There are a lot of secret spots in Virginia that you should check out. These are the kinds of places that you can hear about by word of mouth and are beloved by the community. Understanding these hidden gems is helpful when organizing a thrilling day trip or a once-in-a-lifetime experience. There’s a little bit for everyone on this list, from hiking trails to local dives. So, read on to find out the best-kept secrets in Virginia!

Luray Caverns

When visiting Luray Caverns, you may question if you are still in Virginia or if you have accidentally landed on another planet. This cavern system was discovered in 1878. And today, it’s still one of the biggest in the United States. Buy a day pass and explore the caves at your own pace, taking photos of the stalactites, stalagmites, mirrored pools, and other sights. It can be pretty romantic and is an excellent place to bring your valentine. The Shenandoah Heritage Village, Toy Town Junction, and the Car and Carriage Caravan Museum are all free with your entry after a day of hiking and exploring the great outdoors.

The Raven Room is among the best-kept secrets in Virginia

American author, editor, and critic Edgar Allan Poe spent one year at UVA in 1826. Despite the author’s brief time at the University, his dorm room has become something of a shrine, maintained by a small number of students who find meaning in the author’s life and work.

Dorm 13’s ominous number is a reference to Edgar Allan Poe. In 1924 they renovated it to look as it did during Poe’s time. The Raven Room was initially constructed by a professor of architecture who was a member of the exclusive Raven Society. Today it is maintained by a group that was established in 1904. The club pays for the space’s upkeep and recognizes outstanding academic achievement and service.

A writing desk, a sofa from Poe’s original house, and a stuffed ‘raven’ perched on the window ledge are among the furnishings in the room. Viewers may peer into the writer’s study through a glass partition while listening to an audio presentation on his life.

Lake Drummond

Mythology has it that a Native American woman named the Lady of the Lake died a few days before her wedding, and now she haunts the lake in her white canoe, reliving her final days. If this sounds familiar, you’ve probably read the poem by Irish poet Thomas Moore. The 111,200-acre wildlife reserve in Virginia and North Carolina that includes the lake serves as its habitat. Take a hike down Washington Ditch Trail to see cypress trees poking up out of the murky waters of Lake Drummond. It will surely amaze you if you are inspired by nature. Experts from evolutionmoving.com have seen many people decide to move to Virginia after just one visit to this place! Maybe you will have the same experience.

Great Falls National Park

Great Falls is a picturesque and historic area only 15 miles from the nation’s capital. The Potomac River steadily descends a succession of jagged rocks into Mather Gorge and the Patowmack Canal, which dates back centuries. It also provides a glimpse into the early colonial history of the United States. Building the Patowmack Canal to extend the Potomac River’s navigability to the Ohio River Valley was one of George Washington’s top priorities in the years following the Revolutionary War.

Besides the park’s historical significance to our country’s formation, visitors enjoy the outdoors and take in the park’s stunning scenery. The Great Falls of the Potomac and the park’s many hiking paths provide an unforgettable outdoor experience.

The concrete fleet is one of the best-kept secrets in Virginia

The deteriorating, algae-covered concrete ships in Kiptopeke State Park on Virginia’s Eastern Shore are a unique and unexpected feature. The port at Kiptopeke Beach is protected by the S.S. Edwin Thatcher, S.S. Leonard Chase Wason, and other boats from World War II, but they are also interesting to gaze at and kayak about.

Steel was in short supply throughout both World Wars. So people tried to test the theory that making floating structures out of concrete was possible. There were a total of twenty-four “McCloskey Ships”, and nine of them are on display at Kiptopeke.

Barboursville ruins

The Barboursville ruins are one of a kind and are one of the best-kept secrets in Virginia. They are one of the best attractions in Orange County for history buffs. James Barbour, a successful attorney, and prominent politician built the Barboursville Mansion around 1822. He did this according to plans he had commissioned from his friend and political partner, Thomas Jefferson. The skilled artisans from Jefferson’s Monticello helped create an attractive mansion with eight bedrooms, a great octagonal room, and a portico.

The Barboursville Winery was one of Virginia’s oldest and most prominent vineyards. However, a fire in 1884 destroyed it. All left nowadays are a couple of brick walls of the mansion that look like an enormous, abandoned ruin. If you like urban exploring, this one is for you!

Abandoned renaissance fair

The popular Fredericksburg Renaissance Faire was shut down in 1999 and is now an abandoned attraction. This happened because of the swampy conditions, high humidity, and unbearable mosquito bites typical of a Virginia summer. Naturally, the number of people attending the fair gradually declined. However, the conditions today are much better, which is why many people decide to move to VA. If you’re one of them, learn about the moving mistakes to avoid and some details you shouldn’t overlook. The goal is to have a smooth process! 

For now, lingering knights and ladies might still find a place of medieval sanctuary in the park’s abandoned structures. You can visit the abandoned ren fairgrounds in VA since it is a favorite destination for horror entertainment and photoshoots.

The devil’s tub 

You’ll want to bring your swimsuit! This pool of emerald water is perfect for a refreshing plunge. The sliding rock in the middle of the naturally smooth watering hole makes it the ideal spot to spend an hour floating around and taking in the scenery. Unfortunately, the Devil’s Bathtub is only reachable by the challenging 7.2-mile Devil’s Fork Loop Trail. It’s one of the best trails in Virginia! However, you can get there with only 1.5 miles of hiking, which is fantastic news.

In Conclusion

Some of the most unusual and out-of-this-world places in the United States are in the Mother of States. If you’re looking to revitalize your scenic bucket list, consider visiting some of the best-kept secrets in Virginia. This stunning southern state is full of exciting opportunities for exploration!

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