Virginia Shea Belle

Go on a multicultural adventure when you visit the Hermitage Museum and Gardens. This museum is housed in a 1908 Tudor style home on a twelve acre estate along the Lafayette River. Within its walls, you will discover an amazingly eclectic collection of Western and Asian art. Numerous cultures are represented, with some dating all the way back to 200 BC. Marvel at attractions and exhibits that features English and European paintings and ceramics as well as Chinese bronze statues, Persian rugs, French and Italian textiles, and ivory carvings, among many other stunning pieces.

The kids will go absolutely wild when you take them to visit the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. The Great Dismal has the impressive distinction of serving as the home of more mammals than any other local preserve. Among the more popular residents are the black bears and the endangered Dismal Swamp shrew. The refuge sprawls out 750 miles and includes Lake Drummond

Satisfy your need for an aquatic adventure when you visit Lake Drummond. Plan a picnic on the shore or wade in for a swim or some fishing during the warmer months of the year. You can also enjoy such activities as hiking, biking, and hunting. Plus, you can enjoy a scenic walk along the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail which stretches for a mile along the edge of Dismal Swamp. This scenic body of water is the perfect backdrop for a great afternoon outdoors just relaxing or enjoying a great day out with the family.

You can almost feel the historical heaviness when you visit Fort Norfolk, which was the last surviving fort from the Revolutionary War. This site was also highly significant during the Civil War because it changed hands twice and supplied Confederate ammunition during the Merrimac-Monitor battle. Make sure to bring a camera as you enjoy a self-guided tour that is complemented by a comprehensive set of information that will educate you about this highly historic and significant site.