The Best Indoor Activities For an Unforgettable Winter in Virginia

Sometimes a simple “dinner and a movie” just doesn’t cut it, especially during those frigid winter evenings that are on the horizon for Virginia. To help you stave off the boredom that inevitably comes from being cooped up inside all winter, we’ve compiled a few of the most exciting and unique activities around Virginia to keep things interesting.

Whether you’re planning an evening out with friends or a romantic date night, these indoor activities will ensure the fun lasts all winter long in Virginia.

Play at a Park

If you're looking for an indoor venue that offers a bit of everything, The Park RVA is the place to go. The Park has the largest duckpin bowling alley in the country, three full-service bars (one is the largest in Virginia!), an Instagram-worthy miniature golf course, six different restaurants, two karaoke rooms, three virtual golf bays, and live DJ performances every week Thursday through Saturday, you could spend an entire weekend in The Park RVA and still not experience all there is to love.

More All-In-One Fun Destinations in Virginia

• Punch Bowl Social in Arlington – Three floors of fun with four bars, a scratch-to-craft restaurant, both mini and full-size bowling, ping-pong, billiards, karaoke, and old-school arcade games. 

•  

Practice Your Swing at a Golf Range

Unlike your average golf course, Topgolf and Drive Shack don't get cold during the winter. These Virginia golf range locations all have heated bays to keep you comfortable even during the chilliest nights. Plus, they offer cocktail and food service directly to your bays, where you can play a variety of interactive golf games and courses. Inside these high-tech winter golf destinations, you’ll discover bars surrounded by multiple televisions to watch your favorite sports teams, full-service restaurants, and indoor games including table games like pool and retro arcade video games. Topgolf has locations in Loudoun, Richmond, and Virginia Beach, and Drive Shack has a location right outside of Richmond near Short Pump.

Check out Golf Ranges in Virginia

• Topgolf – Loudoun, Richmond, Virginia Beach
• Drive Shack – Richmond (Short Pump) 

See a Movie

Ok, hear us out — this is beyond the standard “dinner-and-a-movie.”Alamo Drafthouse theaters are state-of-the-art, frequently hosting special events such as theme nights, sing-alongs, and stand-up comedy. And their in-house restaurant and cocktail bar means you can have dinner and drinks without ever leaving the theater. With locations in Winchester, Charlottesville, and Woodbridge, there are multiple places to enjoy this step up from your typical movie night.

More Standout Movie Theaters in Virginia

• The Byrd Theatre in Richmond – A historic movie palace, this Carytown institution lives up to its century-old reputation. Catch a movie after dinner or head across the street to Bev's for a sweet treat after a showing. 
• Airbus IMAX Theater in Chantilly – This unique theater is located at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, an annex of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. It shows scientific documentaries as well as major Hollywood releases on its six-story-tall screen. 

Try Your Luck at a Gaming Center

Rosie’s Gaming Emporium has a game floor holding dozens of HHR (Historical Horse Racing) machines, and each Virginia location has casino-like thrills and a range of price points, from the economical machines for those looking to dabble in the games to the high-stakes section for the more experienced player. And each location has several bars and restaurant areas to serve dinner and drinks along with your evening’s entertainment.

More Options for Casinos in Virginia

• Caesars Virginia in Danville – This destination resort in Southern Virginia has a casino, full-service spa, pool, dining, and live music. 
• Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Bristol – Head to Southwest Virginia for a variety of games and entertainment, plus an indoor and outdoor heated pool, a spa, and several eateries. 

Play Some Putt Putt

It may be called Hotel Greene, but you can’t stay here overnight — the vintage hotel-themed business is actually an indoor miniature golf course. “Check in” at the front desk to get your clubs, balls, and score cards, play a round through the Wes Anderson-esque hotel lobby and rooms, then end your highfalutin' mini golf game at the hotel’s restaurant and bar, where you can sip, dine, and unwind.

More Indoor Mini Golf in Virginia

• Monster Mini Golf – Indoor, glow-in-the-dark course with locations in Richmond, Stafford, Chantilly
• The Traveling Bear in Bristol – Putt around depictions of Bristol's unique attractions at this family course 

Play Games at a Nostalgic Arcade

A sprawling restaurant and game room combination, Ruby's Arcade pairs creative wood-fired pizzas with duckpin bowling, pool tables, dart lanes, and foosball. The Harrisonburg venue also has two full bars and a lounge area, where they host weekly events including live music from acoustic performers on Tuesday night and DJ dance parties Thursday through Saturday.

For craft beer fans, a visit to Bingo Beer Co. is a must. The brewery hosts live music and has endless games to keep you entertained for hours, from twelve classic arcade games to pinball, ping pong, and all the boardwalk classics.

More Arcades in Virginia

• Fireball Arcade in Front Royal
• Reclaim Arcade in Fredericksburg
• STARCADE in Roanoke

Get Your Thrills by Go-Karting

A 40,000 square foot state-of-the-art indoor kart racing facility, K1 Speed is the largest completely indoor go-kart facility in all of Virginia. Race your friends in Italian pro-karts that reach speeds of up to 50 MPH on this exciting track. Twelve laps on the weekend start at just $29.99 per person, but they offer several race packages that let you fulfill your need for speed. The Northern Virginia attraction also has an indoor axe-throwing facility, providing even more entertainment for those cold-weather days.

More Go-Kart Facilities in Virginia

• K1 Speed – Dulles, Manassas, Richmond
• LeMans Karting – Portsmouth

Enjoy Classic Board & Social Games

Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the beach! Come to Beachside Social in Virginia Beach for a classic game of shuffleboard as well as a bevy of board games including Trivial Pursuit, Taboo, and Scrabble. And what’s a visit to the beach without a refreshing drink in hand? Head to their coastal-themed bar for a seasonal cocktail, craft beer, or a glass of vino to relax while you game.

More Social Games Bars in Virginia

• The Board Room in Arlington – Drinks, pub food, and friendly competition await at this NOVA spot. 
• Unplugged Games Cafe in Richmond – Enjoy the best of tabletop gaming and snack on tasty appetizers. 

Throw Some Axes

The world’s biggest urban axe throwing club, Bad Axe Throwing, has a location in Alexandria. Skilled axe throwing staff will teach you the traditional Canadian backyard pastime in a safe environment, providing you and your friends with a unique activity for a winter outing.

More Axe Throwing Venues in Virginia

• Axe Republic in Williamsburg
• Tribal Axe Bar & Restaurant in Virginia Beach
• Shield N Sheath in Richmond

Go Bowling

Bowling used to mean putting on smelly shoes and snacking on an array of fried food options while hefting a ball down ancient wooden lanes, but River City Roll has redefined the popular pastime. Elegant tufted leather couches frame each lane, providing a comfortable place to sit while you wait your turn to bowl, and their upscale dining menu includes truffle fries, pork belly steamed buns, and a selection of gourmet brick oven pizzas delivered to your lane. And forget warm pitchers of discount beer; River City serves a full lineup of craft brews, flavorful cocktails, and carefully selected wines from around the world.

Want more options for indoor fun in Virginia? Spend a day at a craft brewery or inside a cozy tasting room at a winery. You could also learn something new at a museum or visit a historic site.