This year, many families don’t have the money or time off to go on a long, lavish vacation. Day trips are a great option when time and money are in short supply.
You’ve been to all the local hot spots – Maymont, Lewis Ginter, the Children’s Museum, the zoo, the berry farm – even ventured out to Busch Gardens or Kings Dominion a couple of times. Here are some places you might not have been – attractions within a few hours’ driving distance that will keep the whole family entertained.

Tidewater Area
Portsmouth is home to the Children’s Museum of Virginia. At 64,000 square feet, it’s the largest children’s museum in Virginia, featuring a planetarium and dozens of interactive exhibits. Admission is $6, with children under 2 getting in free. Open Mondays through Saturdays 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (757) 393-5258, childrensmuseumva.com.
Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in Portsmouth has college sports, Olympics, golf and Redskins exhibits. Young sports enthusiasts will love the NASCAR simulators and interactive baseball, basketball, football and soccer exhibits. Admission is $7, under age 2 free. Open Mondays through Saturdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (757) 393-8031, vshfm.com.

Norfolk’s Virginia Zoo is home to more than 350 animals, from huge elephants to tiny poison dart frogs. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children ages 2-11. For an extra $200 to $350, your whole family can experience a behind-the-scenes tour feeding giraffes, painting with elephants or visiting the barnyard or reptiles. Tours require two-week advance booking. Open daily from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. (757) 441-2374, virginiazoo.org.

Visit Hampton for adventures in the air and on the sea. At the Virginia Air & Space Center you can launch a rocket and pilot a shuttle. Exhibits include a plethora of airplanes and spacecraft, moon rocks, meteorites and an IMAX Theater. Admission to exhibits only: adults $9.50, children 3-18 $7.50. Tickets to exhibits and an IMAX film: Adults $15, children $12. Open Mondays through Wednesdays. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. (757) 727-0900, vasc.org.
The Miss Hampton II offers narrated harbor cruises where you’ll see historical sites, warships from the Norfolk Naval Base and maybe even some dolphins and osprey. Adults are $22.50, children 6 to 12 are $11.50, under age 6 is free. Tours depart at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. on Sundays. (757) 722-9102, misshamptoncruises.com.

Northern Virginia
Cool off in Manassas at Splashdown Waterpark, which boasts five water areas on more than 11 acres and includes 70-foot waterslides, cannonball slides, a 25-meter lap pool, beach area, boat slide, lazy river, children’s area and inexpensive concessions. Admission: over 48 inches, $14.95 at the gate or $12.95 for three-day advance purchase online, under 48 inches, $10.95 at the gate or $8.95 advance purchase. Mondays through Fridays after 3 p.m. all tickets $9. Children 2 and under free. Open July and August Sundays through Thursdays 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m.-8 or 9 p.m. (703) 361-4451, splashdownwaterpark.com.
At Leesburg Animal Park you can get up close and personal with exotic animals on a safari wagon tour of the 21-acre reserve. Ride ponies and pet and feed serval cats, giant tortoises, lemurs and llamas. Admission is $9.95 for adults and $7.95 for children. Under age 2 free. Open Wednesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Fridays through Sundays 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Call (703) 433-0002 in case of inclement weather. (703) 669-0010, LeesburgAnimalPark.com.

Shenandoah Valley
Experience rural history on four reconstructed historic European and American farms at Staunton’s Frontier Culture Museum. See period homes, animals, and gardens, dress in period garb, harvest crops, watch a blacksmith and talk with re-enactors. Guided tours are given Monday and Tuesday. Adult admission $10, ages 13 through college $9, ages 6-12 $6, under 6 free. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (540) 332-7850, frontiermuseum.org.

Head to Swoope (20 minutes west of Staunton) if you’re looking for a pricier adventure with your older kids. North Mountain Outfitter provides the ultimate horse trail-riding adventure for even those with no riding experience. All rides are guided and by reservation. Minimum age is 10 unless the child has previous riding experience. Maximum weight is 245 pounds. A half-day of three to four hours with snack provided $90, full day five to six hours with lunch provided $120. (540) 886-7768, northmtnoutfitter.com.

Central Virginia
On a rainy day try visiting downtown Lynchburg, where a children’s museum and indoor climbing center will keep all ages busy. Amazement Square, The Rightmire Children’s Museum spans four floors. Its interactive exhibits encourage exploration of the arts and humanities, culture, science and technology. General admission $7, under age 2 free. Open Tuesdays through Saturdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sundays and Mondays 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Strollers are not allowed in the museum. (434) 845-1888, amazementsquare.org.
Rise Up indoor climbing gym provides beginner to advanced services, focusing on climbing improvement and educating new climbers. Visit during the Open Climb program, Fridays 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays noon-2 p.m., where instructors will take you climbing, no experience necessary. Adult admission $13, kids $10. Gear rental $5.50. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 1-10 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays 3-6 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sundays noon-6 p.m. (434) 845-7625, riseupclimbing.com.

Out of State
Only about two hours from Richmond, Henderson, N.C. boasts a large family play-zone and lake-endowed state park. Adventure Island’s attractions include mini golf, bumper boat island lagoon, batting cages, indoor play-maze, laser tag, concessions and arcade. Open Mondays through Thursdays 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Sundays 1-10 p.m. While in the area, stop for a swim at the 50,000-acre man-made lake with 800 miles of shoreline in
Kerr Lake State Park. (252) 438-7791, ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/kela/main.php.
Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is teeming with attractions, including:

• The Port Discovery Children’s Museum for ages 2-10, admission $12.95,
(410) 727-8120, www.portdiscovery.org.

• Maryland Science Center with IMAX theater and planetarium,
tickets $10.95-$20.95, (410) 685-2370, mdsci.org.

• The National Aquarium, admission $14.95-$29.95, (410) 576-3800, aqua.org.
baltimore.org/about-baltimore/ inner-harbor.

Try the region’s parks

Our region is blessed with a multitude of beautiful state parks, so for the ultimate economical and eco-friendly day trip, pack a picnic, a few bucks for entrance fees, sun block and bug spray and you’re off. Check out these Web sites for park info:

• Virginia State Park index: dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/index.shtml

• North Carolina State Parks: ncparks.gov/Visit/main.php

• West Virginia State Parks and Forests: wvstateparks.com

• Maryland Park Service: dnr.state.md.us/publiclands

Olivia Campbell lives in Chesterfield with her husband and son. You can reach her at liviebug57@hotmail.com.