Loaded with opportunities to see and experience American history, this route is perfect for history lovers. It's really hard to take it all in so you may want to plan to spend a week's vacation here. Running along the James River, the route takes you through spectacular scenery comprised of green lush valleys, thick forests and huge trees. Along the way you'll travel by both James and York Rivers. This road trip is most beautiful in the fall when the leaves start changing colors.

There are a lot of small towns along this way until you get to Jamestown area where the crowds dramatically increase. The roads along this route are nicely kept up and can have some nice turns to them. However, they can be crowded at times, depending on the level of activity at some of the tourist attractions.

Former capital of the Confederacy and present-day capital of Virginia, Richmond is loaded with history. The city offers a mix of old and new buildings as well as numerous off-bike amenities to take advantage of.

Make sure you visit the following museums in Richmond: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of the Confederacy, and the Edger Allan Poe Museum.

This route abounds with plantations. Visit James
River Plantation to find out more.

The Shirley Plantation Road, which includes portions that are partially paved and partially dirt, will lead you to the Shirley Plantation. This plantation dates back to 1607.

On this road trip you can visit Berkeley, President William Henry Harrison's birthplace. Further down the road is Westover - a classic Georgian-style house built by Colonel William Byrd II. The grounds and garden are open year round, as for the house, it's only open in April during the so called Garden Week ((804) 829-2882).

Home of the son of the man who fired the first shot in the civil war,
Evelynton is a historic plantation and the site where some civil war battles took place. Over the course of the war, Union soldiers, burned the original home down to the ground. A Georgian Revival mansion was built in its place. The
Sherwood Forest plantation was John Tyler's home. He was the first vice president to become president. The homes grounds cover 25 acres.

The Jamestown Island offers great tourist activities. A major historical and tourism center is located here. A major tourist center in the area is the city of Williamsburg. You really should visit Colonial Williamsburg where you'll get to walk the streets of an 18th century capital of Virginia. Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living museum in the US. It is also home of one of the nationally renowned Busch Gardens.

The last town you'll be visiting on this road trip is Yorktown.
This was the site where George Washington forced the surrender of a major British Army and guaranteed America's victory. You will find many historical attractions in this area.