Virginia is home to countless attractions, and most of them are perfect for even the youngest travelers. If you happen to be traveling with the whole family, you might consider taking our family-friendly road trip. Along the way, you'll encounter themed restaurants, whimsical attractions, beautiful natural sites, and much more. So load up the car and let's start exploring!
Clocking in at just over four hours, this trip is best decided between two or three days, and we have some suggestions for accommodations below.
First up on our itinerary is Natural Bridge State Park, where you'll find the namesake natural wonder that has wowed visitors and residents alike for centuries. The state park is a wonderful place to bring the kiddos, not only to see the giant, 215-foot bridge, but also to check out the educational exhibits such as the Monacan Indian Living History Exhibit. Here's more on what makes Natural Bridge State Park such an excellent family day trip destination.
All that exploring is bound to work up an appetite; and fortunately, the Pink Cadillac Diner isn't too far away. This 1950s-inspired eatery will take you back to the good old days. Even the youngest visitors will find loads to love about the classic dining experience, complete with a jukebox and an actual pink cadillac parked outside. Read more about what makes this one of the most unique restaurants in Virginia.
Not too far away is another natural wonder in Virginia, Crabtree Falls. Tucked away in Montebello, this breathtaking cascade is the tallest of its kind on the East Coast. If the kiddos are up for an adventure, it's possible to hike the staircases trail all the way to the top of the waterfall. Photo opportunities abound, so don't forget your camera! Also, if you need a place to stay nearby, you can check out these authentic log cabin rentals near the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Many people think about visiting Carter Mountain Orchard in the fall for their famous apple cider donuts, but the truth is, this orchard makes a fantastic day trip destination year-round. In addition to seasonal fruit picking, this local business offers a market full of tasty treats for the kids and a cider tasting room for the adults.
Looking to let loose? Fun Land of Fredericksburg is our next stop, and it promises fun for the whole crew. With go-karts, hundreds of classic arcade games, laser tag, and more, this spot makes an excellent destination no matter the weather. There's nothing better than a little friendly competition when it comes to family bonding! Learn more about planning your visit when you check out Fun Land of Fredericksburg online.
The last stop on our family-friendly road trip through Virginia is a delightful eatery in Ashland. The Caboose Market is a casual cafe with a little something for everyone: locally-inspired cuisine with an impressive range of offerings. In fact, we hear this place specializes in Sloppy Joes, and what could be better for the kids (or kids-at-heart) in your group? Check out what's on the menu at the Caboose Market & Cafe in Ashland.
So what are your thoughts on this family-friendly road trip through Virginia? Would you take your family along for the ride? Be sure to share your thoughts with us in the comments below -- we'd love to hear from you! Do you have any other recommendations for fun places to bring the family? Be sure to tell us all about it when you fill out a nomination form.
Is there anything more exhilarating than hitting the open road? Here in Virginia, there's so much to see, and one of the best ways to explore the state is by car. If you've ever driven through Virginia, you can attest to the fact that it's a much bigger state than you might have realized, and the options are pretty overwhelming. Fortunately, we've done most of the work for you. Below you'll find several Virginia road trip ideas. You'll discover seasonal road trips, 1-day road trips, multi-day road trips, and much more. So gas up the car and curate your favorite playlist -- adventure awaits on one of the best road trips in Virginia featured here!
Route: False Cape State Park > First Landing State Park > Belle Isle State Park > Westmoreland State Park
Distance: 168 miles
Trip Time: 3.5 hours driving time
Virginia's coast is a magical place filled with history, stunning scenery, and fascinating attractions. This 1-day road trip in Virginia will take you to four of Virginia's coastal state parks for a healthy dose of fresh air, marshes, cliffs, dunes, and more. Be sure to plan to spend at least a little time at each state park. And if you do, this trip will likely take all day!
Route: Staunton > Crozet > Farmville > South Boston > Galax > Lexington
Distance: 491 miles
Trip Time: 9 hours driving time
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For a fun-filled long weekend road trip in Virginia, why not visit some of Virginia's most charming small towns? This 9-hour trip is definitely on the longer side, but you'll enjoy seeing six adorable small towns along the way. Each of these places is rich in history, charms, and dining options. You might just find that you're tempted to relocate to one of these adorable small towns in Virginia!
