Stay Virginia Rentals, Vacation Rentals in Virginia

Virginia is a state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth are shaped by the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Chesapeake Bay, which provide habitat for much of its flora and fauna. The capital of the Commonwealth is Richmond; Virginia Beach is the most populous city and Fairfax County the most populous political subdivision. The Commonwealth's population is over eight million. The area's history begins with several indigenous groups, including the Powhatan. In 1607 the London Company established the Colony of Virginia as the first permanent New World English colony. Slave labor and the land acquired from displaced Native American tribes each played a significant role in the colony's early politics and plantation economy. Virginia was one of the 13 Colonies in the American Revolution and joined the Confederacy in the American Civil War, during which Richmond was made the Confederate capital and Virginia's northwestern counties separated to form the state of West Virginia. Although the Commonwealth was under conservative single party rule for nearly a century following Reconstruction, both major national parties are competitive in modern Virginia.

The Culture of Virginia refers to the distinct human activities and values that take place in, or originate from the Commonwealth of Virginia. The historic culture of Virginia was popularized and spread across America and the South by Washington, Jefferson, and Lee, and their homes represent Virginia as the birthplace of America and of the South. Modern Virginia culture has many heritages, and is largely part of the culture of the Southern United States.

A mild, humid coastal climate is characteristic of Virginia. Temperatures, most equable in the Tidewater, become increasingly cooler with the rising altitudes as one moves westward. The normal daily mean temperature at Richmond is about 14°C, ranging from 2°C in January to 26°C in July. The record high, 43°C, was registered at Balcony Falls on 15 July 1954; the record low, –34°C, was set at Mountain Lake on 22 January 1985. The frost-free growing season ranges from about 140 days in the mountains of the extreme west to over 250 in the Norfolk area. Annual precipitation at Richmond (1971–2000) averaged 43.9 inches at Norfolk, annual precipitation averaged 45.7 inches during the same period. The average annual snowfall amounts to nearly 15 inches at Richmond but only 8 inches at Norfolk.

Virginia Beach: An independent city nestled in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia along the Atlantic Ocean near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Beach is the most populated city in Virginia, and is considered one of the most classic beach destinations in the United States, with a reputation for being one of the few family-friendly ocean-front destinations catering specifically to the family.

Williamsburg: Williamsburg, Virginia USA is a major tourist destination because of the historical significance of the area. Also, offers state-of-the-art theme parks, outdoor fun, spas and golf.

Richmond: Richmond is the capital of Virginia, and is an independent city, not part of a county as many places in Virginia are, being a Commonwealth of places.

Alexandria: Alexandria, Virginia, is an independent city of Virginia. (Not in any county.) The city was founded in the mid-18th century as a tobacco, cotton, and trading seaport on the Potomac River.

Norfolk: Home to the largest naval base in the world, and featuring a waterfront packed full of typical American food chains, docks, plenty of off-duty sailors.

Fredericksburg: Fredericksburg is an independent city in the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia, 50 miles south of Washington, D.C., and 55 miles north of Richmond, Virginia.

Chesapeake: Chesapeake, Virginia is not only a small city of 222,528 (as of 2007) but also a county and a historic Revolutionary War battlefield.

Roanoke: Roanoke is located 168 miles west of Virginia's state capital, Richmond, nestled between the Blue Ridge and the Virginia Allegheny Highlands.

Fairfax: Fairfax, Virginia, is a small city in Northern Virginia. Originally known as Fairfax Court House, it is home to the burgeoning Fairfax County Court House complex.

Winchester: Winchester, Virginia, is a market town and college town in the Shenandoah Valley. It's long been known as an apple production and distribution center.

Harrisonburg: Harrisonburg,VA is a picturesque up and coming city located just off interstate 81. It is the home to James Madison University and both the city and University are growing rapidly.

Lexington: Home of two colleges, Virginia Military Institute and Washington and Lee University, this is also the home of Stonewall Jacksons residence.

Springfield: Springfield, Virginia, is a suburban community 17 miles south of Washington, DC. It’s not an incorporated city, but politically is part of Fairfax County.

Portsmouth: Pretty quiet place with all types of people, and places to see. Lots of restaurants to choose from like Spanish, Chinese, Caribbean, and fast food spots too.

The Tank Museum Danville, Virginia: Sprawling personal collection of historic military armored vehicles. And a Martian tripod.

Star Museum Abingdon, Virginia: Gaze upong James Dean's underpants and Joan Crawford's coat hanger.

Drug Enforcement Administration Museum Arlington, Virginia: Displays include pimp shoes worn by an undercover agent, a diamond-encrusted drug kingpin pistol, and a simulated head shop.

George Washington Masonic National Memorial Alexandria, Virginia: Lots of odd stuff, from a replica Ark of the Covenant to George Washington's Clock of Death.

NRA National Firearms Museum Fairfax, Virginia: Self-described "crown jewel of firearms museums in the world" is loaded for bear, criminals, and storm troopers.

Shenandoah Caverns Shenandoah, Virginia: At this almost anything-goes commercial cave, a scary pixie beckons the unwary.

Dinosaur Kingdom Natural Bridge, Virginia: It's dinosaurs vs. the Union Army in an alternate universe Civil War!

Foamhenge Natural Bridge, Virginia: Mark Cline, fiberglass sculptor, has built the world's prettiest and most accurate Stonehenge replica. Out of Styrofoam.

American Celebration on Parade Shenandoah, Virginia: After their Day of Glory, the luckiest parade floats are sheltered and exhibited at this museum.

Arm of Stonewall Jackson Fredericksburg, Virginia: General Stonewall Jackson -- Robert E. Lee's "right arm" -- lost his left arm to friendly fire. It's buried and memorialized here.

Because of the 1932 Byrd Road Act, the state government controls most of Virginia's roads, instead of a local county authority as is usual in other states. As of 2011, the Virginia Department of Transportation owns and operates 57,867 miles of the total 70,105 miles of roads in the state, making it the third largest state highway system in the United States. Although the Washington Metropolitan Area, which includes Northern Virginia, has the second worst traffic in the nation, Virginia as a whole has the 21st-lowest congestion and the average commute time is 26.9 minutes.

Virginia has Amtrak passenger rail service along several corridors, and Virginia Railway Express maintains two commuter lines into Washington, D.C. from Fredericksburg and Manassas. VRE is one of the nation's fastest growing commuter rail services, handling nearly 20,000 passengers a day. The Washington Metro rapid transit system serves Northern Virginia as far west as communities along I-66 in Fairfax County, with expansion plans to reach Tysons Corner by 2013, and Loudoun County by 2017. Major freight railroads in Virginia include Norfolk Southern and CSX Transportation. Commuter buses include the Fairfax Connector and the Shenandoah Valley Commuter Bus. The Virginia Department of Transportation operates several free ferries throughout Virginia, the most notable being the Jamestown-Scotland ferry which crosses the James River in Surry County.

Virginia has five major airports: Washington Dulles International handling over 23 million passengers a year, Reagan Washington National, Norfolk International serving the Hampton Roads area, Richmond International, and Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport. Several other airports offer limited commercial passenger service, and sixty-six public airports serve the state's aviation needs. The Virginia Port Authority's main seaports are those in Hampton Roads, which carried 17,726,251 short tons of bulk cargo in 2007, the sixth most of United States ports. The Eastern Shore of Virginia is the site of Wallops Flight Facility, a rocket testing center owned by NASA, and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, a commercial spaceport. Space tourism is also offered through Vienna-based Space Adventures.