginia Piedmont areas. It was established as a national park in December, 26th, 1935.

One of the best times to visit the park is during the fall season to see some of the prettiest fall foliage on the east coast. We've driven through Skyline Drive twice during the past 10 years and found that mid to late October was a great time to go. Of course, that will depend on the weather and the fall foliage outlook for that particular year. If you plan on visiting during the peak of the fall foliage season, you'll want to monitor the weather before your trip.

Another big draw to the park is the Appalachian Trail which runs through the park for 101 miles. In total, there are over 500 miles of walking & hiking trails within the park for visitors to enjoy. Some of the trails are great for beginners, while other's are more appropriate for experienced hikers. You'll find camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, etc. within the park, along with some of the best waterfalls on the east coast.

The highest peak is Hawksbill Mountain at 4,051 feet. Several of the photographs that we're featuring in our travel blog post were taken while at Hawksbill and nearby. Along Skyline Drive you'll find designated areas where you can pull off to the side of the road and get out to take photographs and to stretch your legs. We saw people pulling off in non-designated areas, but frankly, I don't recommend doing that. When traveling, safety comes first.

All animals within the park are protected by law. This means that you can't feed them, hunt them or try to touch them. If you're camping within the park, the "Leave No Trace" rule applies. In addition, all food & beverages needs to be secured in bear-proof bags and/or containers. You're not permitted to make campfires and you must clean-up your campsite before leaving. Please keep our National Parks clean for future generations to enjoy. There are several campgrounds and lodges for you to enjoy if you're looking for overnight accommodations.

If you're a fan of waterfalls, you'll find many of them within the park. The most popular waterfalls to visit are: South River Falls, Lewis Falls, Overall Run (the tallest), Rose River, Cedar Run, Dark Hollow Falls, Jones Run Falls and Doyles River Falls. Some are fairly easy hikes and other's are more difficult to get to.

You can learn more about Shenandoah National Park and the Scenic Skyline Drive by visiting their official website online and by connecting with them over on Facebook for the most current up-to-dates and news.

Exploring the Historic Mabry Mill in Virginia

Mabry Mill is an old watermill and tourist attraction located off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Floyd County, Virginia. You'll easily find it at milepost 176.1 when traveling on the parkway. There is a parking lot that you can pull into, so that you can easily visit the attraction and walk the trails.

On the historic property you'll find the watermill, sawmill, gristmill and blacksmith shop. The watermill was built by Edwin Boston Mabry in 1903. Over the years the owner added the sawmill, gristmill and blacksmith shops.

During the summer tourist season you can see live demonstrations for live milling, basket making, spinning, weaving, seat caning, butter making, blacksmithing, etc. along with music events by local artisans and the National Park Service staff. You'll find all kinds of different activities and events that are open to visitors from April to November.

Nearby you'll find the Mabry Mill Restaurant and Gift Shop where you can sit down and enjoy a home cooked meal featuring a country-style menu. The food is delicious, affordably priced and the restaurant staff is fantastic. At the gift shop you'll find Virginia-made arts and crafts, locally made food, clothing, books, souvenirs and gifts.

The Waltons Hamner House - Boyhood Home of Earl Hamner Jr.

The Waltons Hamner House is a historic landmark located in Schuyler, Virginia. It's the boyhood home of Earl Hamner Jr., the creator of the hit television show "The Waltons." The house was built in 1915 by M.J. Copps, the manager of the local soapstone quarry at the time. When the company closed, Earl Hamner Sr. purchased the home for around $500.00 and it became the Hamner family home.

It's a modest-sized home containing 3 bedrooms, a bathroom, an eat-in kitchen and a living area. It's a 2-story, white clapboard home with beautiful oak and pinewood floors. One of the things I really liked about the house is the large front porch...the type of porch you see on many country-styled homes, complete with white wooden rocking chairs.

If you would like to take a tour of The Waltons Hamner House you can purchase tickets at The Waltons Mountain Museum which sits nearby. The Hamner House is open 7 days a week from 10 AM to 4 PM for guided tours. You can visit their official website for a schedule of featured events, driving directions and for the history on the house and it's owners.

Exploring The Natural Bridge Caverns in Virginia

The Caverns at Natural Bridge is a family-friendly attraction located in Natural Bridge, Virginia. The caverns were discovered early in the 20th century and then officially opened as a park in 1977. It is open seasonally from March through November, depending on weather. You'll find the caverns, the Natural Bridge, a gift shop, walking trails, a picnic area and more...all located here!

When visiting, you'll want to plan ahead and wear comfortable clothing and footwear. You'll be doing a lot of walking through the park and then descend down 34 stores into the cavern. They recommend that you wear tennis sneakers and bring along a light-weight jacket or sweater. The caverns maintain a year-round temperature of around 54 degrees.

The guided tour will last for approximately 46 minutes and new tours begin every 30 to 60 minutes, with the last tour leaving at 4 PM EST. These tours can fill up fast, so during the peak of the tourist season & on weekends, you'll want to arrive early. If you plan on visiting ONLY the Natural Bridge Caverns the admission price is as follows: Adults $18.00 and Children ages 6 to 12 years of age $12.00 each.

