A two-day road trip from Richmond, VA, to Niagara Falls, NY, offers opportunities to tour historical sites, peruse natural parks, and enjoy trendy eateries.
A trip from one of the nation’s oldest major cities to the geological wonder of Niagara Falls offers the opportunity to appreciate historic scenes and fabulous eats.
Breaking up the 500-mile trip into two days allows for stops at must-see locations—including Washington, DC; Gettysburg; Harrisburg; and Williamsport—before landing in Niagara Falls.
Whether you’re a history buff or a foodie, a nature lover or an urbanite, this road trip from Richmond,
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($$): Take a quick drive to Busboys and Poets, where you can enjoy delicious burgers, salads, sandwiches, and pizza in a dynamic restaurant famous for its "urban living room" vibes.
: Peruse the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park, a 163-acre zoo home to over 2,700 animals, that offers free admission. Be sure to stop by the Giant Panda exhibit, where you’ll see Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, and their new panda cub.
: Explore the National Mall, where you can experience America’s rich history by foot or bus as you maneuver around the Washington Monument, the U.S. Capitol Building, the Lincoln Memorial, the Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial, and more.
After another hour and a half in the car, take a pit stop in Gettysburg, PA, to explore the site of what is often considered the most important battle in the American Civil War.
($): Be sure to stop at Mrs. G’s Ice Cream for some delicious homemade ice cream. Located in the Historic Twin Sycamores House, Mrs. G’s Ice Cream boasts 16 flavors of ice cream and various sundaes, shakes, flurries, dairy-free slushies, and even "pup cups" for your canine friend!
($$): In the mood for a steak dinner? How about a hefty sandwich, or just Irish fare more generally? Hit up this pub and restaurant for anything and everything.
: Familiarize yourself at the Battle of Gettysburg at Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center before exploring the battlefield grounds. Take a self-guided tour so you can see the battlefield on your own timeline before hopping back in the car for the last leg of today’s trip.
: Staying in Gettysburg? Make a reservation at this refined hotel that features an exercise room and a bar and restaurant for easy eats. Cost per night: from $157
In under an hour, you’ll arrive at your final destination for the first day of your trip. The capital of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg features numerous historic gems, luxurious river cruises, a famous farmer’s market, relaxing parks, and trendy breweries.
($$): Both the foodie and the craft beer hobbyist will revel in the dining experience offered by Appalachian Brewing Company. Located in a previously abandoned 100-year-old building, this brewpub offers complimentary guided tours of the brewery and soda bottling facility. Expand your palate with a unique craft beer and ABC’s famous Boo Boo Burger, a BBQ pulled pork sandwich served with their signature coleslaw.
: For the history buff who wants to build on what they’ve just experienced in Gettysburg, a visit to the National Civil War Museum will round out their education. As you wander around the museum, you’ll encounter over 20,000 Civil War artifacts, including memorabilia, letters, manuscripts, and more.
: Take advantage of Harrisburg’s river views by exploring the Fort Hunter Mansion and Park. Situated on the Susquehanna River, this historic house, originally built in 1787, boasts elaborate interiors and a majestic 40-acre waterfront park.
: With river views and proximity to downtown Harrisburg, this is a no-fuss place to stay the night before hitting the road again. Cost per night: from $129
($$): Grab lunch at the Moon & Raven Public House. With an atmosphere reminiscent of Irish, English, and Scottish pubs, this restaurant serves food made with the finest ingredients, including those that are locally sourced and organic. Enjoy one of their famous burgers or a tasty tuna melt served on their signature pub pretzel.
: Baseball lovers should visit the Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum, which features interactive exhibits that tourists both young and old can enjoy—and in only 30 to 45 minutes.
The drive from Williamsport to Niagara Falls is the longest portion of your road trip. But with all the sightseeing, dining, and entertainment experiences available in this
($$): If you find yourself at Clifton Hills, be sure to check out Kelsey’s Restaurant, a casual roadhouse famous for its massive patio dining space and distinctive Canadian menu. Consider ordering their fresh chicken fingers, which are hand-breaded in-house and served with Ontario-grown chip truck fries.
: Numerous options for dining and recreation can be found at Clifton Hills. From roller coasters to whimsical rides, waterparks to ziplines, adventure golf to go-karts, arcade games to bowling, there is no end to the fun awaiting you in this entertainment wonderland.
: No trip to Niagara Falls is complete without visiting the waterfalls. Whether you experience the geological phenomenon by one of the legendary Maid of the Mist boat tours, through the caves, by helicopter, or from one of the many observation towers, you’ll have your breath taken away by the sights and sounds of these massive waterfalls situated on the US–Canada border.
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