12 Historic Battlefields in Virginia to Learn American History

Old Dominion’s Battle Sites

Virginia has seen more fighting than any other state in America. It was home to the Confederate capital in Richmond, had important railroad junctions, and stood between the Union and Washington D.C., making it the natural place for major battles in American history.

The state is dotted with some of the most historic spots in the country, and here are some of our favorites.

1. Manassas National Battlefield Park

This is where not just one but two major Civil War battles happened. The first battle at Manassas (also called Bull Run) was the first big land battle of the Civil War in July 1861. The South’s victory here shocked the North and showed everyone this wouldn’t be a quick war. The armies fought here again in August 1862, and the South won again.

You can walk the paths around Henry Hill and see the historic Stone House that was used as a field hospital during both battles. The visitor center has cool electronic battle maps and a 45-minute film called “Manassas: End of Innocence” that’s worth watching. 

• Fees: Free admission 
• Address: 12521 Lee Highway, Manassas, VA 20109 
• Hours: Daily 8:30am-5:00pm, grounds sunrise to sunset. Closed Thanksgiving and December 25. 

2. Fredericksburg Battlefield

The South had one of its biggest wins at Fredericksburg in December 1862. Union soldiers had to charge uphill toward Confederate soldiers who were protected behind a stone wall along what’s called the Sunken Road.

When you visit, take the 1.3-km Sunken Road Trail to see the advantages the Confederates had. You can also check out Lee’s Hill, Prospect Hill, and Chatham Manor, which has displays about slavery and freedom.

• Address: 1013 Lafayette Boulevard, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 
• Hours: Visitor Center open daily 9am-5pm, grounds open sunrise to sunset 
• Fees: Free admission 
• Rules: Dogs allowed on grounds but not in buildings or cemetery

3. Chancellorsville Battlefield

Many people think Chancellorsville was Robert E. Lee’s best victory. His Confederate army beat a Union army twice its size in May 1863. The battle is known for Stonewall Jackson’s bold 12-mile march around the Union army and his accidental shooting by his own troops, which led to his death.

Today you can visit key spots like where Jackson was wounded, the ruins of Chancellor House, and Hazel Grove. The visitor center has helpful displays with maps, dioramas, and actual Civil War items.

• Address: 9001 Plank Road, Spotsylvania, VA 22553 
• Hours: Visitor Center open 9am-5pm daily, grounds open sunrise to sunset 
• Fees: Free admission 
• Rules: Stay on the marked trails; no metal detecting

4. Petersburg National Battlefield

Petersburg saw the war’s longest campaign – a 9½-month siege that eventually led to Richmond falling and the Confederacy’s defeat. General Grant kept wearing down Lee’s army until they had to retreat.

You can drive a 33-mile route that connects different battle sites. Don’t miss the Crater battlefield, where Union troops blew up explosives under Confederate lines, and Fort Stedman, where Lee made his last attack.

• Address: 5001 Siege Road, Petersburg, VA 23803 
• Hours: Daily 9am-5pm, grounds open sunrise to sunset 
• Fees: $20 per vehicle (7-day pass); free on National Park fee-free days
• Rules: No relic hunting or climbing on earthworks  

5. Cold Harbor Battlefield

Cold Harbor was one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War and Robert E. Lee’s last major victory in June 1864. Union forces lost 7,000 men in less than an hour attacking Confederate troops who were dug in behind earth walls.

You can walk a one-mile loop trail from the Visitor Center to see trenches and earthworks that are still in great shape. The displays cover both the 1862 Battle of Gaines’ Mill and the 1864 Battle of Cold Harbor that happened on the same ground.

• Address: 5515 Anderson-Wright Drive, Mechanicsville, VA 23111 
• Hours: Daily 9am-4:30pm 
• Fees: Free (part of Richmond National Battlefield Park) 
• Rules: No metal detecting; don’t walk on earthworks

6. Wilderness Battlefield

The Wilderness was the first time Generals Grant and Lee fought each other in May 1864. The battle was brutal, with fighting in thick forests where fires trapped and killed wounded soldiers. This battle marked a change because Grant, unlike earlier Union generals, didn’t retreat after the battle but kept moving toward Richmond.

Start at the Wilderness Battlefield Exhibit Shelter to get your bearings before exploring Saunders Field and the place where Confederate General James Longstreet was accidentally shot by his own men.