While you're there I recommend that you visit the nearby Natural Bridge. If you plan on doing that, you can purchase an adult combo ticket for around $20.00, which includes Cedar Creek Trail and the Monacan Indian ​Exhibit. You can get all of the pricing details and tour schedule directly on The Caverns at Natural Bridge website.

I took my camera down into the caverns and frankly, I didn't have any luck in grabbing some nice photographs. I should of taken my larger, more professional camera down there with me, instead of my easy-to-use point-n-shoot. If you have a nice camera, you should be able to get some decent photographs, but you'll need to use your flash because it's dimly lit in most areas.

During our visit I really enjoyed walking the Cedar Creek Trail (beautiful walk) to reach The Natural Bridge. It's amazing that nature can create beautiful things like the Natural Bridge formation. It was a fairly easy walk and one that the entire family would enjoy.

If you're going to be visiting the great state of Virginia or just passing through...a visit to The Natural Bridge and Caverns would be a great family-friendly activity for you to enjoy. We spent about 2 1/2 hours there before hitting the road again.

A Visit to the Walton's Mountain Museum

Growing up my mother was a big fan of the hit television show "The Waltons". Every night when a new episode aired, the TV was on and the family sat down to watch it together. "The Waltons" was created by a guy named Earl Hamner and it ran on TV for 9 seasons.

The Walton's Mountain Museum is located in Schuyler, Virginia and opened up for business in 1992. It's open to visitors March through November from 10 AM to 4 PM. You'll want to check their website for up-to-date information and their current operating schedule, along with driving directions. The museum is based in Schuler, Virginia because this was Earl Hamner's hometown. The museum is housed in his old high school building.

There is a small admission fee to enter the museum. Each room inside is a replica of the 7 rooms that were used on "The Waltons" studio set in California during the television series. You'll see a replica of their living room, kitchen, John Boy's bedroom, Ike Godsey's General Store and more. The bulk of the museum’s collection represents donations by collectors of Waltons memorabilia along with Depression-era keepsakes.

As soon as you enter you'll be invited to watch a 30-minute video about the show's creator, the show and it's characters. If you're a fan, you'll appreciate watching the video. After you're done, you can then move on throughout the museum viewing all of the re-created rooms at your own leisurely pace.

During our visit we spent a total of 90 minutes there. We took our good old time looking at all of the rooms, the photographs, memorabilia, etc. You could certainly do your visit in less time, but personally, I recommend allow 90 minutes in your schedule.

Ike's General Store doubles as the museum's gift shop. You'll find all kinds of cool "The Waltons" souvenirs, local cookbooks, gifts, trinkets, etc. in the store. What's really cool is that you can purchase a postcard and have it sent from the store with the postmarked information "sent from Walton's mountain, Virginia." Totally cool, especially for collectors, so I recommend sending a postcard to yourself at home.

To finish out our travel feature today, I'm going to close by saying "Goodnight John Boy."

The Official Virginia State Facts + Travel Tips

We have family that lives down in Virginia Beach and the surrounding area, so we've had the opportunity to visit the great state of Virginia, several times. One of the things I love about the state is that you can drive through rolling mountains and the countryside and within a few hours you can hit the Atlantic Coast.

Virginia was the 10th state to join the union on June 25th, 1788 and was one of the original 13 colonies. It's the home to some of our most famous presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and Woodrow Wilson, a total of 8 United States presidents in all!

Most Populated City: Virginia Beach
Capital: Richmond
Nickname: Old Dominion and Mother of Presidents
Tree: American Dogwood
Flower: American Dogwood
Insect: Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
Fish: Brook Trout
Bird: Cardinal
Dog: American Foxhound
Bat: Big-Eared Bat
Shell: Oyster
Beverage: Milk
Main Industries: Agriculture, Manufacturing and Tourism
Bordering States: Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina.
Counties: 95 with Fairfax County being the most populous.

Virginia has 44 State Parks, 2 National Forests and 16 State Forests. You can enjoy outdoor activities year-round, like hiking, biking, camping, boating, hunting, fishing, etc.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is the world's largest tunnel and bridge complex comprising of 18 miles in length with two bridges and two tunnels. We've traveled across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel four times so far, and I have to admit...it's a beautiful drive!

You'll find the United States Navy's Atlantic Fleet stationed in Virginia and the state is home to Arlington National Cemetery.

The Pentagon, located in Arlington is the world's largest office building. One quarter of Virginians are employed by the United States government, since it's in close proximity to Washington D.C. The Pentagon was attacked in the terrorist attacks on 9-11 (September 11th).

We love visiting the great state of Virginia and go down there as often as we can to visit family. When we're there, we try to visit some of the local tourist "hot spots" and scenes. It's a beautiful scenic drive from south central Pennsylvania down to Virginia. A great road trip for the entire family to enjoy.