As much as I love Richmond, sometimes you do need an escape from the city and to wake up with different scenery. These are some diverse weekend trips from Richmond VA that you can jaunt off to for a few days!
If you’re traveling to Richmond last minute, you want to ensure you have lodging and tours booked ahead of time! Below are some of our top picks to help you plan!
Where to Stay in Downtown Richmond:
- Luxury: The Graduate Richmond
- Luxury: The Jefferson (Richmond’s most iconic hotel – opened in 1985)
- Boutique: Quirk Hotel
- Mid-range: The Commonwealth
Best Tours and Experiences in Richmond:
- Arts District food tour in Richmond (top-rated!)
- Tuk-tuk sightseeing tour of Richmond (eco-tour!)
- Church Hill food tour in Richmond
- Segway tour of famous Richmond landmarks
- Downtown RVA walking tour with a guide
🚗 Looking for the best way to get around VA? Click here to check rental car rates for Virginia!
I grew up in Richmond and I love the place. However, I spent most of my weekends playing sports in random cities and towns around the state and even out of state.
This list is a random mix of places – some are very obvious places (like Washington DC) and some are not so obvious. Some are far away, like Charlotte, and some are close by but are best seen over the course of a few days.
Of course, I would love more recommendations! So, please let me know your favorite weekend getaways from Richmond VA in the comments! Thanks!
Weekend Getaways from Richmond VA – Map
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Best Weekend Trips from Richmond VA
Below, you will find a list of some of my favorite Richmond weekend trips, including reasons to visit the destination, how long it will take you to get there, and some of the best things to do once there.
1. Cape Charles (Virginia)
Distance: 128 miles
Driving Time: 2 hours 6 minutes
One of my favorite places in Virginia is Cape Charles, a quiet Chesapeake Bay town on the Eastern Shore.
It took me so many years to check the town out but when I finally did, I was pretty blown away. How does this place remain such a hidden gem!?
Cape Charles has fantastic seafood (stop by Shanty Restaurant), a quiet and clean public beach, and over 500 historic homes in its downtown. You’re also close to Savage Neck Dunes Natural Area Preserve and Kiptopeke State Park, two essential places to visit on the Eastern Shore.
You can enjoy the calm waters of the Chesapeake Bay and take in the beautiful scenery of the Eastern Shore by waking up early and taking a boat on the water or going jet-skiing. You can also take a quick day trip to Chincoteague!
Reaching Cape Charles is easy as it is one of the first places you’ll come across after heading over the Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel.
There are fantastic Airbnbs in Cape Charles to consider for an overnight, as well. This truly is one of the best weekend trips from Richmond VA!
2. Charlotte (North Carolina)
Distance: 293 miles
Driving Time: 4 hours 13 minutes
Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina. The city is known for its amazing restaurants (oh how I miss North Carolina BBQ in various cities in NC!), history, and unique attractions.
There are several parks, restaurants, and museums within the city. You can use Charlotte as a base for day trips or you can plant yourself there and explore it without leaving.
You will find many attractions, and one of the most popular ones is the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Another fantastic thing to do in Charlotte, especially if you are traveling with children, is to visit Carowinds, an amusement park.
Some other popular favorites are visiting the US National Whitewater Center, Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, Discovery Place Science, Freedom Park, McDowell Nature Preserve, and more!
Click here to see some of the amazing trails near Charlotte if you’re into hiking!
3. New River Gorge National Park (West Virginia)
Distance: 265 miles
Driving Time: 4 hours 8 minutes
The nation’s newest national park is the beautiful New River Gorge National Park & Preserve in West Virginia.
Encompassing over 70,000 acres of land along the New River, this is actually one of my favorite natural areas in the United States and it is famous for its whitewater rafting, cultural and natural history, and many hiking trails.
While it is a bit of a drive from Richmond, it is the ideal weekend getaway if you have a long weekend or get an early start.
Some of the most popular highlights of New River Gorge National Park & Preserve are the New River Gorge Bridge, Sandstone Falls, Fayette Station Road, Grandview, Thurmon, Nuttallburg, and more.
