The beach, the zoo, a historic site, the mountains, or a family-friendly resort are all possibilities for a spring break family getaway. Living in Central Virginia means you're never far away from all of these getaway possibilities. Whether you go away for the entire week or just a long weekend, your family will love having a chance to relax and reconnect while enjoying time together.
There are also several spring break camps you may want to check out for your child, noted at the bottom of the article. If you're staying close to home, check the Lynchburg Macaroni Kid calendar for lots of fun events and activities.
For fun around town during spring break, check out 25 Things to Do with Kids in Lynchburg and our Lynchburg Area Parks Guide on our website. Here are our top picks for close to home and road trips for spring break, as well as spring break camps.
Close to Home Trips
Mill Mountain Zoo in Roanoke and Natural Bridge Zoo in Natural Bridge are both about an hour away. Visit the animals and let the kids see nature close-up.
Learn about our country's history at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park in Appomattox or the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford. If you want to stay closer to home, take a walking or driving tour of historic sites in Lynchburg.
Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy a day trip to the Peaks of Otter near Bedford. Take a stroll around the lake on the Lake Trail or head across the road and take a short hike to Johnson's Farm.
Drive to Crabtree Falls in Nelson County and hike up to the waterfalls. A short hike from the parking area brings you to the first viewing area. Allow a couple of hours or more if you plan to hike the entire 2.5-mile loop.
If you kids like hiking in the woods, head to the Appalachian Trail for an exciting family adventure. Hiking a short section of the 2,190 mile AT will bring you face-to-face with nature. The AT stretches from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. With nearly one-quarter of the AT's miles located in Virginia, there are many AT access points within an hour's drive. Some of our favorite spots to jump on the AT are: James River Foot Bridge off Route 501 near Big Island, Tye River parking lot on Route 56 in Montebello, Thunder Ridge Overlook off the Blue Ridge Parkway, and multiple parking areas on the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive.
Center in the Square, located at One Market Square SE in downtown Roanoke, houses four museums and a theatre within a single building. The museums include: Roanoke Pinball Museum, Harrison Museum of African American Culture, History Museum of Western Virginia/O Winston Link Museum, Kids Square, and the Science Museum of Western Virginia with butterfly garden. Most of the museums are closed on Mondays and open 10-5 Tuesday through Saturday, except Roanoke Pinball Museum which opens at 11. Some museums also offer Sunday hours. Visit one museum or purchase Center Passes to enjoy the entire Center in the Square experience. Check the website for ticket pricing.
Visit Natural Bridge State Park, located about an hour from Lynchburg at 6477 South Lee Highway in Natural Bridge. The 215-foot tall Natural Bridge was once owned by Thomas Jefferson and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are six miles of hiking trails in the park, including the accessible Cedar Creek Trail that leads from the bridge to the Monacan Indian Village and Lace Falls with its 30-foot cascade.
If your family enjoys biking on the Blackwater Creek Bikeway, you'll really love High Bridge Trail State Park. The former rail bed is 31 miles long and is wide, level and mostly flat -- perfect for kids of all ages. Kids will love the High Bridge, which is more than 2,400 feet long and 125 feet above the Appomattox River. It's the longest recreational bridge in Virginia and is among the longest in the United States. High Bridge, a Virginia Historic Landmark, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Check the Virginia State Parks website link above for parking information.
The Frontier Culture Museum, located in Staunton, is open daily from 9-5 with "living history" interpreters to bring history to life for your family. Exhibits include: a 1600s English Farm, 1700s German Farm, 1700s Irish Forge, 1700s Irish Farm, 1700s West African Farm, 1700s Ganatastwi (Native American exhibit), 1740s American Farm, 1820s American Farm, 1850s American Farm and Early American Schoolhouse. Kids under 6 years are free and school-age kids receive discounted admission. Kids and adults can learn a lot about the history of thousands of people who migrated to Colonial America at the Frontier Culture Museum.
Hit the Road Trips
Take a trip to Washington, DC and visit the monuments, museums and memorials. With lots of memorials and museums from which to choose, there's something that will please everyone in the family. When kids see these famous memorials for the first time, the looks on their faces are priceless. The Lincoln Memorial is a favorite of many children. The words of the Gettysburg Address and other famous speeches are engraved on the inner walls of the memorial. Everyone in the family will want to pose in front of the statue of President Lincoln. Favorite kids' museums include the Natural History Museum and the Air and Space Museum. The newest Smithsonian museum is the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which opened in September 2016. The Metro is the best way to get around in Washington DC. Your kids will quickly learn to follow the stops using metro guide maps.
