Preservation, reconstruction, & interpretation of early Virginia history-16th century Virginia Indians, 1611 Citie of Henricus, & Dutch Gap Conservation Area

http://henricus.org/

The Biltmore (Asheville, NC)

Historic mansion, gardens, and village

https://www.biltmore.com/

Mount Vernon (Mount Vernon, VA)

Home of George Washington

https://www.mountvernon.org/

Great Destinations-Art, Music, and Theater

American Shakespeare Center (Staunton VA)

Shakespeare’s works performed under original staging conditions in a recreation of the first indoor theatre in English-speaking world

http://www.americanshakespearecenter.com/

Taubman Museum of Art (Roanoke, VA)

Art museum

http://www.taubmanmuseum.org/

North Carolina Art Museum (Raleigh, NC)

Art museum

http://ncartmuseum.org/

Charlottesville Symphony (Charlottesville, VA)

Local symphony at UVA

https://cvillesymphony.org/

Great Destinations-Science, Nature and Animals

Amazement Square (Lynchburg, VA)

Children’s museum with large climbing structure

http://www.amazementsquare.org/

Virginia Air and Space Museum (Hampton, VA)

NASA Visitor Center

https://vasc.org/

North Carolina Zoo (Asheboro, NC)

Enormous collection of animals from all over the world

Adults: $15, Students (2-12): $11, Seniors (62+): $13

http://www.nczoo.org

Winfree Observatory (Lynchburg, VA)

Randolph College observatory, host monthly star parties for public viewing

http://randolphscience.org/winfree-observatory-star-parties/

Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens (Richmond, VA)

One of the nation’s top botanical gardens. Take special note of the Festival of Lights, running from Thanksgiving until the first week of January

http://www.lewisginter.org/

http://www.lewisginter.org/visit/events/dominion-gardenfest-of-lights/

Virginia Safari Park (Natural Bridge, VA)

Drive-thru zoo

http://www.virginiasafaripark.com/

Science Museum of Virginia (Richmond, VA)

Large science museum with many high-quality exhibits and events

http://www.smv.org/

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (Raleigh, NC)

Interactive exhibits exploring natural history and animals

http://naturalsciences.org/index

Marbles Children’s Museum (Raleigh, NC)

Children’s museum with collection of interactive exhibits

http://www.marbleskidsmuseum.org/

Science Museum of Western Virginia (Roanoke, VA)

Science museum

http://smwv.org/

Danville Science Center (Danville, VA)

Science museum

http://dsc.smv.org/

Children’s Museum of Richmond (Richmond, VA)

Children’s museum, lots of interactive exhibits, best for age 10 and under

http://www.c-mor.org/

Virginia Discovery Museum (Charlottesville, VA)

Children’s museum, best for age 8 and under, near the Amtrak station

http://www.vadm.org/

Duke Lemur Center (Durham, NC)

World’s largest and most diverse collection of lemurs

http://lemur.duke.edu/

Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center (Topsail, NC)

Sea turtle hospital and visitor center

https://www.seaturtlehospital.org/

Virginia Aquarium (Virginia Beach, VA)

Aquarium and marine science museum

https://virginiaaquarium.com/

Nauticus (Norfolk, VA)

Historic battleship and STEM museum

https://nauticus.org/

Virginia Living Museum (Newport News, VA)

Science museum, zoo, and aquarium

https://thevlm.org/

Udvar-Hazy Center (Fairfax, VA)

Large air and space museum, including shuttle Discovery

https://www.fxva.com/smithsonian-udvar-hazy/

Great Destinations-Farms and Orchards

Gross Orchard (Bedford, VA)

Pick-your-own fruit, specializing in apples

http://www.grossorchards.com/

Morris Orchard (Monroe, VA)

Pick-your-own apples, peaches, and berries

http://www.grossorchards.com/

Johnson’s Orchard (Bedford, VA)

Pick-your-own fruit plus walking trails

http://www.johnsonsorchards.com/

Yoder’s Farm (Rustburg, VA)

Pick-your-own strawberries plus fall activities

https://yodersfarm.com/

Layman’s Farm (Blue Ridge, VA)

Fall family fun-hayrides, corn maze, jumping pillow, plus much more

http://www.laymanfamilyfarms.com/

Other Great Destinations

Durbin & Greenbriar Railroad (Durbin, WV)

Scenic, historic train rides

http://mountainrailwv.com/

Explore Park (Roanoke, VA)

Scenic park with trails, historic buildings, and visitor center. Check for special events

http://www.explorepark.org/231/Explore-Park

Virginia Museum of Transportation (Roanoke, VA)

Museum about transportation-trains, planes, and classic automobiles

Check for special events

http://www.vmt.org/

Ploughcroft Tea Room (Lynchburg, VA)

Offer etiquette tea events for students

https://www.ploughcrofttearoom.com/

Outdoor Adventures

Natural Bridge (Natural Bridge, VA)

Caverns, hiking trails, hotel, large natural bridge formation

https://naturalbridgeva.com/

Luray Caverns (Luray, VA)

Caverns with lighted paved walkways

https://luraycaverns.com/

Annual Events

Appomattox Railroad Festival (Appomattox, VA)

Fall festival celebrating Appomattox heritage and history

https://appomattoxrrfest.org/

Virginia State Fair (Doswell, VA)

Fall festival with agriculture events, live music, & carnival rides

https://www.statefairva.org/

Hokie BugFest (Blacksburg, VA)

October event at Virginia Tech with free educational exhibits and hands-on activities

https://www.ento.vt.edu/4-H_Entomology/hokiebugfest.html

Randolph College Science Festival (Lynchburg, VA)

Spring event with free presentations and lots of hands-on science activities

https://randolphscience.org/scifest/

Monocan Nation Powwow (Amherst, VA)

Annual event celebrating the culture of the Monocan Indian Nation

https://www.monacannation.com/

Lynchburg International Festival (Lynchburg)

Free event with food, artisan crafts, activities, and performances

http://www.lynchburgva.gov/internationalfestival

Other Resources for Events & Field Trips

www.virginiafieldtrips.com

www.heav.org/events

https://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/local-support/field-trips/

http://www.carolinahomeschooler.com/group-trips-and-events/

http://www.lynchburgparksandrec.com/ (many sports, classes and events)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/128831755261/10158870794720262/ (Virginia unique field trip suggestions)