If you are a history buff, a trip to Virginia will make you feel like a kid in a candy store. While many people flock to Monticello and Mount Vernon, there are plenty of exciting sites off the beaten path. Here are some of Virginia’s best historic attractions, as well as a top Virginia Inn that is conveniently located near these sites and guaranteed to put a little romance into your historic vacation.

The Holladay House is a perfect spot from which to enjoy the myriad of historic attractions. Located in the village of Orange, this Virginia inn is located in the town’s historic commercial district. The inn is named for the Holladay family who lived in the home for a century. During the Civil War, skirmishes took place just outside the front door. The home boasts many original architectural features, as well as a selection of antiques that once belonged to the Holladay family.

Guest rooms at this Virginia bed and breakfast include a variety of special features, from the double whirlpool tub and fireplace in the Ivy Suite to the tester bed and fireplace in the posh Blue Room. The innkeepers have placed many thoughtful amenities in the rooms, including robes, hair dryers, natural hypoallergenic bath products, DVD players and even wireless internet. In the mornings, the innkeepers prepare a scrumptious gourmet breakfast, and home-baked treats are often served during the day, as well as coffee and tea.

Orange offers plenty of historic opportunities. The downtown area is a designated national historic area and listed in the National Register. Buildings range in age from antebellum days to the 1940s, displaying a variety of architectural styles. During the Civil War, Confederate and Union soldiers skirmished around the area, as well as on Main Street. St. Thomas Episcopal Church also served as hospital for wounded Confederates.

Orange is a short drive from many historic sites, including Montpelier, the home of James Madison which is just four miles outside of town. Thomas Jefferson’s home Monticello is located in nearby Charlottesville, as well as James Monroe’s home Ash-Lawn Highland. The Battle of the Wilderness took place in Orange County and portions of the battlefield are preserved as part of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park.

Fredericksburg, which is less than an hour’s drive from Orange, has many interesting historic sites. In addition to the military park, the Kenmore Plantation and the United States National Slavery Museum hold important national significance. George Washington’s boyhood home, Ferry Farm, is another local historic site. Virginia’s multitude of historic sites is a must for history buffs, and don’t forget to book a stay at a Virginia inn.