Visitor Information

The Virginia Tourism Corporation, 901 E. Byrd St. (P.O. Box 798), Richmond, VA 23219 (tel. 800/847-4882 or 804/786-2051; fax 804/786-1919; www.virginia.org), is the best source for information about the state. It publishes or distributes a host of information, including a statewide travel planner; official state highway maps (including a very useful "scenic byways" map showing the state's many beautiful routes); lists of all hotels and motels and those that accept pets; a list of country inns and bed-and-breakfasts; an outdoor guide to the state; a golf directory; a biking guide; a state park directory; a list of Virginia wineries and wine festivals; and a guide for travelers with disabilities. Most can be ordered on its website.

If you're driving into Virginia, you can stop at roadside Welcome Centers in Bracey, on I-85 near the North Carolina border; Bristol, on I-81 near the Tennessee border; Clear Brook, on I-81 near the West Virginia border; Covington, on I-64 near the West Virginia border; New Church, on U.S. 13 south of the Maryland border; Fredericksburg, on I-95 southbound between U.S. 17 and Va. 3; Lambsburg, on I-77; Manassas, on I-66; Rocky Gap, on I-77 near the North Carolina state line; and Skippers, on I-95 north of the North Carolina border. The centers are open daily from 8:30am to 5pm (to 7pm during summer).

Canadians can get information in Toronto from Discover the World Marketing (tel. 800/648-7014 or 905/891-0093; toronto@discovertheworld.com); and in Montreal from Communications Touristiques Internationales (tel. 800/671-4195 or 450/967-2681; cti.virginia@qc.aira.com).

Dialing for Info -- You can dial tel. 511 on your cellphone from most places in Virginia and receive up-to-date tourist information.

Destination Virginia -- Red Alert Checklist

Did you make sure your favorite attraction is open? Many Virginia attractions are closed on Monday, for example, so call ahead for opening and closing hours.

If you purchased traveler's checks, have you recorded the check numbers and stored the documentation separately from the checks?

Do you have a safe, accessible place to store money?

Do you have your credit and debit card PIN numbers? Is there a daily withdrawal limit on credit card cash advances or from an ATM?

To check in at an airport kiosk with an e-ticket, do you have the credit card you bought your ticket with or a frequent-flier card?

Did you bring your ID cards that could entitle you to discounts such as AAA and AARP cards, or student IDs?

If you are going to visit attractions on military installations such as the Norfolk Naval Station, do you have picture IDs for you and everyone in your group 16 years old and above?

Did you bring emergency drug prescriptions and extra glasses and/or contact lenses?

If you have an e-ticket, do you have documentation?