These 14 Places In Virginia Are Exciting And They Don't Cost Anything
By Anna Strock|Updated on August 10, 2020(Originally published July 27, 2020)
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Anna Strock
Author
Virginia staff writer for Only in Your State, freelance writer and journalist. Even though Anna has lived other places, somehow Virginia is where she always seems to land.
We can all agree that Virginia is full of spectacular things to do: attractions, parks, museums, restaurants, and more. But put a price tag on these things and the numbers can add up pretty quickly. So we’ve found some free – yes, we mean free – things to do in Virginia that promise to entertain everyone and, the best part of all, won’t put a strain on your wallet. From outdoor excursions to one-of-a-kind parks, you’ll love this list of free things to do in Virginia.
Built on the site of an old landfill, Mt. Trashmore has turned trash into treasure with 165-acres of park space that has something for everyone. The park features picnic shelters, trails, two fishing lakes, a skate park, the "Kids’ Cove" playground, basketball courts, and more. As a Virginia Beach City Park, it is entirely free to the public.
Who doesn’t love sand, sun, and ocean? But Virginia Beach is much more than that. The beach offers year-round activities along the beachfront and boardwalk, including street performers, live music, sight-seeing, and much more. Just pack a picnic and enjoy the fun. When it comes to free things to do in Virginia, the beach is definitely at the top of the list.
With over 100-acres of manicured gardens, a farm, petting zoo, nature center, and a historic mansion, Maymont is nothing short of a Richmond treasure. Stroll the grounds, see wildlife, visit the Japanese Gardens, and simply enjoy the beauty of this park. The Dooley Mansion and children’s Petting Zoo have $5 suggested donations and the nature center has a nominal fee, but the rest of this amazing park is yours to enjoy for free.
Located on the beautiful James Madison University campus, this stunning oasis offers forested walking trails, botanic gardens, and a wide variety of educational resources. The arboretum is the only one of its kind on a college campus and is open to the public at no charge 365 days a year.
Virginia’s largest living history museum is located at Colonial Williamsburg. While there are fees for some attractions, it is easy to spend a day, or days, walking through the masterfully recreated streets of Williamsburg for a look at life in colonial Virginia without spending a cent. Many reenactments, gardens, and countless exhibits are open at no cost to the public.
This Fairfax County park shows a beautifully preserved glimpse into farm life in the mid-1900s and is the last working farm in the county. See the blacksmith shop, smokehouse, and barns along with pigs, goats, cows, sheep, rabbits, and horses on this real-life dairy farm. Special events include cow and goat milking, wagon rides, educational tours, interactive camps, and equestrian events.
In the heart of urban Hampton, Bluebird Gap Farm has over 150 species of domestic and wild animals, including farm animals, llamas, birds of prey, alpacas, tortoises, and peacocks. Picnic shelters and playgrounds, along with an antique barn showcasing farm and home antiques from the past several centuries, ensure that there is truly something for everyone.
For 34 miles, the Virginia Creeper Trail takes you through some of the most beautiful landscape Virginia has to offer. The trail is considered Virginia’s premier mountain biking trail, but there are sections that will fit any skill level. Bike rentals and shuttle services are available, or bring your own bike, pack a picnic and enjoy the ride.
9. Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Smyth County
Featuring the highest peak in Virginia at 5,729-feet, Mount Rogers National Recreation Area covers 200,000 acres and offers 500 miles of trails, beautiful forests, rock formations, and herds of wild ponies. Activities include hiking, fishing, swimming, picnicking, camping, hunting, biking, bird watching, and much, much more.
Only 18 miles out of Washington D.C., the Mason Neck Wildlife Refuge on the Potomac River was the first national refuge purposed specifically for protecting bald eagles. This free refuge hosts eagles, herons, deer, and many other species of wildlife on 2,227-acres of forest, marsh, and Potomac shoreline.
This beautiful refuge features Lake Drummond and offers over 200 species of birds and wildlife including deer, black bear, bobcats, river otters, and more. Encompassing 112,000 acres, it is truly an escape into another world with trails through pristine forest and marshlands.
This bell tower near Luray Caverns was built in 1937 as a memorial to Colonel T. C. Northcott’s wife and is officially known as the Belle Brown Northcott Memorial. It houses a carillon of 47 bells, the largest weighing in over 7,600 pounds. You can imagine the incredible sounds these bells make – or you can hear them for yourself, free of charge, with regularly scheduled 45-minute concerts throughout the spring, summer, and fall.
Take a closer look at the stars in the McCormick Observatory at the University of Virginia. On the first and third Friday of each month, the Observatory is open to the public for tours, education, and solar observation through the astronomy department’s high-powered telescopes. The events are weather dependent so call (434) 243-1885 for the Public Night Information Line.
As a companion site to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, the Udvar-Hazy Center is a remarkable collection of air and space artifacts. The two massive hangars contain an I-Max theater, a Concorde, the space shuttle Discovery, and countless other examples of aeronautics throughout the decades. An observation tower allows you to watch planes coming in out of Dulles International Airport, one of the world’s busiest hubs, ensuring that kids will love this site almost as much as the adults. For free things in Virginia, it doesn't get much better than this world-class museum.
What are your thoughts on this list of fun things to do in Virginia? How many have you enjoyed? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below! Looking for more cost-effective adventures in Virginia? Check out our list of 6 fun and affordable trips that won’t break the bank.
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free things to do in Virginia
Beth C. |August 10, 2020
What are the most amazing things to do in Virginia?
If you're looking for incredible and unforgettable things to do in Virginia, you'll find no shortage of ideas. Many of Virginia's best attractions are outdoors, such as hiking trails, bike routes, waterways, and one-of-a-kind natural attractions. Some of the most popular outdoor attractions in Virginia include Grayson Highlands State Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Rock Castle Gorge in Floyd, Skyline Drive, Natural Bridge, Falling Spring Falls, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Devil's Marbleyard, and the New River Trail State Park. Other not-to-be-missed attractions in Virginia include Mount Vernon, Monticello, Emancipation Oak, Arlington National Cemetery, Humpback Bridge, Jamestown, and more. For related content, here are the 11 very best day trips you can take in Virginia.
Where can I go in Virginia that only locals know about?
Now that you've heard about some of the most amazing things to do in Virginia, you're probably curious to learn about more of the off-the-beaten-path destinations. At the top of the list of amazing places in Virginia that only locals know about is Devil's Bathtub. You should be warned, though, that this destination isn't exactly easy to get to. For starters, it requires a relatively strenuous hike to get there, and you'll encounter a few stream crossings along the way. However, once you arrive, you'll be treated to some of the most devastatingly blue water in all of Virginia. It's a small swimming hole that's so brisk it'll take your breath away and so beautiful that you won't believe your eyes. Curious to learn more? Here's everything you need to know about visiting Devil's Bathtub in Virginia.
What are the best road trips to take in Virginia?
Road trips in Virginia are a great idea because, aside from the price of gas, you typically don't need to spend too much along the way. There are countless itineraries for exploring Virginia by car, and it largely depends on what you're most interested in. For example, if you love admiring Virginia's waterfalls, then you might consider embarking on a waterfall road trip. Or, if you're someone who loves a good bargain, we even have a bargain hunter's road trip through Virginia. Of course, no road trip through Virginia is complete without some incredible food, and you can even take food-themed road trips if you'd like. Our taco trail through Virginia is sure to have your mouth watering in no time. So load up the car, bring your closest friends and family, and prepare to be amazed by all that Virginia has to offer.
