Headed to Virginia for your next travel nursing assignment? Boasting incredible scenery spanning mountain views to seaside sights, a plethora of fascinating historic landmarks, and year-round outdoor recreation, Old Dominion is a fun and scenic destination for travel nurses. Learn more about the country’s oldest colony, including key information for visitors, in this Virginia travel guide!
Knowing what to expect can make a big difference for travel nurses headed to a new area. Here are essential things to know about traveling to Virginia, including weather patterns, transportation options, major regions, and more.
The weather in Virginia is often called a “Goldilocks Climate” with warm summers and moderate winters. The state’s location between multiple mountain ranges and the Atlantic coastline does lend itself to humidity, however, so this is a consideration for warmer months.
Don’t forget to pack clothes suited for the season and for any outdoor recreation you plan to engage in during your travel nurse assignment in Virginia. Being adequately prepared for the state’s climate will help ensure you’re comfortable during your stay, whether you’re kayaking in spring, hiking in the summer, or hitting the ski slopes in winter.
No matter how you plan to get around during your travel nursing assignment in Virginia, you’ll have no trouble accommodating your choice of transit. There are several transportation options throughout the state, including public transit, air travel, personal vehicle use, and more.
Virginia is typically divided into ten regions, all of which offer their own unique recreation, landscape, and vibe. Wherever your travel nursing assignment takes you, you’ll find interesting things to see and do in Virginia.
With four distinct seasons, there are unique, year-round experiences to be had in Virginia.
The summer months from June to August are when you’ll experience peak tourist season in Virginia. This brings increased demand for travel nurses as well. Seaside recreation—like visiting Virginia’s many beaches for boating, swimming, or fishing—is popular during summer months, which is also the time of year most visitors make their way to the Commonwealth.
Fall is nearly as popular, thanks to cooler temperatures, beautiful foliage, and a wealth of festivals and events, like the Alexandria Old Town Art Festival, which is hosted on the Potomac waterfront each September.
Others say spring is the best season to visit Virginia, especially April and May, during which the state boasts botanical wonders like the cherry blossoms in the Maymont Japanese Garden in Richmond and the brilliant native wildflowers on display at Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville.
While winter in Virginia may not be everyone’s cup of tea, there are still plenty of things to do. Local residents frequently head into the mountains to ski and attend seasonal events at Wintergreen Resort, while others pull on their winter gear to explore some of the state’s best winter hiking spots.
Whether you’re curious about day trip destinations or want to learn more about the location of your next travel nursing assignment, here’s what you should know about some of Virginia’s most popular cities.
A mid-sized city in the Southwest region of the Commonwealth, Roanoke is one of the best places to visit in Virginia, offering the amenities of city living with great views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Situated on the western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is a historic Virginia city known for its Colonial-era architecture and Civil War ties, boasting multiple Union forts and other landmarks.
From its deep roots in African-American history to its thriving art scene and position as home to multiple major United States cultural sites, Arlington is a scenic D.C. suburb and hot spot for tourism in Northern Virginia.
Whether it’s the city’s award-winning restaurants, phenomenal natural scenery, or exceptional arts and entertainment offerings, Richmond is a great place to visit when traveling to Virginia.
As a hot spot for fun in the sun, Virginia Beach has some of the state’s best sandy shores, seafood, and a variety of attractions and events the whole family can enjoy year-round.
Nestled along the bay of the same name, Chesapeake may be the second-largest city in Virginia, but its proximity to the waterfront gives residents access to the best of urban living without sacrificing natural amenities.
Wherever you find yourself during your trip to Virginia, Old Dominion is full of activities, events, and great cuisine to enjoy. Here are some highlights of the best things to do during your travel nursing assignment in Virginia!
One of the best places for outdoor recreation in Virginia, Shenandoah National Park has no shortage of ways to enjoy the Commonwealth’s natural beauty any time of year.
Visit the park in the fall to photograph the stunning autumnal scenery as the landscape changes color for the season. You can get a great 360-degree panoramic views of the forest any time of year with a hike up Old Rag Mountain. Visitors can also find incredible views of the night sky (since the park is far from city lights) during the annual Night Sky Festival, or any time from the comfort of your own campsite.
