If you have traveled to Virginia, you probably have seen the “Virginia is for Lovers” slogan. After living in the state for over 30 years, I’ve discovered many things to love, including mountains, lakes, iconic food, local beer and wine, history, and tons of opportunities for outdoor adventure. The geography in the state varies, with the Allegheny and Blue Ridge mountain ranges in the west, and coastal beach areas in the eastern part of the state. In between, lakes and rivers offer water activities, fishing, hiking, camping and other fun outdoor activities. Throw in the close proximity of Northern Virginia to Washington, DC, and it’s a great choice for family fun. I hope that this list of 30 things to do in Virginia gives you a sense of the variety of activities the state has to offer for both visitors and locals. This Virginia bucket list has been broken down into several categories to help with planning. As locals, we think this list includes something for everyone.
*This post was updated August, 2024
*This post contains affiliate links; if you purchase something familyTravelsUSA may receive a small commission. As always, opinions are my own.
OUtdoor Recreation in Virginia
1. Explore Shenandoah National Park. Hiking, camping and views for miles— don’t miss the opportunity to explore the beauty of more than 200,000 acres at Shenandoah National Park. It’s a popular, local favorite with trails for all levels of hiking, including the Stony Man Loop, the Fox Hollow Trail (part of the Kids in Parks Track Trail) and the challenging Old Rag. The fall season brings in visitors from near and far to view the changing leaves, especially from the vistas on Skyline Drive. Read more about our fall 2-day van adventure in the Shenandoah Valley.
2. Go Chasing Waterfalls. Virginia has no shortage of waterfalls, with over two dozen found throughout the state! In Northern Virginia, it's just a short walk from the visitor center at Great Falls Park to one of the three viewpoints of the roaring falls at this popular park. Two of the three viewpoints are considered fully accessible. Pick up a Junior Ranger booklet for the kids when the visitor center is open. Head southwest a few hours to find another favorite, Cascade Falls. Located in Pembroke, it requires a hike of about 4 miles roundtrip to get to these falls, which are beautiful in both summer and winter. Learn more about Virginia’s waterfalls. 
3. Hop on a Bike Trail. It’s not hard to find bike trails regardless of where you are in the state. The Washington & Old Dominion trail is a paved rail trail that runs roughly 45 miles from Purcellville in the west to the Arlington area near Washington, DC. There are feeder trails that will connect riders to the Mount Vernon Trail, which provides an interesting view of DC from the other side of the Potomac. Mountain bikers will want to explore Roanoke, Virginia, considered the Mountain Bike Capital of the East with multiple trail systems. Other favorites are the rail trails at New River State Park, the High Bridge Trail and the Virginia Creeper Trail.
4. See the Wild Ponies. About as far apart in the state as you can get, there are two spots known for their wild ponies. Spend a few days on Virginia’s Eastern Shore and visit the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Or head southwest (closer to the North Carolina border,) to see ponies at Grayson Highlands State Park. Visitors have reported seeing them on the short Rhododendron Trail and along the Appalachian Trail. Remember, never approach or feed wild ponies.
5. Hike Virginia’s Triple Crown. Head to Virginia’s Blue Ridge and take a multi-day backpacking trip to hike Dragon’s Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs-a roughly 32 mile loop. If a day hike is more appealing, you can’t go wrong with a hike to McAfee Knob and that iconic view. Early risers may enjoy a hike for the fabulous sunrise view. Explore 3 Ways to Enjoy the Great Outdoors in Roanoke, Virginia for other outdoor adventures in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. 
6. Explore a State Park. From the beach to the mountains, Virginia has 43 state parks to explore. Take a hike, go kayaking, or plan a weekend family camping adventure to reconnect with nature. Popular parks include First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach, Natural Bridge State Park near Lexington, home to the towering Natural Bridge, Douthat State Park near Clifton Forge, and Hungry Mother State Park tucked away in Marion, Virginia. You can even bring your furry family member, as pets are allowed in all parks. Here’s 3 Virginia State Parks perfect for a fun day trip.
Two great books for hiking in Virginia are Hiking with Kids Virginia: 52 Great Hikes for Families and Virginia Summits. Virginia's Beaches & Lakes
7. Rent a Houseboat on Smith Mountain Lake. Have a water-loving family? Try a 3 or 7 day houseboat adventure on beautiful Smith Mountain Lake. Check out what we learned during our 3 day houseboat trip. If you would rather stay on dry land, there are plenty of lakeside houses available for rent, many with private docks. Nearby Bridgewater Marina has boat rentals available at six nearby locations around the lake.
