The Commonwealth of Virginia is home to mountains, beaches, farmlands and cities, making it rich with a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities for kids. Finding the best activities for kids in Virginia depends on what type of activities kids would like to do, what season it is, where the activities are located within Virginia and budget.
Seasons
Virginia has four distinct seasons; it may snow in the winter and summer temperatures may surpass 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, families should pack clothing and accessories accordingly if traveling to Virginia from elsewhere. Seasonal activities with kids may include snow-skiing at resorts such as Wintergreen Resort, Massanutten Resort or the Homestead, surfing at Virginia Beach, sailing in Deltaville, or camping the Shenandoah National Park.
Festivals and Special Events
Special festivals and events take place across Virginia and vary by seasons. Families with kids may want to take advantage of the many free summer music concerts or ticketed concerts, historical plantation tours, ski resort special packages and promotions, and spring garden tours. Festivals include the Richmond Folk Festival, Highland Maple Syrup Festival, XTerra National Championship, Dominion Riverrock, and Clinch Mountain Music Festival.
Geography
Virginia's geography includes mountains, flatlands, cities, lakes, rivers and beaches. Geography plays a large role in determining which outdoor activities are available in a particular region of Virginia. Activities with kids may include hiking and camping in the mountains of the Shenandoah National Forest. Kids may also enjoy body surfing and playing in the sand at Virginia Beach, splashing in the water at Lake Anna, Lake Gaston or Smith Mountain Lake, traveling down-river in a raft or inner tube through Richmond, or picnicking on a vineyard near Charlottesville. Virginia is also home to the Natural Bridge---one of the "Seven Natural Wonders of the World."
Theme Parks
Kids may enjoy spending a day or two at one of the three theme parks located in Virginia: Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Water Country USA, and Kings Dominion. Visitors may purchase a Discovery Ticket that can be used at either Busch Gardens Williamsburg or Water Country USA, which are both located near Williamsburg. Kings Dominion is located about halfway between Richmond and Fredericksburg off of Interstate 95. All theme parks feature roller coasters, carnival games and water rides.
History
As the former capital of the Confederacy, Richmond was a stronghold---and battleground---during the Civil War. Throughout the commonwealth, famed battlegrounds are marked by historical signs and included on driving tours. Route Five---a two-lane road alongside the river from Richmond to Williamsburg---is a popular destination for history lovers wishing to retrace the steps of Civil War soldiers, visit plantations, hunt for Civil War relics and view re-enactments. Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown are popular historic destinations for travelers from around the world.
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