Viginia Jan 18-21st
 

Hi Everyone,

Planning a visit to the Virginia Beach area. My wife and I will be traveling with our six year old daughter.

Looking for things to do and see that i may not read about with regular research. For example, we LOVE finding cool small towns with character.

Your thoughts?

Brian/Nancy/Bella

Well, if you go for near Jamestown there is a ferry across the James that thrilled my kids when they were that age, especially when a gull landed on the hood. The other side of the river is the peanut and ham capital of the world with various peanut places but little else.

Not much in the way of small towns around VA Beach, though.

We will very willing to drive west into the State of Virginia. Specially since i don't think it will be warm enough to enjoy the ocean.

Thanks!

Brian

There are a lot of attractions/things to do in Norfolk, and Williamsburg is not too far beyond.

You are just north of the Outer Banks, a good day trip on a sunny, not too windy day. You are likely to have days in the high 50's or if you are very lucky in the low 60's that late in the month, fine for doing outdoor things if it isn't windy.

I think we can come up with some small town like experiences that even your daughter will enjoy.

Go to the big town next door, Norfolk, and the Nauticus museum. Enjoy the science exhibits and then walk through the park to the boat landing where you can catch a ferry over to Portsmouth. There's a great childrens' museum there and some cute shops.

http://www.nauticus.org/visitor-info/index
http://www.gohrt.com/services/ferry/
http://www.childrensmuseumva.com/

Read the book, Misty of Chincoteague, to your daughter before you leave on your trip and then head up the Eastern Shore to Chincoteague and the island, Assateague, where you can see some real wild ponies.

http://www.assateagueisland.com/

Also read her the American Girl book, Felicity, and then drive up to Colonial Williamsburg to wander the streets of a colonial town. Book a horse drawn carriage ride. Litte girls always seem to like horses. Busch Gardens in Williamsburg is open for Christmastown but I can't tell you how much a child would enjoy it. I believe it's mostly shows and lights and a few rides.

http://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgar...burg/Park-Info
www.colonialwilliamsburg.com

Another day and another trip to Williamsburg can include a visit to Jamestown, where Pocahontas lived. I would recommend the Jamestown Settlement for your daughter. If you have time you can drive onto the island and visit the national park.

http://historyisfun.org/Jamestown-Settlement.htm
http://www.nps.gov/jame/index.htm

A 30 minute drive from Jamestown, on the Colonial Parkway will bring you to Yorktown, a cute town on the river. There is another national park there and the Yorktown portion of the Jamestown/Yorktown Settlement museums.

There is a wonderful living museum in Newport News.

http://www.thevlm.org/

This should give you some ideas. Let us know what interests you and we can give you more info about traffic etc.

thank you !