Richmond VA

[sam22]

Next summer I'm planning a rather ambitious RV trip from Western Canada to eastern USA. I'm a history nut and have planned to spend a few days in Gettysburg touring the site there and head down to Washington. I had originally planned to then head to Richmond for a few days after this, possibly take in Williamsburg while I'm there and then make my way to the Boston area. I'm just not sure if that little detour Richmond is worth the time. It adds about 500km and a few days to my trip. Is Richmond a place people would recommend going slightly out of their way to see? What about Williamsburg? Or, would people recommend just making my way to Boston directly from the Gettysburg area. Obviosuly there is a lot of person opinion that goes into a question like this, but I"m just looking for some thoughts. Thanks!!

[Shot-N-Az]

Richmond is a city that has some historical sites. Williamsburg is a historical site that is incorporated. I'd focus on Williamsburg/Yorktown/Jamestown.

[vjstangelo]

There is plenty to do in Richmond, it was the capital of the Confederacy after all. Must see are the Confederate White House, Confederacy Museum, Tredigar Iron Works National Park, and Monument Avenue. A short drive away is Cold Harbor National Park where Grant's frontal charge resulted in thousands of casualties in only 1 hour.

Also in town is St. John's Church where Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty or give me death" is reenacted.

Little known is the fact that Edgar Allen Poe lived much of his life in Richmond, and these is a small but sensational museum in Richmond (Poe Museum).

I recommend stopping in Richmond as there is much to see.

[Veebyes]

There is much to see in the area. Maybe not so much Richmond but Jamestown, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Norfolk & Newport News have more than enough to keep you busy.

We have done Chippokes Plantation SP. Very nice. The Plantation is worth a look see also. We have also done Newport News Park multiple times. A real gem for the money. Also Anvil Campground, Williamsburg, AKA camp cram them in, with regular train noise right behind it & highway in front.

Nauticas in Norkolk, along with the Iowa class battleship as part of it is an easy day for any nautically minded person. There is another excellent but little known marine museum in Newport News with a full sized recreation of a Civil War Monitor.

[Lantley]

sam22 wrote:

kerrlakeroo wrote:
Sam,,, Do look into Harpers Ferry, it,s a worthwhile stop and is between Gettysburg and the Virginia locations.

Any suggestions on a nice campground in that area?

THere is a KOA in Harpers Ferry.
Just OK as a CG but very convenient and fine for a 1 or 2 night base camp

[padredw]

On our last visit to this area we stayed in the Newport News Regional Park. Very large campground, heavily wooded, convenient to Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown. That is where I would go back. Williamsburg needs a full day. Maybe Yorktown and Jamestown in one day.

[kerrlakeRoo]

Its been years since I camped up there and it was in a tent. But the KOA at the battlefield seems to have good ratings and if needed Luray caverns are not that far and there are several down there.

If you continue south on I-81 to I-64 East you could also stop in Chalottesville Va at Monticello, the plantation home of Thomas Jefferson, and then its a 3 hour straight shot east to Williamsburg.

[sam22]

kerrlakeroo wrote:
Sam,,, Do look into Harpers Ferry, it,s a worthwhile stop and is between Gettysburg and the Virginia locations.

Any suggestions on a nice campground in that area?

[kerrlakeRoo]

Sam,,, Do look into Harpers Ferry, it,s a worthwhile stop and is between Gettysburg and the Virginia locations.

[bucky]

If you go to Williamsburg make sure that you get a site at Chippokes in the new section. The old section is VERY unlevel. It is a very popular park so make reservations early.
They do have a nice pool, and private shower/toilet/sink rooms in the bath house.
Rather than Richmond I would suggest Spotsylvania and Fredericksburg Va.

[naturist]

Williamsburg/Jamestown/Yorktown are musts. Richmond maybe not so much but if you do go there, I can recommend Hollywood Cemetery and Maymont Park. Pocohantas State Park to camp just south of Richmond.

[Lantley]

sam22 wrote:
The Virginia part of the trip is an add on so I don't have a ton of time, so it's sort of the more western parts like Appomattox or more eastern like Williamsburg. I'm getting the impression that Richmond might be worth skipping?

Williamsburg is without a doubt worth the trouble. There are a lot of history related things to do and see there.

[sam22]

Chippokes State park does look pretty nice

[sam22]

The Virginia part of the trip is an add on so I don't have a ton of time, so it's sort of the more western parts like Appomattox or more eastern like Williamsburg. I'm getting the impression that Richmond might be worth skipping?

[Drbolasky]

Agree on Williamsburg/Jamestown/Yorktown - get the pass that is good for all three locations for multiple days. Our CG of choice in the area is American Heritage.

Gettysburg - yes. Plan for a couple of days at least if this is your first visit. We stay at Gettysburg CG on Rt. 116 (Fairfield Rd.) west of town.

And if you get to Charlottesville to see Monticello, also take in Ash Lawn-Highland, the home of James Monroe.

Richmond has beautiful homes, the Virginia State Capital, the Museum of the Confederacy and St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Robert E. Lee, among others, worshipped there).