10 Bucket List Items for a Fun Virginia Staycation

For the first summer in a long time, my family will probably just be taking some mini-vacations, and we are looking forward to exploring our beautiful home state of Virginia.  Although I have lived in this state for over 20+ years, there are many places and activities that I have yet to try. So, with the help of the “Virginia is for Lovers” website, I have put together 10 fun things to do in Virginia this summer.  I’m excited to have a go-to list so that when my teenagers have a few days free here and there, we can take off and try something new.   

1. Attend a music festival.  Who doesn’t love music, food and festival fun?  Virginia celebrates everything from wine to music to peaches and seafood. Check out the list for yourself on virginia.org. 
2. Rent a houseboat. I’m so excited to say that we just confirmed a 3 day houseboat rental on scenic Smith Mountain Lake. Parrot Cove Boat Rentals has various options for 3, 4 and 7 day rentals so that everyone can find a trip that meets their budget. The boats come with great amenities like a sun deck, water slide and barbecue grill, and you can add on waverunners and small boats for extra water fun. It will be the ultimate family bonding experience. 
3. Hit the River. From tubing and swimming, to kayaking and canoeing, there is no shortage of places to hang out on those hot, summer Virginia days. As a matter of fact, my husband and daughter recently had a wonderful 2 hour kayaking adventure on the nearby Potomac River, spotting a bald eagle and an owl along the way. Visit Front Royal Outdoors to book a  leisurely 3 hour tubing trip down the scenic Shenandoah River. Or you can search by region to find the best outfitter in your area. You can also find a list of fun places to swim from creeks to the Chesapeake Bay. 
4. Explore a small town. Look no further than Virginia’s Travel Blog article from February, 2015 titled “22 MORE Virginia Small Towns to LOVE,” for ideas and inspiration. Shop for antiques in Bedford, eat fresh seafood on the Chesapeake Bay in Cape Charles or visit one of the family-friendly wineries in Purcellville.   
5. Find the best donuts in the state. I had to throw this into the list, because I figured if we are travelling around the state, we could stop for snacks along the way.  I’m excited that many are along Interstate 81, which we will be driving along several times this summer. Who doesn’t love searching for a good donut?
6. Enjoy the water at a Virginia lake. If you are looking for calm waters, head to one of many lakes in Virginia. Beautiful Smith Mountain Lake, which is the second largest lake in Virginia,  is a popular choice offering the opportunity for many water-related activities. Families also enjoy Lake Anna in the north, and Claytor Lake farther south. Another good choice is Lake Gaston, which straddles the North Carolina/Virginia border. 
7. Take your Dog on a Weekend Trip.  Virginia is filled with many places that are dog friendly, and I know my dog would love a change of scenery.  Stay in a 1926 Railroad Caboose while visiting nearby Natural Bridge. The Williamsburg KOA has a K-9 play area for your best friend to play, along with several pet friendly deluxe cabins. You can search and filter your results on the virginia.org website to include everything from camping to Bed & Breakfast’s that are pet friendly. 
8. Take a Hike.  From Northern Virginia all the way to the far southwest corner of the state, there are hiking adventures to be had for all ages and abilities.  Check out this awesome list of “Virginia’s Best Hikes” put together by their Facebook and Twitter followers. One of my local favorites is Bears Den in nearby Bluemont, Virginia, where you can take a short hike and enjoy lunch with a view on the Bears Den Overlook.  Stop at nearby Great Country Farms, where you can pick seasonal fruits and vegetables. 
9. Drive through the Virginia Safari Park. Really, how many states can boast a drive-thru Safari Park?  Kids will have the chance to see over 1200 animals on this 180 acre park. Guests are able to roll down their windows and feed the animals with animal food purchased in the park. Based on the comments on Trip Advisor, it's a must do attraction, and we are going to try hard to make it happen this summer. Just be prepared because I’ve heard the inside of your car can get a little dirty. 
10. Head to a Nearby Drive-In Theater.  Enjoy some old-fashioned fun at one of a handful of drive-in theaters still operating in Virginia. We are hoping to visit the Mayberry Drive-In Theatre while we are vacationing in the southwestern part of  Virginia.  

I’m excited to have this handy list ready for the summer. Hopefully my local readers and tourists alike will be inspired to try something new this summer.

Related Post: 5 Ways to Spend the Day in Loudoun County Virginia
THIS POST WAS UPDATED AUGUST, 2016