Virginia may be for lovers, but it's also for children too. If you and your family enjoy healthy and active travel, consider a trip to Virginia, a state known for its dramatic Shenandoah Valley and scenic coastline. If your kids love the outdoors or learning about history, a trip to Virginia will be something they won't forget.
Aquarium
Located in Virginia Beach, the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center features 700,000 gallons of water, home to sea creatures big and small. You and your family can get close and personal with sharks, stingrays and sea turtles while walking from exhibit to exhibit. The Aquarium also offers an outdoor aviary and a short nature trail where you can explore the Virginia marshland.
Skiing
What do you do if it's the middle of summer but your kids want to go skiing or snowboarding? They can ski in July if you visit Lynchburg's Snowflex Center. Featuring synthetic snow year round, the Snowflex Center is run by Liberty University, using Snowflex technology to emulate the look and feel of real snow. If you don't have your own ski gear, you can rent it at the Snowflex Center.
Hiking
If your kids are into hiking, take them to the picturesque Shenandoah National Park. For smaller kids, consider the easy 1-mile Blackrock Summit trail that offers views of the valley and rock outcroppings to climb out onto. For something a little more challenging, the 2.4-mile Compton Peak trail offers panoramic view along with some steep and rocky hiking.
Horses
For kids who love horses, visit Chincoteague Island. This swampy island is home to wild ponies. Spend a night camping out on Chincoteague Island, where you can watch the crashing waves and even fish from the beach. In July, the annual Chincoteague Annual Pony Swim is held, in which the ponies are shepherded from Assteague Island in Maryland to Chincoteague.
Museum
Richmond's Science Museum of Virginia is a way for your kids to both play and learn at the same time. The museum features permanent and rotating exhibits that explore everything from biology to chemistry. Highlights include riding Segways to seeing an IMAX film in a five-story theater.
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