My family and I prefer to be outside and on the move. Since the day our two kids were born – they’re teens now! – it seems like we’ve been on the road seeking adventure. Virginia offers plenty of opportunities for families who love nature or enjoy the sense of thrill that comes with trying something daring and new. If this sounds like you, then consider escaping to one of these destinations for your next adventure.
Bedford & Lynchburg: Hiking, Horseback Riding, Disc Golf, and the Blue Ridge Tunnel
The Peaks of Otter consists of three summits surrounding Abbott Lake along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Located adjacent to Bedford, the attraction is a popular spot for hiking, with multiple trails ranging from easy to difficult. Families with little ones will want to take in the scenery along the Abbott Lake Trail, a one-mile trek around the water where you are certain to catch a glimpse of wildlife, or the two-mile Johnson Farm Trails. If you prefer hiking along waterfalls like we do, Fallingwater Cascades Trail is another option. Just use caution if you rock hop across the creek when the water is high.
Bedford is also gaining traction for its disc golf amenities. There are five high-rated courses that are free and open to the public. Additionally, a nine-hole pitch and putt course was recently installed at the Bedford Area Welcome Center. Ideal for beginners and regulars, pitch-and-putt features a smaller footprint and shorter distance holes.
Have any aspiring equestrians in the family? Bring them to Bedford, which is also known for its horseback riding. There are four trails dedicated to horseback riding in the area, as well as the Coyote Crossing Equestrian Center.
Meanwhile, next door in Lynchburg, one of our favorite places to frequent for an adventure is the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre, the only outdoor artificial snow-sport venue in the nation. Snowflex features year-round skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. We aren’t snow lovers, so this is a great way for us to get our winter sports fix without the actual white stuff. Lynchburg is also home to Rise Up Climbing, an indoor rock-climbing facility designed for patrons as young as three. Beginners can work their way up the 40-foot climbing walls, while more experienced climbers may want to try their hand at bouldering (climbing shorter walls without ropes). Hikers and bikers should check out Percival’s Island Trail along the water, while paddlers can take a guided tour along the James River in a kayak or canoe through James River Adventures.
Perhaps the most unique experience we’ve had in this area is hiking in complete darkness in nearby Nelson County. The Blue Ridge Tunnel is a roughly two-mile trail inside an old train tunnel that was first constructed in the 1850s beneath the Rockfish Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains. While meandering their way through the tunnel in the pitch black, my kids enjoyed making eerie, ghost-like noises and were surprised when others responded in kind. We recommend you park in the east trailhead parking lot for easier access to the trail (it’s a half-mile walk to the tunnel and about two miles through the tunnel, one way). Don’t forget flashlights and a light jacket, as the tunnel temperature is roughly fifty to sixty-five degrees year-round.
Charlottesville & Shenandoah National Park: Hiking, Tubing, and Low-Key Mountaineering
Charlottesville may be known for UVA, wine, and its ties to Thomas Jefferson, but there’s even more for families in and around this Virginia city. We typically visit in the fall during the height of the foliage. The Rivanna Trail connects you to various other trail systems throughout the area if you prefer to take in nature by foot, but you can also engage in natural surroundings along the water. Families can canoe, fish, or go tubing along both the James River and Rivanna River. Scottsville, a short drive from Charlottesville, is popular for tubing along the water in the summer. There’s nothing quite like a quiet morning spent floating leisurely down the river. It’s been one of our favorite summer activities through the years.
Shenandoah National Park is also not that far from Charlottesville. We unwind from the daily grind with trips to the park where we drive along Skyline Drive, have a picnic lunch, and spend some time in the woods. Nearly twenty trails of varying lengths are suitable for families, with the Dark Hollow Falls (Mile 50) being the busiest (avoid going here on a weekend if you can). Stony Man Trail (Mile 41) takes you to the top of Stony Mountain, the second-highest mountain in the park, and is an easy hike and one of our go-to spots. We’ve also done the Bearfence Rock Scramble along the Bearfence Loop Trail (Mile 56). I admit I was a little intimidated as I climbed my way through this rock maze admiring the breathtaking views from atop, but I had such a feeling of exhilaration and accomplishment when I completed it that I can’t wait to do it again.
