Spring Break is ALMOST here! If your family is like mine, you’re on the hunt for something affordable, kid-friendly and within a few hours drive (or less depending on how fidgety your little ones are!).
Here are FIVE of my family’s favorite places to visit. Each is 3 hours or less from Richmond, and has a variety of offerings for families, including many FREE activities. As a bonus, all of these trips provide ample learning opportunities.
Lexington:
We spent 3 days exploring Lexington and found it to be such a kid-friendly area, with lots of unique activities. Here are some of our favorite activities during our trip:
- Virginia Safari Park: A drive-thru zoo where you feed zebras, llamas, emus and more from your car! I suggest purchasing a bucket for each kid and maybe even an extra, just in case anyone gets scared and suddenly drops theirs. After the drive-thru portion, we did the “Village Walk-Thru”. You will see tigers, and even get to feed a giraffe! *There are large picnic pavilions, so pack lunch and make a full day of it.
- Boxerwood Gardens: I could NOT get over the “Play Trail”, designed for kids 8 and under. My kids loved the Roto-Rain Recycler, Dino Dig Pit, and Mud Kitchen.
- Tantivy Lavender Farm: This is a little outside of Lexington, but worth the trip. We ate lavender ice cream, purchased lavender soaps, and then hiked the short trail to the waterfall. Just a picturesque place – can’t recommend Tantivy Lavender Farm enough.
- Natural Bridge State Park: There’s about a .75 mile hike along the Cedar Creek Trail to the Bridge, and there are picnic pavilions along the way. There’s also a play area, called “Base Camp” indoors with lots of hands-on learning toys and science themed activities.
Charlottesville:
Every time we visit Charlottesville, I feel like we need to plan another trip, because there is always more to discover! Charlottesville offers history, recreation, vineyards and much more! Here are a few family-friendly experiences we love in “C-ville”.
- Ivy Creek Park: Not only can you hike here, there are educational classes and a historic barn you can tour…for FREE!
- Eastwood Vineyards: With ample outdoor seating and plenty of space for kids to run, this is an ideal place for families. I loved my wine flight and my kids enjoyed their juice flights!
- IX Art Park: The park is FREE for all to come and create! There is chalk outside and murals surrounding the park to help you feel inspired. Add to the experience by visiting The Looking Glass – adjacent to the park – an immersive art experience.
- Blue Ridge Tunnel: Located in Crozet, just outside of Charlottesville, this is a one of a kind hike, requiring headlamps and flashlights. My family loved the 1 mile walk through the historic railroad tunnel. Bonus: The tunnel is stroller/bike friendly.
Virginia Beach:
Of course, you can splash in the waves and play in the sand, but there’s a lot more to Virginia Beach than sand and surf. Be sure to check out these places during your next visit to VB:
- First Landing State Park: After coming here, I don’t think we’ll access Virginia Beach any other way! The waves are much smaller, because you’re actually at the bay. I felt very safe bringing my kids! *Arrive EARLY – parking fills up quickly.
- Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center: This place is OTTER-ly amazing! *Print out one (or more) of the “Guest Quests” from @virginiaaquarium website to add to the fun. I love the turtles, zebra shark(!!), and feelin’ like Ariel mermaid “under da sea” music with fish swimming right by me!
- Mt. Trashmore Park: The main playground, “Kid’s Cove” is a HUGE, inclusive playground. We love to play here and then walk the trails. (They’re paved, so pack scooters or bikes!)
- JERRASSIC Park: This is a FREE dinosaur-centric park in front of Military Aviation Museum, which we LOVE, also. Allot about 45 min. to walk around and don’t miss the pterodactyl (flying overhead!!). This is a must do for any dino lover.
Staunton:
We visited Staunton when my kids were 3 and 7. But, this trip would be great for older children too! Here’s a Staunton mini-guide.
PLAY
Staunton’s parks are some of the best public parks we’ve seen!
Montgomery Hall Park – unique natural ridge natural playground + another huge playground
Gypsy Hill Park– 2 playgrounds, lake, trails. Bring quarters for duck food and if it’s spring, a train runs through the park!
LEARN
The Frontier Culture Museum– bring your walking shoes for hands-on learning at this living history museum
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum – for the history buffs, but interesting for elementary schoolers, too. Beautiful garden, too!
Camera Heritage Museum – over 6,000 cameras, photos spanning over 150 years!
Jumbo Antique Fire Engine Museum – must-do for the kiddos who love fire trucks!
Grand Caverns – 70 min. tour of caves/formations
SHOP
Pufferbellies Toys – one of a kind toy shop, owned by a former children’s librarian – no junky toys!
The Book Dragon – new + used books for kids and grownups
Lynchburg:
Head to the foothills of the Blue Ridge during Spring Break and you will NOT be disappointed. A few places for families in Lynchburg:
- SeaQuest:a hands-on zoo aquarium. SeaQuest fully exceeded all expectations! It provides much more than simply watching the animals; it is a full petting zoo experience in the 20,000 square feet facility. Not only did we get to feed stingrays, koi fish and trout; we also got to feed and touch wallabies, iguanas, chickens, tegu lizards, armadillo, capybara and more!
- Amazement Square:a top notch, hands-on museum in the heart of downtown Lynchburg. Amazement Square has 4 floors of interactive activities: painting the walls, climbing Amazement Tower, using a crane, floating a boat down the James River and more!
- Percival’s Island:a 1.5-mile-long island where bikers, walkers and runners can see wildlife of all kinds. Bikes Unlimited is directly across from Percival’s Island with bike rentals available.
Lindsay Garrison loves Richmond and is proud to raise her own family here. As a teacher for 12 years, she learned how to save, budget and stretch every penny. Additionally, she led groups of students to Europe annually, and took great pride in planning affordable, fun-filled trips. She transferred those skills to her daily life and shares them with readers of RVA on the Cheap. Lindsay utilizes RVA on the Cheap to make enriching life experiences accessible to all. Check her instagram: rva.familyfun for more affordable family adventures!
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