Monticello, Home of Thomas Jefferson - Special tours
including Behind-the-Scenes, Gardens & Grounds. Cafe
& The Shop at Monticello. www.monticello.org (434) 984-9800.

Mystery Hill - Family fun center! Feel the strange pull. See water flow uphill. Hall of Mystery. 40 challenges. Heritage & Artifact Museums. Open all year. Hwy 221/321 North Blowing Rock. www.mysteryhill-nc.com. info@mysteryhill-nc.com. (828) 263-0507.

National D-Day Memorial - The Nation's monument to D-Day. Admission includes guided tour. www.dday.org (540) 587-3619.

Natural Bridge Zoological Park - Discover the largest & most complete collection of birds & animals in the state of Virginia. Ride on an elephant, stand next to a giraffe, see a huge white tiger, hug baby llamas & donkeys. Enjoy monkeys, gibbons, & mandrill baboons.  See Himalayan bears, pink flamingos, colorful macaws, huge alligators. Feed, pet, & photograph tame animals in Virginia’s largest petting area. Safari gift shop, free picnic areas. Off I-81 between exits 175 & 180. 15 minutes off Parkway. Daily 9-6pm. www.naturalbridgezoo.com. (540) 291-2420.

The North Carolina Arboretum - Entrance at MP 393. Renowned gardens, hiking & biking trails and engaging exhibitions. www.ncarboretum.org (828) 665-2492.

Ober Gatlinburg - Ride the 120 passenger Aerial Tramway to indoor ice skating, Alpine Slide, scenic chairlift, Wildlife Encounter, Ski Mountain Coaster, winter skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, dining, shopping & more! www.obergatlinburg.com (865) 436-5423.

Oconaluftee Indian Village - Poses the question, “Is it actually Cherokee history if it’s still happening?” Today you can transport back to an 18th century village full of authentic stickball demonstrations, dance, staged war reenactments—you name it. If it happened then, it’s happening now. Season opens May 1st, and tickets and times are available at www.CherokeeLivingHistory.com or (866) 554-4557.

PARI - Former NASA facility now active center for research and STEM education, open Sat-Sun. Campus tours, scenic views, hiking trails, space flight artifacts, meteorites, minerals. www.pari.edu (828) 862-5554.

Pisgah Forest Gem Mine - 507 N Main St. Hendersonville, 3338 Asheville Hwy, Pisgah Forest. Open all year, indoor/outdoor mining, unique rock/retail shop, waterfalls. www.pfgems.com (828) 367-8330.

Rafting in the Smokies - 813 E Parkway. www.raftinginthesmokies.com 800-PRO-RAFT.

Explore Park - Adventure begins at the Explore Park Visitor Center at Milepost 115. Check out the museum and artisan gift shop before exploring recreation options including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, paddle sports, disc golf and special events. www.ExplorePark.org (540) 427-1800.

Shenandoah Caverns - Underground world of wonders
and Virginia's only cavern with elevator service! Open all
year. www.shenandoahcaverns.com (540) 477-3115.

Shenandoah Valley Cultural Heritage Museum-Edinburg Mill - 214 S Main St, Edinburg VA. Gift shop, Mon.-Sat. 9:30-5:30, Sun. noon-5. www.edinburgmill.com (540) 984-8400.

Skyline Caverns - US 340, 1 mi. S of Front Royal. Open all year.
Miniature train, gift shop with snacks, Enchanted Dragon Mirror
Maze, rock shop. Guided tour is impressive & educational. Unusual
Anthodite formations. www.skylinecaverns.com (800) 296-4545.

The Crooked Road - Virginia's Heritage Music Trail. Visit the place where America's Music was born...and lives on. www.thecrookedroad.org  (276) 492-2409.

Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest - Experience Thomas Jefferson. Discover his personal retreat. Step into his private world. Through guided house tours visitors will be welcomed March 15 - December 30, 7 days a week from 10-4 to rediscover Thomas Jefferson. Located near Lynchburg, VA. www.poplarforest.org. Call (434) 534-8120.

Tuckaleechee Caverns - 25 miles west of Gatlinburg on US Hwy 321 & Tenn. Hwy 73. One of the greatest natural attractions of the Great Smokies. Open (March 15-Nov. 15) 9am-5pm (March & Nov. 10am-5pm). Rated a Diamond attraction by AAA. (865) 448-2274.

Tweetsie Railroad – As the Carolina’s first theme park, Tweetsie Railroad is a unique attraction where guests can relive the Wild West featuring a ride through the Blue Ridge Mountains on a historic steam locomotive. Children of all ages enjoy western themed shows, amusement rides, shopping, panning for gold, and the animals in the Deer Park Zoo. Hours vary by Season, visit www.tweetsie for current schedule. Open 9am–6pm Fri.–Sun., early April through May. Open seven days a week from Memorial Day through late August. Fri.–Sun. late Aug. through Oct. Select Fri. & Sat. evenings, Sept.–Dec. 877-TWEETSIE (877-893-3874)

Virginia Museum of the Civil War & New Market
Battlefield State Historical Park - Exhibit on entire Civil
War in VA, Battle of New Market exhibit. Museum shop, picnic area,
overlooks, walking trail. www.vmi.edu/newmarket (866) 515-1864.

Virginia Safari Park - Virginia's only 180-acre drive-thru zoo! Drive 3 miles of road where animals of all sizes, shapes and colors approach your vehicle in search of a tasty bucket of feed. See deer, camels, bison, zebras, elk, giraffe, and many more! 4 mi. North of Natural Bridge on Rt. 11 Left @ NB KOA. Open March-Nov. www.VirginiaSafariPark.com (540) 291-3205.