‘Virginia is For Lovers’ may be the Virginia tourism slogan, but it should be Virginia is for families. Virginia really does have it all, white sandy beaches, wooded mountains, and great amusement parks. There is history, sports and just about anything that any family could want to do.
Virginia Beach
With a three-mile boardwalk along the seashore, there is bound to be a spot that has your name on it in Virginia Beach. Pack up the kids, a cooler, your boogie board and head to the beach. This is one of the most perfect locations on the east coast for a family vacation. There are tons of beachfront hotels where you can just walk out and enjoy the views. When you have had enough of the waves there are lots of other things to do. Play miniature golf, ride a go-cart, pedal a bike or take a Segway tour. There are plenty of things to fill your vacation with enough memories to last for years.
Colonial Williamsburg
If you want to incorporate a history lesson with your vacation in Virginia, there are several destinations that fit the bill. None offers quite as much variety however as Colonial Williamsburg. Located on over 300 acres there are a multitude of original and reconstructed homes, buildings and businesses. Some of the buildings have been converted into museums others are still in private hands. There are audio tours that you can take that will fill in a lot of information about what you are seeing. There are also events that happen every day. You may hear a speech or see some activity being performed; it is different all the time. While you are visiting Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown are very close by and the area is referred to as the historic triangle.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Busch Gardens Williamsburg is more than just an amusement park. It is a cultural experience as well. The kids will get all the adrenaline rush they could possibly want but in addition, for many children, this will be as close as they get to a European adventure. In one park you travel from Ireland and Italy to Germany, France, Scotland and England.
Shenandoah National Park
Shenandoah National Park in the far west of the state, has all the great outdoors that anyone could possibly want. The park which is close to several major cities, has over 500 miles of hiking trails. There are four campgrounds within the park. Most of the park is also open to backwoods camping if your family prefers to just hike out into the wilderness.
One of the cities which is close to the park is Staunton. The Blackfriars Playhouse offers performances all year and it is an educational experience for children to see plays, Shakespeare included performed in an original setting. This is very much in the style of the Globe Theatre in London.
Charlottesville
Charlottesville is the home of the University of Virginia, it also has three presidential homes. The most famous is Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, followed by James Madison’s Montpelier and James Monroe’s Ashlawn-Highland. This is the best sort of history lesson, where children and adults can enjoy walking in the footsteps of our former presidents.
Civil War sites
Virginia has a wide selection of Civil War sites. There are battlefields at Manassas and Fredericksburg. Richmond was the capital of the Confederacy and the White House of the Confederacy is there, as well as the Museum of the Confederacy. Arlington, Virginia is the site of the National Cemetery which is one historic site that is fascinating for every member of the family.
Lexington
Lexington has the home of Stonewall Jackson and his grave, as well as the grave of Robert E. Lee. Appomattox is the site of the surrender of General Lee to General Grant and it is a destination that provides several hours of interesting Civil War history. The addition of a Museum of the Confederacy branch makes it an even better destination for history living families.
There are many more areas of Virginia that are fascinating places to visit. Historic cemeteries, colleges, presidential sites and much more await the family that chooses Virginia for their family vacation.
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I’ve been seeing a lot of travel guides for Virginia lately! I think it’s a beautiful place to visit especially with the whole family. There’s just so much to see.
I’ve never visited Virginia before but after reading this post I know i will be visiting soon. I would love to visit Virginia Beach
Ooh I actually haven’t been to Virginia yet. This does seem like a really nice destination to visit though! Would love to go some day.
I’ve never been but it looks like a beautiful place to visit someday! I’d love to see Virginia.
My Aunt is living in the states, she already visited Virginia for quite sometimes and she said that it was a great place to visit. The words that she said and the things that I’ve read here are the same and it makes me eager to go into this place and I am hoping to happen this wish soon!
Virginia is on my list of states to travel to within the next few years. I would love to visit Shenandoah National Park. It is gorgeous!
I’ve heard so much about Virgina, its raw and gorgeous nature and amazing, welcoming people. I can’t wait to go there.
I love to explore the States more with my family hand in hand. This article opened another spot we should put on our list.
I went there a few summers ago to visit my brother, who was stationed there in the Navy. It was a great vacation with interesting history… We visited all the places you mentioned!
Now he’s stationed in WA State; went there to visit last summer… love that place too!
I’ve always liked Virginia. I’ve only been once, but I’d like to go again. We went to Williamsburg and had a blast.
I would love to go on vacation in Virginia. We’re looking to move out of Indiana in a few years, and my husband has mentioned Virginia as a possible relocation several times. I’d like to explore the state first to get a feel for it before making a decision. You’ve already posted some great selling points on the area!
Wow! You’ve just given me plenty of great reasons for putting Virginia on the family travel bucket list! My husband would really enjoy seeing the Civil War sights. I’d like to visit Virginia Beach.
Virginia is a great vacation destination. We’ve been to Williamsburg and Busch Gardens. We all had so much fun. It’s about time to plan another trip to Virginia.
We’ve been to Virginia before to attend my alma mater’s alumni reunion. We didn’t do much exploring, though so I hope we get to do it someday. Thank you for this list of places to see.
What a beautiful place to be. I’ve never been to Virginia before. It’s many of the places I’d love to visit someday though.
I have been to Portsmouth VA several times and it was beautiful up there. The naval shipyard is pretty neat to check out too. My daughter had her cochlear implant surgery done at the naval hospital there.
I have also been to Busch gardens and that was a cool experience.
I really wish that I had an opportunity to visit the mountain areas of NC and Virginia before I moved back to TX.
These are enough reasons to plan a trip to Virginia! There are a lot of beautiful places to see!
Virginia sounds like great place to visit. May be next summer I will plan a trip to Virginia.
I have never been to Virginia! I think it’s a beautiful place. I would love to take my family there to visit the national park!
wow! I am impressed by this place. So beautiful and so various! A must visit destination for sure!
Admittedly, I’ve never been to Virginia or considered adding the state to my bucket list but your post might have swayed me a little bit more. I love the history and the fun activities to do as a family.
You’ve definitely sold me on Virginia! It’s one state I’ve yet to visit when in the US, and there are clearly plenty of things to do. I’ll bookmark this for when I next return.
My good friend just came back from Virginia and I loved everything she told me. Definitely a must to go with the whole family.
We are thinking of doing some road trips south of here (New York), and it would be fun to check out some of these. We are planning a trip to North Carolina, and I will have to think about doing some of these as well.