Explore Virginia With These Woodbridge Day Trips

A day trip is ideal for seeing more of your home state. If you’re a resident of Woodbridge, Virginia, you can discover many dynamic destinations within an easy drive of your backyard. Explore the following five best places to go when planning a day trip to explore Virginia’s wonders.

Clifton

Experience a slice of small-town America in Clifton, located only 30 minutes from Woodbridge. From dining to shopping, Clifton offers a walkable downtown that’s ready for you to explore. You can browse for antiques at the Virginia Mercantile or dine deliciously at Trummer’s: An American Bistro and The Main Street Pub. 

Be sure to stop at Paradise Springs Winery. Regarded as Fairfax County’s first vineyard, Paradise Springs Winery produces exceptional award-winning wines in Northern Virginia. 

When you’re visiting Clifton, you can enjoy spending time in nature as you hike along the Bull Run-Occoquan Trail. This 18-mile trail follows the Bull Run Stream Valley and Occoquan Reservoir along the western edge of Fairfax County, beginning at Bull Run Regional Park in the north and ending at Fountainhead Regional Park in the south.

Culpeper

Architectural Digest named Culpeper one of the prettiest towns in Virginia. The inherent beauty of this quaint community is apparent as soon as you drive down its main thoroughfare, East Davis Street. You’ll feel as if you stepped back in time with the lovely buildings in a 200-year-old shopping district, where small businesses are its lifeblood.

Park your vehicle and explore Culpeper on foot. You can start your day of exploration on a sweet note with a doughnut, cookie, or cupcake from Knakal’s Bakery. When it’s time for lunch, you can tempt your palate with the flavors of Indian cooking at Natraj Indian Cuisine, or cozy up to comfort food with a 1950s vibe at Frost Cafe.

Bring your wallet and indulge in some shopping. Find specialty gifts at Pepperberries or locally crafted items from Poppy + Chalk. 

Are you feeling up for an adventure? Visit Puzzle Room Live, the ultimate escape room adventure.

Fredericksburg 

If you’re looking for a travel destination that’s under an hour away, Fredericksburg will fit the bill. Defined as “authentic” by the Fredericksburg Economic Development and Tourism Department, Fredericksburg presents inherent charm through its art galleries, historical sites, chef-owned restaurants, and craft breweries. Regardless of the time of year, you’ll always discover something new to explore in Fredericksburg.

The 40 blocks of downtown Fredericksburg host dozens of fantastic spots for dining. Foode + Mercantile delivers a dynamic brunch experience complete with cappuccinos and lattes. To add a sweet flair to your brunch fare, dine at Renee’s Crepes and Cakes. Discover artfully elegant cuisine from Chef James Fallon at the Cork & Table.

If you’re seeking evening entertainment, you’ll appreciate Frederickburg’s nightlife. Bars, breweries, cideries, and concerts offer plenty of activities any night of the week. For something new, visit Harry’s Tasting Room . You can sip high-end bourbons and tequila or taste various limited-edition craft beers. In addition, First Thursday Whiskey Night offers guests plenty of fun paired with whiskey tastings.

Great Falls Park and the Potomac Heritage Trail in McLean

Outdoor enthusiasts will want to set their sights on Great Falls Park and the Potomac Heritage Trail in McLean. At Great Falls Park, you can gaze in wonder at the Great Falls of the Potomac from three scenic overlooks. 

If you’re up for a hike, you can take the River Trail, which will guide you toward the cliffs of Mather Gorge. The Potomac Heritage Trail system follows the banks of the river, connecting several parks and offering guests plenty of hiking opportunities. Spend some time discovering the natural wonders at Scotts Run, Difficult Run, Riverbend Park, and Seneca Park. Adventure seekers can also paddleboard through white-water rapids in the Potomac River at Great Falls Park.

Staunton

Experience the vibrant cultural scene and historic small-town charm of Staunton. This day-trip destination offers fabulous places to eat and plenty of opportunities to get outside and explore nature, as well as art and music to engage patrons of the cultural arts. 

Staunton’s culinary scene surrounds visitors with bites and sips of innovation, from bistros to breweries. Taste the freshest catches with seafood from the Blu Point Seafood Co. Step inside a historic 1890s-era clock tower and prepare your taste buds for Mediterranean-style savory dishes and desserts at Clocktower Eats & Sweets. Cultural influences in the Staunton community are present in establishments such as El Puerto, Chicano Boy Taco, Hot Wok, and Gloria’s Pupuseria. 

Situated between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, Staunton offers an ideal starting point to participate in outdoor recreational activities. Start with Montgomery Hall Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway, where you can witness Virginia’s natural beauty by car or bike. You can also explore working farms and vineyards that call the Staunton area home. 

Even during its days as a 19th-century rail junction, Staunton has maintained its reputation for its welcoming environment for music, arts, and culture. Today, visitors to Staunton can witness this heritage in the community’s art galleries, performing arts spaces, and music centers. Music and theater festivals complement Shakespearean-themed performances and art shows that showcase the talents of Staunton’s artists, musicians, and theater arts professionals. Before visiting, check Staunton’s daily and weekly events calendar to find out what’s on the schedule.

When you’re ready to hit the road on a day-trip adventure from Woodbridge, put the above destinations on your travel itinerary and get ready to explore the great state of Virginia. What did you think about our list? Do you have a day trip you’d like to recommend to us? Please write to us and let us know so that we can add your suggestions to this article. 

Travel in Style in a New Vehicle From Koons Woodbridge Buick GMC

Set out on your next day trip in style with a new vehicle from Koons Woodbridge Buick GMC. Find out why we’re the top dealership in the area with the largest inventory of new and pre-owned vehicles. If you’re looking to sell your car, simply use our simple estimator to value your vehicle and simplify the trade-in process.

Image by JillWellington is licensed with Pixabay License
Decorative Porch by Robin Jonathan Deutsch is licensed with Unsplash License
Image by Mark Stenglein is licensed with Unsplash License

Tags: Day Trips, Woodbridge VA
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