(This article by Colorado-based author Judy Christie originally appeared in the June 2023 issue of Military Officer, a magazine available to all MOAA Premium and Life members. Learn more about the magazine here; learn more about joining MOAA here.)

From the Eastern Shore to the Shenandoah Valley to the Blue Ridge Highlands, regions of Virginia offer an assortment of offbeat places and charming towns, many intertwined with history.

“I enjoy traveling in Virginia because it truly has an abundance of preserved history that gives me a perspective and understanding that I could not get from simply studying books,” said Maj. Olaolu Ogunyemi, USMC, who has lived in Virginia three times and now serves as a communications officer with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit in North Carolina.

More Civil War battles were fought in Virginia than any other state, and Ogunyemi recommends a visit to Chancellorsville Battlefield in Spotsylvania, part of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park that includes four battlefields and multiple historic sites, such as Chatham Manor, Ellwood Manor, the “Stonewall” Jackson Death Site, and Salem Church — all with free admission.

The Chancellorsville Battlefield driving tour begins at the Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitor Center, located near where “Stonewall” Jackson was mortally wounded, and stops at significant home sites and critical points of the battle, like Jackson’s Flank Attack.

After this experience, round out the day at Battlefield Country Store in Fredericksburg, where you’ll find sugary treats, including an impressive milkshake menu, according to Ogunyemi. Or, he said, check out Billiken’s Smokehouse at the Chimneys, also in Fredericksburg, for beyond-the-ordinary barbecue. The historic house, named for two stone chimneys at each end, is a fine example of Georgian architecture.

Or, if you meander to Norfolk, visit Crudo Nudo restaurant for “good pasta and a cool vibe.”

New Train Ride

Take a trip back in time on a 1940s passenger car, and enjoy the state’s scenery, including the Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains, on the Virginia Scenic Railway that debuted in fall 2022. The Blue Ridge Flyer heads east to roar through the Blue Ridge Tunnel, carved out of rock hundreds of feet below the mountain summit, and the Alleghany Special ventures westward through the beautiful farmland of the Shenandoah Valley, bound for the George Washington and Jefferson national forests. The three-hour roundtrip excursions from the Amtrak Station in historic Staunton include a meal, and reservations are required.

Virginia Is for Music Lovers

The Crooked Road, a heritage music trail, winds through almost 300 miles of scenic terrain in southwest Virginia, including 19 counties, four cities, and 54 towns. According to Virginia.org, “Day and night, the plaintive strains of mountain ballads and toe-tapping, old-time dance music echo across this region’s sharp ridges and deep valleys.” Saturday night events include the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons and the Virginia-Kentucky Opry in Norton.

Appalachian Motorcycle Routes for Kicks

If you’re ready for tried-and-true routes on your motorcycle, check out the “Back of the Dragon,” 32 miles of premier East Coast riding; “Corkscrew,” 123 miles with curves that take you to stunning overlooks and past vineyards; “Gargoyle,” 92 miles of curvy riding; “Scorpion,” 138 miles of twisty roads and mountain climbs; “Daniel Boone,” following in the footsteps of pioneers; “Eagle’s Nest,” a 90-mile loop that early pioneers used as they moved westward to Cumberland Gap; “Heartbreaker,” a 143-mile route through the Grand Canyon of the South; and “Skull Cracker,” passing a stunning waterfall and small towns.

Coastal Delight

The Northern Neck of Virginia, a peninsula bordered by the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac and the Rappahannock rivers, is the birthplace of three of the nation’s first five presidents. The small town of Irvington, about an hour southeast of George Washington’s birthplace, is the perfect spot for a weekend getaway.

Stay at the historic Tides Inn resort, and ride a bike along a quiet, country road into town, which is complete with a winery. The area is also known for oysters and crab, so make sure to try the local seafood while visiting.

Year-Round Fun

“Virginia is one of the few states in the South that actually gets all four seasons,” Ogunyemi said. The right gear for summer is as important as for winter.

“In my experience, the winters are mild, but you get some fluffy snow to enjoy with your family. Just remember, summers can get pretty muggy, so stay hydrated and bring bug spray.”

Historical Highlight: A coat worn by Marine Capt. Levi Twiggs during the Indian Wars is among items in the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, adjacent to Marine Corps Base Quantico. Admission is free.