Hi all! Looking for advice on restaurants, lodging and oddities/Americana in the great state of Virginia!

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. The more offbeat and unique the better.

BACKGROUND
As a 70th birthday present, I'm taking my Dad on a week long trip to indulge his passion in Civil War military history. While we'll be doing some touring in PA/MD/DC, most of our time will be spent in Virginia. We already have planned stops in Fairfax, Occoquan/Lorton, Quantico, Fredericksburg, Colonial Heights, Williamsburg, Charlottesville, Cedar Creek and New Market.

We have no qualms about making a run out to the Eastern Shore or the top of North Carolina for a legendary food joint known for its burgers or BBQ or crab cakes or ????

MY TASK
Dad's identifying specific battlefields and museums he'd like to tour. I'm responsible for selecting where to stay, eat and see non-military sites.

FOOD
Looking for the "best of the best" in road side stands and diners. Who's got an incredible burger? Milkshake? Hot dog? Crab cake? Pulled pork sandwich? (You get the gist! lol) The more legit and tastier, the better! -- Dad isn't impressed with five-star restaurants since he lived on the road when he was a business executive... his soft spot is for greasy spoons with INCREDIBLE food.

LODGING
Looking for B&Bs, motels and historic inns. Locations with interesting histories are of particular interest!

ODDITIES/AMERICANA
We'd also like to sprinkle the trip with sites of Americana/oddities. The world's largest baseball. Fun or creepy museums. A special outdoor fair or event.

If you've ever been to Virginia, your thoughts on where to stay/eat/tour would be DEEPLY appreciated!

Thanks so much, in advance, for sharing your thoughts on making this trip of a lifetime special

 

Udvar Hazy Air and Space museum... Space Shuttle. SR-71 etc, close to Manassas Battlefield too.

 

Thanks for the info, VR4Henry!

 

Looking for recos on the BEST roadside food and quirky B&Bs/motels/inns near the following towns:

Annapolis Junction, MD
Rockville, MD
Fairfax, VA
Quantico, VA
Triangle, VA
Fredericksburg, VA
Montross, VA
Williamsburg, VA
Charles City, VA
Colonial Heights, VA
Natural Bridge, VA
Charlottesville, VA
Lexington, VA
Cedar Creek, VA
Brandy Station, VA
New Market, VA
Front Royal, VA
Luray, VA
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Appreciate the advice!

 

Luray -- Reptile Petting Zoo (crazy **** like Lions and 30ft snakes)

Will add more things if I can think!

 

killer! keep 'em coming, vr4henry. much obliged

 

If you like beer... there's a small brewery outside of Charlottesville called Star Hill. Great tours, and when we went there back when I was in college they'd just let you 'freely enjoy' yourself on all their beers. Always had a great time. I think the town is called Crozet. Also a pizza place in town people talk a lot about.

 

Might be just the ticket. Thanks!