With school starting in just a couple weeks, I’ve had parents reaching out to me to find something special to do as a family before summer ends. While there are many options around RVA, nothing says summer like a trip to the beach, and fortunately, there are several you can visit as a day trip. Forget the pricey hotel and detailed planning – these beaches are so close you could even make a spontaneous trip.
Buckroe Beach
As the last stop before the tunnel to get to Virginia Beach, Buckroe Beach offers the amenities of larger beach destinations without the traffic and stressful parking situation. Not to mention, there’s no admission nor parking fee. At Buckroe Beach, kids can play on the playground while you pack and unpack the beach gear. Pack a lunch and have picnic at one of the shelters when you’re ready for a break from splashing.
Jamestown Beach
Located in Williamsburg, Jamestown Beach is a popular destination for families, including your furry friends – it’s dog friendly. With a large parking lot (parking fee applies), picnic tables, grills, concessions, and only an hour from RVA, this is a day trip you could make with toddlers and still get home for nap time. The waves at Jamestown Beach are small, making this a great choice if you have little ones.
Yorktown Beach
Just over an hour from Richmond, Yorktown Beach is another “day trip doable” beach. With gentle waves, a trolley to take you to and from the beach, and kayak/paddle boat rental, Yorktown Beach offers so much. If anyone in your party is in a wheelchair, Yorktown Beach has a Mobi-Mat and Mobi-Chair, designed to allow guests in wheelchairs full access to the beach. After a day of swimming, finish off with Ben & Jerry’s on the Yorktown Riverwalk Landing.
Packing for the Beach
Over the years I’ve found that packing lightly is better when it comes to beach trips. (Hauling a wagon full of things we don’t use through the sand taught me this important lesson!)
Here is my simplified beach packing list:
- Sunblock (I don’t skimp on this!) – I lather the kids and myself with the lotion, and use the spray for reapplication. For older kids, the stick style sunscreen that they can easily put on themselves will make your life much simpler.
- Towels
- Sand toys, but only one of each type. For example, one bucket, one shovel for the kids to share. If your child loves trucks, bringing large toy trucks they can plow through the sand will be a huge hit.
- A change of clothes for every member of the family is packed but left in the car. One of the grownups typically goes to fetch dry clothes while the other packs up at the beach. I pack everyone’s clothes in separate plastic bags, so I don’t have to sort it out in a changing area or bathroom stall. I reuse the plastic bags to store our wet bathing suits.
- A large tent or canopy for sun blocking, and to mark your place on the beach. We use the same tent for tailgating, camping, and at the beach. It is not fancy, but it blocks the sun. An added benefit of bringing your own tent is that your spot on the beach will be recognizable to your children. We have a bright blue tent that my kids would know anywhere, so if they got separated from us somehow, they could find the tent or be able to describe it to someone who could help.
Optional Beach Gear to Consider
Some beaches, like Chippokes, are rocky on the bottom, if your children are sensitive about surfaces, consider packing water shoes.
A simple watercolor set can add lots of fun and creativity to your beach day. Simply paint seashells using watercolors, and then use the beautifully decorated shells on sand castle creations.
A small table can come in handy if you plan on eating on the beach. My family doesn’t mind sitting on our towels to eat, but if you’re worried about food getting sandy or wet, a table would be useful.
Which beaches does your family love to visit? Let us know @rfmtoday!
