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An an equal footing with Pennsylvania and Massachusetts - the two other colonies who led the way for independence from Great Britain - Virginia was the site of the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown in 1607.

The colony also produced the young country's first political firebrands and leaders, including Patrick Henry, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. A century later, Virginia also became a flashpoint for the Civil War when Richmond was made the capital of the Confederacy.

Today, vacation-goers are attracted to the state's many historical associations such as the home of George Washington at Mount Vernon, the home of Thomas Jefferson at Monticello, and a recreated Colonial Williamsburg.

By car, tourists from the North can experience a modern feat of engineering in the 17-mile long Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel which spans Chesapeake Bay and consists of two bridges and two mile-long tunnels.

Other major Virginia vacation attractions include the ever-popular Virginia Beach, the naval station at Norfolk, and the spectacularly scenic Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge National Parkway.

More about Virginia travel & tourism around the Web:

Virginia Is For Lovers: Visit Virginia - The official travel site including pictures, maps, information on major attractions in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake Bay, guides to bed & breakfast inns, hotels & restaurants, historic & cultural sites, wineries, driving tours, maps, event calendar.

Virginia Chamber of Commerce - Visit Virginia - One-stop browsing for links to major tourist attractions by region including central, northern & southwestern Virginia, Chesapeake Bay, Appalachia, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Beach, Norfolk & Williamsburg, plus where to find Virginia state maps, annual festivals & events, hunting & fishing licences and related information.

Virginia Beach Vacation Information - Virginia's most sought after vacation destination, with information on the boardwalk and other major attractions, hotels, vacation apartments & condo rentals, dining guide, event calendar, photo gallery, FAQ, online forum & chat.

Colonial Williamsburg - See American history come alive at "the world's largest living history museum" with a vitual tour of the reconstructed colonial town & gardens including practical guides to on-site hotels & restaurants, shopping, kid-friendly online educational features.

Visiting Richmond - A guide to the entire region with things to do & see, hotels & restaurants, historical & cultural attractions. outdoor fun, kid-friendly activities, driving directions, maps & event calendar.

Norfolk, Virginia Convention & Visitors Bureau - Information on tours of the famous naval station with plenty of related nautical history, museum sites and waterfront festivals, travel packages, hotel & restaurant guides, nightlife, shopping, event calendar, links.

Civil War Traveler in Virginia - Civil War trail maps, pictures & information on major battle sites, black history and related museums and visitor centers.

Virginia Attractions. Roadside America - Find the grave of Stonewall Jackson's arm, (and that of his horse) the world's largest collection of cement collectibles, Professor Cline's Haunted Monster Museum & Dark Maze, and more...

Virginia Summer Vacation Calendar:

see Feature Story-> Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Water Park

also see -> Virginia Beaches | Virginia Wineries

Virginia Fall Foliage | Christmas in Virginia

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