Top Free Activities to Experience in Virginia
With a rich landscape filled with miles of beachy coastline, misty mountain peaks, prerevolutionary villages, and famous historic sites, Virginia presents a wealth of things to see and do. And while there’s plenty you can pay for the privilege (and worth every dollar), many are fortunately free.
We’ve scoped out 11 of the best free things to see and do in the Old Dominion, from the Northern Virginia suburbs to the Appalachian Mountains, to the sun-drenched Eastern Shore and beyond. Wild horses, giant airplanes, a buzzy beach boardwalk, and threatened piping plovers are all part of the fun.
See Wild Horses on Assateague Island
Wild horses roam the wind-swept, 37-mile-long barrier isle of Assateague, the southern portion of which belongs to Virginia. Some say they’re descendants of horses that swam ashore after their 17th-century Spanish galleons sank offshore; however, they more likely come from horses that 17th-century colonists released on the island to escape a mainland fence tax. These small-statured ponies munch salt marsh plants along the beaches and wander through the coastal woods, marshes, and dunes. Every July for the past 90-plus years, “saltwater cowboys” round up the foals to swim across the channel to Chincoteague, a fun event to watch.
But there’s much more to see and do on Assateague, including miles of untrammeled hiking and biking trails, crabbing, fishing, swimming, shell hunting, and watching migratory birds like the glorious snow geese and threatened piping plover. Note that there’s a fee to drive into Assateague National Wildlife Refuge, but walkers and bikers enter for free. Campsites cost $30 a night.
Embrace Nature at the Great Dismal Swamp
Stories of Blackbeard and other marauding pirates swirl in the primeval mists of the Great Dismal Swamp. This nearly 113,000-acre refuge on the Virginia–North Carolina border near Norfolk is centered on a remarkably shallow, cypress-fringed lake — at 3100 acres, it’s only 6 feet deep.
Enslaved people hid out here en route to freedom, earning it the designation as an Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site. Furthermore, George Washington visited too, scheming up plans to drain it for agriculture. However, he failed, though he helped build a 22-mile canal linking the Chesapeake with Albemarle Sound, dug mostly by enslaved laborers. Opened in 1805, the Dismal Swamp Canal remains the nation’s oldest continually operated artificial canal.
The best reason to visit this gigantic swamp forest today is because it’s a nature lover’s paradise, with hiking and biking trails, an accessible boardwalk, and opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and camping. Wildlife such as bobcats, black bears, otters, and more than 220 varieties of birds thrive here.
Marvel at Giant Aircraft at the Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center
What do you do when your aircraft and spacecraft are too large to fit in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum? You put them in the annex in Chantilly, near Washington Dulles International Airport, of course. At the massive Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center, comprising two hangars, airplanes and spacecraft hang on the ceiling and rise from the floor.
Visitors can check out the Space Shuttle Discovery, the B-29 Enola Gay, and much more. There’s also an IMAX theater (for a price) and an observation tower with 360-degree views of planes landing and taking off from Dulles. Note that while the museum is free, parking incurs a charge (it’s free after 4 pm).
Bike the Virginia Creeper Trail
This picturesque 34.3-mile trail opens up some of the state’s most breathtaking landscapes as you bike down Whitetop Mountain in southwestern Virginia, within Jefferson National Forest. You’ll zip through forests, meadows, and highlands, across 47 bridges and trestles spanning gurgling mountain brooks.
The cute town of Damascus is a good place to stop for lunch, while Abingdon, a few miles off the trail’s end, offers B&BS, restaurants, and a visitor center. Moreover, this area features several other fabulous biking trails throughout Virginia, making it perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.
Relive Prerevolutionary History at Colonial Williamsburg
Much of the nation’s most significant prerevolutionary history unfolded in Williamsburg, when it served as the capital of the Colony and Commonwealth of Virginia between 1699 and 1780. The historic area has been meticulously re-created with brick buildings and costumed reenactors bringing the past to life. While some activities require tickets, it’s free to stroll the streets and soak in the ambiance.
Don’t miss Bruton Parish Church, a spot for quiet reflection, and Williamsburg Botanical Garden, bursting into bloom through the seasons. Additionally, there’s a robust schedule of free arts fairs and summer concerts throughout Colonial Williamsburg.
Pay Your Respects at Arlington National Cemetery
Somber and serene, Arlington National Cemetery honors more than 400,000 soldiers who have served in every American war, as well as many prominent figures, including Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and General John Pershing.
A shuttle tour stops at various sites, or you can walk (though it’s hilly!). Don’t miss the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Rising on a knoll is Arlington House, meticulously reinterpreted to highlight the stories of enslaved individuals who helped build the residence.
Take a Scenic Drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway
The sinewy, two-lane Blue Ridge Parkway encourages visitors to slow down as they explore the stunning mountain and valley views, splashy waterfalls, and wildlife-filled forests. Built in the 1930s for scenic driving, the parkway runs for 465 miles between Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina.
Must-stops include historic Mabry Mill and the Peaks of Otter, overlooking a mirror-like lake. Another scenic drive is the 25-mile George Washington Memorial Parkway, offering magnificent views of DC’s national monuments.
Explore the Civil War at Richmond National Battlefield Park
Virginia emerged as a crossroads of North–South conflict during the Civil War, with Richmond as the capital of the Confederacy. Richmond National Battlefield Park encompasses 13 sites where fierce battles took place in the 1860s. Visitors can explore the park’s main visitor center, the Tredegar Iron Works, and discover nearby battlefields along an 80-mile driving route.
Hike Sections of the Appalachian Trail
Renowned as one of the nation’s most fabled trails, the 2200-mile Appalachian Trail (AT) passes 544 miles through Virginia, the most of any state. A hundred miles wind through Shenandoah National Park, offering stunning hikes that showcase the state’s beautiful scenery. Free options in Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and the Washington and Jefferson National Forests provide equally spectacular vistas.
Enjoy the Beaches at Virginia Beach
The beach is a perfect escape, and Virginia Beach— the only city with a coastline on both the Atlantic and Chesapeake Bay— offers numerous free white-sand beaches. In addition to sunbathing, you can stroll the vibrant Virginia Beach Boardwalk, enjoy free summer concerts, or hike through scenic nature trails.
While First Landing State Park and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge charge a small parking fee, False Cape State Park remains free, accessible only by foot or bike. Virginia Beach isn’t the only option; other beautiful shoreline towns such as Colonial Beach and Cape Charles also invite exploration.
