10 Summer Vacation Ideas for Families

The great thing about Virginia is how many options there are when it comes to family travel. As cliche as it sounds, there really is something for everyone. These 10 ideas for a family vacation are just the tip of the iceberg.

THE BEACH

"Going to the beach" is just the start when you're vacationing in Virginia. Even within the city of Virginia Beach, there are three distinct beach experiences, and moving from one to another is a great way to enjoy a little bit of everything.

• The Resort Life—Visitors can "live the life" along the iconic three-mile oceanfront boardwalk lined with hotels, museums, bars, restaurants and shops. There's always live entertainment, too.
• The Island Life—Virginia Beach's southern shore, Sandbridge, offers a secluded island-like environment full of breathtaking views bordering the Back Bay Wildlife Refuge, along with local shops, restaurants and outdoor outfitters.
• The Bay Life—For a quieter beach vacation, opt for the scenic, calm waters of Chesapeake Bay Beaches.

Find more of our favorite beaches.

THE LAKE

Much like the beach, "the lake" begs the question: Which one? Choose one of the bigger lakes or hit up a Virginia State Park for more adventures.

• The Largest Lake—Buggs Island Lake (also known as Kerr Reservoir) in Clarksville is more than 50,000 acres of fresh water and 800+ miles of shoreline. Two state parks border it, and it's been dubbed "the best crappie lake in the world" by In-Fisherman magazine.
• The Second Largest Lake—Many believe Smith Mountain Lake is the largest in Virginia, but alas, it only boasts 500 miles of shoreline and spans three counties. Choose from a range of accommodations and find water sport rentals easily available.
• The Third Largest Lake—Lake Anna is bordered by Lake Anna State Park on its north side, has 200 miles of shoreline and encompasses 13,000 acres of water surface.

Check out more lakes in Virginia to find the perfect fit for your family. 

THE MOUNTAINS

Spend some time on the Blue Ridge Parkway or in Shenandoah National Park. Many trails lead you to beautiful outcroppings, waterfalls, historic ruins, and other special places. The Appalachian Trail courses through them both, so pick up a leg and walk for a while. To say you've even set foot on the AT gives you the right to brag.

Mountain Experiences to Consider:

• Mabry Mill 
• Peaks of Otter
• Blue Ridge Music Center
• Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
• Breaks Interstate Park

Keep reading for mountain getaways we love.

THE BAY

The Chesapeake Bay is vast and approachable from many river and coastal points. Fishermen love the Bay for its blue crab, Spanish mackerel and croaker. However, it's the revitalization of Virginia oysters along the Chesapeake Bay that many seafood lovers relish.

Exploring the Bay on land is a big adventure. Learn more about Virginia's maritime history in places like Irvington, home of the Steamboat Era Museum, or watch the bald eagles soar above the Potomac River at Caledon State Park in King George. From the Eastern Shore, ferry out to Tangier Island for an entirely different perspective of Chesapeake Bay life.

Keep seeing how you can live the bay life. 

CAMPING

Will it be bayside campsites at Sun Outdoors Cape Charles, oceanfront campsites at First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach, or perhaps wooded campsites at Sherando Lake Recreation Area in the Shenandoah Valley? 

There are many places to pitch your tent and you can do it primitively or glamorously, if you wish. Use our beginner's guide to camping in Virginia to make sure you're ready for your first family camping trip. 

Keep exploring campgrounds around Virginia. 

THE MUD & WATER

Mud is fun and you should experience it outside of a spa. No, really! Get your feet wet (literally), by renting an ATV and hitting the Spearhead Trails. Pair your mud with some Clinch River rafting, fishing, or kayaking, and that's a great vacation.

Additional Mud & Water Pairings:

• Appalachian Adventures, Luray
• Peters Mill Run/Taskers Gap Trail System, Woodstock

Get more info on how you can rev it up this summer. 

RESORTS

Tap into the fun amenities available at a Virginia resort this summer—there are tons of family-friendly resorts around the Commonwealth to choose from. Explore packages at iconic sites like The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, and The Tides Inn in Irvington to get the most value for your budget. 

Check out our guide to family-friendly resorts around Virginia. 

THEME & WATER PARKS

If you're looking for the most roller coasters in Virginia, Kings Dominion is your go-to. If it's well-rounded family fun with a little of this and a little of that, Busch Gardens is the place. Each has a distinct vibe. Perhaps the best thing to do is both! 

At Kings Dominion, the water park Soak City is already included with admission. Add Water Country USA into your Busch Gardens trip for some aquatic fun. 

There's even more amusement parks to discover around Virginia. 

THE PRESIDENTS

Make your trip to discover the fun side of Virginia's history a historic one when you visit the homes of our United States Presidents.

Monticello was Thomas Jefferson's primary home and is the only U.S. presidential and private home on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. Tour the Academical Village at the University of Virginia in nearby Charlottesville and then visit his other home, the Poplar Forest retreat, about 90 minutes away in Forest.

In Northern Virginia, George Washington's Mount Vernon is a treasure with many kids' activities, the gristmill, and trails. If you're traveling between Monticello and Mount Vernon, also stop at James Madison's Montpelier.

More Presidents Homes:

• James Monroe's Highland
• Berkeley Plantation (William Henry Harrison) 
• Sherwood Forest (John Tyler)
• Woodrow Wilson House

Find more historic fun in Virginia. 

THE HISTORIC TRIANGLE

In Coastal Virginia, an imaginary triangle connects some of the most historic sites in the United States of America.

What is Virginia's Historic Triangle? 

• Jamestown—Explore the first English settlement in the New World at Jamestown Settlement and Historic Jamestowne.
• Williamsburg—Trace the founding of a new nation in Colonial Williamsburg, a living history experience like no other. 
• Yorktown—Experience the site of the final battle of the Revolutionary War at Yorktown Battlefield and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

Plan your trip to Virginia's Historic Triangle. 

Keep exploring family-friendly things to do in Virginia, including our picks for affordable activities to add to your vacation.