What separates Virginia from every other family vacation is the fact you will never hear the words “I’m bored” slip out of your children’s mouth. Never. Not Once. Which is partly because it’s impossible to talk when your jaw is on the floor. That’s a promise too, and not just one we make, but one guaranteed by this amazing state.
Beautiful beach, unspoiled wilderness, belly-tickling mountains, age-old towns and everything you need for the magic of spontaneity to explode across the sky like a 4th July fireworks display. In fact, the only hurdle you’ll have to overcome is the choice. It’s like trying to pick from a menu full of all your favourite puddings – not easy.
Luckily, we’ve pulled together a list of things that your family will fall head-over-heels in love with and make you want to book another trip to Virginia before the year is out. Enjoy.
1. Throw A Dart At The State Parks
If you and your family are obsessed with having outdoor adventures, then you’re going to love Virginia, which has 37 state parks stretching from the shores of the Atlantic to the Grayson Highlands in the Appalachian Mountains. If you really want to get your little one’s big hearts excited, though, we recommend you head to one of the 15 parks that have fully-furnished cabins you can call home. There’s no better way to explore the lakes, rivers, forests and beaches than living on their doorstep for a few nights.
2. Don’t Leave Out Lynchburg
If you’re looking for a child-friendly town, then look no further than Lynchburg. In fact, you should book into somewhere local, like the Fairfield Inn & Suites Lynchburg Liberty University, because there are a lot of “wows”, “oooh's” and “aaahhhhs” to be squeezed out of this place. There is Amazement Square, which is an award-winning children’s museum in Downtown Lynchburg. There are the fun and exciting escape rooms that you can try and bust out of as a family, the imagination station, Tiny Town Golf, Riverside Park and so much more.
3. See Western Europe From Williamsburg
Why fork out thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars on a trip to Europe when you can visit France, England, Germany and Italy at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg. You can soak up the traditions, feel the thrill of a dozen rollercoasters, indulge in the different delicacies, let your feet tap to the music, waltz down the cobbled streets and, of course, shop until you drop. Basically, your kids will love this place. We know this because there is more than just something for everyone.
4. Secrets On The Eastern Shore
On the other end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, all twenty-three miles of it, lies one of Virginia’s best-kept secrets: Eastern Shore. Let your tiny tots splash about in the calm waters and teeny waves, charter a boat from Wachapreague, drive across to Assateague Island, enjoy beach life with the wonderfully wild Chincoteague ponies and indulge in the yummiest, scrummiest seafood you’ve ever come across. It’s amazing.