If you are in the process of planning a day trip with your family this summer, consider visiting Virginia! From exciting amusement parks such as Kings Dominion, to historic sites including the nation’s capital, Virginia offers a variety of options the whole family can enjoy! For even more affordable day trip ideas, check out our list of Top Affordable Day Trips in PA here.
Amusement Parks- When planning a day trip in Virginia, consider stopping at one of their many exciting amusement parks. Busch Gardens, which has been voted the world’s most beautiful theme park for 23 years in a row, showcases different European countries throughout the park, including Germany, Italy, and France. With a Sesame Street forest for youngsters, and dozens of thrill rides for teenagers and adults, Busch Gardens is a great choice for the entire family.
Located directly next to Bush Gardens, Water Country USA is another family-friendly amusement park that is perfect to visit on a hot summer day. This water park features giant slides, rides, swimming areas, and more. Kings Dominion, located in Doswell ,VA, is a large amusement park to visit as well, featuring thrill rides, live entertainment, water rides, and family rides.
Colonial Williamsburg– Whether you are interested in American history, or just want to have a fun time with your family, colonial Williamsburg is a great place to visit. Explore the Revolutionary city, which features a live representation of life during the 1800’s; you can even join the Revolutionary army for the day! If you are a fan of art, visit The Art Museum of Williamsburg, which features one of the largest collections of American and British antiques from 1660 to 1830. Step into the world of Pocahontas and Captain John Smith at Historic Jamestowne, or enjoy some light exercise at the Golden Horseshow Golf Club, which was rated one of the Top 100 Resort Courses in America by Golfweek Magazine.
Outdoor Activities– Take a trip to Shenandoah National Park to experience a day full of beautiful views and exciting outdoor activities. Hike the Appalachian Trail, take a drive along Skyline Drive and soak in the spectacular views, or if you’re feeling daring, climb one of their many rock scrambles! For more information on things to do at Shenandoah National Park, click here.
The Shenandoah Caverns are a terrific day trip to plan with the entire family. Explore the caverns and marvel at the sparkling calcite crystals hanging from the ceilings. Afterwards, check out their Parade Float Museum or shop for local products while wine tasting in The Yellow Barn.
If you like to fly high, you must make a stop at The Adventure Park in Rice, VA. Here you can experience a 61 obstacle high ropes course and 17 zip lines! Kayaks and canoes are also available to rent if soaring through the trees isn’t your thing.
Virginia Beach– If you love the water, why not take a trip down to Virginia Beach! Layout on the beach and build sandcastles, catch a wave with your boogie board or surf board, or hangout bayside and fish. Tired of the sand? Take a trip to Ocean Breeze Waterpark to enjoy water rides and slides. Virginia Beach also offers FREE concerts throughout the summer, along with festivals, parades, and other events which can be found here. Shopping, golfing, kayaking, and more are located here as well. For a full list of Virginia Beach attractions, click here.
Explore Norfolk- If you are a Baseball fan, why not take a day trip to Norfolk, VA to attend a Norfolk Tides baseball game? Tickets are typically between $9-$12, and some nights they offer a fireworks display concluding the game!
If you are interested in military history, you will want to make a stop at the largest naval base in the world; the Norfolk Naval base. Here you can take a 45-minute tour around the base on a bus and have an opportunity to see aircraft carriers, assault ships, and more. Tickets are only $10 for adults and $5 for children.
Afterwards, make a stop at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. They have a WOW Children’s Garden where kids can splash around in fountains, play in tree houses, learn about bugs, and explore different habitats from around the world. A variety of tour options of the gardens are available as well, including tram tours, walking cell phone tours, and even boat tours!
Explore Washington D.C- With dozens of museums, fine restaurants, memorials, and more, our nation’s capital should definitely be on your list to visit. Consider taking a FREE walking tour of the national monuments and memorials; just tip! The National Mall Tour by Dc by Foot comes highly recommended. Tour the White House and Capitol building; they are both free to see, just make sure to schedule an appointment six months to 21 days in advance. The Smithsonian Institution offers 19 free museums and galleries and a free National Zoo! In addition, areas such as Dupont Circle and Georgetown are great to visit for shopping, art galleries, and good eats.
Whether you’re planning a family vacation to an exotic island, or just looking to go on a fun family day trip, Mariner Finance is here for your financing needs! Contact your local Mariner Finance branch to speak with a knowledgeable member of our staff and get the money you need today!