Summer might feel like it lasts forever to a kid, but as adults, we know just how fleeting that precious free time can be. Instead of spending the whole season bored on the couch, your grandchildren could spend a day with you creating lifelong memories. Luckily, we don’t have to travel far from Branchlands for memorable things to do with our grandchildren here in Virginia.
We’ve gathered some of our favorite places that are within driving distance of Charlottesville, whether for just a couple hours or a whole weekend trip, that school-age kids will love. Whether they’re coming for a summer visit and you want to make the most of it, or you’re regularly on “grandchild duty” to give the parents a break, these ideas will be fun for the kids—and almost as important, fun for you, too.
1. National and State Parks
Nearby visit: Shenandoah National Park (25 miles from Branchlands)
Virginia is home to 22 national parks and 43 state parks, each a uniquely preserved portion of the Commonwealth’s rich identity. Some national parks encompass untouched, beautiful landscapes, while others highlight the long, fascinating history of one of the oldest states in the Union. Over 22 million people visit Virginia’s national parks each year, and while some are world-famous like Shenandoah National Park or the Yorktown Battlefield, there are some hidden gems that are just as worthy of a visit.
The National Military and Historical Parks of Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania or Cedar Creek & Belle Grove are important, less-visited battlefields any Civil War buff has lots to learn from. If you’re looking for history outside of the Civil War, the National Park Service preserves sites dedicated to pioneering black Virginians like Maggie L. Walker and Booker T. Washington. And if you want to combine history with natural spectacle, Cumberland Gap features the rugged splendor Daniel Boone saw as he carved his path westward.
There are a few standouts that every kid should get a chance to see at some point. Assateague Island National Seashore is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the famous wild Chincoteague ponies—something no horse-loving grandchild could pass up. If you’re in and around Charlottesville, Natural Bridge State Park is a must-see marvel that’s just a little over an hour’s drive away; Thomas Jefferson described it as “the most Sublime of nature’s works,” and he owned a cabin there to savor it as often as he could.
It’s worth noting that while entry passes can sometimes be a bit pricy at national parks, there are a lot of good deals available on NPS annual and lifetime passes. An Annual Senior Pass is currently only $20, while a Lifetime Senior Pass is only $80. Veterans can pick up a free Lifetime Military Pass, and if your grandchildren happen to be a certain age, fourth graders and their families can enter parks free!
2. Farms and Orchards
Nearby visit: Carter Mountain Orchard (12 miles from Branchlands)
Virginia is a fertile, green state with a reputation for high-quality produce. These days, it feels like a lot of rural travel is focused on adult destinations like wineries, cideries, and breweries. If you’re searching for a more kid-focused thing to do with your grandchildren, though, there are still plenty of places nurturing fruits, vegetables, and animals that are happy to welcome visitors for an enjoyable day out!
Pick-your-own fruit is a hands-on activity with a delicious reward at the end, and Virginia’s orchards grow a wide variety of produce. Here in Charlottesville, Carter Mountain Orchard and Chiles Peach Orchard are famous destinations, and you can find high-quality pick-your-own fruit all across the state.
Generally, late spring and early summer is berry season, while peaches are in season most of summer, and apples are ready to pick in late summer and fall. Berries that are lower to the ground, like strawberries and blackberries, can be difficult to bend over and pick, but might be the perfect height for a young child. Tree fruit like peaches, cherries, and apples provide a nice, shaded walk in the summer sun, but kids could need help to reach them.
When it comes to barnyard animals, more farms than you might think allow for visits and interactive tours with their critters. These tours are more in-depth, authentic experiences than a petting zoo, and combine animal-loving moments with real educational lessons about agriculture. If you get the feeling your grandchild has had too much comfy city living, a day out at the farm might be just the thing to get some fresh country air in their lungs.
3. Theme Parks and Zoos
Nearby visit: Metro Richmond Zoo (78 miles from Branchlands)
There’s nothing like an amusement park for really winding a kid up! Despite all the death-defying coaster loops that tower over parks, there’s tons of other exciting things to do for younger children (and grown-ups looking to keep their lunch).
King’s Dominion near Richmond features a full-size water park for staying cool in the summer, Planet Snoopy’s Peanuts-themed rides for younger kids, and old-fashioned carnival attractions and fare to ensure there’s something for everyone. Meanwhile, Busch Gardens has frequent performances, tours, and animal shows. The Rhine River Cruise and similar gentle rides can provide a much-needed break from the sometimes-overwhelming park atmosphere.
Both parks are located conveniently near historic and interesting cities, and there are a lot of things to see and do outside the parks. Busch Gardens is near Colonial Williamsburg, which is an immersive and exciting view into pre-revolutionary American life with plenty of hands-on activities for kids. King’s Dominion is right outside of Richmond, and for a quieter outdoor adventure, why not visit the Metro Richmond Zoo?
Zoos, like theme parks, are the kind of trip a child looks forward to all year, and it’s always worth getting them excited about specific animals ahead of time. At the Richmond Zoo, for example, your grandchild might be interested in the adorable baby capybaras that were born in 2024, or maybe in the opportunity to feed and pet the giraffes. If your grandchild already has a favorite animal, the zoo is an opportunity to turn passion into learning.
Washington, D.C.’s National Zoo deserves special mention, not only because of its world-class reputation, but as part of the Smithsonian Institution, it’s also free! Though further from the National Mall and the rest of the museums, visiting the National Zoo when in D.C. with your grandchildren is a no-brainer, from the primates and elephants to lesser-known highlights like the small mammal house and the reptile discovery center.