8. Go on a Whale Watching Adventure. Head to Virginia Beach during the winter months for a chance to see humpback whales as they make their journey up the coast. We took the tour with Rudee Tours on a sunny February day a few years ago, and were fortunate to see 3 juvenile humpback whales. Tours typically run from December through February, dependent on the weather. 
9. Tube Down a River. There’s nothing better on a lazy summer day then floating on an inner tube down a lazy river. One of our local spots we enjoyed when the kids were younger was family camping at Low River Bridge Campground with tubing on the Shenandoah River. The New River is also a popular spot for family-friendly tubing.
10. Relax at the Beach. Although we grew up visiting the nearby Delaware Beaches, Virginia Beach in summer also offers the classic family beach experience. The Oceanfront area includes a 3 mile boardwalk, wide beaches, and plenty of hotel options. Options for quieter getaways include nearby Sandbridge, along with the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park. Visit during the fall Neptune Festival to see the International Sand Sculpting Championship. Read Beyond the Sand: Enjoy These Scenic Virginia Beach Parks History in Virginia
11. Visit Arlington National Cemetery. It’s a humbling experience to walk the grounds at Arlington National Cemetery, home to the remains of over 400,000 veterans, active duty service members, and their families. Visit the gravesite of John F. Kennedy and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where the Changing of the Guard happens regularly throughout the day.
12. Walk in the Footsteps of Presidents. Visitors to Virginia can visit a handful of homes associated with our early presidents. Take a tour of Mt. Vernon, the former home of George Washington, located about 15 miles south of Washington, D.C. along the Potomac River. Or explore James Madison’s Montpelier, including the exhibition The Mere Distinction of Colour. The self-guided tour of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello in Charlottesville, gives visitors a chance to tour the first floor of the home, along with access to the grounds and gardens. While in Charlottesville, take a short drive to Carter Mountain Orchard for their famous apple-cider donuts.
13. Stroll the Cobblestone Streets of Historic Old Town Alexandria. Just across the Potomac River from DC, find charming Old Town Alexandria, filled with history, unique shops, and wonderful food. Take one of several free or guided tours, including a self-guided walking tour in historic Old Town, or a driving tour of African American historic sites. On Saturday’s, shop at the Old Town Farmers Market, which has been operating since 1753. Stop for dessert at one of these sweet places. Finally, hop on a water taxi to Georgetown to enjoy a view of DC from the water. 14. See the Aircraft That Made History. Not far from Dulles Airport in Northern Virginia is the National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. It’s a companion facility to the popular museum on DC’s National Mall. Housed in two large hangars, the museum is packed with hundreds of aircraft, including the Space Shuttle Discovery and the colorful Aerobatic Flight collection. 
15. Step Back to Colonial Times in Williamsburg. Considered to be the largest living history museum, step back into the 18th century with over 40 historic sites, plus two art museums. Kids can learn from a skilled craftsmaker at a blacksmith shop, bindery or wigmaker. Use the planner on the Colonial Williamsburg website to explore attractions, or follow one of the suggested itineraries like the First-Timer’s Multiday Itinerary. While you are in town, be sure to pick up a sandwich at long-time favorite, The Cheese Shop. Colonial Williamsburg is considered to be one of the top family attractions in Virginia.
16. Re-Live History at the Jamestown Settlement. Learn about 17th century life in America’s first English colony. The exhibition galleries were refreshed in 2019 to include new historical research and technology updates to enhance the visitor experience. Board a re-creation of one of the 3 ships that sailed from England to Virginia back in the early 1600’s. Visit the popular American Revolution Museum in nearby Yorktown. Check online for special combination ticket deals that bundle tickets with area attractions including Colonial Williamsburg. 17. Tour a Historic Battlefield. Civil War buffs won’t want to miss the opportunity to explore Manassas National Battlefield Park. Combine a stop at the Visitor Center with various hikes that tell the stories behind both the First Battle of Manassas and the Battle of Second Manassas, both important Civil War battles. Then learn more by exploring Virginia Civil War Trails. 
18. See the National D-Day Memorial. In small town Bedford at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, take a one-hour guided tour at the National D-Day Memorial. The location was chosen because proportionately, the small community of Bedford suffered more losses on D-Day than any other town in the nation. You can read more about why the National D-Day memorial is worth a visit.
Local Food & Drink
19. Sample Virginia Wine. Loudoun County is known as DC’s Wine Country and with good reason. With more than 50 tasting rooms and wineries, enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting in the country. The wineries are grouped by clusters, and many are pet and child friendly in their outdoor spaces. Here’s a few other ways to spend a day in scenic Loudoun County. Something else for wine lovers to check out is the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail. The region is home to 9 wineries on the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula of Virginia.
