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Lynchburg VA Area Best of Summer 2023

Let Lynchburg Macaroni Kid help you Find Your Family Fun® all summer long!

By Sandy Wallace May 3, 2023

Summer 2023 will be the busiest summer we've seen in a long time. Many families are planning summer trips and looking for summertime fun. Whatever your summer plans, Lynchburg Macaroni Kid is here to help you Find Your Family Fun® all summer long!

Click on each link below for more information about the places and activities you won't want to miss this summer. 

Start your summer on the right foot with Lynchburg VA June 2023 Family Friendly Events!

From weekly events to special one-time events, these free, inexpensive, or unique events will fill your June days with family fun!

Most Popular Summer Articles

Here's our faves for summer 2023!

Summertime Water Fun 2023: Lynchburg Area Pools, Lakes and Water Holes - Find Your Family Fun® this summer in the water with Lynchburg Macaroni Kid!

Lynchburg Summer 2023 Family Day Trips, Weekend & Vacation Trips - Find Your Family Fun® in Lynchburg, Central Virginia, and beyond!

25 Cheap Ways to Enjoy Summer 2023 - Find Your Family Fun® this summer without breaking the bank!

5 Water Holes in the Lynchburg Area for Kids to Splash In! - Check out these five Lynchburg area spots where your family can cool off and Find Your Family Fun®!

Ice Cream and Sweet Frosty Treats in Lynchburg 2023 - Our updated 2023 Ice Cream and Sweet Frosty Treats Guide includes what's available at each spot!

Lynchburg VA Area Campground Guide 2023 - Are you ready? Camping season has begun!

10 Lynchburg Area Places to Enjoy Outdoor Summer Fun with Kids - Add these 10 places to your list summertime family fun bucket list!

10 Summer Day Trips in Central Virginia - These 10 day trips will keep the family busy and you'll still be home in time for dinner!

Lynchburg Macaroni Kid 2023 Summer Bucket List for Kids of All Ages - Find Your Family Fun® with Lynchburg Macaroni Kid this summer!


Start Summer Off Right!

How to Plan a Graduation or End of School Year Party - An end of school year party is a great way to celebrate the year's accomplishments and kick off summer!

How Many Hours Does Your Family Spend Outside? - Outdoor initiatives and 10 ways to help families spend more time outside!


Fresh is Best!

Find the freshest local produce!

Lynchburg VA Area Farmers Markets and Orchards: 2023 Edition - Find the best fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers markets and orchards in the Lynchburg area!


Summer Movies

Find Your Family Fun® at the movies all summer!

Lynchburg Summer Movies: Regal Summer Movie Express and Outdoor Movies - Enjoy a free or inexpensive summer movie! 


Summer Camps and Vacation Bible School

From outdoor adventure camps to ballet and theater camps, there's a perfect camp for your child!

Lynchburg VA Area Summer Camp Guide 2023 - Check out the best summer camps in the Lynchburg area!

Lynchburg VA Area Vacation Bible Schools 2023 - Summertime is Vacation Bible School time in the Lynchburg area!


Summer Day Trips and Road Trips

These day trip and road trip ideas will help you plan a fun day away from home!

Summer Day Tripping: Smith Mountain Lake State Park - Smith Mountain Lake State Park is only 45 minutes from Lynchburg!

Summer Day Tripping: Maury River Fun at Ben Salem Wayside in Lexington - Hot summer days call for free fun in the water with the fam!

Summer Day Tripping: Mill Creek Lake in Amherst County - Hit the beach and have a swinging good time at Mill Creek Lake this summer!

Summer Day Tripping: Rockfish Valley Trails and Spruce Creek Park - Enjoy a day trip to the Rockfish Valley Trails and Spruce Creek Park in Nelson County!

Summer Day Tripping: Hiking Crabtree Falls - The falls are visible with just a short hike, suitable for adults of various ages and even young children!

