Road Trip with a 15Mo- Vacation to Virginia: Advice on BOTH Situations

Are you specifically aiming for Richmond? Because as your hubby probably already knows, Richmond is LOADED with historical sites and museums, and there are at least a dozen 'do it yourself' tours which would be easy with the baby. Then of course there's all the battlefields around, as well as Jamestown and Yorktown and all that not too far from Richmond. Send me a message if you'd like some specific places of interest, I can tell you what worked for us with the kiddos. There's also Hollywood Cemetary, which sounds morbid, but we have a bunch of presidents buried there are the view of the river from there is GORGEOUS. try www.VisitRichmondVA.com and http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/58470/the_top_hi... ...Best wishes! Hope you guys have a great time :)

Two things that helped with my daughter at that age: We found a kid's travel lap desk. It had a place for crayons, a cup for things and a lip around the edge to keep little toys from falling on the floor. Also we borrowed some electronic learning toys from friends. She had not seen them before so they really kept her entertained. Good luck!

Here are some road trip tips.
http://www.bigbluetrunk.com/ourcorner/689

You're crazy! LOL, just kidding. We've done road trips with our little ones too.
First question, I don't know the area so I don't have any suggestions where to go but my husband and I are with your husband on wanting to see historical areas instead of a beach. I hope you guys have a wonderful time. I would love to go there.
Second question- I would take books, his favorite toys and I would buy him a new toy that he's never seen before. That would keep him entertained for a while, trying to figure it out. And of course keep the box it came in, that's another thing kids love to play with, boxes :)
Enjoy your trip!

Not north of Richmond?
Too bad you couldn't go as far as Natural Bridge, Va. (Sort of west of Richmond and maybe slightly north). We like going there for a few days during spring break to visit Virginia Safari Park and they have another nice zoo there, too (and caverns, Natural Bridge itself, and VMI). The country side is just beautiful out there!

But for Civil War (and just south of Richmond), you must see Pamplin Historical Park. The museum is fantastic and the tour of the grounds was a great field trip when my son was in 5th grade.
http://www.pamplinpark.org/index.html

As for traveling with a 1 yr old, drive while he's sleeping, but when he's awake take a break every few hours to stretch your legs, use a bathroom (change a diaper), maybe grab a snack (fast food places usually have cleaner bathrooms than service stations), etc. At that age, my son would get car sick so we needed Dramamine and that would make him sleepy.

I know there is an Iron Works museum in Richmond. Also the Southern White house is down there. Richmond has a lot to offer. THere is also a children's museum with hand's on activities and hide and seek kinds if play areas.
I think what your doing is great. I love History trips. We stayed in DeSmet SD in a little wood cabin and toured the Laura Ingall's homestead. That was way cool too. My kids got to drive the horses.