Route: Ralph Stanley Museum and Traditional Mountain Music Center > Country Cabin II Appalachian Traditions Village > The Carter Family Fold > The Birthplace of Country Music Museum > Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace > The Old Fiddler’s Convention and Rex Theater > Blue Ridge Music Center > The Floyd Country Store > Blue Ridge Institute and Farm Museum
Distance: 316 miles
Trip Time: 6.5 hours driving time
The Crooked Road is the nickname for Virginia's Heritage Music Trail, which is a scenic road trip celebrating the history of country and bluegrass music in the Old Dominion. The Crooked Road is a fascinating way to learn about this particular region in Virginia, which includes 19 counties and over 50 towns in communities.
Route: Hilton Vacation Club The Historic Powhatan > Muscarelle Museum of Art > Jamestown-Scotland Ferry
Distance: 11 miles
Trip Time: 30 minutes driving time
A day trip to Williamsburg is the perfect idea for history buffs, nature enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys a small town setting. For this particular trip, you can stay overnight at the Hilton Vacation Club before exploring the sites of Colonial Williamsburg. We'd also recommend hopping on the ferry to tour the area via the James River.
Route: Crabtree Falls > Saint Marys Waterfall > Statons Creek Falls > Panther Falls > Blue Suck Falls > Falling Spring Falls > Roaring Run Falls > Apple Orchard Falls > Hollins Mill Park
Distance: 261 miles
Trip Time: 7.25 hours driving time
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April showers bring May flowers -- and lots of gorgeous waterfalls here in Virginia! The perfect Virginia road trip for spring is one that will lead you to our state's most stunning waterfalls. This waterfall road trip is conveniently a loop, so you'll end up right back where you started. Bring your hiking boots and swimming gear, too, because some of these trails lead to waterfall swimming holes.
Route: Jones Point Lighthouse > New Point Comfort Lighthouse > Cape Henry Lighthouse > Cape Charles Lighthouse > Assateague Lighthouse
Distance: 360 miles
Trip Time: 7.5 hours driving time
Does anything say summer more than a picturesque lighthouse? We think not! That's what inspired our summer-friendly lighthouse road trip along the Virginia coast. It's a great way to get to know the history of the area while you explore these beautiful landmarks. You'll even get the chance to travel the most iconic bridge-tunnel in Virginia.
Route: Crabtree Falls > Lexington > Mountain Lake > Mabry Mill > High Bridge Trail State Park > The Blue Ridge Parkway
Distance: 460 miles
Trip Time: 9.5 hours driving time
During autumn, the Old Dominion is blessed with an abundance of brilliant colors, and we've charted out some of the best places to see fall foliage in Virginia. This beautiful fall road trip will take you to charming towns and even along the Blue Ridge Parkway -- one of the state's most picturesque autumn drives. One thing's for sure: you won't want to forget your camera on one of the best weekend road trips in Virginia!
Route: Virginia Beach > Norfolk Botanical Garden > Newport News Park > Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens > Downtown Farmville > South Hill > Old Town Portsmouth
Distance: 375 miles
Trip Time: 7 hours driving time
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Winter in Virginia is a magical time, which you'll experience firsthand when you embark on this holiday lights road trip through Virginia. Along the way, you'll tour beautiful towns that are decked to the nines as well as drive-thru Christmas lights. It's perfect for all ages! This trip takes about 7 hours of driving time, so you'll likely want to break it up over a weekend.
Route: Natural Bridge > The Pink Cadillac Diner > Crabtree Falls > Carter Mountain Orchard & Country Store > Fun Land of Fredericksburg > The Caboose Market & Cafe
Distance: 205 miles
Trip Time: 4.25 hours driving time
Planning to take a road trip with kids in Virginia? We've got you covered! We've outlined a family-friendly road trip that will take you to all kinds of kid-approved locations: a themed restaurant, a gorgeous waterfall, a theme park, and more! It's the perfect Virginia road trip idea for spring break or summer, because quick road trips in Virginia can be just as much fun as full-on week-long vacations.
Are you ready for a truly epic Virginia road trip? We've got quite an itinerary mapped out; it takes nearly 16 hours to complete! It's worth every minute of driving time, however, because along the way, you'll enjoy some of Virginia's most stunning natural wonders. From underground caverns to a natural bridge and even the Grand Canyon of the South, this is one of the best road trips to take in Virginia for nature lovers.
Route: Crozet > Staunton > Farmville > South Boston > Galax > Lexington > Staunton
Distance: 491 miles
Trip Time: 9 hours driving time
We absolutely adore our small towns here in Virginia! This road trip to the best small towns in Virginia will take you to some of the best. Whether you're perusing main street for a coffee, exploring a local gallery, or trying a new restaurant, you'll discover why any given Virginia small town is oh-so-charming.
What do you think are the best road trips in Virginia? Share your favorite places to explore with a comment.
