I'm fairly new to the area, and I am so glad that we found this diamond in the rough…read more We visited Colonial Beach (technically estuary, I think) during a weekday near the end of June, and it was exactly what we were looking for. During our four hours at the beach, I think we saw only 10-13 people in our area. This was absolutely perfect for me because I was looking for a quiet, chill beach experience. Since we visited during the week, parking was not a hassle. The walk from our parking spot to the beach was less than 5 minutes on foot. Also, parking was about $2 an hour, which is not bad because some places charge $5+ per hour. I would image that parking probably is a nightmare during the weekends. From other reviews, I guess we lucked out because we did not have any interaction with jellyfish. Although I saw information about shops and business along the boardwalk, we did not visit any local businesses during our trip. *Hopefully, we'll have a chance to check out some shops during our next visit.* However, I think a lot of places were closed anyway because we did not see many people on the boardwalk in general. If you are used to (or looking for) crystal blue water and fine sand on a beach, this beach might not before you. The water is dark (you're technically in the Potomac River) and the beach itself is quite rocky. I think if you visit without high expectations of experiencing a beach off of the Amalfi Coast or somewhere in the Caribbean, I think you will be fine with a very low-key beach/estuary/river adventure at CBVA.

It was quiet. It wasn't crowded. It was peaceful... BUT... it's so many rocks and bugs in the…read moresand... like millions of these sand flea black crab looking things... it was a very uncomfortable situation. So glad we had chairs because sitting on that beach blanket was awful. Probably won't be back... but it is okay

Located in the old train depot, stop into this visitors center to learn more about the area and…read morepick up brochures to a number of activities nearby. The staff is very friendly and know the area well. There's free parking right out front.

Very open Space Visitor's Center at the train station, here in Culpeper. I pulled some maps for…read moreShenandoah National Park that are more clearer than the ones at the actual Nation park! Great pamphlets offering ideas and information on things to do, in the area. There's a museum there as well that was closed when I was there.

I've walked a lot of battlefields, but Fredericksburg has a gravity all its own. Standing at the…read moreSunken Road, you can almost hear the roar of cannon from Marye's Heights and the futile cries of Union soldiers charging across open ground. This wasn't just another clash of armies -- it was one of the most lopsided assaults of the war, a grim December 1862 where bravery collided head-on with impossible odds. The Visitor Center does a fine job grounding you in the context: Burnside's plan to cross the Rappahannock, the delays with pontoon bridges, and how those hours gave Lee's men the time to dig in. The short film is worth it -- it sets the stage for why this battle became a symbol of both heroism and futility. Walking the field, I couldn't help but note how the terrain dictated the slaughter. The Union army had to charge over nearly half a mile of open plain, with no cover, directly into Confederate firepower. The stone wall at the base of Marye's Heights remains chilling in its simplicity -- a farmer's wall turned fortress. It's said that a single Confederate line repulsed wave after wave of bluecoats, and when you stand behind that wall, you understand how. The driving tour expands the picture. Slaughter Pen Farm, preserved by the American Battlefield Trust, gives you the only full Union attack route still intact. It's haunting to trace those footsteps -- knowing thousands never made it across. Other stops, like Lee's Hill, give you the vantage point the Confederate commander had, surveying the field with grim confidence. It's not all glory -- part of Fredericksburg's story is loss and futility. More Union soldiers fell here in a single day than in many entire campaigns. But it's also where Richard Kirkland, the "Angel of Marye's Heights," earned his legend by bringing water to dying Union soldiers, showing compassion amidst carnage. Yes, the modern world has pressed in -- houses and traffic surround pieces of the field -- but enough remains to feel the weight of what happened here. Preservation efforts have fought hard to keep key ground from disappearing, and walking it today is a testament to both the men who fought and those who saved the land. Tip for history buffs: * Start at the Visitor Center, watch the film, then walk the Sunken Road before driving the tour. * Read first-hand accounts (like Sgt. McCarter's memoirs) before going -- they'll bring the ground to life. * Go early in the morning or late afternoon for solitude -- the quiet amplifies the history.

Interesting exhibits colorful And well maintained…read more Ranger was very nice . Front desk greeter was robotic Hence one star deduction

One of the cutest, quaintest Visitor's Centers I've seen. It's tiny but has a huge personality…read more The big clock greets you on the brick pathway. There's an old wagon with a wooden LOVE sign for photo ops. LOVE signs pop up all over VA, the state motto is Virginia is for Lovers, and this one is adorable! Under a portico, there are several benches where folks wait for the train or just soak up the sights of this idyllic town and watch the trains go by. The historic brick building is surrounded by flowers, bushes and other well maintained foliage. Outside is also some bistro seating. Inside it's like you've gone back in time. The information counter is old fashioned with a welcoming clerk to all answer your questions. Many vintage photos and posters of yesteryear on the walls. Railroad memorabilia, maps, and an antique bench in another smaller arched alcove that serves as a mini museum. A huge display of travel brochures at your disposal. We pocketed dozens! This landmark had an interesting history that will fascinate not only tourists and travelers, but locals as well! This Ashland Visitors Center and Train Station is right on track! If you are in Ashland, this a whistle stop you won't want to miss!

