Summer in Virginia means endless activities at your disposal. It always feels like we’re waiting around for summer, and when it arrives it’s gone again in the blink of an eye. Well, this year can be different. Planning activities and outings with your friends or family is a surefire way to make unique memories that will help the summer last. Ranging from adventurous to mellow, there’s a little something for everyone on this list.
- Stomp your boots at the Floyd Country Store
Richard Toller/flickr Friday Night Jamboree is just one of the musical events held at the Floyd County Store. This is a local favorite that just happens to attract visitors from around the world.
- Test your limits at Busch Gardens
Jeremy Thompson/flickr Summer is truly the season where this 383-acre theme park shines. If you’re looking for a thrilling (and stomach-dropping) afternoon, this is the place. The theme park also has plenty of entertainment aside from their famous rides.
- Enjoy a cold one at Virginia Craft Brewers Festival
Virginia Craft Brewers Fest/Facebook Set in Roseland, VA, the annual Virginia Craft Brewers Fest will feature 50 of the state’s best brews along with music, food, and games. More or less anything about summer you could ever want.
- Attend the Galax Old Fiddlers’ Convention
Eli Christman/flickr This convention, which starts on August 7th, is the oldest and largest of its kind. Brace yourself for some fierce fiddlin’ competitions.
- Stop for something sweet at the Ashland Strawberry Faire
Ashland Strawberry Faire/Facebook One of the sweetest festivals around, the Strawberry Faire celebrates Ashland’s finest berries, as it has been doing since 1982. This year’s festival will take place on June 4th.
- Hop on a bike…and ride for up to 400 miles
jalexartis/flickr Bike Virginia is a June event that gives you the opportunity to bike through the gorgeous Shenandoah Valley. This event welcomes riders of all experience levels, and you certainly do not have to ride the entire course. Starting at Woodstock, the trip includes fun rest stops and sight-seeing along the way.
- Take a dip in Goshen Pass…
Mackenzie Brooks/flickr Goshen Pass is one of the many freshwater swimming holes in the state. It’s also Virginia’s oldest state-managed natural area. Even on the hottest summer day, this mountain stream will feel brisk and refreshing.
8…or at the base of a gorgeous waterfall
Jimmy Emerson/flickr It’s not hard to imagine why Falling Springs is a favorite spot.
- Stay cool in a Shenandoah cavern
lossanjose/flickr Since caverns aren’t affected by outside temperature, they remain at a cool 56 degrees all year long. There are eight impressive cavern systems to choose from, all nestled in the heart of Appalachia.
- Take a hike…
garden beth/flickr Shenandoah National Park offers more trails than you could ever imagine, ranging from short and easy to ones that would take all day. Soak in some rays and all of that green.
11…then enjoy a picnic lunch while admiring the view
Jim Lukach/flickr This photo is taken at the top of Sharp Top trail, which can be accessed by mile marker 86 on the Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway.
- Enjoy a cone at Doumar’s
Doumar’s has been serving barbecue and ice cream since 1907, when it was the first establishment to serve ice cream cones. You just can’t pass up a legend like this.
- Set up camp at a state park
Virginia State Parks/flickr Virginia state parks are consistently rated as some of the finest in the country. This picture is taken at Occoneechee State Park, which is set up on the lovely Lake Kerr.
- Prepare to be amazed on Beach Street USA
Beach Street USA/Facebook Virginia Beach’s boardwalk stretches three miles and during the summer months is ablaze with activity (pun intended). From circus performances, to live music, to funnel cakes galore, you’re guaranteed to find something going on here.
- Play a round of mini golf at the Magic Putting Place
Located in Manassas, the Magic Putting Place has two beautiful courses to choose from, each landscaped with beautiful flowers.
- Enjoy some quality animal time at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region/flickr Virginia Beach’s National Wildlife Refuge offers so many opportunities to interact with the animals. How can you resist this face?
- Root for the Flying Squirrels
Roger Carr/flickr Richmond’s Minor League baseball team is beloved and their games provide endless entertainment, complete with fireworks.
- Catch a movie at Mayberry Drive-In and Diner
Mayberry Drive-In and Diner Located in Moneta, this drive-in theatre also includes a retro diner where you can enjoy a meal before the show.
These are just some of the many options out there to make this summer in Virginia the best yet. What are some of your bucket list summer activities?
Richard Toller/flickr
Friday Night Jamboree is just one of the musical events held at the Floyd County Store. This is a local favorite that just happens to attract visitors from around the world.
Jeremy Thompson/flickr
Summer is truly the season where this 383-acre theme park shines. If you’re looking for a thrilling (and stomach-dropping) afternoon, this is the place. The theme park also has plenty of entertainment aside from their famous rides.
Virginia Craft Brewers Fest/Facebook
Set in Roseland, VA, the annual Virginia Craft Brewers Fest will feature 50 of the state’s best brews along with music, food, and games. More or less anything about summer you could ever want.
Eli Christman/flickr
This convention, which starts on August 7th, is the oldest and largest of its kind. Brace yourself for some fierce fiddlin’ competitions.
Ashland Strawberry Faire/Facebook
One of the sweetest festivals around, the Strawberry Faire celebrates Ashland’s finest berries, as it has been doing since 1982. This year’s festival will take place on June 4th.
jalexartis/flickr
Bike Virginia is a June event that gives you the opportunity to bike through the gorgeous Shenandoah Valley. This event welcomes riders of all experience levels, and you certainly do not have to ride the entire course. Starting at Woodstock, the trip includes fun rest stops and sight-seeing along the way.
Mackenzie Brooks/flickr
Goshen Pass is one of the many freshwater swimming holes in the state. It’s also Virginia’s oldest state-managed natural area. Even on the hottest summer day, this mountain stream will feel brisk and refreshing.
Jimmy Emerson/flickr
It’s not hard to imagine why Falling Springs is a favorite spot.
lossanjose/flickr
Since caverns aren’t affected by outside temperature, they remain at a cool 56 degrees all year long. There are eight impressive cavern systems to choose from, all nestled in the heart of Appalachia.
garden beth/flickr
Shenandoah National Park offers more trails than you could ever imagine, ranging from short and easy to ones that would take all day. Soak in some rays and all of that green.
Jim Lukach/flickr
This photo is taken at the top of Sharp Top trail, which can be accessed by mile marker 86 on the Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway.
Doumar’s has been serving barbecue and ice cream since 1907, when it was the first establishment to serve ice cream cones. You just can’t pass up a legend like this.
Virginia State Parks/flickr
Virginia state parks are consistently rated as some of the finest in the country. This picture is taken at Occoneechee State Park, which is set up on the lovely Lake Kerr.
Beach Street USA/Facebook
Virginia Beach’s boardwalk stretches three miles and during the summer months is ablaze with activity (pun intended). From circus performances, to live music, to funnel cakes galore, you’re guaranteed to find something going on here.
Located in Manassas, the Magic Putting Place has two beautiful courses to choose from, each landscaped with beautiful flowers.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region/flickr
Virginia Beach’s National Wildlife Refuge offers so many opportunities to interact with the animals. How can you resist this face?
Roger Carr/flickr
Richmond’s Minor League baseball team is beloved and their games provide endless entertainment, complete with fireworks.
Mayberry Drive-In and Diner
Located in Moneta, this drive-in theatre also includes a retro diner where you can enjoy a meal before the show.
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