4. Beaches
Nearby visit: Chris Greene Lake (8.5 miles from Branchlands)
It’s almost a cliché, but the summer beach trip is a classic for a reason. No matter what they’re into, most kids enjoy the beach, from athletic types who want to surf, to quiet kids who’d prefer to beach comb or build a sandcastle. While Virginia’s beaches might not have giant waves or palm trees, they’re still incredible tourist destinations right in our own backyard.
The most famous (and obvious) destination is Virginia Beach, which is a full-featured resort town with plenty of attractions along its nearly 3-mile-long waterfront boardwalk. Outside of the downtown hustle and bustle, Virginia Beach has a number of quieter beaches within driving distance, as well as unique natural beauty in the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Other scenic Virginia beach locations include the Eastern Shore, the 70-mile spit of land across the Chesapeake Bay; Colonial Beach in Northern Virginia, remarkably close to the D.C. area; and Buckroe Beach along the Chesapeake Bay near Hampton Roads.
Of course, we don’t always have time to drive to the coast, so for a quick day trip to a beach, don’t forget about Virginia’s lakes. A lot of local lakes and ponds will have small public-access beaches for some quick fun in the sun without hours and hours of driving to the shore. Here around Charlottesville, Chris Greene Lake and Mint Springs have small beaches and lifeguard-supervised swimming all summer right in our own backyard.
Before visiting a beach with your grandchildren, make sure to pack supplies and activities for the whole family:
- Towels, umbrellas, and snacks are a great way to “set up base camp” on the beach.
- Sand-friendly games like Frisbee or bocce are slow-paced and relaxing ways for everyone to pass the time as a group.
- For goodness’ sake, don’t forget the sunscreen!
A beach trip with your grandchildren can be overwhelming and exhausting, especially on particularly hot days. Practice heat safety by drinking plenty of water, taking lots of breaks in the shade, and knowing the signs of heat exhaustion.
5. Historical Sites and Museums
Nearby visit: Monticello (8.2 miles from Branchlands)
Virginia has a long, proud, and storied history that’s all around us every day. If your grandchild’s old enough, they’ve learned the basics of Virginia history in school, but sometimes they don’t get the full picture from a classroom lesson. If you’d like to broaden their perspective, it’s only a short drive from Branchlands to put a kid in the shoes of past Virginians and see the Commonwealth through their eyes.
George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, and James Madison’s Montpelier are all gorgeous presidential homes that have been maintained as powerful interpretive sites. Each home features immaculately preserved rooms and artifacts that serve as windows into the minds of our founding fathers. Beyond the houses, Montpelier has a series of fascinating trail routes through historic landscapes, while Monticello’s Mountaintop Activity Center lets kids write with quill pens and crack old-fashioned ciphers. Mount Vernon features a working farm, complete with live demonstrations, farm animals, and a working gristmill.
Virginia features a number of authentic recreations of American Indian towns and villages, which offer a rare glimpse into the cultures that thrived in our state for thousands of years before Europeans arrived. The Monacan Village at Natural Bridge is a living history site maintained by members of the Monacan Indian Nation, with modern-day interpreters demonstrating traditional Monacan ways of life to visitors. The recreated Powhatan Town of Arrohateck in Henricus Historical Park, on the other hand, uses archaeological records to replicate a community that disappeared in 1611, and Wolf Creek Indian Village in Bastian, Va., is a speculative recreation of an unknown people from before white settlement.
Museums are also a fantastic way to learn about history, science, art, and culture. Richmond features the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Science Museum of Virginia, and The American Civil War Museum. Washington, D.C. is well-known for its free Smithsonian museums, mostly located along the National Mall. It’s worth highlighting that the Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum is out near Dulles Airport, much easier to get to than the downtown D.C. museums, and is a must-go if your grandchild likes big planes.
Of course, as adults, we can’t only pick the museums we want to go to. A museum is a lot of stimulation and learning for kids, and it’s easy for them to feel restless or bored being quiet inside all day. Make sure to choose museums that might align with their interests, and plan for breaks to let them stretch their legs and breathe some fresh air.
6. Your Local Library
Nearby visit: Northside Library (1.7 miles from Branchlands)
You probably already know that reading to a child is key to their development, and it should come as no surprise that most grandparents think reading is some of the best quality time they can spend with their grandchildren. These are excellent reasons to take younger grandkids to a Charlottesville library’s children’s section, where picture books and sitting areas are ideal for quiet bonding. But the library isn’t just for small kids—it offers a lot of neat, free amenities for grandchildren of all ages.
Besides books, Jefferson-Madison Regional Library locations offer movies, music, audiobooks, and games to check out. With a library card, this is a free way for a preteen or teenager to explore their interests at their own pace. These days, though, your library might let you check out things you’d never have thought you could, like tools, craft supplies, musical instruments, seeds, sports equipment, or electronics. This makes it the perfect place for a kid to dip their toes into a hobby without much commitment.
Libraries like the Northside Library near Branchlands are also cool, relaxed spaces to “get away” and enjoy quality time if a grandkid is feeling stuck at home on a particularly hot day. With board games and puzzles sometimes available, setting up at a table or reserving a room can give you some quality, distraction-free one-on-one time that can be hard to make space for these days. The librarians are also always available to answer questions or help you plan things to do with your grandchildren. They’re not just there for research!
Your grandchildren are also welcome to join you for any planned activities here at Branchlands, of course! Sometimes, it’s easier for them to come to you, and our gorgeous grounds feature many indoor and outdoor spaces ideal for bonding time. Branchlands is conveniently located near so many Charlottesville amenities and Virginia destinations that it won’t be hard to make summer memories with your grandchildren—though the most important part of those memories will be spending time with you.
