Things to do in

Virginia

You are in for a special day on a Spirit of Norfolk Lunch Cruise. Dine and delight in breathtaking views of the Norfolk skyline bathed in sunshine and the United States Navy’s Atlantic Fleet of Ships. Your 2-hour cruise begins as a Shipmate escorts you to your candlelit table. Order drinks, then feel free to explore the ship as the crew cast off on the Elizabeth River. The Shipmates invite you to an attended grand lunch buffet, freshly prepared on-board. Take as much or as little as you like and savor your selections as the sights of Norfolk glide by. After lunch, take your drinks topside and relax on the best outdoor patio deck in the city.  After you have relaxed over coffee and dessert, take a refreshing stroll around the ship's decks and listen to relaxing background music as you take in everything Norfolk has to offer.  Create unforgettable memories on a Spirit of Norfolk Lunch Cruise. SAMPLE MENU Salads Caesar Salad Romain Lettuce | Aged Reggiano Parmesan Cheese | Herb Croutons Bow Tie Pasta Salad Scallions | English Cucumbers | Roma Tomatoes | Dill & Mustard Vinaigrette Vegetables, Potatoes & Pasta Roasted Broccoli Florets Toasted Garlic | Chili Flakes Creamed Corn & Cheddar Cheese Casserole Green Chilies | Scallions | Fresh Cilantro Baked Ziti Pasta Aged Reggiano Parmesan Cheese | Mozzarella | Cheese Spinach Sauce Mashed Potatoes Idaho Potatoes | Roasted Garlic Entrées Oven Baked Flounder Filet Tomato, Shallot & Caper Sauce Honey & Sesame Chicken Scallions | Fresno Chilies Italian Beef Meatballs Creamy Mushroom Sauce | Italian Parsley Spirit Seasonal Dessert Display *Menu subject to change. Please inform your server if anyone in your party has a food allergy.

Tour Washington, DC, in a glass-top, convertible Mercedes-Benz Sprinter — the first in the capital of the United States. Hop aboard and catch incredible panoramic views with an expert tour guide as your chauffeur and narrator. Begin by exploring the National Mall to observe the United States Capitol, White House, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and much more while seeing and learning about other significant landmarks. Next, pass through Embassy Row, Georgetown, and Northern Virginia along scenic routes. Your journey will conclude following a stop at the iconic US Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.

Let us show you how your evening will unfold: Welcome Aboard - You’re in for a special evening the moment you are escorted to your candlelit table. Order drinks, then feel free to explore the ship while our crew casts off for three fabulous hours on the Elizabeth River. Your waiter will invite you to the attended Grande Dinner Buffet. Everything is freshly prepared. Take as little or as much as you like. Savor your culinary selections over perfectly-paced dinner music and a never-ending view of Norfolk’s breathtaking skyline. See the cruises route and relax over coffee and dessert.   Listen to relaxing background music, providing the backdrop for your dinner experience. Stroll under the stars as you take your drinks topside and relax on the largest outdoor patio deck in the city.  Sample Dinner Menu: Salads Caesar Salad Romain Lettuce | Aged Reggiano Parmesan Cheese | Herb Croutons Bow Tie Pasta Salad Scallions | English Cucumbers | Roma Tomatoes | Dill & Mustard Vinaigrette Vegetables, Potatoes & Pasta Roasted Broccoli Florets Toasted Garlic | Chili Flakes Creamed Corn & Cheddar Cheese Casserole Green Chilies | Scallions | Fresh Cilantro Baked Ziti Pasta Aged Reggiano Parmesan Cheese | Mozzarella | Cheese Spinach Sauce Mashed Potatoes Idaho Potatoes | Roasted Garlic Entrées Oven Baked Flounder Filet Tomato, Shallot & Caper Sauce Honey & Sesame Chicken Scallions | Fresno Chilies Italian Beef Meatballs Creamy Mushroom Sauce | Italian Parsley Braised Beef Short Ribs Baby Carrots | Cabernet Sauvignon Sauce Spirit Seasonal Dessert Display *Menu subject to change. Please inform your server if anyone in your party has a food allergy.

Experience Richmond’s haunted past and uncover stories of murder, mayhem, and tragedy while discovering the secret histories that hide in the shadows. From the Powhatan Confederacy to present-day grisly murders. Listen to honest accounts from a professional guide of the events that shaped this River City and led to the very real Richmond Ghosts. Take a tour of the darker side of Richmond and visit the most haunted sites around the Shockoe Bottom area, depending on whether you choose to upgrade to an extended tour. Hear of the spirit of Edgar Allan Poe, said to haunt the staircase that was once in his house, and the chilling tales surrounding Lumpkin's Slave Jail and the historic Masonic Lodge and the ghosts said to linger there, along with many other terrifying tales. Learn about the lesser-known history and the hauntings that often accompany it. You're guaranteed to be creeped out, but you'll still be able to sleep.