Spanning over 639 acres Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) is a historic national cemetery and the final resting place of over 400,000 U.S. service members near Arlington.
The cemetery is considered among the country’s most hallowed ground and home to multiple notable American landmarks. Visitors can pay their respects to figures like John F. Kennedy, whose grave is marked by the eternal flame, or witness the changing of the guard at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The Iwo Jima Memorial, otherwise known as The United States Marine Corps War Memorial, is also located at ANC, and honors the marines who gave their lives in World War II, as well as all Marines throughout the nation’s history.
As the state slogan goes, “Virginia Is for Lovers”—and that includes beach lovers! Whether you prefer to lay out and soak up the sun or are interested in getting out on the water for some watersports, there are plenty of beaches along the state’s coastline to enjoy.
Check out the farmers market, rent a paddleboat, or listen to live music at Buckroe Beach and Park in Hampton. Have a quiet, relaxing day on the sand and enjoy the tame waters at the family-friendly Cape Charles Beach in Cape Charles.
Explore local shops and seafood restaurants along the nearby pier, take a boat to go fishing, or attend exciting festivals at Colonial Beach. See wild horses, go for a ride on an over-sand vehicle (OSV), or camp on the shoreline on Assateague Island National Seashore near Chincoteague Island.
Although Virginia is well-known for its history, its modern culture is equally impressive. With an expansive arts scene in multiple cities across the state, art lovers visiting Virginia will find no shortage of galleries, theaters, and other venues to explore.
Explore approximately 70 galleries and pop-ups featuring mixed media art from local creators on the first Friday of every month during First Fridays in Richmond. See works of art in the form of enamel, paintings, and sculptures at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria. Burn the midnight oil while admiring local artwork during the recurring Roanoke Art by Night event in Roanoke.
Enjoy everything from opera to Beijing Acrobats and other exciting performing arts at the Center for the Arts at George Mason University in Fairfax. Or listen to moving orchestral arrangements and symphony performances of everything from classic works to modern arrangements by the Virginia Symphony, which performs at venues throughout the state.
There are events and festivals across the state all year in Old Dominion, spanning everything from music to food to the arts and beyond.
Attend one of the largest events in Virginia, featuring folk performances across six stages over the course of three days at the Richmond Folk Festival in Richmond. Taste some of the best fresh seafood in Virginia, sample craft beer and wine, and enjoy live concerts at the annual Urbanna Oyster Festival in Urbanna. Go on rides, listen to live music, and immerse yourself in Virginia culture during the annual State Fair of Virginia in Doswell.
Spend five days experiencing more than 100 films from around the world played on screen during one of the nation’s top regional film festivals, The Virginia Film Festival in Charlottesville. Or watch a brilliant display of fireworks in honor of the American Revolution at the recurring Grand Illumination event in Colonial Williamsburg.
Virginia is a foodie paradise, and it offers a wide range of cuisines and dining experiences. Savor an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet at popular Virginia Beach restaurant Captain George’s. Dine on farm-fresh offerings with dishes like Squash Onigiri, Watermelon Gazpacho, and delicious Ovoka Wagyu Short Rib at The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm in Lovettsville. Sample fine Aegean cuisine like “Manti” Dumplings and Vegetable “Turlu” at Turkish-fusion restaurant Smyrna in Charlottesville. Or eat your fill of hand-crafted pasta such as Potato Gnocchi with Crispy Pork Belly at the decadent Green Pig Bistro in Arlington.
The state is also home to 300+ wineries, more than 60 distilleries, and several breweries and cideries. Head just southeast of Charlottesville to try sample regionally famous Chardonnay, Viognier, and other wines at Blenheim Vineyards. Hit up Trivia Night every Monday and sample local brews like Hollow Earth Helles or the Hand Rolled Lager at The Answer Brewpub in Richmond. Or explore 19 great Virginia breweries featuring a vast array of flavors along the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail.
Interested in visiting Virginia as your next travel nursing destination? TRS Healthcare has travel jobs available in cities like Salem, Fredericksburg, Reston, Richmond, and more, so you have plenty of options to find your next travel assignment and see the state of Virginia.
View current travel nurse jobs in Virginia, or apply with TRS Healthcare now to start your next travel assignment!
