By Kimberly Ripley
Vacations for Kids in VA
The state of Virginia provides families with children a plethora of fun and educational activities designed to fuel the memory bank for years to come. From outdoor adventures to amusement park thrills, the state even affords numerous opportunities to make learning fun for kids and grown-ups alike. Laden with National Parks, an amazing coastline and storybook-quality country roads and scenery, a visit to Virginia is sure to become a favorite vacation spot for families with kids.
Educational Thrills
Adults and kids alike are enjoying a water thrill ride at Busch Gardens in Virginia.
Busch Gardens, located in Williamsburg, Virginia, is one of very few amusement parks in the United States that offers amazing thrill rides along with some incredibly educational options. Its European architecture, costumes, shops and cuisine allow a domestic taste of what life in some European countries is like, on a level that really captures the attention of kids who likely don't realize they are learning while having fun. Live music, animal and dance shows round out the entertainment plan, providing ample additional options for kids to have fun. Bring your swimsuits, a towel and an extra change of clothes because some of the rides here are designed to soak you to the skin!
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
buschgardens.com/BGW2/Plan/ParkInfo
Fun History
Kids will love visiting the Little Blue School at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.
Kids will love learning to play with toys from days gone by at Colonial Williamsburg. While browsing blocks of buildings housing merchants, eateries and even an old school house, kids will enjoy seeing what life was like during the Colonial era. Not far from Busch Gardens, Colonial Williamsburg affords families more bang for their buck when visiting the region in Virginia. Check online or with a travel agent, as sometimes there are great deals available for combining the two visits.
Colonial Williamsburg
history.org/history
Underground Adventures
Kids will marvel at the natural rock formations underground at Skyline Caverns in Virginia.
Not everyone knows that the state of Virginia is home to many systems of natural underground caves that are available for exploration. This is a perfect way to incorporate fun, education, exercise and family togetherness on your vacation. Many of these caves feature adjacent playgrounds and picnic areas for vacationing families and kids to blow off a little energy and enjoy a leisurely lunch before or after an underground adventure. One such cave is called Skyline Caverns. Located in Front Royal, Virginia, along the Shenandoah Valley, it is home to caves as well as a playground, picnic grounds and a train ride that kids will adore. A visit to the caves is absolutely perfect on a hot summer day, as its underground temperature remains approximately 55 degrees.
Skyline Caverns
SkylineCaverns.com
Resources
About the Author:
Kimberly Ripley is a freelance writer and published author from Portsmouth, N.H. She studied at the University of Maine and later pursued her writing studies through numerous classes and workshops. She has written hundreds of published articles and short stories and is the author of five books.
Photo Credits:
Virtual Tourist, WilliamsburgTickets.com, flickr.com, Skyline Caverns