Gather the family and head to Historic Jamestown. Although it's only a few hours from Lynchburg, you'll feel you've stepped back in time when you arrive. Explore the history of the Jamestown Settlement and learn about early America with your family. There are lots of hands-on learning activities for kids. Jamestown was founded in 1607. Your kids will love boarding replicas of the three ships that sailed from England to Virginia. You can also explore in the life-size recreations of the colonists' fort and a Powhatan village. Historic Virginia comes to live at Jamestown.
Head to Virginia Beach, Myrtle Beach, or the Outer Banks for a beach getaway week or long weekend. The sun, the waves, the memories! Take a morning walk on the beach gathering seashells. Watch the sunrise each morning. Bring bikes and go exploring. Be sure to pick up souvenirs for your landlocked friends.
Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida is the ultimate spring break vacation for some families. From Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, from a stroll down Main Street to the beauty of Cinderella's Castle, you'll enjoy the shows and the rides. You'll feel like a little kid yourself as you enjoy the perfect world that is Disney. Enjoy favorite classics like Dumbo the Flying Elephant, It's a Small World, the Mad Tea Party and Space Mountain. And of course, no trip to Disney is complete without enjoying the Main Street Electric Light Parade. Is it any wonder that Disney World is among America's favorite vacation destinations?
Spring Break Camps
Spring Break Camp Happiness at Lynchburg Humane Society - It will be a week full of special guests (the human kind & animal kind), lessons on pet care, games, crafts, snacks & more. Spring Break Camp 2020 will be April 13th – 17th from 8 AM - 5 PM each day! Space is limited so register early to reserve your spot.
Amazement Square is offering a pair of WonderCamps for campers currently in Kindergarten through 5th grade. The first camp is during Lynchburg City School's break days on March 12-13. The second is during spring break from April 13-17. Register your child at either or both camps at the links below. Here's more information about both camps
School's Out WonderCamp: StoryMakers at Amazement Square is Thursday and Friday, March 12-13 from 8:45 AM – 3:30 PM. Wear your PJ’s and gather round as we share classic stories and create our very own. Campers will write, illustrate, and bind their own story books to share and take home. School's Out WonderCamp is for children currently in Kindergarten - 5th grade and limited to 20 campers per session. Campers will be grouped by age for select activities during the camp day.
School's Out WonderCamp: Future Foodies at Amazement Square - Spring School's Out WonderCamp: Future Foodies is April 13-17, 2020 from 8:45 AM - 3:30 PM. Grab your apron and let’s get cooking in this camp all about food! Discover the science behind nutrition, learn cooking basics, and compete in daily food challenges. School's Out WonderCamp is for children currently in Kindergarten - 5th grade and limited to 20 campers per session. Campers will be grouped by age for select activities during the camp day.
Lynchburg Parks and Recreation Spring Break Theater Camp - April 13-17 from 9 AM - 3 PM at Miller Center. Join the Unified Theater Company and Kuumba Dance as they bring Anansi the Spider fables to life on the Miller Center Stage! There will be dance, makeup, costume, set design and so much more covered in this week long camp that will conclude with a performance on Miller Stage Friday night. Morning and afternoon snacks will be provided as well as a cast pizza party the night of the performance. Children will need to pack a lunch daily. Register by April 5.
Camp Kum-Ba-Yah Spring Break Camp - April 13-17 from 8:45 AM - 3:30 PM. Join us as we discover The Magic of Nature! We’ll have a Hogwarts themed week where we’ll attend "classes" including Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures, discover how things that appear magical are actually scientific, and explore all the magic that nature has to offer. Register early since space is limited.
Dynamic Gymnastics Spring Break Camp - March 16-20 and April 13-17 Full day camp hours are 8 AM - 4 PM; Half-day camp hours are 8 AM - 12 PM. Staying in town and needing something fun for the kids to do? We've got you covered! We are hosting TWO Spring Break Camps this year! Whether it's a half day or full day, this is a week your child wont want to miss! Sign the kids up for a week full of gymnastics FUN! Throughout the week, your child will be getting structured teaching in gymnastics, ninja, and tumbling & trampoline skills! Contact us today to reserve your spot!
Spring Break Camp: Disney's Moana Jr at Academy Center of the Arts - April 13-17 from 9 AM - 4 PM. Join us during Spring Break at the Academy for a week long musical theatre camp! During the week, students will participate in rehearsals and musical theatre classes, all ending in two public performances! Everyone who participates in the camp will have a role but there will be auditions for specific parts. This camp will be rehearsing and performing in our Historic Academy of Music Theatre.
Spring Break is just around the corner. Plan ahead now and be sure to have an indoor backup plan in case it rains.
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