Embark on the ultimate, bone-chilling, haunted, and historical adventure of either 60 or 90 minutes through the ghostly streets of Colonial Williamsburg to experience up to 12 of the most haunted locations in town. After meeting your experienced and licensed tour guides, learn about the centuries-old history of one of the nation's oldest colonies and hear obscure and fascinating tales of eyewitness accounts that occurred at all of the haunted locations.  Follow the amazing storytellers as they bring you deeper through the eerily-lit colonial streets to Bruton Parish Church, over 350 years old, surrounded on all sides by a spooky cemetery. Continue on your journey to sites of grizzly bloodshed which took place in the streets of Williamsburg during the Battle of Williamsburg, and walk on the haunted ground where piles of hapless soldiers' lay buried — right beneath your feet. Stand in the shadow of the Peyton Randolph House, Williamsburg's most haunted house, and hear the tragic stories of how over two dozen deaths, as well as mass graves of Native Americans, have made the building into the town’s most infamous mansion. Walk up to the courthouse where the Declaration of Independence was read aloud in 1776, and stand where George Washington planned the battle of Yorktown that ultimately won the revolutionary war. After more haunted sightings, head back to the meeting point, having gained insights into the paranormal and historical sides of Williamsburg.

The first adventure on this historic tour is winding through the streets of Old Town Alexandria - to explore and experience George Washington's hometown - past Robert E. Lee’s boyhood home, the George Washington Masonic Temple, and the Historic Christ Church. Get ready to be wowed as you see this colonial-themed hot spot, consisting of more than 200 restaurants and boutiques! Next, you'll ride along the Potomac River and visit the Mount Vernon Estate - one of the Washington, DC, area’s premier sightseeing attractions. You will explore historic Mount Vernon – from the mansion’s interior where President Washington resided, to his beloved gardens, and final resting place.  After time for lunch at the Mt Vernon Food Court (lunch not included in the tour price), you will have time to learn more about George Washington’s life and legacy in both the Museum and Education Center – home to more than 700 original objects (including his false teeth) and 25 theaters and galleries. There is even a multi-media theatre where it actually snows! After shopping for unique gifts at the Mt Vernon Shops, you will be entertained by your guide as you return back to Washington DC.

Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia, is the world’s most beautiful theme park, as voted year after year since 1990. Wander through the classic European themed and artfully landscaped villages, resembling the Parisian streets of France, the hamlets of Scotland and the Oktoberfest celebrations of Germany. Explore all nine villages centered around six countries. Kids can sing with Elmo, feed a lorikeet and ride between mom and dad on a thrilling kid coaster all in the same day! After catching one of the many entertaining shows, head over to award-winning roller coasters inspired by Old World legends like the Apollo, the Griffin, and the Loch Ness monster. From virtual reality to carousels, everyone one in the family will find an activity they love and create cherished memories to think back on for years to come! Animal Exhibits: Spend some time at Highland Stables and take part in a celebration of centuries-old Scottish traditions. Interact with blackface sheep and their border collie guardians. Enjoy demonstrations of traditional herding and hunting methods. Visit Eagle Ridge to meet some gutsy American Bald Eagles, each one a survivor of injuries that left them unable to live on their own in the wild. Hear their inspiring stories and feel the sense of awe that travels with these majestic birds. Stroll through Lorikeet Glen and make a bunch of new friends as colorful birds glide down to greet you from the branches of a fascinating, free-flight aviary. Go beyond the haunting calls and piercing eyes of the mysterious gray wolf in Wolf Valley. Learn what you can do to help these important ancestors of modern-day canines survive and thrive. Theme Park Rides: Take a ride on Alpengeist, one of the tallest, fastest and most insane roller coasters in the world. Before you can say "boo" the floor drops beneath your feet, so get ready for what many coaster enthusiasts still call the ride of a lifetime. Experience the mind-bending climbs and weightless wonder of floating airtime at Apollo's Chariot, one of the mightiest coasters of all time. Hop on the classic Loch Ness monster which hurls its passengers along 3,240 feet of steel track into the air, over water, and through a dark cave. Join the bravest of ride warriors and challenge yourself to the 205-foot, 90-degree, 75 mph free fall of Griffon, a heart-pounding, tour de force roller coaster.

