Oh man it’s summer time. It’s time for warm days, ice cream, and bonfires. My boyfriend and I love adventures, I made an entire Pinterest board of things to do this summer. But guess what? I have almost no money to stay overnight at a hotel, go to a lot of music festivals, or go on “beach week” with friends, so I searched for awesome things to do for almost little to no cost in Virginia. So hype.
1. Go to a drive-in movie
Truly a classic. I found two places in Virginia that are rated high for their drive-in movie theaters. Goochland Drive-In Theater is just northwest of Richmond. Tickets are only $6 and they even do Double-Feature Nights! The other is Family Drive-In Theatre right outside Winchester. Tickets are $8 and their menu looks delicious!
2. The National Zoo
If you are far from D.C. there are also zoos in Richmond, Roanoke, and Norfolk. But I love the National Zoo because it’s fun to take the Metro into the city and there are no admission fees for the park! All you need is enough money to ride the Metro and a couple water bottles! There are pandas (as seen above!), elephants, lions, monkeys, and so much more. It is a full day of fun and I can guarantee you’ll love it.
3. Go on a hike
If you’re a nature lover, this will be the best one for you. There are plenty of beautiful places to hike in Virginia. If you’re looking for a light and short walk, go to Government Island in Stafford or Prince William Forest Park. If you’re looking for heights, travel to Shenandoah Valley for great hikes and biking. Some trails even lead you to pools with waterfalls!
4. Downtown Fredericksburg
I live right above Fredericksburg, but I still find it one of the most interesting towns ever. There’s so much to do. Kayaking, shopping, great food (like pizza for Benny's!), music, and a beautiful trail to walk along the Rappahannock River. Let’s not forget amazing donuts from Sugar Shack and ice cream from Carl’s! There's even creepy ghost tours, boo!
5. Luray Caverns
It has been years since I’ve been to Luray, but I’m dying to go again. The natural beauty and history of the caverns is incredible. Tours are filled with interesting facts; you’ll even hear music! Don’t hesitate to make the drive out there, you’ll thank yourself later. By the way, that is a water reflection of stalactites in the picture above, cool right?
6. Go to the beach
Basic I know, but if you’re like me, you might have never been to the beach without your parents before and I’m super psyched about that. The best you’ll find will be in Virginia Beach, not to mention Norfolk is a really cool place to be in the summer, if it ends up raining, go to Topgolf and drive some golf balls. It’s cheaper than you think and an awesome place. If you don’t want to travel all the way past the tunnel, Buckroe Beach and Huntington Beach in the Hampton area are great alternatives.
7. Visit the Smithsonian museums
Before you groan about a museum, I have to tell you Smithsonian has really stepped up their game in recent years. Museums have become more interactive, have more accurate facts, and use the latest technology to display history and science to the public (plus it’s free admission, it doesn’t get better than that.) And who doesn't want to go after seeing Night At The Museum 2?
8. The fun museum!
So if the Smithsonian Museums are not of interest to you, consider the Science Museum of Virginia. I went when I was a kid and I want to go back so bad. It’s fun for all ages, there is so much interactive, fun exhibits (so if you’re babysitting, this could be a great field trip day), an amazing IMAX theater, and great restaurants nearby. If you love embracing your inner child and you are not a museum person, this is your museum. Tickets are between $14-$18 for non-members.
9. Visit historic homes and settlements
Oh man this is the longest list that I can’t even write. There are so many places to go in Virginia for history; Jamestown, Yorktown, Williamsburg (if you want to splurge one day hit up Busch Gardens), Richmond, beautiful homes of Monticello, Mount Vernon, Ferry Farm, and Chatham Manor. Some of these places hold events during the summer, have tours, and even archeological digs. There are spectacular views and lots of history.
10. Ziplines!
For your inner adrenaline junkie, go zipline over Virginia's stunning treetops and mountain ranges. There are plenty of places to choose from but heard great things about GoApe! in Williamsburg and Virginia Canopy Tours in the Shenandoah Valley. This will probably be the most expensive of these trips but you can't put a price on flying over Mother Nature
So whether you're the heights lover, nature lover, history lover, entertainment lover, or in need of a change in pace, Virginia does have everything you need for summer, without breaking the budget!
