Four of the first five American presidents hail from the Commonwealth of Virginia, and for vacationers its treasure trove of Civil War relics draws history buffs like few other places in the country. As one of the original 13 colonies, Virginia was hesitant to break from the union during the Civil War, although it was considered a slave state. When it did break away in 1861 the western counties broke from that and formed West Virginia.

It was accepted into statehood in 1863, but by 1865 it was embroiled in poverty despite the increase in popularity of smoking and its major production of tobacco. When World War II broke out, its eastern shores became a necessary naval support center and since then Hampton Roads and the proximity to Washington, D.C. in the northern part of the state have helped keep it financially booming.

Driving across the state’s east-west axis on Interstate 64 will take the road traveler through many small towns known for their role in the Civil War, all the way to Richmond. If you turn north at Richmond you will find yourself on I-95 going to the nation’s capitol and a slight turn to the south east will put you in Norfolk, a major Naval base surrounded by beaches and the Atlantic Ocean, as the state shows off its diverse visitor attractions. Audio tours are available at the Nauticus National Maritime Center, where the Battleship Wisconsin is berthed.

Swimming at Virginia Beach draws thousands of visitors each year as they take advantage of the shoreline and the Chesapeake Bay area of Virginia offers many different attractions to bring visits back year after year. One of the highlights of driving through Chesapeake is the tunnel under the ocean at near the Newport News shipyards, which open onto the bridge over the bay. You can view the U.S. Navy vessels in for repair or refitting in the docks before moving on to the upper end neighborhoods of the Hamptons.

Heading back west, drive State Route 60 through Cumberland on the way to Lynchburg or take Route 15 through Chula, Prospect and Timberlake (not Justin’s home) for some very real retrospectives of the War Between the States. While in Lynchburg pay a visit to the Lynchburg Museum which contains rare artifacts and old photographs detailing Lynchburg's past. Traveling across the state can show you the many wonders that is Virginia. From the western side of the state, where it begin by West Virginia, mountain ranges near Appalachia will have your ears popping as your elevation changes considerably. Then as you approach the central part of the state the ground seems to level out and as you approach the eastern seaboard, it seems as though the horizon stretches forever.

With all the history available in Virginia, you may be tempted to bypass the amusement parks and other modern attractions to replace them with re-enactments of the famed Civil War battles occurring in many of the Virginia cities on a regular time schedule.

While in Alexandria stop by the Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site which displays the preserved system of forts and batteries built to protect Washington D.C. during the American Civil War of 1861-1865.