Tips for Virginia?

[debbiecarr98]

I want to go again at least once this summer, we went last year, and thanks to disboard friends, got the Super Grover Passes to go to Busch Gardens and the Water Park. I did, however, fall in love with the Blue Ridge Parkway when passing through a few years ago and want to go back and spend more time. Any other things to with the kids, ages 9 and 13? I remember a town with a bridge or something and a Toy Museum maybe? My memory is somehwat foggy! Is it worth it? Also good places to eat, I figure I will do hotwire for a place to stay. Would mid-week be better for the parks in the summer, or doesnt it matter?
Thanks!

 

[Green Tea]

Natural Bridge, I think?

 

[Whistle]

I live in Central Virginia and will be glad to help you anyway I can. Our state has A LOT to offer! :0)

If you are thinking mountains, there is: Skyline Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Luray Caverns, Natural Bridge. I visited Luray Caverns a couple of weeks ago, and was again amazed by their beauty! The town of Luray is small, but there is also a little zoo there (not sure how it is, just remember seeing it). There are a ton of hotels, cabins to rent, and inns nearby.

Virginia obviously has a ton of history places to visit if you are interested in that and nearby beaches!

There's Kings Dominion (with a water park in it), great museums in Richmond (don't stay downtown!), etc.

Please let me know if I can help you any more.

I bet you could get some free maps, brochures if you go to a Virginia tourism site. I stopped at a rest stop yesterday when traveling from NC, and they had a TON of different options.

 

[Leleluvsdis]

I would say you are talking abou Natural Bridge.

You could easily spend several days there. As pp mentioned there are the caverns, natural bridge it self. At natural bridge there are also several museums (wax and toy I believe) And they have a nice zoo up there as well.

 

[RooRach0906]

Another person for the Luray Caverns so beautiful and a great educational experience and the Natural Bridge. Oh and if you do do to Richmond to see some museums the Valentine museum is one of my favorites. Oh and I agree dont stay downtown Richmond, try areas like Short Pump or Chesterfield you can call the hotel and they will tell you if you are in that area.

 

[debbiecarr98]

Thank you so much for the great tips and info!

 

[Duckyiam71]

I grew up in VA, in Chesterfield. Something in the area of Charlottesville is Monticello, Thomas Jefferson home. At first it may seem boring for kids but TJ had some really cool inventions in house. I remember going there for 4th grade field trip. As PP, stated there is so much to do in VA. Depends on your children too. I grew up going to museums and such and I love them now. But some kids just cant stand them. Good luck! I so miss VA...I lived there 32 years.

 

[debbiecarr98]

I grew up in VA, in Chesterfield. Something in the area of Charlottesville is Monticello, Thomas Jefferson home. At first it may seem boring for kids but TJ had some really cool inventions in house. I remember going there for 4th grade field trip. As PP, stated there is so much to do in VA. Depends on your children too. I grew up going to museums and such and I love them now. But some kids just cant stand them. Good luck! I so miss VA...I lived there 32 years.

I bet you do miss it, what a beautiful, wonderful place! And the people are so nice! I felt immediately connected when I was there, my grandmother and mother are originally from W VA, maybe that is why. Beautiful country.

 

[BonnieA]

Near Natural Bridge is a Safari Park. You drive thru it and can feed the animals from your car. You can check it online at VirginiaSafariPark.com.

 

[BoogasMom]

Another Central Virginian here! Yes, our state is beautiful and has a lot to offer. You have gotten some really good tips but I just wanted to add one. Don't forget about Jamestown! It's in Williamsburg and it's a fun place. Both of my boys have taken field trips there and they loved it! Good luck with your planning and have a great trip!!

 

[mama2girls]

I grew up in VA, in Chesterfield. Something in the area of Charlottesville is Monticello, Thomas Jefferson home. At first it may seem boring for kids but TJ had some really cool inventions in house. I remember going there for 4th grade field trip. As PP, stated there is so much to do in VA. Depends on your children too. I grew up going to museums and such and I love them now. But some kids just cant stand them. Good luck! I so miss VA...I lived there 32 years.

I grew up in Chesterfield too!!!! then the Army took us all over. Now we are settled in Northern VA...Fairfax County. I still love Chesterfield though!

 

[debbiecarr98]

Near Natural Bridge is a Safari Park. You drive thru it and can feed the animals from your car. You can check it online at VirginiaSafariPark.com.

Wow, that would be really fun! Thanks!

 

[debbiecarr98]

Thanks again everyone, so much to do!!

 

[ncbyrne]

I live in NJ but 3 of our 5 kids have moved, one after another, to Virginia.... Haymarket, Dumfries and Warrenton. So naturally we make the I-95 drive several times a year. A wonderful state and so much to see. Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway are musts for an auto trip - lots of lookouts and places of interest. From the mountains to the beach to the cities there is something for everyone.

 

[prlnoirpir8]

Another person for the Luray Caverns so beautiful and a great educational experience and the Natural Bridge. Oh and if you do do to Richmond to see some museums the Valentine museum is one of my favorites. Oh and I agree dont stay downtown Richmond, try areas like Short Pump or Chesterfield you can call the hotel and they will tell you if you are in that area.

I agree!! Speaking as someone from Short Pump, we have some great places out here!! Also, as someone originally from Va. Beach, don't forget that VB is 2 hours away and has transformed itself into a fantastic family beach!! (And, no, I don't work for the board of tourism, just a very proud Virginian

 

[debbiecarr98]

I agree!! Speaking as someone from Short Pump, we have some great places out here!! Also, as someone originally from Va. Beach, don't forget that VB is 2 hours away and has transformed itself into a fantastic family beach!! (And, no, I don't work for the board of tourism, just a very proud Virginian

Yes, we went to VA beach last year, that was where we stayed. We visited the Aquarium, Chincoteague Island, and very much enjoyed that area as well. I was just thinking of different places this time.

 

[tami82]

depending on how far you want to go on the BRP you can visit Asheville, Cherokee NC. You can then head over to Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge TN and the Smoky Mountain National Park. There are tons of things to do & see and the kids love it there. There is Dollywood & Splash Country Amusement Parks. There are lots of hotels which offer a waterslide in the pool area for the kids.
We also arrived in Pigeon Forge on a Monday and of course not as crowded as it would be come a Friday.

 

[goldie_ears4]

If you do drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, check out the "Junior Ranger Program". This is offered by most of the National Parks. It is a great way to keep the kids entertained and involved along the drive and at the different stops along the way. They have information for the program online at the National Parks website as well as at the visitor centers. If they complete a certain amount of work, there are badges and patches available.

 

[debbiecarr98]

If you do drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, check out the "Junior Ranger Program". This is offered by most of the National Parks. It is a great way to keep the kids entertained and involved along the drive and at the different stops along the way. They have information for the program online at the National Parks website as well as at the visitor centers. If they complete a certain amount of work, there are badges and patches available.

Yes! This will be perfect! Like Kid stops in Epcot, exactly type of things I am looking for, thanks!!

 

[debbiecarr98]

depending on how far you want to go on the BRP you can visit Asheville, Cherokee NC. You can then head over to Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge TN and the Smoky Mountain National Park. There are tons of things to do & see and the kids love it there. There is Dollywood & Splash Country Amusement Parks. There are lots of hotels which offer a waterslide in the pool area for the kids.
We also arrived in Pigeon Forge on a Monday and of course not as crowded as it would be come a Friday.

Yes, I think this is a great idea too, did you stay at any specific hotel that had a water slide along the way? How long did it take you?
Thanks!