Summer Day Tripping: Otter Creek on the Blue Ridge Parkway - Otter Creek runs from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the James River.

Summer Day Tripping: Douthat State Park - Douthat State Park, located in Millboro, is about an hour and a half from Lynchburg.

Summer Day Tripping: English Park in Altavista - Summer family fun is waiting for you close to home at English Park!

Summer Day Tripping: Wayside Park in Hurt - Wayside Park is only about 30 minutes from Lynchburg and your kids will love it!

Summer Day Tripping: Holliday Lake State Park - Plan a beach day this summer only 45 minutes from Lynchburg!

Summer Day Tripping: Exploring Bedford - There are many attractions for families in the small town of Bedford!

Summer Day Tripping: Charlottesville's Downtown Mall - While you're in Charlottesville, check out the city's four spray grounds too!

Summer Day Tripping: Pocahontas State Park - Enjoy summer fun near Richmond at the aquatic center at Pocahontas State Park!

10 Reasons to Enjoy a Virginia State Park Staycation in 2023 - With 41 Virginia State Parks across Virginia, there's something for everyone!

Visit the Blue Ridge Parkway with Your Family - The Blue Ridge Parkway is a favorite destination for families of all ages!

Summer Day Tripping: Escape to Splash Valley - Splash Valley offers a lazy river, two giant water slides, a water playground, spray pad, and pool!

The Great American Road Trip: Keep Things Fun with Car Games - Make memories together on a family road trip this summer!


Hiking

Enjoy a summer day and get a little exercise too with one of these favorite hikes!

Hit the Trails at These Lynchburg Area Hiking Trails - Hike your own hike at one of these favorite area trails!

25 Places in the Lynchburg Area to Walk or Hike - From paved trails to earthen pathways, Find Your Family Fun® in 2023 on one of these trails!

Lynchburg VA Area Spring Hikes - Enjoy nature and get outdoors on a spring hike with the fam!

Hiking Off the Blue Ridge Parkway - The Blue Ridge Parkway is the perfect East Coast family getaway destination!

Take a Family Hike to Johnson Farm on the Blue Ridge Parkway - Enjoy Outdoor Beauty in Every Season!

Hit the Trails: Alpine Trail at Riverside Park - Hiking is a great way to stay active and enjoy outdoor family time together in any season!

Take a Hike at the Peaks of Otter - Choose your hike at the Peaks of Otter!

Hiking Indian Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway - Kids love the giant Indian Rocks!

10 Awesome Hikes in Shenandoah National Park - From mountaintop views to waterfalls, there's a hike for everyone in Shenandoah National Park!

Summer Day Tripping: Hiking Crabtree Falls - The falls are visible with just a short hike, suitable for adults of various ages and even young children!

11 Tips For Hiking with Toddlers - Hiking with toddlers is a great way to grow their love of the outdoors

The 13 Essentials for a Day Hike - A little bit of preparation will help you enjoy your outing more!


Close to Home Summer Staycation Family Fun

If you don't want to travel too far, these articles will help you plan fun summer days and nights with the fam!

Lynchburg Virginia Parks Guide - Our most popular guide offers information about all of the public parks in Lynchburg and the surrounding counties!

Lynchburg Guide to Indoor Fun - Find Your Family Fun inside with Lynchburg Macaroni Kid! 

Summer Staycation: Miller Park Pool - Summertime is the perfect time to check out Miller Park and stay cool in the pool!

10 Family Picnic Sites in Lynchburg and Central Virginia - Pack a picnic lunch, load up the kids, and head to one of our family's top 10 picnic sites!

Lynchburg Area Outdoor Dining Restaurants - Outdoor dining became a big thing in 2020 and it's here to stay!

Find Your Family Fun at Bedford County Parks - Plan ahead for an adventure in Bedford County!

Wharton Garden Offers Beauty and Fun for All Ages in Any Season - Wharton Garden in Bedford includes a Children's Literacy Garden, Reading Walk, playhouse, and more!

