Starting in the 1800s, the area near what is now Richmond's Rothesay neighborhood was occupied by a…read morelarge number of granite quarries. As they closed and were allowed to fill with water, they became popular recreation spots. Back in 1931, a Richmond man named Jimmie Scott purchased four forested acres in Rothesay including the Philadelphia Quarry. Local legend holds that the quarry provided the stone used to build Philadelphia's expansive New Public Building, now known as City Hall, thereby earning its name. The next year, Scott opened The Philadelphia Quarry Club, a private swimming hole. The $50 yearly membership fee was out of reach for most Richmonders, especially at the height of the Depression. At first, the club leadership struggled to even build a permanent bath house. But despite financial difficulties, occasional algae blooms, toe-nibbling fish, and battles against the local nonpoisonous snake population, the exclusive and secretive club has survived to this day and now has more than 400 members. ‍‍

Most of Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson was buried in a Lexington, Virginia, cemetery that now…read morebears his name, but he was so famous at the time of his death that his amputated left arm was spirited away to its own separate grave. It was just after dark on May 2, 1863. Jackson had just launched a devastating attack against Union forces at Chancellorsville. Returning to his own lines with several staff officers, Jackson, ever the aggressive soldier, decided to conduct reconnaissance in the area. As he and his staff rode through the woods near Confederate lines, a North Carolina regiment, unable to see who was riding up on them, opened fire. Jackson was struck by three bullets, two of them shattering his left arm. The general was evacuated from the area and given medical treatment, but the arm couldn't be saved and was amputated. Pneumonia set in, and on May 10, 1863, the South lost its most effective tacticia. Thinking that the limb of so great a solider was too precious to simply throw on the regular body part trash pile, Jackson's unofficial company chaplain, Reverend Tucker Lacy wrapped the arm in a blanket and took it to his family cemetery. The reverend gave the limb a standard Christian burial and placed a marker above the site. Supposedly Stonewall Jackson's arm was dug up and reburied numerous times in the ensuing years and there is no concrete evidence that it still resides in its original burial space, but the simple gravestone remains.

"Jackson has lost his left arm, but I have lost my right"…read more -General Robert E. Lee Jackson's last words were apparently, "Let us cross over the river and rest in the shade of the trees." It seems like a lot of words for a dying man. If, however there is truth in this story, then the resting place of this limb seems fitting. The lone tombstone sits quietly among a small group of trees on the Virginia countryside. The picturesque views were once covered by war field hospitals and now is the resting place of the left arm of one of America's most famous Generals. A little history: Stonewall Jackson's arm was destined to be buried along with other amputated limbs until Jackson's Chaplain, Reverend Lacy, retrieved it from a macabre pile of appendages and eventually buried it on his own plantation, Ellwood Manor. The limb was buried several days before Jackson's death as a way for his staff to pay tribute to the man that they had followed through battle. It's probably the least they could do considering that his own men accidentally shot him. I'm just sayin'. The story of a buried arm is surreal, but a little research makes the story a little more humane. Even if Jackson fought on the wrong side of history, every body (or body part) should be so lucky to be buried in a place so serene. Verdict: Great for Civil War buffs, the curious and people spending a little time in nearby Old Town Fredricksberg. Or Cross it off your Weird Virginia (book) list. Weird tidbits: The arm has been dug up a few times in the past, but has always made it's way back into the ground. It seems that the curious return it to it's resting place after learning that there REALLY is an arm buried in the ground. FYI: The last time I attempted a visit, the grounds were closed contrary to the information found on the website. If in doubt, it's best to call.

It's difficult to hide my excitement of a road. But no ordinary road mind you. A historic trail…read moreturned present day park most likely used by the Indians to travel by horse. It stretches 23 beautiful scenic miles and cuts through gorgeous wooded terrain. The Parkway runs along the James River in sections and is an absolute must if time permits to avoid the highway and travel at slower speeds to enjoy the scenery. The project to build the Parkway began in the 1930's and coincides closely with the construction and rehabilitation of Colonial Williamsburg. The project concluded in 1957. The road connects the Historic Triangle of Yorktown, Williamsburg and Jamestown Virginia all on one incredible tour. The Parkway is considered a park and is ran by the National Park Service. It also has the unique designation of being just 1 of 31 of its kind considered a "National Scenic Byway". Speed limits range from 35-45 mph and are patrolled by the NPS. Semi trucks are not permitted. The surface is concrete in excellent condition and well maintained. You can jump off and on at the tree cities. I can't help but be giddy about such a cool road with neat history connecting such historic communities. Best times of the year are Fall and Summer. Whether a tourist, or local it's a fun road to travel.

Colonial Parkway is a 23 mile scenic parkway linking the three points of Virginia's Historic…read moretriangle, Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown.

The canal walk is not safe to walk alone. There are homeless in the area. It is an interesting…read morewalk. There are restaurants but you have to check ahead to see when they are open. We walked early because it was extremely hot. There are no public bathrooms in the area. Lucky there was a porta potty. The walk is a bit of a walk make sure you wear sunscreen and carry water.

So much history! Great photo ops…read more Lovely scenery I really enjoyed it, even the creep scary part!

