By Sarah Valek
Jamestown, Virginia
Virginia isn't just for lovers; it is also for kids. The state is chock full of activities, many of which are steeped in history and tradition. From hands-on museums to historic landmarks, there is plenty for children of all ages to do in this destination.
Virginia Discovery Museum
Located in Charlottesville, this hands-on museum is centered around the concept of creative play. Younger children and toddlers will love exhibits, such as the busy ball wall, walk-in kaleidoscope, rainforest hallway and toddler room pirate ship. Exhibits are geared toward nature, humanities, arts and science topics. Read a book in the hollowed-out tree, known as the treehouse, when your busy child is tired out.
Virginia Discovery Museum
524 E Main Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902-5336
(434) 977-1025
Jamestown Settlement
History is fun at the Jamestown Settlement, a museum that re-creates life in seventeenth century Virginia. Visit the recreated Powhatan Indian village, walk into a life-sized colonist's fort or hop aboard one of the three English ships. Historical interpreters won't just talk about what people did in the 1600s; they recreate colonial life and actively show your family what life was like. Jamestown Settlement is located in historic Williamsburg.
Jamestown Settlement
2218 Jamestown Road, Route 31 S.
Williamsburg, VA 23185
(888) 593-4682
Children's Museum of Richmond
Keep your toddlers busy in this popular, hands-on museum. Everything in the museum is based around the important act of playing. Visit one of the museum's many learning environments, such as the treeclimber, cave, barn, backyard, town square, grocery store, television station and ambulance, or your kids can spend their time building blocks or experimenting in the art studio.
Children's Museum of Richmond
2626 W Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23220-1904
(804) 474-7000
Virginia Museum of Transportation
If your kids love things that go, then take them to the Virginia Museum of Transportation. Exhibitions feature electric and steam train locomotives and plenty of automobiles, such as NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon's car and a pickup truck from 1932. There are also plenty of hands-on exhibits for little ones. The museum is located in Roanoke.
Virginia Museum of Transportation
303 Norfolk Ave SW
Roanoke, VA 24016-3620
(540) 342-5670
Mount Vernon
Take your kids into George Washington's estate and gardens for a tour through history. Mount Vernon offers a special program called "Hands-on History" that works to engage kids in learning about the first president. Upon admission kids will receive an adventure map and will have to solve puzzles and go on a scavenger hunt as they tour Mount Vernon's grounds. Between sleuthing, take a break and show your kids one of the many heritage breeds of animals running around--whether it be sheep, turkeys, chickens, oxen, hogs or cattle. Visit in spring to see baby animals. Mount Vernon is located in Alexandria, just 16 miles from Washington, D. C.
Historic Mount Vernon
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway,
Mount Vernon, VA 22309
(703) 780-2000
Resources
About the Author:
Sarah Valek has been a writer since 2006. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in writing and art from Ithaca College. Valek's work has appeared in ModernMom.com, "Mommies Magazine" and "Natural Moms Talk Radio."
Photo Credits:
jamestown sunset image by David Dorner from
Fotolia.com
