Virginia By Rail

VIRGINIA
by Rail
FOUR DESTINATIONS YOU’LL LOVE.
Discover why Virginia is for Lovers®. Experience breathtaking views, uncover
America’s rich history, savor Virginia’s best wines, read graffiti left by Civil War
soldiers, shop at premier outlet malls and boutique shops, and walk the streets
of authentic American towns. The journey starts from Washington, D.C. and gives
you the flexibility of multiple options throughout Virginia. Whatever your heart
chooses, you will fall in love with these great destinations.
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Just outside of Washington, D.C.,
lies a small city that feels like
home: Old Town Manassas – an
authentic American town steeped
From left: Old Town Manassas, Historic
Manassas Train Depot, Manassas National
Battlefield Park
in history and tradition. Your visit
begins when you arrive at the
Historic Manassas Train Depot. Built in 1914, this
iconic structure is home to the visitor center and a
left behind by Federal
railroad heritage gallery. Stroll over to the city center
soldiers. Your next stop
to enjoy a variety of events that range from concerts
is Brentsville Courthouse
and ice cream socials in the summer to ice skating in
Historic Centre, a 25-acre
the crisp winter weather. Visit the Manassas Museum
historic park that includes an
to uncover the area’s storied past through artifacts,
1822 courthouse and jail, 1875
photographs and special events. Walk the hallowed
church, 1850 log house and farmstead
ground of Manassas National Battlefield Park and
and a one-room schoolhouse built in
stand in the footsteps of “Stonewall” Jackson while
1928. When it comes time to dine your
envisioning the troops marching along the open fields
choices are limitless, from sidewalk cafes
during two American Civil War battles. Enhance your
and pubs to contemporary and culturally
experience with a tour of Ben Lomond Historic Site,
inspired restaurants.
which features a slave quarter and historic home that
was used as a Civil War hospital and filled with graffiti
Experience a classic American rail journey onboard Amtrak. With the
beginning of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1828, rail travel flourished
as America grew from coast to coast. Traveling via rail is still glamorous, fun,
safe and an affordable way to see the countryside. Plan your adventure to see
Virginia’s scenic views and then sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.
Begin your morning with breakfast at a local coffee
largest outlet mall in the Washington, D.C. region.
house or step back in time and experience the essence
Discover the history of America’s oldest fighting
of the 50’s at Juke Box Diner. Stroll through the
force, the U.S. Marines, in Quantico at the National
quaint streets of Occoquan – a historic riverfront town
Museum of the Marine Corps. Immerse yourself in
settled in the middle of the 18th century and filled
the interactive boot camp gallery and experience
with specialty shops, antique stores, art galleries and
firsthand what it takes to become a Marine. Tucked
restaurants. Be sure to take a leisurely cruise down
away at the foothills of the Bull Run Mountains, is
the water aboard the Miss Rivershore where you will
the stunning Winery at La Grange. Sip, swirl and
enjoy the scenery and a lively history lesson from the
savor Virginia wines in a circa 1790 manor house,
captain. If you are looking for a bargain, just a few
relax by the fireplace or purchase a bottle for a picnic
miles away in Woodbridge is Potomac Mills – the
overlooking the beautiful mountains.
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Clockwise from left: Trolley Tour,
Dining in Fredericksburg, Sunken Road
Hop aboard the Trolley Tours of Fredericksburg on
the Civil War, and the civilian experience during
a 75-minute ride around tour of the 40-block National
those horrific days. Venture to the Fredericksburg
Historic District. Take a step back in time with the
Battlefield Visitor Center to view the video detailing
wenches at the Rising Sun Tavern and the doctor’s
the four battles in the area. Take a short walking tour
apprentice at Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop to learn
of the Sunken Road and see the infamous Stone
about Colonial medicine, surgery, lodging and food.
Wall, walking in the footsteps of famous generals
Enjoy a quaint lunch and a little shopping time in Old
and ordinary soldiers. Return to Old Town for a little
Town Fredericksburg, where the brick sidewalks lead
refreshment and revitalization. You’ve done a lot of
you to boutiques, antique shops, and specialty stores.
walking this morning and deserve a stop at a classic
Visit two of the George Washington family homes. At
soda fountain which offers Coke floats, milkshakes
the Mary Washington House, you’ll see the simple
and delectable sandwiches. A hidden gem, the
cottage that George Washington purchased for his
James Monroe Museum, holds the country’s largest
mother, along with his sister Betty’s Kenmore, where
collection of artifacts and documents related to the
you’ll see an elaborate plantation home with some of
fifth president of the United States. Arts abound at
the most decorative plasterwork in all of America. Dine
Liberty Town Arts Workshop, a colorful haven for 50
in Old Town with more than 40 independent dining
local artists occupying studios. In addition to Liberty
establishments for a palate-pleasing experience.
Town, there are more than 20 art galleries throughout
Begin your next day at the Fredericksburg Area
Old Town. After dinner, enjoy a leisurely horse and
Museum and Cultural Center where both permanent
and changing exhibits tell the story of the area. You’ll
learn how the city played a strategic role during
carriage ride which offers a variety of tours depending
upon the time of year.
Rich m on d, Virgin ia
From left: St. John’s Church, Segway Tour, Canal Walk
Begin your Richmond Region
Confederate soldiers. Take in a show at our beloved
adventure with a tour of the
dinner theatre, Swift Creek Mill. Enjoy an evening
State Capitol. Designed by
with a performance by the Virginia Repertory Theater,
Thomas Jefferson, this architectural marvel is home to
the Richmond Ballet, Virginia Opera or Richmond
the oldest continually-operating legislative assembly
Symphony or just relax and take in one of our four
in the Western Hemisphere. The Capitol also served
wineries, five breweries, Virginia’s first urban Cidery
as the White House in Stephen Spielberg’s 2012
and Moonshine Distillery.