Just down below from the Scramble, more serious hikers can hop on the Appalachian Trail. Depending on how we feel, we’ll either make a day trip to the park or spend a few nights roughing it in one of the cabins at Lewis Mountain (Mile 57), where you are surrounded day and night by all kinds of wildlife: deer, squirrels, mice, frogs, and birds, including the nocturnal screeching owls. We’ve been lucky enough to miss spotting a bear, thank goodness. During peak season, Shenandoah National Park features an array of activities for families, including guided ranger tours and other programs. There is an entrance fee to the park, and it is good for a week.
Chesapeake & Virginia Beach: Deepwater Canals, Camping, Hiking, and Beach Play
Chesapeake features eight parks along various waterways. The city has more miles of deepwater canals than anywhere else in the country. Great Bridge Lock Park, situated off Battlefield Boulevard where the Albermarle and Chesapeake Canal meets the Elizabeth River, boasts nineteen acres for fishing and crabbing, as well as an easy hiking trail. You can also row or paddle here. Boat enthusiasts will enjoy watching watercraft coming in and out of the lock (which helps prevent the mixing of saltwater from the river with freshwater from the Currituck Sound in North Carolina) from the observation platform. During our visit, we watched a tugboat push a larger vessel over the lock – pretty cool!
Our favorite place to visit in Chesapeake is the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail. We’ve biked the trail, once a section of Virginia State Route 17, plenty of times through the years. The multi-use trail, which stretches more than eight miles one way, attracts cyclists, joggers, and walkers, as well as horseback riders. Adjacent to the trail is the historic Dismal Swamp Canal, a popular spot for kayaking. Looking to stay more than a day in Chesapeake? Pitch a tent or rent a cabin at Northwest River Park and Campground. Here, families can spend hours outdoors hiking, biking, or canoeing. Pets are also welcome.
Right next door to Chesapeake is Virginia Beach, which is a popular beach destination with numerous activities for families. Thrill seekers will want to plan a visit to the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center and check out The Adventure Park. The park features ropes course climbing between trees as well as zip lining to get your heart racing. Want to feel like you are on a skydiving adventure without actually having to jump from a plane? Then iFLY on Pacific Avenue in Virginia Beach is for you.
If you’re looking for a unique bike-riding outing, False Cape State Park is at the top of our list. No vehicles are permitted at this remote state park, so you’ll need to park at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and either hike or bike your way into the park, which is a little more than four miles one way. Bring plenty of sunscreen and water. We like to bike to the park and have a picnic lunch on the beach. Sometimes we are the only ones there, so it’s like having the beach to ourselves. Unforgettable memories!
Lexington: Natural Bridge, Goshen Pass, and Hiking
Families who are interested in helping kids fall in love with the great outdoors at an early age are in luck. In Lexington, at least four parks participate in Kids in Parks TRACK Trails, a program which encourages kids to unplug and head outside to explore local plants, wildlife, and nature. Children earn stickers and other prizes by registering for the program and keeping track of their adventures. Among the parks in the area involved in TRACK Trails are Natural Bridge State Park, Jordan’s Point, Glen Maury Park, and Cyrus McCormick Farm. Natural Bridge State Park has a stunning view of Virginia’s famous Natural Bridge, plus seven trails and a children’s discovery area.
Families can also take a guided tour of the Caverns at Natural Bridge, which are the deepest on the East Coast. Jordan’s Point is a popular spot for paddleboarders and paddlers, while fishermen, cyclists, and disc golf players should plan a stop at Glen Maury Park.
In the summer, the place to be in Lexington is Goshen Pass Natural Area Preserve for swimming or sunbathing on the big boulders along the Maury River. Goshen Pass has a picnic area, a swinging bridge, and hiking trails, so plan to spend the whole day here. (A Wildlife Management Area permit is required to access the trails from the swinging bridge). Avid hikers may also wish to tackle the landmark House Mountain (which is actually two mountains) in House Mountain Reserve.
Damascus: Biking, Ponies, and Fishing
Damascus may be a bit of a drive from Richmond (about five hours), but it is worth it for those seeking ultimate fun in the sun. Pack your hiking boots and head to this town in the western part of Virginia, known as Trail Town USA. Take your pick from seven trails in the area. The Virginia Creeper Trail is one of the most famous biking trails in the country and is family-friendly and great for beginners. Bike rentals are available as well as shuttle service that takes you to the top of Whitetop Station, where you can take a scenic ride back down through the forest along Whitetop Laurel Creek. This creek is home to one of Virginia’s greatest wild trout streams for avid fishermen.
