Visiting Virginia’s Piedmont? Enjoy These Activities  

 Thinking of visiting Virginia’s lush Piedmont region this spring? Here’s a checklist of must-see and must-do activities: 

• Visit the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – This showcase museum in Richmond houses a remarkable permanent collection of nearly 50,000 works of art from almost every major world culture. Don’t miss “A Powerful Influence: Early Photographs of African Americans from the Collection of Dennis O. Williams,” which closes May 8. https://vmfa.museum/   

• See Monticello
  
  

  Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.

  
  The architectural masterpiece was designed and lived in by Thomas Jefferson, our third president. It’s the only home in the U.S. designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. https://www.monticello.org/  

• Explore The Poe Museum
  
  

  The Edgar Allan Poe museum pays homage to the famous poet and writer.

  
  Dedicated to Edgar Allan Poe, this Richmond museum is a macabre ode to the famous poet once a student at the University of Virginia. The museum began over 100 years ago when Poe collector and researcher James Howard Whitty and a group of enthusiasts met in Poe’s Richmond hometown to discuss designing the state’s first monument to a writer. https://poemuseum.org/  

• Stop by Montpelier
  
  

  James Madison’s Montpelier gives guided tours to those interested in exploring the estate.  

  
  James Madison’s Montpelier, not far from Jefferson’s Monticello, gives guided tours allowing visitors to peek into the life of the “Father of the U.S. Constitution.” Don’t forget about his charismatic wife Dolley too! https://www.montpelier.org/ 

• Do the Sky Meadows Loop Hike to See Virginia Piedmont Views
  
  

  Adam takes in the view from the Piedmont Overlook. Below: Mt. Bleak House was built in 1843 and is open for tours; An Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker makes his way down the trail (he’s in the far left of the photo, beyond the dogwood trees); A cute village in the valley below.

  
  If you’re a hiker, the Piedmont region is an ideal setting. The Sky Meadows loop hike includes open fields, wooded segments and somewhat challenging hills all culminating in gorgeous Virginia Piedmont views. https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/sky-meadows  

• Have a drink (or two) at Blue Mountain Brewery
  
  Stop by for some refreshments at Blue Mountain Brewery.

  
  After all the activity, you’ll want to have a pint or two. Blue Mountain Brewery makes a crisp, refreshing Bavarian-style wheat beer and Full Nelson, brewed with local hops. There’s lots of pizza, burgers and stacked sandwiches too. https://bluemountainbrewery.com/   

• Enjoy brunch at Foode + Mercantile
  
  

  Don’t miss Foode + Mercantile’s delicious Rosie’s fried chicken.  

  
  End your weekend with brunch at Mercantile, serving locally-sourced, all-natural and organic breakfast and brunch. Not sure what to order? Don’t miss Rosie’s Fried Chicken and Waffles — the maple rosemary syrup is to die for. https://www.foodefredericksburg.com/   

Interested in learning more about the Piedmont region? Read our story about preserving the region here.

Monticello.jpg – from https://www.virginia.org/listing/monticello-home-of-thomas-jefferson/253/  

Monticello was home to our third president, Thomas Jefferson.  

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