A lovely hidden gem in Williamsburg! I love this spot and highly recommend it to locals and…read moretourists. Romantic, tucked away, and overlooking the beautiful pond! Got engaged here as well! A super cute spot to visit with your partner!

Beautiful bridge in the heart of the William & Mary campus. It crosses a small pond and is very…read morepicturesque. Always have to cross it when here on a visit. I'll be back!

This Autumn, signs began to appear on telephone poles in the Gainesville/Haymarket area - warning…read moreof the Un-lucky Inn. Being a Halloween fan - I was intrigued, I visited their web site. So it looks and sounds cool based on the story on their web site. But would it actually deliver the scary goods? I went last Friday night on my way home from Shenandoah National Park. I arrived about 6:40 pm and bought my ticket - $10.00. The first hour The Un-lucky Inn conducts a non-scary version for little kids to go through. While you are waiting, a couple of vendors are selling food - one has hot chocolate and coffee for sale, the other is Red Hot and Blue - selling pulled pork and chicken sandwiches - just in time for you to eat them, then enter the Un-lucky Inn - and lose your lunch! :-) At 7:30 pm, they begin the real horror. Groups are sent though with a couple of guides, no more than eight people per group. You cross the yard and enter the Un-lucky Inn. I am not going to give away the scary details as I want others to be properly frightened and terrified. Suffice to say, this is to date the best and scariest haunted house I have experienced as an adult. Go, go to The Un-lucky Inn. You may check in, but you will never check out! Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

The Un-Lucky Inn is not a pofessional haunted house, its ran by volunteers of Reminton Fire house…read more People from surronding counties came to volunteer to help with the haunt. I should know, I was one of the main actors.. or actress you should say. Its a timing and tiring process but we did it, cause we enjoy scaring people. :) The Un-Lucky Inn is filled with any possible scary effects that would make a grown man cry, or #2 himself. Gladly tho, there are porta pottys near, so if you gotta go befor and after, its there for you. That is not a lie, I had to clean up my station plenty of times. Yes, there may be a line to wait in, but doesnt all haunted houses? At least there is a barrel of fire to keep you warm before your haunt, and great food and drinks for sale. Have kids too scared to go thru the regular haunt, there is a scare free tour for the little ones or the faint at heart ones.. Its a great haunted house to go to. No only will we give you the heeby jeebies, but the real owner of this house. Mr. Lucky himself. He still resides in this house, i swear. I work in the house, yet, I even get scared just going back and forth in the house. I hope you will check out the house someday. ITs a fright you will never forget. Rescue teams available if needed. NO DRUGS OR ALCOHOL PERMITTED ON GROUNDS. if you come in drunk or high, we will notify police.

This place is off the beaten path of the outlet crowd. It's a fairly new development (in real…read moreestate terms) with so much more condos and business being built around it. It has so much to offer such as the movie theater, Fabric stores, shops for teens to adults, and of course plenty of eatery. The New Town area is a sought out location for potential home buyers in the area, per a realtor when I was at a open house and the name itself brings people in. So when strolling through the area, you can find shops a foot away from businesses. The area gives you that urban living vibe. It actually reminds me a lot like DC.

You've got to admire a Spite House. It's known as the Hollensbury Spite House and is 7-feet wide…read moreand 325 sq feet. It was built in 1830 and is considered to be the narrowest historic house in the U.S. So inquiring minds want to know -- why was it built? It was built to block an alleyway with too much traffic.

Cutest house and easy to find in such a charming neighborhood…read more Does someone actually live here?

I thought this restaurant was so much fun and it felt like I actually took a step back in time. I…read morecould imagine travels and locals alike stopping into this old tavern for a bit to eat or even a pint of suds. Cleaners and better kept than I would have expected of the real era, gladfully so. The Michie Tavern is a come as you are restaurant and is a great stop after visiting Motencello. The wait staff all are dressed in period attire (given the wait staff were all clean and had newer clothing) and were buzzing around the seating area taking orders and refilling drinks. There's a buffet style line where you go for food and you can go back for seconds or even thirds if you choose. The food was good, not great, but it was a fantastic experience.

Worth a stop if you're in the area! Plenty of parking, even for tour buses, and seems like there is…read moreplenty of seating in the nooks and crannies of this historic space. Take a step back into time as you get welcomed by the nicest tavern workers, even dressed the part. The wood interior and use of silver/steel plates, cups, and plateware all add to the historic charm of this place. You go through the buffet line ONCE and also order drinks as well. You can load up on green beans, beets, beans, stewed tomatoes, mashed potatoes, gravy fried chicken, oven baked chicken, pulled chicken, cornbread, biscuits, and a soup. Your waiter/waitress will come around and offer refills of whatever you'd like and also bring refills of drinks and/or jams/jellies/butters/hot sauce etc to your table. Service was quick and so so so friendly. The price is $28 for the buffet and I didn't think it was the absolute best meal I've had but I loved the history behind it. I wish we got seated in the main dining area but I guess we'll have to come back another time as well! Charlie, our server, was an absolute gentleman and so attentive to our group! We even got a bowl of ice cream with some scotch John sauce as it was insisted we had to try. Will be back again when in the area :)

Had a great time talking history with George. This is the best perspective on Native American…read moreculture. We loved our visit.