Today, we offer a slight departure from the kind of content we usually share in this space. Our passion is building great brands and helping destinations market themselves with exactly the right combination of data and creativity. We write about these things because we believe they contribute to a destination’s ability to connect with potential visitors.
In honor of National Travel and Tourism Week, we want to tell you about some great places that we think you’ll enjoy visiting on a future road trip. Some, but not all, are our clients. We simply think they are worth visiting.
National Museum of the Marine Corps
You don’t need to be a Marine (or in my case, the son of a Marine) to stand in awe of this great museum. Plan to spend a few hours, because this facility tells a story that spans more than 250 years. Everything about this museum is top-notch, from the volunteers to the architecture. It’s located near Quantico, which is close to Washington D.C., but thankfully, outside the beltway so it is easy to reach.
Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest
Most people know Monticello as the famous home of Thomas Jefferson. It’s an architectural masterpiece and a must-see for every American. The genius of Jefferson is on full display. The same can be said of the lesser known, but equally as stunning, retreat that Jefferson built in Bedford County. The building and grounds are impeccably maintained to help visitors imagine the founding father himself having a glass of wine on the porch watching the sun set on the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Virginia Air & Space Science Center
This under the radar (pardon the pun) gem is located in Hampton, Virginia. It houses an exceptional collection of artifacts from the space program, including the actual command module from Apollo 12. If you are a fan of aviation, space exploration or science in general, you can get totally immersed in the hands-on exhibits in this museum.
Jackson River Scenic Trail
This mostly flat, multi-use trail connects Alleghany and Bath counties as it runs along an old railroad bed. Yes, I have biked the Creeper Trail and New River Trail State Park and like them both. While the JRST is not as long as either of those, the scenery is every bit as spectacular. There is ample parking and an excellent outfitter located at the southern trailhead that rents bikes, including e-bikes. Another selling point is that the same outfitter rents tubes, making it possible to spend part of the day biking the trail followed by some relaxation floating in a tube along the Jackson River — all from the same parking spot.