• Address: Route 20 and Route 3 intersection, Locust Grove, VA 
• Hours: Exhibit shelter open weekends in season; grounds open sunrise to sunset 
• Fees: Free admission 
• Rules: Trails can get muddy; wear good shoes

7. Spotsylvania Court House Battlefield

Spotsylvania saw some of the war’s most intense hand-to-hand fighting in May 1864. At the spot now known as the “Bloody Angle,” men fought non-stop for 20 hours.

Take a ranger-led tour at the Bloody Angle to understand how the war was changing in 1864. Also check out Upton’s Attack trail and the Confederate defenses at Heth’s Salient. You can still see earthworks zigzagging through the forests and fields.

• Address: 9550 West Grant Drive, Spotsylvania, VA 22553 
• Hours: Grounds open sunrise to sunset; exhibit shelter staffed weekends 9am-5pm 
• Fees: Free admission 
• Rules: Stay on marked trails; no climbing on earthworks

8. New Market Battlefield State Historical Park

New Market Battlefield is where one of the South’s last victories in the Shenandoah Valley happened on May 15, 1864. The battle is famous because 257 cadets (students) from Virginia Military Institute helped the Confederate army win.

The park covers 300 acres and includes the historic Bushong Farm, where heavy fighting took place, and the Virginia Museum of the Civil War. The museum has great displays about the battle and the young VMI cadets.

• Address: 57 George Collins Parkway, New Market, VA 22844 
• Hours: Daily 9am-5pm (March-November), 10am-4pm (December-February) 
• Fees: Adults $10, Seniors $9, Children $7 
• Rules: You can take guided tours or use a smartphone app for self-guided tours

9. Appomattox Court House National Historical Park

On April 9, 1865, Generals Grant and Lee met in this small village to discuss surrender terms, marking the end of the Civil War. The main attraction is the rebuilt McLean House where the surrender was signed.

You can join guided walking tours of the village and see displays that tell the story of the war’s end and how the country began to come back together.

• Address: 111 National Park Drive, Appomattox, VA 24522 
• Hours: Daily 9am-5pm, closed major holidays 
• Fees: $10 per person, free for children under 16 
• Rules: You need a guide to enter the historical buildings

10. Yorktown Battlefield

Yorktown was the site of the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War. This is where Cornwallis and the British army surrendered to General Washington’s forces in 1781, basically securing American independence.

The battlefield includes siege lines, the Moore House where surrender terms were written, and rebuilt earthworks. Start your visit at the National Park Visitor Center to watch the film “Siege at Yorktown” and see an impressive collection of Revolutionary War items.

• Address: 1000 Colonial Parkway, Yorktown, VA 23690 
• Hours: Daily 9am-5pm, closed major holidays 
• Fees: $15 per adult (valid for 7 days), free for those under 16 
• Rules: Guided tours available spring through fall

11. Staunton River Battlefield State Park

At this 300-acre Civil War site, 700 Confederate old men and young boys somehow held off 5,000 Union cavalry soldiers who were trying to destroy an important bridge that Lee’s army needed while they were under siege in Petersburg.

You can see the Confederate earthworks and walk the historic bridge trail. There are two visitor centers with displays on Civil War history and archaeological finds. The park has a 1.2-mile self-guided battlefield trail and a 0.75-mile nature trail with wildlife viewing towers.

• Address: 1035 Fort Hill Trail, Randolph, VA 23962 
• Hours: Park open daily 8am-dusk, Clover Visitor Center open Saturday-Sunday 10am-4pm 
• Fees: Free 
• Rules: No metal detecting; dogs must be on leash

12. Richmond National Battlefield Park

Richmond was the Confederate capital and the main target for Union forces throughout the Civil War. The city’s defenses were tested in major campaigns during 1862 and 1864.

The park covers 13 different sites spread over 80 miles, including the battles of Gaines’ Mill, Malvern Hill, and Cold Harbor. Begin at the main Tredegar Iron Works Visitor Center, which was the South’s main cannon factory. The center has displays showing perspectives from Union supporters, Confederates, and enslaved people.

• Address: 470 Tredegar Street, Richmond, VA 23219 
• Hours: Tredegar Visitor Center open Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm, battlefields open sunrise to sunset 
• Fees: Free 
• Rules: Battlefield driving tour maps available at visitor center