Outdoor Activities in Virginia

There are lots of things to do in Virginia and thanks to a wide range of seasons and topography there are plenty of outdoor activities to do with friends and family while in the state. Here are just a few of the more popular ones to check out while you're here.Beaches
Virginia Beach is far and away the most popular and well-known beach in the state. That being said, all along the state's coast line there are beaches available to visitors for recreation, and there are just as many along the state's many rivers and lakes, making a day at the beach an option no matter what part of the state you happen to be in.Historical Sites
Virginia was the site of numerous battles during the Civil War, which makes it perfect for history buffs looking for some outdoor time. Nearly all of the battlefields can be visited as National Parks, and while there are too many to list all of them here, they include locations like Manassas National Battlefield Park, several locations in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania, and more out west towards Winchester.If the Civil War isn't your thing you can still spend a day outdoors exploring Colonial Williamsburg, seeing how some of the earliest colonists to America lived their day to day lives, or you can head up north and visit George Washington's Mount Vernon and spend an afternoon walking around his old farm and seeing the home he and Martha lived in.Skiing
While it's true that Virginia is hot and humid in the summer months, in the cooler months of Fall and Winter it does get snow, in particular in the western part of the state which features a higher elevation. Wintergreen and Massanutten are two very popular spots to visit for fans of skiing and snowboarding and have all the amenities somebody looking to hit the slopes could ask for, with downhill areas for every level of skier or snowboarder.Golf
If you like hitting the course, Virginia says hello. With more than 400 golf courses across the state to choose from, there's a course that will suit your skill level and your pocketbook. While it can be argued that Virginia lacks the iconic courses that some other states boast, there are still plenty of excellent courses to make even the most discerning golf player happy to play a round before heading into the club house.Amusement Parks
Virginia is home to two wildly popular amusement parks for families to enjoy. Both Busch Gardens and King's Dominion offer an entire days worth of family fun with rollercoasters, water rides, and all of the classic amusement park attractions. If you're looking to beat the heat, both parks offer their own water parks as well, Water Country USA and Waterworks, with water slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers.