The ruins are located on the grounds of the Barboursville Vineyard…read more They are all that remain of the grand brick mansion of James Barbour -- a Virginia governor, U.S. senator, Secretary of War under John Quincy Adams, and close friend of Thomas Jefferson. Built in 1822, the original house was designed by Thomas Jefferson in his neoclassical style, complete with a distinctive octagonal drawing room (note connection to the naming Barboursville Winnery award winning red!) On Christmas Day, 1884, the mansion burned in a devastating fire leaving only the brick walls, columns, and chimneys standing. Instead of rebuilding, the Barbour family moved to a nearby residence, and the ruins remain as a picturesque shell. A short walk from either the tasting room or cottages, this is a must stop for history buffs interested in civil war era and Thomas Jeffereson and photographers for the weathered remains with the vineyard and blue ridge foothills in the background Parking nearby if you choose to drive. Steep uneven climb from parking

This site is part of a winery complex which has a restaurant and an inn. The site is free to enter,…read morethough it is confusing as my map tried to bring me in on a dirt road that wasn't open rather than the actual entrance which is east of the site. I eventually wormed my way around to find the one-lane bridge to the site blocked by someone who bizarrely just seemed to want to sit there, so I parked at the winery/restaurant and walked over. It's a nice walk. The ruins are interesting to look at. There's not a lot to the site and you can't go past it as it becomes private space for guests of the site. It also closes at 5:30 and signs angrily warn that being there after 5:31 is trespassing, so you can't plan on catching a sunset there or anything. But if you looked this up and your goal is to see some cool ruins, you can, within limits.

James Madison lived at Montpelier his entire life. This is a really interesting historic home that…read morelater belonged to the DuPont family, who eventually donated funds to turn it back into a historic site as Madison's home. That renovation/restoration took a long time, and it's now a lovely place to visit and learn about our 4th President and his wife Dolley Madison. In addition to the house, which acknowledges its part in running a plantation through the work of enslaved people, it has exhibits about slavery at Montpelier and archeological finds. The property also has lovely grounds with a beautiful garden that's filled with many colorful flowers in the spring. The visitor center offers a movie, and the house docents offer hour-long tours on the half hour. They also have picnic tables under shady trees to enjoy lunch. The views from Montpelier are breathtaking. They charge a fee to visit the house and grounds. If you only want to visit the grounds, the fee is lower.

This is a great place to visit if you are interested in America's founding, American style of…read moredemocracy, or to celebrate the upcoming Sestercentennial of the United States. (Having experienced the bicentennial as a kid on a summer-long vacation, I am looking forward to it.) The guided tour of the house is well done. The out-buildings and grounds are self-guided. There are many and spread out, and the whole property is on a gentle slope. Could be an issue if it is a hot and humid day. Be sure to visit the garden! Think twice about buying the Looking Through the Landscape book for $10.00. I thought it would be something I could put on my bookshelf but no. Hardly a pamphlet, it contains QR code links to YouTube videos they created. It was snuck in during the checkout process and frankly left me feeling duped. I chalked it up as a donation.

Wow! Monticello is amazing, and worth a visit for literally anyone and everyone. My husband and I…read morewere in the area for a wedding, and had a few hours to kill before the ceremony. We decided to explore Monticello, and booked the 45 minute Highlights Tour. If you read through the website, they'll let you know that you could spend all day here. They are correct! There are several guided tours of different lengths and prices, and the grounds, gift shop, and self-guided exhibits are expensive too. They mean it when they say you need to be on-site 30 minutes before your tour begins, because it takes time to get up to the house from the visitors center! Lauren was our guide for the Highlights Tour, and she was great. A solid mix of informative and engaging. This quick tour was just enough to get a taste of history, and definitely leaves you wanting more. I especially appreciate the steps they've taken in recent years to educate and address slavery at Monticello, including the addition of the Burial Ground for Enslaved People. Instead of taking the shuttle back to the visitors center, we walked through the garden and it was just lovely. We also passed the gravesite of Thomas Jefferson himself, which is a great spot for reflection. The gift shop had a wide variety of books, home decor, and collectible trinkets, and we found everything to be pretty reasonably priced. Monticello is operated by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which is a 501c3 non-profit.

Having been wanting to visit Monticello for years and finally got the opportunity. You can purchase…read moretickets on line however we got them the morning of at the visitor center. First we watched an informative movie then took the shuttle up the hill to the house. Had a 10:40 tour time which was on time. Pretty large group. Many reviews stated that the visit through the home was fast and crowded. Totally agree. Maybe they could have the tour last one hour instead of 45 min giving guests a few minutes in each room to take pictures. Cut out a few tours which could help with timing. We also got in the slave tour, garden tour and the talk with Thomas Jefferson. All tours were very educational and well done. Took the shuttle to Jefferson's grave ands walked back to visitor center. Ended in the gift shop which had an array of items.

The first covered bridge that I've been to which is actually open to vehicular traffic. I drove…read moreback and forth on it safely! Constructed in 1892-1893, it was originally just used to provide access to a local farmer's apple orchards. Rumor has it that this bridge was a replacement for one that was burned by Union troops during the Civil War. Handed over to the Virginia Highway Department in the 1930's, they took over maintenance and inspections. It did a great job until Halloween 1976 when it was damaged by vandals. Much of the bridge materials were recovered and incorporated into the replacement, though it is undergirded by modern steel beams and concrete piers before it was reopened to traffic in 1979. There is a picnic area on the east side (close to US-11) and an unofficial walking trail if you want to get some pictures. When I stopped by today, it was being used by parents and children as a watering hole. If you're traveling on Interstate 81, it's a very quick detour to see this piece of history. [Review 15111 overall, 613 of 2021, number 1324 in Virginia.]

Covered bridges thrill me! I love planning trips and seeking out these architectural "dinosaurs"…read moreof the past. This one is still operational to vehicular traffic and it's the longest covered bridge in Virginia spanning 204 feet! With its stone foundation entrance and the gorgeous arched trusses, this fascinating bridge over the Shenandoah River is a sight to be seen! I loved walking thru it (watch for cars) and having my imagination take a journey to the past. This deep red wooden bridge has a rich history connecting to the Civil War, and has had its ups and downs. It has been destroyed by floods and fire on various occasions but has been rebuilt several times, rising above its adversity and has truly stood the test of time. Now standing proudly as a monument to its heritage and as a landmark to Virginia's history. If you are in the Shenandoah area, or traveling thru, a trip to this glorious bridge is worth the stop! I'm definitely planning another visit here soon!

The tour guides were friendly, well informed, and spent time answering questions. The setting is…read morebeautiful, and although the main building is not the original Monroe house, it is filled with furniture appropriate to his time, as well as containing original family items. They are doing interesting archeological work which they discussed as well. The site has a cute gift shop, bathrooms and a picnic area. Overall we enjoyed the visit

Really enjoyed my time on the grounds of a another founding father…read more Plenty of history here. Though not as elevated as Monticello, Monroe's Highland is beautiful in its own right. If you like hiking, there are a few trails around the estate to enjoy. The history of the grounds was fascinating as it tells of a very diverse life of one of American history's statesman. This guy did everything, and his uncle set him up in a good position to succeed in life The guest house, not the original home on the property, shows off items that belonged to the Monroes. Hats off to Roy White who gave a marvelous introduction to the grounds, its history and use. The staff were super friendly. One of the curators gave me a great rundown of the future excavation and the re-unveiling of the foundation of the original Monroe residence. A few folks were checking out the grounds for a wedding location, their host was also nice. During the summer they honor the Blue Star Program so access to the grounds is free. Recommended summer stop.

We chose to park in the West Trailhead side and walked in from that direction of the tunnel. We…read morestarted out with our flashlights on but wanted to walk the tunnel without the flashlights. The Experience was fantastic. We did turn on our flashlights when we saw people approaching so we would not startle them. It is dark, damp, and cold in the tunnel. You hear the little water falling inside. We had pocket warmers and I think they were needed. We were both happy we had our pocket warmers. The hike to the tunnel has wonderful forest views and an excellently maintained trail. They also have some plaques with historical information on them. We really thought that was a nice additions to our hike. Both sides of the tunnel has picnic tables. The picnic tables are brand new this year. We stopped and had lunch. There are 2 parking areas. East Trailhead Blue Ridge Tunnel and West Trailhead Blue Ridge Tunnel. Both have a porta potty but no running water. So you will want to take some hand sanitizer. Easy hike, 4.6 miles. Out and back. 370ft elevation gain. The best maintained trail I have ever seen. Hiker friendly, kid friendly. Dogs on leash, Forest view, tucked away on the side of a mountain, Historical tunnel view. Some of the trail is paved, then gravel, and then dirt with gravel mix. Make sure you leave no trash behind

We had a group of eight for the hike. We started on the east side. The walk through the tunnel…read morewas great. I was thankful that started on the east side because it was a pretty steep and long climb after the tunnel. It was 4.5 miles total for the walk. To have the steepest part at the middle was perfect rather than having it at the end. Highly recommend. The tunnel is not claustrophobic at all as it is large inside and you can see the end the entire time. It was a perfect fall hike with the leaves changing. We stopped at Blue Mountain Brewery afterward (only 6 minutes away) for lunch.

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.

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 :)

While looking for the Pyramid, keep going to almost the very end of Lee Drive and you'll see the…read morePyramid past the railroad tracks in the distance to your left. And since you're visiting the Pyramid, take your time going down Lee Drive. Many Confederate fighting positions are still visible, including an artillery site and trench works. I found this to be more interesting than the Pyramid itself. While you can see the Pyramid from the road you can't get close to it, since it's on the other side of an active Amtrak line. About the battle: While the Union's river crossing on Day 1 and heroic attack on the Sunken Road at Marye's Heights on Day 3 get plenty of attention, Day 2 is often overlooked. In fact Meade's attack against the southern Confederate flank on Day 2 almost broke through their lines, but failed mostly because of poor communication between Union commanders. The "pyramid" stands near the point of the Union's greatest penetration. The "Slaughter Pen" (which has its own Yelp entry) is on the opposite side of the wood line. Unfortunately the Confederate and Union positions are separated by the railroad, so you can't walk the entire length of the battlefield. Funny thing about the Pyramid - it was actually built by southerners. The idea for a monument was pitched by the Confederate Memorial Literary Society to Virginia railroad execs who sought to memorialize the battle in a location visible to train travelers. The pyramid shape is based on the monument to the Unknown Confederate dead in Richmond.

A very cool hidden gem in Fredericksburg - there is a path that you can walk down but I don't think…read moreyou're supposed to. There is a train track in between the path and the pyramid. You can pull off of the road and take pictures with a zoomed lens. It was a bit challenging to find - my Apple Maps took me to the wrong place (completely different battlefield!) but android seemed to have it down just fine. Just make sure you're going to the location near Lee Dr!

Must see and must do site on the PWC- Fauquier County line. While the site itself was closed on the…read moreday I visited, I walked the nature trail and was able to see the mill and the all the ruins on the trail. The train still runs by and the water from Broad Run make a spectacular scene. Good for families, solo hikes, or a date. Really special place and important historical site.

I was driving down the interstate and all of a sudden I see this massive structure. I knew it was…read morehistoric. I flew on by realizing it would be painful trying to get there when I was on the same side as it was on my way to Shenandoah. On my way back, I managed to figure out what this place was. It was an old 5 story stacked stone structure built in 1742 that had survived several wars and milled food through all of them. in 1998, it was victimized by arson. The roof is gone, and the building has remanence from the fire. Currently, the mill is blocked off from being accessed. According to their website, they are making updates to the road. I accessed it by the railroad that runs behind the building, but as mentioned, the fence does prevent from access. It was really neat to see and I really wish it wasn't blocked off so I could get closer. It's definitely worth a stop if you're in Broad Run and into history.