You’re also close to the amazing Babcock State Park… so really, you should just turn this weekend trip into a week trip! There are so many epic destinations in West Virginia to visit on a long weekend from Richmond.
4. George Washington and Jefferson National Forest (VA, KY, WV)
Distance: 177 miles
Driving Time: 2 hours 44 minutes
The George Washington and Jefferson National Forest is a great stretch of land that spans across the states of Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky over 1.8 million acres.
There are several riveting activities that visitors can participate in, including hiking and mountain biking.
Several hiking trails are accessible to the general public, including the world-famous Appalachian Trail. This woodland also serves as a track for marathon and trail runners.
Some of the most popular places in the National Forest are the Blue Ridge Parkway (the northern portion winds through there!), Mount Rogers (Virginia’s highest peak), Breaks Interstate Park, Roaring Run Furnace, and the ghost town of Lignite, Virginia.
5. Natural Bridge (Virginia)
Distance: 148 miles
Driving Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Natural Bridge (town) was named after its most famous attraction, the stone arch monument that is by some considered to be one of the seven wonders of the modern world.
This phenomenon is located west of Richmond, in close proximity to George Washington and Jefferson National Forest.
The 215-foot high natural bridge provides a scenic and photo-worthy view, especially at night when multi-colored lights are directed at the surface of the stone, making it even more incredible.
Apart from Natural Bridge State Park, the town boasts other attractions like the historic Rockbridge Inn and Vine Forest, both of which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
6. Luray Caverns (Virginia)
Distance: 124 miles
Driving Time: 2 hours 18 minutes
At every corner, Luray Caverns dons mineral deposits, usually in the form of stalactites and stalagmites. This is the most famous cavern in Virginia!
One of the most famous attractions in the caverns is a body of water called Spring Lake. The lake casts an illusion with its mirror-like appearance.
The stalactites above reflect in the water, creating a mirror image so real that the stalactites seem like genuine stalagmites to observers.
The cavern is open every day of the week and it is one of the largest complexes in the US. It takes around 45 minutes to walk through and tour.
Another interesting place to visit within Luray Caverns is the Wishing Well, one of the most famous attractions. The wishing well also casts illusions like Spring Lake.
While the lake creates the illusion of a stalagmite, the well plays with the depth perception of the observer. It appears to be three feet deep but it actually is around seven feet deep. Luray Caverns is located just west of the town of Luray, VA.
Looking for what to do after visiting the caverns? Be sure to check out our guide of the best things to do in Luray VA!
7. Winston-Salem (North Carolina)
Distance: 229 miles
Driving Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
Winston-Salem is an artistic city, famous for its inhabitants’ love of music, especially jazz.
There are various interesting places to visit in the North Carolina city such as Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Kaleideum (Downtown and North – two locations), Korner’s Folly, and so much more!
Nature lovers will love the green spaces of the city such as Paul J Ciener Botanical Garden, the popular Salem Lake Trail, Muddy Creek Greenway, and Tanglewood Park.
Winston-Salem is also famous for its food! Be sure to stop by the Salem Kitchen for their famous cheese straws whenever you’re in town! You will find many amazing things to do in Winston Salem for all types of travelers.
If you’re traveling with your family, you can take your children to the Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem or you can all kick back at the Historic Bethabara Park and enjoy the beautiful scenery with a picnic.
8. Ocean City (Maryland)
Distance: 225 miles
Driving Time: 3 hours 53 minutes
Ocean City is a town with many attractions that are perfect for solo travelers or families and it is one of the best places to visit in Maryland.
You can dive into the seaside city’s history at the Ocean City Life-Saving Museum or view the museum’s exhibits that include various artifacts that were recovered from old shipwrecks.
It also has several family-friendly amusement parks and an excellent choice of souvenir shopping (saltwater taffy, anyone?). The Ocean City Boardwalk and Outlets Ocean City are the two most famous shopping areas in this Maryland beach city.
Of course, the most famous attraction is Ocean City Beach but some other popular places are Jolly Roger Amuseument Park, Northside Park, Splash Mountain Water Park, Art League of Ocean City, and more.