Oscar-nominated film, Lincoln. Follow the cobblestone
streets of Shockoe Slip and Shockoe Bottom and
enjoy one of downtown Richmond’s many modern
dining options. While you’re downtown, take a tour
of the Museum & White House of the Confederacy.
The White House, a National Historic Landmark, has
been carefully restored to its wartime elegance as
Confederate President Jefferson Davis’ executive
mansion. Relive history at St. John’s Church, the
oldest church in Richmond, where Patrick Henry
delivered his famous “give me liberty, or give me
death” speech. Stroll along Monument Avenue –
the only street in the United States to be named a
National Historic Landmark. Take in the grandeur
UNFORGETTABLE SITES FROM THE TRAIN
• Breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains
• Journey through quaint towns with church
steeples, cobblestone streets and Victorian homes
• Explore the countryside with a view of an array of
colors throughout the year
• Take in historic waterways while passing some of
Virginia’s most popular attractions
• En route from Fredericksburg to Richmond
pass Guinea Station where Stonewall Jackson,
Confederate General, died
of the street’s seven larger-than-life statues and its
Burke
impressive historic homes.
Woodbridge
Quantico
Culpeper
Fredericksburg
Start your next day in Richmond, Virginia with a
journey to Henricus Historical Park and explore
Charlottesville
the re-created site of the second successful English
Richmond - Staples Mill
settlement in the New World. The 1611 Citie of
Lynchburg
Henricus was the site of the first English hospital
in the New World and served as the home of
Roanoke
Ashland
Richmond - Main St.
Williamsburg
Petersburg
Newport News
Blacksburg
Pocahontas and her husband John Rolfe. Enjoy lunch
Norfolk
and shopping in Carytown, which offers a variety of
eclectic shops, boutiques and food stores. Take a
walking tour with the Valentine History Center that
includes the 1.25 mile stretch of historic Canal Walk.
After Canal Walk, visit the Lewis Ginter Botanical
Garden, Hanover Tavern, Virginia Museum of Fine
Arts or take a narrated canal cruise on a charming
bateau boat. Visit scenic Hollywood Cemetery, which
serves as the final resting place of Jefferson Davis
and his family, 25 Confederate generals and 18,000
Amtrak Stations:
• Washington, D.C. – Union Station (WAS)
• Manassas, Virginia (MSS)
• Woodbridge, Virginia (WDB)
• Quantico, Virginia (QAN)
• Fredericksburg, Virginia (FBG)
• Richmond, Virginia (RVR and RVM)
• Norfolk, Virginia (NFK)
Virginia
Beach
From left: Battleship Wisconsin,
Chrysler Museum Glass Studio,
MacArthur Center
N orfo lk, Virgin ia
Walk in the shoes of a
where Abe Doumar invented the ice cream cone by
five star general at the
taking a waffle and rolling it into a cone, to which he
final resting place of
added ice cream.
General Douglas MacArthur, The Douglas MacArthur
Memorial. Discover the story of the life of an Army
General and pay tribute to millions of men and women
who served with the General in three wars. Uncover the
mystery behind the power of the sea at Nauticus, an
interactive science and technology center, where you
can explore the hands-on exhibits. While there, step
aboard the Battleship Wisconsin, one of the last and
largest battleships built by the U.S. Navy. Eat and shop
Start your day at Naval Station Norfolk. Take a
45-minute bus tour of the world’s largest naval station,
as an enlisted sailor takes you onto the base and shows
you how our Navy works, lives and protects our country.
Then step back in history with more than 5,000 years of
art at the Chrysler Museum of Art. Explore the largest
collection of Tiffany glass on the East Coast. Stop by the
Chrysler Museum’s Glass Studio, where glassblowing
artists create pieces of art right before your eyes. Explore
at MacArthur Center, a downtown shopping experience. nature with more than 20 theme gardens by tram, boat
Set sail aboard a cruise on the American Rover tall
or foot at Norfolk Botanical Garden. Stroll down Colley
ship or the Spirit of Norfolk. Enjoy the breathtaking
panoramic views of the Virginia Waterfront’s skyline with
a narrated tour and great music as you cruise Norfolk’s
historic waterways. Enjoy the evening tasting Norfolk’s
finest local cuisine on a food tour of Historic Ghent
or downtown Norfolk. Then stop for ice cream with a
famous ice cream cone from Doumar’s. Doumar’s is
Avenue in Historic Ghent for some great local finds
with more than 20 locally owned restaurants and shops
all within walking distance. End the trip by relaxing and
sipping wine at Virginia’s first urban winery, the Mermaid
Winery. Or pub crawl to O’Connors Brewing Company
and Smartmouth Brewing Company.
Contact Information
Fredericksburg Regional
Tourism Partnership
Lura Hill
lhill@fredericksburgva.gov
Phone: 1-866-405-3046
www.VisitFred.com
Discover Prince William & Manassas
Mark Kowalewski
Mark@DiscoverPWM.com
Phone: 571-482-7059
www.DiscoverPWM.com
Richmond Region Tourism
Janie Lawson
jlawson@visitrichmondva.com
Phone: 1-800-370-9044
www.VisitRichmondVA.com
VisitNorfolk
Melissa Hopper
mhopper@visitnorfolktoday.com
Phone: 1-800-368-3097
www.VisitNorfolktoday.com