A road trip through Virginia’s civil war sites

There's much more to Virginia than romantic Virginia Beach getaways. With roots that stretch as far back as 1607, Virginia is a first-rate destination for history buffs. But what might surprise you is that the state holds the record for the highest number of recorded military events during the Civil War. With more than 2,000 significant events recorded, Old Dominion is the ideal spot to hit the road and visit some of the best historic Civil War sites.

Manassas: Site of the First Big Battle

Located about 30 minutes drive from Arlington, off Interstate 66, the Northern Virginia area known as Manassas National Battlefield Park was the site of two major battles, both won by the Confederate Army. The First Battle of Bull Run occurred in the summer of 1861 and it was the war's first major battle. The second battle occurred between one and two years later and was the catalyst for the 1862 invasion of Maryland.

Before or after touring the battlefield, check out the museum at Henry Hill Visitor Center to learn more about that first battle. The center features a range of exhibits as well as a 45-minute film.

Driving Tours of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania

Less than an hour from Manassas via Interstate 95 South, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County Battlefields National Military Park was the site of North America's bloodiest battlefields. The second largest military park in the world contains several famous structures and battlefields; they each have their separate trails and tours to explore. In the four key battles that took place here, during a turbulent 18 months, more than 100,000 soldiers were wounded or killed.

Although the battlefields are the main attraction, those who want to experience lesser-known Civil War sites can drive down Lee Drive, a Park Service road that follows five miles of the main line that the Confederate Army marched down during the Battle of Fredericksburg.

Afterward, head to Slaughter Pen Farm via Route 17 to view a 208-acre Civil War site operated by the Civil War Trust. It was a pivotal location in the Battle of Fredericksburg and is the only spot where visitors can follow in the footsteps of the past by tracing the Union army's actions on December 13, 1862, from the beginning to their bloody end.

Richmond: The Capital of the Confederacy

History lovers have several stops to make in the bustling city of Richmond, located about two hours south of Manassas. The city was the Confederacy's capital and a major target for Northern forces during the war. Richmond National Battlefield Park is the place where two union campaigns nearly captured the Confederate capital. The North ultimately fell short in the Battle of Cold Harbor, a bloody show that stopped General Ulysses S. Grant's hopes of breaking through to the city. A large part of Richmond burned during the Confederate occupation in 1865, but many historic structures are still standing, including Tredegar Iron Works, which produced most of the Confederate army’s munitions and now serves as the park’s visitors’ center.

Richmond is also home to the American Civil War Museum, an institution exploring the war and its legacy. The stories told are from both Confederate and Union perspectives, as well as detailing the experiences of civilians and soldiers.

Appomattox Court House: Where It All Ended

Most history buffs who visit Virginia want to see Appomattox Court House, the site where General Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865. So, where is Appomattox Court House? It's located less than two hours from Richmond via U.S. 360 and U.S. 460.

This historic site includes more than 12 buildings, including a reconstruction of McLean House, the dirt road the Union troops lined while saluting the surrendered Confederate Army, and the exact spot where General Lee's army laid down their weapons. Helpful resources include a museum with artifacts and a 15-minute film that plays every 30 minutes. During warm weather, the park also offers ranger programs and living history talks to deepen visitors' understanding of the history of the area.

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