This is the perfect place to go jetskiing, play mini-golf, and more! You’ll find many amazing things to do in Ocean City MD no matter what type of traveler you are!
9. Hershey (Pennsylvania)
Distance: 231 miles
Driving Time: 3 hours 33 minutes
Hershey, Pennsylvania is one of the most famous (and delicious!) cities in the United States. And, it is one of the best weekend trips from Richmond… in my opinion.
There is a lot of history in the city from the Hershey Public Library to the Hershey Story Museum. Hershey Gardens is home to several butterflies, many of which only exist in the United States.
But, to no one’s surprise, the most famous thing that this Pennsylvania city is famous for is Hershey’s Chocolate World! When I visited Hershey, you could actually smell chocolate throughout the city and I still remember that so vividly in my mind!
Of course, many people travel to Hershey to visit the world-famous amusement park, Hersheypark (founded in 1906). There are also many places to go shopping in Hershey, such as the Crossroads Antique Mall, built by Milton Hershey.
There are several things to do in Hershey, making it an excellent choice for a weekend trip!
10. Kerr Lake State Recreation Area (North Carolina)
Distance: 113 miles
Driving Time: 1 hour 41 minutes
Kerr Lake State Recreation Area is a somewhat overlooked place for us Richmonders. This North Carolina reservoir actually stretches into the state of Virginia and covers over 50,000 acres.
This is one of the best campgrounds near Richmond and you can head there for a weekend of peace and relaxation with nothing but the wilderness at your feet.
There are hundreds of campsites available, including RV hookups. You will also see several boat ramps to launch from. This is a popular place to go fishing or have a family gathering.
This is also a fantastic place to visit to enjoy early summer and spring in North Carolina as it is never too crowded!
11. Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)
Distance: 92 miles
Driving Time: 1 hour 26 minutes
Virginia’s only national park has over 500 miles of hiking trails and is home to the famous Skyline Drive.
It is truly one of the most spectacular places to visit in Virginia and you will find several waterfalls in Shenandoah that offer some great day hike opportunities.
One of my favorite things to do in Shenandoah National Park is to cruise along Skyline Drive and stop by all of the magnificent viewpoints along the way. There are also many hikes that take you to some of the park’s most breathtaking vistas.
If you’re looking for an easy day hike in Shenandoah under 3 miles (and with amazing views), consider hiking along Hawksbill Trail, Blackrock Trail, Stony Man Trail, or Compton Gap Trail.
12. Washington DC
Distance: 108 miles
Driving Time: 1 hour 43 minutes
Probably one of the most obvious weekend getaways from Richmond VA is Washington DC (and for such good reason)! The city has more things to do than just about anywhere I’ve ever visited.
You can visit one of the Smithsonian museums, enjoy the theater, relax at the opera, or just enjoy a stroll throughout the city. I really love Washington DC in spring!
Some of the other main attractions in Washington DC that make it a perfect weekend trip from Richmond are the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, National WWII Memorial, and more.
If you’re seeking cheaper accommodation, opt for something in Arlington or outside of DC itself.
Do you have any amazing weekend trips from Richmond VA that you recommend taking?
I know we could list so many so I hope that you can offer your input on your favorite weekend getaways from Richmond in the comments! Thanks!
More Richmond Travel Resources
- Best day trips from Richmond
- Best things to do in Richmond
- Hiking trails near Richmond
- Best campgrounds near Richmond
- Richmond’s best BBQ
- Weekend in Richmond itinerary
Megan is a travel blogger and writer with a background in digital marketing. Originally from Richmond, VA, she has lived all around the world (including Germany, Finland, Norway, etc) but her heart always finds its way back to Virginia. This blog is to help encourage travelers to explore the great state of VA… and its wonderful neighbors! Megan has written for or been featured by National Geographic, Forbes, Lonely Planet, Fodor’s Travel, the New York Times, and more. She has visited 45 US states and 100+ countries… and wholeheartedly believes that Brunswick Stew is probably the greatest food to ever exist.