Who doesn't love a good road trip? Here at Only In Virginia, we'll take nearly any excuse to hop in our cars and explore the beautiful landscape that Virginia has to offer. If you agree with this sentiment, then you'll be excited by today's featured road trip: a waterfall road trip in Virginia. While the itinerary doesn't cover even half of the impressive waterfalls you'll find in our state, you can look forward to experiencing nine different falls, ranging from gentle cascades to rushing gorges.
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The driving portion requires a little less than eight hours, not including potential hiking and viewing time. If you're interested in seeing all of the waterfalls on the route, be sure to plan ahead by booking a campsite or finding overnight accommodations.
Our waterfall road trip in Virginia begins at Crabtree Falls, perhaps one of the most famous cascades in the state. To start with, it's the tallest series of cascading waterfalls east of the Mississippi River and falls 1,200 feet over the course of 0.5 miles. Visitors can hike alongside the falls or admire a portion of the drop from the viewing platform, just steps away from the parking area. For more information, check out our previous article highlighting Crabtree Falls.
Saint Marys Wilderness encompasses 10,000 acres within the George Washington National Forest. The hike to the namesake waterfall, Saint Marys Falls, requires a 1.8-mile out-and-back trek along the creek. You won't be disappointed by the views along the way or by the final destination, a scenic 25-foot drop. Learn more about this beautiful waterfall hike in Virginia.
The next stop, Statons Creek Falls, requires no hiking at all. This lovely, zig-zag waterfall is located within the Pedlar District of George Washington National Forest. You can admire the series of cascades and gorges right from the parking lot. Eventually, this waterfall merges with the Pedlar River. Learn more about Statons Creek Falls.
If at this point in the itinerary, you're looking for a place to cool off, then you're in luck! Panther Falls is a beautiful waterfall that also doubles as a swimming hole. Located in Buena Vista, this popular summertime destination attracts visitors near and far for its ideal swimming conditions. Though some attempt to jump into the water from the rocks, this is extremely dangerous and not recommended. Instead, play it safe and wade into the pool to test water conditions and depth. Note that the pathway to Panther Falls is approximately 0.4 miles in length. We wax poetic about Panther Falls in our previous article.
Blue Suck Falls is located in Douthat State Park and requires a bit of a trek to reach. The upside is that you'll be hiking through the Blue Ridge Mountains and enjoying some of the most beautiful scenery in the region. Blue Suck Falls drops approximately 50 feet with three distinct cascades. If there's been a drought, this waterfall can be virtually dry, so it's best to visit after heavy rainfall. For more information on hiking to Blue Suck Falls, click here.
Bonus waterfall: the Douthat State Park dam. If you're not up for a few miles of hiking at Douthat, fret not. There's another waterfall option that doesn't require as much activity. While it's technically a dam, this river spillway is incredibly photogenic and will most certainly delight visitors of all ages. Learn more about Blue Suck Falls.
Falling Spring Falls is undoubtedly the most dramatic waterfall in Virginia. Luckily, it can also be admired from the designated parking lot. Falling Spring Falls measures approximately 70 feet, although it was originally believed to be closer to 200 before being rerouted. It's hard to determine which is more beautiful: the waterfall itself or the backdrop of the Alleghany Mountains. For more information about Falling Spring Falls, read our previous article.
The name Roaring Run might be inspired by the sheer volume of water that visitors notice upon experiencing noisy cataracts leading to the falls. The hike to Roaring Run falls is one mile and requires a bit of climbing, although is widely considered to be easy. Along the way, you'll experience a bit of Virginia's iron forge history as well as a series of smaller falls. Read all about Roaring Run Falls.
Apple Orchard Falls is a breathtaking destination that can be accessed via the Blue Ridge Parkway near the Sunset Fields Overlook. The Apple Orchard Falls Trail is a 2.6-mile there-and-back trek that leads to an impressive and complex waterfall that's approximately 200 feet. Let's just say you'll want to bring your camera with you for the endless photo ops that abound along this scenic trail. Learn more about Apple Orchard Falls.
The dam at Hollins Mill Park is the final destination on our waterfall loop in Virginia. Despite the fact that it isn't technically a waterfall, this historic attraction is certainly worth visiting. The park surrounding the dam offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, including picnic areas where you can rest and reflect upon your waterfall adventures. Learn more about all there is to explore at Hollins Mill Park.
What are your thoughts on this unique Virginia waterfall road trip? Have you experienced any of the waterfalls on this itinerary before? If so, we'd love to hear from you! Feel free to leave us a comment below. And don't forget to check out our road trip essentials packing list!
