We love exploring Virginia, but have not yet had the chance to see the Western section of the state, so here we’ll focus on destinations in the East, including those within the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, Northern and Central Virginia, and the Coast.
Shenandoah Valley
Shenandoah National Park is one of the most beautiful destinations in Virginia, and is broken into three sections, each with it’s own entrance – the Northern District with the Front Royal entrance; the Central District with the Thornton Gap (northern side) or Swift Run Gap (southern side) entrances; and the Southern District with the Rockfish Gap entrance. See our post on recommended hikes for parents with young children for more detail about how to enjoy each section.
Luray Caverns is near the northern end of the park, which is a popular and fun family destination to explore. Front Royal is the town that has grown up around the northern entrance of the park, and is a fun place to stay – Dinosaur Land is a strange, fun little spot to visit in Front Royal if you have the time.
Natural Bridge State Park is another natural wonder that is great to explore with young kids. It includes about a mile long trail that goes under the natural bridge, and leads to some other, smaller points of interest including a small waterfall, a saltpeter cave and a lost river. There is also a zoo and caverns to explore in the area of Natural Bridge.
Northern Virginia
Great Falls NP: The first time we visited Great Falls, it was gratifying to hear our children catch their breath at the first view of the falls, when they had initially been less than excited about visiting. They really are majestic, and all the outcropping of rocks make it look and sound quite dramatic and different. Some people do go white water rafting there, and it looks frankly terrifying. While the viewing area for the falls can be crowded, there are also a number of beautiful trails which are less crowded.
Not far from Great Falls is a lesser known but lovely park called Scott’s Run Nature Preserve, where you can take a fun and family-friendly hike out to another beautiful, albeit smaller, waterfall. The hike is fairly short and easy and cylindrical stands create whimsical bridges across the river in a couple of places. Crowds are typically lower during the week though weekends in the summer it can get crowded and parking can be an issue. There is no cost to enter the park.
There is a lot to see at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, between the Museum, the home, the farm (where you can find lambs in the springtime), the many outbuildings (the smokehouse, bathroom, stable, storage houses, etc.), and the somber place where our first president is buried. Looking at the view from the back porch, overlooking the Potomac River, one can certainly understand why he chose to live there – a gorgeous view and that pleasant, mild Virginia weather. The house itself contains many artifacts of what life was like, as well as the style, and even the character of George Washington. Older children will especially enjoy this attraction.
Meadowlark Botanical Garden: This lesser known attraction is a beautiful place of wide sloping hills, a meandering stream, and a wide variety of neatly labeled plant and tress, as well as quite a lot of turtles and fish to be seen from a little bridge and gazebo. A trail through the woods is especially quiet (just the way we like it) except for the crunching of your feet on the leafy path. It is especially picturesque in the spring when the cherry trees are blooming.
If you’re near the DC border, visit Alexandria, VA for it’s lovely waterfront and charming Old Town area, and the Arlington National Cemetery if you’re children are old enough to appreciate it and be respectful.
Central VA
The city of Richmond is always a fun place to visit (and happens to be the home of my alma mater). One of my favorite places there is Maymont, which once belong to a wealthy couple who left their home to the city. You can visit their mansion for a glimpse of what life was like for the very rich during the Gilded Age. The 100 acre property is a lovely place for a walk, and includes Japanese gardens, a carriage collection, a petting zoo, a nature center and an arboretum.
Carytown in Richmond is also worth a visit, and is a unique and interesting place to shop where you’ll find quirky, one-of-a-kind boutiques and cafes, and few chain stores of any kind. It’s also known for its historic movie house, the Byrd theater, where you can see a movie for $5.
Just south of Richmond past the Marlboro headquarters, you can visit the Lewis Ginter Botanic Gardens, which is especially lovely during the holiday season. Then you can find the memorial to this prominent Richmonder (Lewis Ginter) at Hollywood Cemetery, a place worth visiting if you like history. It was established in 1847, and several presidents are buried there. It also happens to be a beautiful place to wander, with manicured gardens, park space and an arboretum. Guided tours are also available.
Coastal Virginia
Virginia Beach includes 29 miles of Atlantic coastline, and is well known for it’s wind sandy beaches, long boardwalk, and charming lighthouses. If you’re looking for a less bustling and quieter feel, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge may be more to your taste. That is, unless you are there for the annual pony swim, when visitors gather from near and far. Chincoteague was made famous by the classic book Misty of Chincoteague, by Marguerite Henry, and there are still tributes to Misty the pony there. The wild ponies are quite beautiful and can be seen on both the Maryland and Virginia side of Assateague Island, year round.
