Day Trips & Small Towns in Virginia with Kids
Ready to unplug from the daily routine with kids? You are in the right place! Virginia is packed with family-friendly day trips I explored with my family since moving to the South. I hope you enjoy them too.
1. Staunton
This is my favorite family-friendly town in the Shenandoah Valley and I think it's underrated and off-the-beaten path which we love! Personally, Staunton's one of the most charming and family-friendly small towns we’ve explored in Virginia, and we loved it on our day trip from Richmond.
After we parked, we enjoyed downtown Staunton, which was walkable and lovely. The brick sidewalks, colorful murals, and historic buildings kept the kids curious, and there were plenty of spots to stop, look around, and snack without feeling rushed.
We discovered a delicious local bakery near Beverley Street, where we shared oversized cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate - kid-approved!
A highlight for all of us was the Frontier Culture Museum just outside town. Walking through recreated historic farms gave the kids space to explore, run around, and ask endless questions, while we enjoyed the hands-on history and open-air setting.
Later, we headed to Gypsy Hill Park, which was an absolute win for families. The playground, walking paths, and ducks by the pond made it easy to unwind while the kids burned off energy.
What I loved best:
In the afternoon, we treated ourselves to ice cream downtown and sat outside watching the trains roll by—one of those unexpectedly magical moments that kids remember forever.
2. Williamsburg
First off, your first reaction may be that, yikes, Williamsburg is too touristy, and you are right, it is. That said, if you bear with me and read through the end, I think I can convince you that it's absolutely perfect for kids because it's so interactive. Moreover, you can trust me that they will keep drawing on this unique experience years later while learning about American history in school (yes, all the way through high school!).
For my family, it was Colonial Williamsburg was the first stop and we spend most of our day here. Walking along the streets felt like stepping into a dream and the history felt alive and vibrant here.
The kids loved seeing the costumed interpreters, which made it a cool and unusual way to learn, and for us it was the absolute best mix of fun and educational magic.
After that we walked around and grabbed lunch, which was family friendly. You can headed to Busch Gardens Williamsburg on the same day if your kids have lots of energy, but honestly I recommend a separate day trip (or spending the night!). Busch Gardens rides and European-style villages are exciting and also education in a way for little kids, so you really don't want to rush the experience.
Later on we slowed things down at Jamestown Settlement, which is close by and a spectacular spot that feels underrated compared to bigger attractions.
Seeing the ships and interactive exhibits was such a cool experience, and the kids were surprisingly into it. We ended the day walking along Duke of Gloucester Street again, ice cream in hand. I also recommend checking out these unique beaches near Williamsburg for a relaxing family day out.
3. Luray Caverns
We planned one of the best family weekend getaways in Virginia and started early driving toward Luray Caverns near Shenandoah National Park (less than a 2-hour day trip from D.C. and one of my favorites!).
First thing we did was park and grab tickets. Next, walking into the cavern entrance was pure magic, the kids got quiet which never happens, it felt unusual and cool.
As we went deeper, the spectacular stalactites and stalagmites felt like an absolute best underground experience.
The lights made everything more dramatic, and we kept saying this place is underrated for families with kids.
We stopped a lot so the kids could ask questions, making it an interesting and joyful learning experience.
The Great Stalacpipe Organ was next and honestly it was the coolest and most unique thing we’ve ever heard.
After exploring, we walked the garden paths outside which felt relaxing and perfect for a family break.
Lunch came next in nearby Luray town, which is such an amazing small town gem in the Shenandoah Valley.
We wandered the streets, found ice cream, and loved how this area felt welcoming and not crowded.
Later we visited nearby Hawksbill Greenway, a brilliant idea for letting kids run and unwind.
4. McLean
This is one of my favorite small towns to visit in virginia with kids near our nation's capital.
First thing we did was visit Great Falls Park, which felt like an absolute best natural gem. Walking along the trails was an amazing experience, complete with refreshing waterfalls.
The kids were fascinated by the rocks and overlooks. We stopped at several viewpoints.After that we headed to the visitor center, which was interesting and easy for kids to enjoy.
Later we drove into town for lunch, finding an affordable café that became a quick favorite. Next we explored nearby Clemyjontri Park, which is honestly one of the best playgrounds around.
For me, being so close to DC makes McLean an easy and exciting small town escape.
By the end of the day we all agreed this was a hidden gem for families and one of the best small towns to visit on a day trip from Virginia. We ended the day with a short walk near the Potomac, my personal highlight.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, we've found that buying the America the Beautiful Pass is cost effective.
