Virginia by Rail

10 nights

Take advantage of all DC has to offer on a classic DC get-away including monuments, memorials and museums. Rent a bicycle and explore on your own or take a self guided walking tour. Go to Union Station where you can take a guided tour via bus, segway, on foot or bicycle. If you're feeling adventurous, head to the Georgetown Waterfront. Rent a kayak or canoe for a view of the city from the water. 

Indulge in a chili half-smoke and milkshake at Ben’s Chili Bowl, a DC institution. Go undercover at the International Spy Museum, where you can crack codes, take on covers and even let your group take on its own covert operation. Or visit one or more of the 19 museums comprising the Smithsonian system. Other must-sees include Madame Tussauds wax museum and the National Geographic Museum.

 

Today board your Amtrak train to Fredericksburg, VA which conveniently departs from Union Station in the heart of Downtown Washington, DC and takes approx 1 hour to reach Fredericksburg.

Fredericksburg which rests on the banks of the picturesque, pristine Rappahannock River, includes the city of Fredericksburg and the counties of Spotsylvania and Stafford and is a classic blend of modern life with small town charm. The area features a variety of chef-owned restaurants, numerous art galleries, a wide range of specialty shops, and one of America’s most authentic, historic downtowns. Stafford is home to George Washington’s boyhood home, Ferry Farm and Belmont, the residence of 20th Century American impressionist painter Gari Melchers. Spotsylvania is not only the site of 4,400 acres of Civil War battlefields; it also boasts the beautiful Lake Anna Winery. 

Explore Historic Downtown Fredericksburg: Experience an evening of fun with a ride through historic downtown Fredericksburg in a horse-drawn carriage where you will learn about historic homes, attractions and famous Civil War landmarks including the Sunken Road, Marve’s Heights, Kenmore Plantation, Rising Sun Tavern, Mary Washington House and much more. For a sweet treat at the end of an exciting day, make a stop a Carl’s Frozen Custard, a 1940’s art deco ice cream shop that boasts three classic flavors – vanilla, chocolate and strawberry – churned in 120-gallen Electro Freeze ice cream machines to create the melt in your mouth ice cream creations. 

Enjoy the Great Outdoors in the Parks and Waterways of the Fredericksburg area: Head out to Lake Anna State Park and enjoy boating, fishing and picnicking. Boasting more than 2,000 acres and 8 ½ miles of lakefront, Lake Anna State Park greets visitors with hiking trails, swimming areas and a boat launch. 

 

Today board your Amtrak train to Richmond Main Street Station which takes approx 1 ½ hours.

The Capital of the Confederacy remains one of the most handsome capitals in the south. Old waterfront warehouses have been restored into trendy shops; Shockoe Bottom and Shockoe Slip feature restaurants, entertainment and boutiques. Fabulous museums including the American Civil War Museum, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Edgar Allan Poe Museum, Science Museum of Virginia, and Children’s Museum make learning fun for the whole family.

 

Today you travel by bus from Richmond to Charlottesville which takes approx 1 1/2 hours.

Thomas Jefferson dubbed this area the “Eden of the United States.” Jefferson’s mountaintop home, Monticello, is described as one of the country’s foremost architectural masterpieces and is listed on the World Heritage list. Charlottesville is a charming college town with many shops, restaurants and tea rooms.

 

Today board your Amtrak train from Charlottesville to Lynchburg, VA which takes approx 1 hour 15 mins.

Lynchburg is a vibrant and charming community located in the eastern foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Along the banks of the scenic James River, you will find endless opportunity for adventure, entertainment, amusement, relaxation, and more. Discover historic sites, exciting recreational and cultural opportunities, extraordinary shopping and gracious dining.

The historical districts and locations offer an educational experience for the lover of history. By foot or car, Court House Hill, Daniel’s Hill, Diamond Hill, Federal Hill, Garland Hill and Rivermont can all be toured. One only has to visit the National D-Day Memorial, Point of Honor, Poplar Forest or Appomattox Court House National Historical Park for a lesson in the past.

Local art can be found on display Downtown at Riverview’s Art Space. If you are looking for art less local and more dated, visit the Maier Museum of Art on Randolph College's campus.

 

Today board your Amtrak train back to Washington Union Station which takes just under 4 hours, once there either take a taxi and check into your hotel if you would like to extend your stay for a another night or two or use the storage facilities at Union Station to store luggage so you can use your last few hours in Washington DC to see your favourite attraction or do some last minute shopping before collecting your luggage and returning to the airport for your flight home.

 

Hotel accommodation is offered on two quality levels: “standard” typically 2/3 star hotels providing clean and moderate accommodations with several basic facilities, some with a limited dining room and sometimes a swimming pool. “Select” indicates a more superior style of accommodation typically of a 3/4 star quality, in a central location with extended facilities including a dining room and usually a swimming pool. Rooms in both levels of accommodation choice provide private facilities and are based on the hotels standard or lead in room type.