Family Vacations in Virginia: Adventures Tailored to Every Child's Interests
Children are key decision-makers in summer vacation planning, and Virginia delivers unmatched appeal for every interest and personality—from water lovers to science enthusiasts and thrill-seekers.
We've curated adventures for six common family archetypes. Mix and match these experiences to delight every family member, ensuring memorable stories for those classic "What I Did This Summer" essays.
For Hamilton Fans
The Battle of Yorktown, 1781...
If your family includes a Hamilton enthusiast, the lyrics are unforgettable. With the national tour expanding, many children are eager to explore Yorktown and other iconic sites from the musical. This summer is ideal: America’s Historic Triangle (Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown) celebrates its 400th anniversary with special events.
In Yorktown, visit the Revolutionary War battlefield within the National Park Service’s Colonial National Historical Park. See the Yorktown Victory Monument, honor George Washington, and explore the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. Interact with costumed interpreters at a Continental Army encampment, and review exhibits on Hamilton and the 1781 Siege with artifacts, dioramas, and films.
In Colonial Williamsburg, meet reenactors portraying Marquis de Lafayette, Hamilton's ally. Follow the dedicated Hamilton-and-Lafayette trail for deeper immersion.
Visit historic homes of other Hamilton figures: Thomas Jefferson’s renovated Monticello with a Hamilton interactive map; George Washington’s Mount Vernon, referenced in "Stay Alive"; and James Madison’s Montpelier, home to over eight miles of scenic hiking trails.
For The Voice Fans
Delight music-loving kids with a journey along the Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail. This 300-mile route through Appalachian landscapes celebrates bluegrass, gospel, and old-time mountain music.
Visit the Carter Family Fold, ancestral home of country music pioneers whose legacy includes June Carter Cash. Johnny Cash performed his final concert here; enjoy live shows every weekend. On June 2, attend Appalachia Rising featuring Grammy-winner Marty Stuart.
Experience the family-friendly Friday Night Jamboree at the Floyd Country Store, with live bluegrass and folk dancing. Nearby, County Sales offers the world’s largest selection of old-time and bluegrass music.
Refuel at The Galax Smokehouse in Galax, birthplace of singer Dori Freeman, praised by Rolling Stone.
For Water Lovers
Virginia boasts over 3,000 miles of coastline, from Chesapeake Bay inlets to Atlantic beaches.
Virginia Beach, where the Atlantic meets the Chesapeake Bay, offers water sports like stand-up paddleboarding, swimming, biking, and boardwalk fun.
For calmer waters, try the shallow cove near historic Cape Charles. In Hampton, Buckroe Beach features excellent kayaking and a playground.
Discover Colonial Beach on the Potomac and Monroe Bay—voted Virginia's best by USA Today—with sandy shores, a boardwalk, pier, and George Washington’s birthplace nearby.
For Aspiring Jockeys
Virginia’s equestrian heritage, birthplace of Secretariat, thrives statewide. Explore events via the Virginia Horse Center Foundation.
Ride at Shenandoah River State Park (15 miles of trails), Marriott Ranch (cowboy experiences), or Equestrian Center at Salamander Resort & Spa.
Combine interests at Mount Vernon’s Horses and Hounds fox-hunting tradition (no live foxes harmed).
For Thrill-Seekers
Busch Gardens Williamsburg features iconic coasters like Loch Ness Monster (40th anniversary), Alpengeist (six inversions), Apollo’s Chariot (210-foot drop), and new Finnegan’s Flyer (80 feet, 45 mph).
At Kings Dominion (July 20–September 2), experience Monster Jam Thunder Alley with superstar trucks and the Monster Jam Garage.
Outdoors, try ziplines at Adventure Park at Sandy River or Breaks Interstate Park, or white-water rafting on the Shenandoah. Mountain biking trails abound in Roanoke’s Carvins Cove, Explore Park, and Murray Run Greenway.
For Young Scientists
Explore hands-on STEM at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center in Virginia Beach, offering camps like Marine Explorers (ages 12–15) with research talks, SCUBA intro, kayaking, and research vessel trawling.
In Northern Virginia, the Children’s Science Center provides interactive exhibits and programs like "Alien Invaders." Aviation fans visit the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center for aircraft displays and live restorations.
At NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, catch rocket launches (June 20, August 12) and join the August 9 Perseid Meteor shower event at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.