Tour through the landmarked capital and see The Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. Pay homage to those who gave their service and lives at the National World War II Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.   Try your hand at espionage at the International Spy Museum, ride the Spirit Cruise up the river to George Washington’s landmarked and historic Mount Vernon Farm. Stand in awe at the iconic landscape of Washington D.C. and witness the splendor of the revolutionaries who defined the United States.   Take advantage of D.C.’s immersive nature with an Urban Adventure walking tour or a Bike and Roll DC bicycle rental. Admire the visionary architecture of D.C. and take a selfie from the top of the Big Bus Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour, as you pass by the United States Capitol Building, the scenic National Mall, the White House, the Smithsonian Institution, the Library of Congress, and the Washington National Cathedral. Attractions: • George Washington’s Mount Vernon • International Spy Museum • Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Classic Ticket or Night Tour • Spirit of Mount Vernon Cruise • Spirit Cruises One Day Water Taxi Unlimited Pass Walking & Bike Tours: • Urban Adventures - Museum of American History Through Music • Urban Adventures - Politics & Pints Capitol Hill Tour • Urban Adventures - Smithsonian American Art Adventure • Bike and Roll DC - 3 hour Bike Rental Special Discounts: • Buca di Beppo - $15 toward lunch or dinner • Bounce Luggage Storage

On this self-guided walking tour where an app is your guide, narrator, and map all in one, explore Colonial Williamsburg, a beautifully restored colonial town full of actors living out the lives of 18th century Americans. Your tour begins at Colonial Williamsburg’s visitor center just north of the town center. As you walk south, you’ll learn about the earliest residents of Williamsburg and the Native Americans who called this place home when the first European settlers arrived. The first major landmark you’ll arrive at is the Peyton Randolph House, a gorgeous home dating back to 1715. Its former owner was a key revolutionary figure, though you might not have heard about him in school. Next, arrive at the Fife and Drum Building, where you’ll learn about the importance these simple instruments had during battles. If you’re lucky, you may also catch a performance of Colonial Williamsburg’s very own fife and drum band as they march through town. Continuing onward, hear about the origins of the Colonial Williamsburg museum project, including how America’s first billionaire, John D. Rockefeller, bankrolled the whole thing. Afterward, you’ll see the Public Gaol, a grim prison that once held all manner of unsavory sorts. But would you believe it also held Blackbeard’s pirate crew while they waited to be executed? Up next is Bassett Hall, the lavish estate where Rockefeller lived while overseeing the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg. Then, it’s on to the old Capitol Building, where Virginia once declared independence from Britain, just four days before the Declaration of Independence was signed. You’ll find the Raleigh Tavern next. During the 1700s, this tavern’s unassuming facade hid secret revolutionary meetings within. Next, come to the Williamsburg Magazine, an old munitions storehouse. Learn the dramatic tale of a standoff between British troops and Williamsburg residents on the eve of the revolution. As you make your way to the Play House Stage, a recreation of one of the country’s oldest theaters, you’ll hear a few spooky stories about ghost sightings that have taken place throughout Williamsburg. After that, you’ll reach the Governor’s Palace, where Virginia’s Royal Governor ruled over the people of this state, that is until he was forced to flee in the dead of night. Then, see two of the town’s most historic structures: the George Wythe House and the Bruton Parish Episcopal Church. The George Wythe House was home to a signer of the Declaration of Independence who was also a staunch abolitionist. Bruton Parish Episcopal Church predates the town itself and is the whole reason for the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg. Finally, make your way to the historic campus of the College of William & Mary, the nation’s second-oldest university. Finish your tour by seeing one of Williamsburg’s oldest and most impressive buildings and learning a little about the college’s controversial history.

On this all-inclusive tour, explore the beer of our nation’s capital as you learn about beer history and the brewing process. Your guide will take you behind the curtains where the brewmasters work their magic. Pair all that knowledge with a scrumptious beer and food pairing lunch for an unparallelled brew tour experience!   Taste award-winning beers on a 5-hour tour to 4 breweries in the Washington, DC area, which may include:   DC Brau Brewing Co: Brewing the area’s best ales since 1950s, DC Brau has been designated one of the fastest-growing breweries in the USA.   Hellbender Brewing Co: Hellbender (named after the largest salamander in North America!) don’t just brew killer ales; they do it in an environmentally-sound super-efficient way using a hammer mill and mash filter to protect the earth from harsh effects and you from bad beer. See at Hellbender why less is really more.   Right Proper Brewing Co: This company churns out some of the tastiest beers in the region, starting from a vision of heading to your local pub to grab a fresh glass of beer brewed on-site.   Port City Brewing: Tucked at the western-most tip of Washington, DC, Port City Brewing are churning out some of the most incredible craft brews. They’ve generously offered tour-goers special samples and beers that are exclusive to the brewery and pack such a malty punch, you may even forget you’re on planet earth.