July is Parks and Recreation Month at Bedford's Falling Creek Park - Find Your Family Fun® and Celebrate Parks and Recreation Month in July!

10 Lynchburg VA Area Places to Ride Bikes - Spring and summer are great times to ride bikes with your kids. Check out these trails in the Lynchburg area and beyond!

Summer Staycation: 10 Things to Do at Percival's Island - Formerly a railroad bed, a paved hiking and biking trail travels the length of Percival's Island!

Summer Staycation: Visit Ivy Creek Park - Ivy Creek Park is all about getting back to nature!

Summer Staycation: Visit Riverside Park - Find Your Family Fun® this summer at Riverside Park!

Summer Staycation: Bike or Walk the Blackwater Creek Trail - Find Your Family Fun® close to home on Lynchburg's Blackwater Creek Trail!

Disc golf at Peaks View Park - Enjoy fun times with your teens, 'tweens, and littles!

Visit Riveredge Park in Madison Heights - Let Lynchburg Macaroni Kid help you Find Your Family Fun® close to home!

Find Your Family Fun® at Lynchburg VA School Playgrounds - Many Lynchburg City Schools have park-like playgrounds to enjoy when school is not in session!

25 Amazing Family Photo Shoot Locations in Lynchburg and Central VA - Plan your family spring and summer photos with this great photo shoot guide!


Plan a Family 4th of July

Fireworks shows and other special Independence Day events are popping up everywhere. We've added several events to our calendar and will be watching for more, so stay tuned. It's never to soon to plan for a fun 4th at home!

Independence Day Celebrations and Fireworks in the Lynchburg Area 2023

Three Easy July 4th Crafts For Kids

Plan a Red, White and Blue Party for the 4th of July

Patriotic 4th of July Pancakes

Celebrate the 4th of July with an American Flag Cake

Patriotic Fruit Pops

Red, White, & Blue Sparkle Cookie

Celebrate the 4th of July with Red, White & Blue Cupcakes

How to Turn a Tuna Can Into a July 4th Centerpiece

How to Make a 4th of July Crown


Summer At Home

Whether you have littles and it's too hard to go anywhere, have a lot of work or family commitments, or just want to stay close to home this summer, here are some of our best summer at home articles!

5 Backyard Games To Play With Your Kids

How to Carve a Jawesome Shark Head Out of a Watermelon

Summer Throwback: "Classic" Outdoor Games

Summer Rainy Day Fun

Make an Easy Pool Noodle Sprinkler

Structure Summer Days to Keep Away the "I'm Bored" Blues

Nine Tips To Perfect Your Toddler's Summer

22 Summer Activities For Families With Special Needs 

101 Things to Do When Kids are Bored

10 Ideas for Technology-Free Summer Days with Your Kids

50 Ways to Explore Your Backyard

Bored With Board Games? Make Your Own!

25 Indoor Fun Activities

Creating Cheer: 5 Ways for Kids to Decorate Your Home's Windows

Four DIY Musical Instruments Your Kids Can Make

Get Outside With This Kid-Friendly Nature Scavenger Hunt

10 Ways to Connect with Friends While Socially Distancing


Summer Learning

Don't let 'summer slide' catch your child this summer. Here are some resources to help your child continue to learn all summer!

Summer Reading and Chores Help Kids Stay on Track

5 Tips to Establish a Summer Reading Routine

10 Books to Get Kids Thinking About Racism and Discrimination

Free Educational Resources to Help Kids Learn at Home


You'll find family-friendly events to last you all summer in the Lynchburg Macaroni Kid calendar of events on our website. Subscribe to receive a FREE weekly listing of events and activities, as well as articles and guides about local family fun. If anyone tells you that there's nothing to do in Lynchburg, don't believe them! 

Let Lynchburg Macaroni Kid help you Find Your Family Fun® all summer long!