If your kids have started asking, "What are we doing today?" you're definitely not alone.
By the middle of summer, it's nice to break out of the usual routine without planning a full vacation. One of the best things about living in the New River Valley is that we're surrounded by places that make for easy day trips. Within a couple of hours, you can be hiking to see wild ponies, spending the day at a beach, exploring underground caverns, riding a steam train, or challenging your kids to a pinball showdown.
Pack a cooler, fill the gas tank, and let someone else pick the playlist. Here are 15 family adventures that are well worth the drive.
1. Randolph Park Water Park | Dublin, VA
Drive Time: About 30 minutes
Sometimes the best day trips are practically in your backyard.
Randolph Park is a summer favorite for local families thanks to its outdoor pool, water slides, splash features, playgrounds, sports fields, and walking trails. It's an easy way to cool off without spending the whole day in the car.
Local Tip: Weekends fill up quickly, so arriving close to opening gives you the best chance at finding a shady spot.
2. Natural Bridge State Park | Natural Bridge, VA
Drive Time: About 1 hour
There's a reason Natural Bridge has been drawing visitors for generations.
The walk to Virginia's famous natural landmark is paved and manageable for most families. Continue beyond the bridge to Lace Falls for an easy hike that offers plenty of opportunities to spot birds, butterflies, and other wildlife.
Local Tip: Morning visits are cooler and usually less crowded.
3. Natural Bridge Caverns | Natural Bridge, VA
Drive Time: About 1 hour
When the summer temperatures climb, heading underground sounds pretty appealing.
Natural Bridge Caverns stays a comfortable 54 degrees year-round. Guided tours are fun for curious kids, and the gem mining area outside is always a hit.
Local Tip: Pair this with Natural Bridge State Park for an easy full-day outing.
4. Virginia Safari Park | Natural Bridge, VA
Drive Time: About 1 hour
Few things are as exciting for kids as having a giraffe or camel poke its head through the car window looking for a snack.
Virginia Safari Park combines a drive-through safari with a walk-through village where families can see kangaroos, parrots, reptiles, and other animals up close.
Local Tip: Buy an extra bucket of feed. Trust us—you'll use it.
5. Smith Mountain Lake State Park | Huddleston, VA
Drive Time: About 1½ hours
Looking for a beach day without heading to the coast?
Smith Mountain Lake State Park offers a sandy swimming beach, kayak and paddleboard rentals, hiking trails, fishing, and beautiful mountain views. Throughout the summer, park rangers also host family-friendly nature programs and activities that are great for kids.
Local Tip: Bring a picnic and plan to spend the entire day.
More Smith Mountain Lake Family Fun
6. Center in the Square | Roanoke, VA
Drive Time: About 50 minutes
Need an indoor adventure?
Center in the Square is one of those places where everyone finds something they enjoy. Explore hands-on exhibits at the Science Museum of Western Virginia, catch a planetarium show, then head over to the Roanoke Pinball Museum or the Roanoke STARCADE where your admission includes unlimited play.
Afterward, grab lunch downtown or treat everyone to ice cream before heading home.
Local Tip: Give yourself several hours—you'll probably stay longer than you planned.
7. Fairy Stone State Park | Stuart, VA
Drive Time: About 1 hour 45 minutes
This hidden gem is one of Virginia's oldest state parks and a wonderful place to spend a summer day.
Families can swim, rent kayaks, hike wooded trails, picnic by the lake, and search for the famous cross-shaped fairy stones that inspired the park's name.
Local Tip: Water shoes are a good idea if you're planning to spend time at the lake.
8. Ace Adventure Resort | Oak Hill, WV
Drive Time: About 1 hour 45 minutes
If your kids love inflatable water parks, this one belongs on your summer bucket list.
The spring-fed lake is packed with climbing structures, giant slides, zip lines, paddleboards, sandy beaches, and plenty of room to spread out for the day.
Local Tip: Check the weather before leaving and purchase tickets online when possible.
9. New River Gorge National Park | Glen Jean, WV
Drive Time: About 1 hour 40 minutes
America's newest national park is close enough to visit in a day.
Stop at Canyon Rim Visitor Center for incredible bridge views before choosing one of several family-friendly hiking trails. There are options for every age and ability, making this an easy adventure to customize for your family.
Local Tip: Pack lunch and enjoy one of the scenic picnic areas overlooking the gorge.
10. Grayson Highlands State Park | Mouth of Wilson, VA
Drive Time: About 2 hours
If seeing the famous wild ponies has been on your family's bucket list, summer is a great time to make it happen.
Grayson Highlands is known for its open mountain meadows, spectacular Blue Ridge views, and the herd of ponies that roam freely throughout the park. While pony sightings are never guaranteed, they're common around the Massie Gap area and nearby trails.
Kids love spotting them grazing along the hillsides, and the scenery alone makes the drive worthwhile.
Local Tip: Bring sturdy shoes, plenty of water, and a camera. Remember to admire the ponies from a distance and never feed them.
11. Mount Airy | North Carolina
Drive Time: About 1 hour 20 minutes
Whether your kids know The Andy Griffith Show or not, Mount Airy makes for a relaxing family day.
Browse local shops, grab homemade ice cream, ride through town in a vintage police car, and enjoy one of the many local restaurants.
Local Tip: Don't leave without trying the famous pork chop sandwich at Snappy Lunch.
12. Damascus | Southwest Virginia
Drive Time: About 1 hour 30 minutes
Known as "Trail Town USA," Damascus is perfect for families who enjoy spending time outdoors.
Rent bikes for a section of the Virginia Creeper Trail, walk along Laurel Creek, explore local outfitters, or simply enjoy lunch downtown before heading home.
Local Tip: Bring extra water and comfortable shoes—you'll probably walk farther than you planned.
13. Old Salem Museums & Gardens | Winston-Salem, NC
Drive Time: About 1 hour 50 minutes
History comes to life in Old Salem.
Watch blacksmiths at work, tour restored homes, visit gardens, and enjoy hands-on demonstrations that help kids experience life in Colonial America.
Local Tip: Pick up a box of Moravian cookies before heading home.
14. Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre | Lynchburg, VA
Drive Time: About 1 hour 30 minutes
Who says you need winter for tubing?
Snowflex offers year-round synthetic tubing and skiing that's unlike anything else in Virginia. It's a fun choice for adventurous older kids and teens looking to try something different.
Local Tip: If it's your first visit, start on the beginner hill before moving to the larger slopes.
15. Tweetsie Railroad | Blowing Rock, NC
Drive Time: About 2½ hours
If you're willing to spend a little more time in the car, Tweetsie Railroad is a classic summer tradition.
Ride an authentic steam train through the mountains, enjoy amusement rides sized for younger children, watch live entertainment, visit the petting zoo, and browse the old-fashioned shops throughout the park.
For many families, it's the kind of place that becomes an annual tradition.
Local Tip: Buy tickets online ahead of time during the busy summer season.
Make the Most of Your Summer
One of the best parts of living in the New River Valley is how many incredible places are just a short drive away. Whether your family wants to spend the day swimming, hiking, discovering a new museum, meeting giraffes, spotting wild ponies, or simply exploring somewhere you've never been before, there are plenty of adventures waiting close to home.
Have a favorite day trip that's not on our list? We'd love to hear about it! Send us your family's favorite hidden gems at shelbyp@macaronikid.com—they may just end up in a future edition of Macaroni KID.