20. Grab Some Brews By Bike. Experience Virginia’s thriving craft-brewing scene with a twist in Loudoun County. Hop on a bike, and after a scenic ride, stop to sample a local beer at one of the many breweries that are just off the Washington & Old Dominion Bike Trail. At least a dozen breweries are within 5 minutes of the trail at various spots from Sterling to Purcellville. Don’t forget to grab your beer passport before you go. Check out all the LoCo Ale Trail Adventures. 
21. Get to Know Richmond Through a Food Tour. Get to know some of Richmond’s neighborhoods with a food tour! Discover Richmond Food Tours has several options, including the Arts District and Carytown. We loved hearing the history behind the storefronts while we sampled food at several local spots during the Carytown Food Tour. Learn how to make the most of a day trip to Richmond.
22. Sample Fresh Oysters. Did you know that Virginia is also for Oyster Lovers? With 8 oyster regions, lovers of all things oysters can check out stops on the Virginia Oyster Trail. Sample oysters raw, grilled, and fried. The trail includes restaurants like one of our favorites, King Street Oyster Bar in Leesburg. It’s one of the reasons why we think small town Leesburg is awesome for foodies. There is also an annual Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail Fall Oyster Crawl. Unique Virginia Attractions
23. Experience a Drive Through Safari Park. Take a drive through the Virginia Safari Park and enjoy an up-close animal adventure that will surely have you smiling. Two tips, always have your bucket ready away from the car before the animals approach, and bring a zip lock bag to take out some of the food before you start. There is nothing worse than losing a whole bucket of food two minutes in! Admission includes the 10 acre Village Walk-Thru.
24. Explore the “World’s Most Beautiful Park.” Spend the day at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, given the most beautiful park honor year after year! Roller coaster lovers will definitely have their pick of thrill rides, including the Pantheon multi-launch coaster and the newly restored Loch Ness Monster. Besides coasters, this European-themed park has fun shows, seasonal events, and the Water Country USA waterpark.
25. Go Underground at Luray Caverns. Expect the weather inside the largest caverns in the eastern United States to always be around 54 degrees, no matter the weather outside! A popular attraction for kids, admission includes a self-guided tour along with other attractions like the Car and Carriage Caravan Museum. This Registered Natural Landmark, home to the Great Stalacpipe Organ, now has a step-free entrance to accompany the all-paved walkways (keep in mind there is a bit of a grade on the walkway). 26. Spend the Night at the “Dirty Dancing” Lodge. Relive the 80’s with a visit to Mountain Lake Lodge, home to much of the filming of Dirty Dancing back in 1986. Stay in the lodge or rent a family-friendly cabin. The location is perfect for outdoor activities., including Archery Tag and guided adventures. Be sure to check the website for information about the next Dirty Dancing special event! Here's some other ideas of things to do in Southwest Virginia. 
27. Watch a Rocket Launch at Wallops Island. After visiting the wild ponies at family-friendly Chincoteague Island, stop at nearby NASA Wallops Flight Facility. It’s the site of the rocket launches of cargo to the International Space Station. Find information to plan your visit here.
28. Listen to a Concert Under the Stars. If you are visiting the DC area over the summer, grab a blanket and head to Wolf Trap National Park for a concert. See why it’s on our list of 4 favorite national park units in the DC area. Wolf Trap also has the wonderful Theatre-in-the-Woods program for kids during the summer months. 29. See Street Art in Richmond. Fans of street art won’t want to miss a stop in the capital city of Richmond. Thanks to the Richmond Mural Project’s goal of 100 murals in 5 years, the sides of buildings are home to tons of colorful, and sometimes thought-provoking art. Read more about making the most of a day trip to Richmond. 30. Find Some LOVE! As you travel around the state, don’t miss finding the over 200 unique LOVEworks scattered around the state. It’s classic Virginia and each is unique to the location. Read more about one family’s LOVEworks adventures. Here’s one of my favorites from Black Dog Salvage in Roanoke. 
To help plan for a multi-day adventure, here's some suggestions for combining activities within the various areas of Virginia.
Additional Virginia Travel Resources
For other ideas about what to do in Virginia, here's a few more resources. The familyTravelsUSA Virginia Travel and Food Pinterest board is filled with activities and attractions throughout the state. Virginia’s Tourism website has all the latest information as to what’s happening any time of year, and Virginia’s Blue Ridge has developed their own bucket list specific to that region. Finally, for great family hiking tips from a local, explore the Go Hike Virginia website.
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