Damascus is situated at the intersection of several longer trails including the Appalachian Trail, TransAmerica Bicycle Trail, TransVirginia Bike Route, Mid-Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route, and Grayson Gravel Traverse, a newly created 72-mile mixed-surface gravel bike route that connects the Virginia Creeper Trail and New River Trail. The route is recommended for experienced gravel cyclists, as it features a variety of challenging climbs.
Another must-do in close proximity is Grayson Highlands State Park, near Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain, the two highest mountains in Virginia. Families can take in spectacular views of alpine-like peaks more than 5,000 feet high. Grayson Highlands State Park also has campgrounds and hiking trails leading to waterfalls and overlooks, as well as horse trails. The famous Grayson Highlands ponies call the park home, though we weren’t fortunate enough to see any on our trip. If you do spot a pony, do not feed them or pet them, as they are wild animals.
Roanoke: Paddling, Kayaking, and Trails for Families
Carvins Cove, the second-largest municipal park in the country with more than 12,000 acres, is an all-in-one stop for outdoor enthusiasts: hiking, mountain biking, paddling, and fishing are on the adventure itinerary. There are more than sixty miles of trails for hiking and biking, ranging from easy to difficult, as well as a 600-acre reservoir for fishing, kayaking, canoeing, or standup paddleboarding (SUP), though swimming is not permitted.
The Wasena neighborhood, meanwhile, boasts River Rock Climbing Gym. Construction will soon begin on the Wasena in-river park, which will offer water recreation including angling, tubing, and kayaking, and more when it opens in 2026.
Another popular Roanoke attraction for families is Explore Park. Here, you can enjoy glamping while hiking, biking, or playing disc golf. Treetop Quest is an aerial adventure course geared toward the kids while moms and dads can imbibe at the on-site brewpub, Twin Creeks Brewpub (open only on weekends). A win-win for the whole family. Enjoy!
More of Brandy’s Virginia Favorites, Plus Family Dining Options!
Whether you’re in it for adventure or looking for relaxation with the family, at some point in your travels, you’ll have to eat!
Chesapeake
In addition to biking the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail, we also like to visit the Chesapeake Arboretum in the spring when the flowers are in bloom. Hardcore baseball fans will enjoy lunch at the family-friendly Studly Brewing Company, a baseball-themed brewery operated by a former minor league player (studlybrewing.com). For dessert, head over to Carolina Cupcakery, the region’s only bakery that caters to families with food allergies and food sensitivities (carolinacupcakery.com).
Chesapeake is less than ten miles from Portsmouth, home to the Children’s Museum of Virginia for those looking for a little kid-focused fun or downtime from all the thrills and adventure. (childrensmuseumvirginia.com).
Bedford
The Peaks of Retreat and Adventure Center features a low-ropes course, zip lining, and two acres of sports fields (thepeakscenter.com). Downtown, dine in an old bank vault at The Blue Lady Café (which used to be a bank). Don’t forget to grab a homemade chocolate for dessert.
Charlottesville
While we’ve certainly been to the city’s mainstays (Carter Mountain for apple picking, Michie’s Tavern for comfort food, a stroll through the downtown mall), we typically head to Charlottesville for a day trip for a hike, then visit a local winery for a glass of wine. Other dining options we’ve enjoyed are the burger joint Boylan Heights across from the University of Virginia, which features build-your-own burgers and milkshakes, as well as the gourmet pizza place Christian’s Pizza, an old standby for our family for a quick lunch before we head off for more adventure.
Lynchburg
In addition to Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre and Rise Up Climbing gym, families with small children will also have fun exploring Amazement Square children’s museum (amazementsquare.org). Refuel at Water Stone Pizza or indulge in some rolled ice cream at MayLynns Creamery (maylynnscreamery.com).
Roanoke
Center in the Square is a one-stop shop for family fun. Here, there is an aquarium, a science museum, a children’s museum, a pinball museum, and more. Later this year, a rooftop bar and restaurant, Six & Sky, is scheduled to open (centerinthesquare.org). Hang 10 Hawaiian Ice & Cream in Wasena serves simple family fare, like hot dogs and fries, as well as Hawaiian shaved ice and ice cream (hang10ice.com), while Pop’s Ice Cream and Soda Bar is an old-time fountain shop that serves grilled cheese and soup, ice cream floats, sundaes, and shakes (popsgrandin.com).
