5 Virginia Tours That Repay the Ticket

1.RVATukTuk Sightseeing Tour of Richmond

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 798 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) Our pick

Ride through Richmond in a private six-seat tuk-tuk with a local driver-guide. You’ll stop at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Hollywood Cemetery, and the State Capitol, while passing Monument Avenue, St. John’s Church, Carytown, Scott’s Addition, and Shockoe Slip. Guides such as Annie, Bobby, Anne, and Harry bring different personalities to this 90-minute city overview.

“We had a great tour gui;de "Bobby". It was a fun tour that took us through all the interesting spots in Richmond.A great way to see the city.”

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2.Chincoteague’s Up The Bay Pony and Wildlife Tour by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 662 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $75

Join Captain Mike of Up the Bay Pony Tours for a two-hour boat trip around Chincoteague and Assateague Islands. With no more than six people aboard, you can search for wild ponies, dolphins, bald eagles, pelicans, and other wildlife while hearing local stories from a captain who has sailed these waters for more than 40 years.

“Captain Mike is awesome, enthusiastic about the Ponies and so knowledgeable about them. He knows the names and history of each of them!! Great upbeat personality as well. This is our 2nd time with him and there will be more!!”

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3.Virginia Private Custom Wine Tour from Charlottesville

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 613 reviews · 5 hours (approx.)

Set out from a Charlottesville accommodation at 11 a.m. with a private Blue Ridge Wine Excursions guide and driver. Over about five hours, visit three to four Virginia wineries, choose tasting rooms with help from your guide, and fit in a picnic or refreshment stop. Guides may include Bill, Gillie, Dan, or Andrew.

“Andrew was amazing. The amount of knowledge he had in regards to Charlottesville as a whole helped a ton. His knowledge on the vineyards was an added bonus that I didn’t know I needed.”

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4.Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 462 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $68Best value

Launch from First Landing State Park with Chesapean Outdoors for a two-hour sunset paddle along the Chesapeake Bay. Guides such as Matt, Tommy, Sawyer, and Alex lead small groups toward dolphin pods, seabirds, Cape Henry Lighthouses, and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Sit-on-top kayaks and basic instruction make this suitable for beginners.

“This kayak tour was such a great experience! We did not see any dolphins because the guides felt the area where the dolphins usually are was unsafe that day due to the winds/currents, so we kayaked through some rivers instead. However, we still had an awesome time and felt as though the cost was worth it. We saw some bald eagles too! Our guide Jay was very knowledgeable about the area, including the plant and animal life, which he told us all about. On top of that, he was friendly and made sure we had a fun and safe kayaking experience. I would love to book again in the hopes…”

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5.City Cruises Norfolk: Lunch, Brunch, or Dinner Buffet Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 359 reviews · 2 hours - 150 minutes · from $68

Spend two to two and a half hours aboard the renovated Spirit of Norfolk on the Elizabeth River. Choose brunch, lunch, or dinner, then enjoy a buffet, table service, music, and outdoor deck views of Norfolk’s skyline and Atlantic Fleet. Arrive 30 minutes early and dress in polished casual clothing.

“Food was delicious. Atmosphere was great. Staff was phenomenal. Great experience!!!”

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