As there wasn't much to do in Ashland and seeing that this place was directly in front of where I…read morewas staying, I wandered in. The building used to be (and actually still is) the Train station (see my review of the Henry Clay Inn). It appears to have been built around the turn of the century and is interestingly laid out. One one side is now the museum, complete with old conductor uniforms and gear used by trainmen on the old steam locomotives. On the other side is a tourist information center manned by a volunteer who was incredibly nice, in that Virginia way, and more than happy to spend some time discussing the railroad, the station house, the town of Ashland, the greater Richmond area and the history of Virginia. This woman knew her stuff! This side of the station also houses a bazillion brochures for every attraction in a 100 mile radius - which led me to go visit Mount Vernon on my way back up to NY. They also have walking tours of Ashland on Saturday mornings that you can participate in for free. One of the better tourist centers around I'd say.

Wow! Attached to the parking garage this place is great! There are restrooms and a lovely group of…read morepeople ready to help and share their insights of the area. Very knowledgeable and helpful. We were able to get maps, magazines, bus info (free shuttle), etc. For sure stop in here if in the area. Wealth of information. You can tell the employees truly love their beautiful city.

I came by here on a Wednesday afternoon during my second visit to Annapolis. I collect stamps and I…read moredid not have one from Annapolis before and wanted to see if they had one. While alas, they did not have a stamp from their city for visitors, they did, after I inquired about them, have stickers! One of the employees came by with 4 different sticker options from me to choose from for free! This was so kind of them! They also have a ton of pamphlets about different tourism parts of the city you may be interested in such as historic sites to restaurants!

A lot of traffic ...nice weather.... bastante visitantes... autopistas grandes.... calles limpias...read more

Talk about walking into the saddest gift shop I've ever been to... It took 15 minutes to buy a shot…read moreglass lol. My friend and I were going around Richmond trying to find any souvenir shop for some swag. Little did we know that this be one of the only places that sells general RVA items to take home with you. Finally found a good shot glass and it seemed like an easy $5 purchase... The old lady cashier... Bless her heart. She did not know how to use the Quickbook App on the computer and asked us to come behind the counter to figure it out. At the end of it, she asked if we could pay in cash and we had to calculate the tax for her. Lols. She couldn't have just given it to me for 5 bucks. She was friendly but I could tell that there really aren't a lot of customers that pass by here. Save some time and just get your goods at the airport if you're flying out, or stop by a museum.

The park rangers were welcoming and suggested a driving tour of the battlefield sites. We were able…read moreto tour their small museum and see artifacts from the battle after watching a short film describing the events.

I Small but well stocked and displayed …read more Very friendly and informative staff. Plenty of parking and free. Can also walk the battlefield

This visitor center was very close to North entrance... The view from the Visitir centre was…read moreAmazing!!! There was a store and Help desk too..

Be sure to check hours on the visitor center as they're still in a transitional phase between…read morewinter and summer hours. It turns out the center itself was closed when we arrived, but we entered through Front Royal and it was still worth a stop. The restroom facility is located adjacent to the same parking lot as the visitor center was open and in good condition. The view out back behind the visitor center was lovely! And there is a trailhead directly across the street for the Fox Hollow Trail, which is an official TRACK trail (brochures in the stand at the trailhead) which was a fun way to explore the history and nature of the area. There were a couple of rangers onsite at the visitor center for a special event, but it the event itself hadn't started yet, and they were kind enough to be answering questions and chatting with visitors while they waited for the busses to unload their program attendees.

A good place to start on the tour of the battlefield sites that defined America…read more The Yorktown Visitor's Center is the perfect starting point for exploring several of the most pivotal sites in American history. The drive from the main road to the center is scenic, offering glimpses of Virginia's historic landscape before arriving at the center. Getting to the actual center seemed a little confusing as there are arrows describing the car tours to visit various sights when leaving the center. The center is not very large. The exhibits inside are well-organized and interactive, showcasing artifacts from the Battle of Yorktown, maps, uniforms, and weaponry from the era. There is a short film that provides an good overview of the battle and its significance in the history of our American independence. The center also features a gift shop with books, souvenirs, and historical memorabilia. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable and offered suggestions regarding various tours that you could take when driving around the area. There are several well-marked signs leading visitors from the center to the surrounding area sites. The driving tours take visitors through key historic sites connected to the Siege of Yorktown (1781) and the broader Colonial National Historical Park. Overall, the Yorktown Visitor's Center is an great stop, providing an introduction to this historic battlefield and its role in shaping the nation.

Colonial NHP is spread out over Jamestown, Yorktown and a road connecting them. We went to the…read morevisitor center in Yorktown and thought it was great. It did a great job of explaining what led up to the British surrender and how it happened. I especially liked the part of a ship that was built into the visitors center. Walking through it really was like walking through an 18th century ship - very cool. The visitors center did a great job of explaining the surrounding area and helping us decide where to go. I enjoyed it and would definitely recommend checking it out when visiting Yorktown.