No matter the season, Virginia has a lot to offer. While the state’s motto is “Virginia is for Lovers”, there are numerous day trip and weekend destinations with fun activities for people of all ages.
Virginia Beach
A half-hour away, sea breezes, sand, and sunshine await at Virginia Beach where you can spend the day sunbathing, building sandcastles, floating in the ocean, or just relaxing. Favorite activities include walks along the beach, riding bicycles, or rollerblading along the 3-mile boardwalk lining the oceanfront. You’ll find plenty of restaurants offering everything from a full-service dinner to ice cream cones and shops to pick up souvenirs and necessities. During the summer, sit back and watch the sunset and listen to live music from four stages at select locations.
Williamsburg
Let your wild side run free when you spend the day at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. The fun-filled theme park features exciting rides and rollercoasters, exciting live performances on stage, along with interesting and informative tours. While visiting, you’ll have the privilege of viewing our wildlife family which includes birds of prey, wolves, foxes, Scottish highland cattle, reptiles, small mammals, border collies, and the park’s famous Clydesdale horses! Enjoy multiple dining options and pick up a souvenir at one of many themed shops.
Another fun destination just an hour’s drive from Chesapeake is Colonial Williamsburg. Touted as one of the 52 places to visit in 2019 according to The New York Times, the attraction affords the opportunity to step back to another time and experience 18th-century American history. From living museums and historic taverns to art museums and hands-on activities, Colonial Williamsburg is a piece of Virginia you won’t want to miss!
Norfolk
Just 11 minutes from Chesapeake, you’ll find a plethora of things to do in Norfolk. Take a relaxing stroll through the Norfolk Botanical Gardens or the Virginia Zoological Park. As home to the Norfolk Naval Station, plan to spend time at the Nauticus maritime-themed museum where you can tour the Wisconsin, a WWII battleship. The Chrysler Museum of Art is a visually appealing destination where sculpture, paintings, and glasswork from around the world are on display.
Blue Ridge Parkway
For an extended adventure, a four hours’ drive will take you to some of the most scenic views that Virginia and North Carolina have to offer via Blue Ridge Parkway. With over 450 miles of unsurpassed beauty, you’ll weave your way through forested landscapes with the Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop all along the way.
If you bring along your tent or RV you can make a reservation at one of the eight campgrounds along the parkway or the several additional sites just beyond it. Activities are plentiful and focus around engaging with the natural environment. Enjoy hiking, waterfalls, wildlife observation, and more.
Whether you hope to get away from Chesapeake for an hour, a day, or a weekend, Virginia offers a variety of destinations, each boasting an array of activities that will satisfy your craving for fun and adventure as well as opportunities to relax!
Image via tvanhoosear | Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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