This historic spot recalls life in Scottsville from an 18th century settlement to a 19th century James River port with over 100 old buildings to admire. Many small shops, restaurants, and a museum line the quaint streets on the walking tour guide available at the Town Office, perfect for a quiet afternoon. Give the kids a chance to run off some steam at the riverside Dorrier Park playground or the new Canal Basin Square featuring replica bateaus. Take Rte. 20 South 18 miles to downtown Scottsville. Turn left onto Main St. Museum is on the left side of the street.Call 286-2247 or visit their website

The Zoo is known for it's snake collection, one of the best on the East Coast. Kids will also love the petting zoo, live educational animal shows, and mammals and exotic birds from around the world. After your visit you might also take a cool trip underground at Luray Caverns, the "Deepest Caverns in the East" adorned with abundant stalactites ands stalagmites. To Luray Zoo: 64 west to 81 north. 1087 US Hwy 211 West * Luray, VA. Call (540) 743-4113 or visit their website

To “do the Mall” properly in a day with the kids you should hit the Ice Park, have an awesome homemade icecream cone at Chaps, visit The Hardware Store - not for tools but candy, stop in at the Discovery Museum and finish up at the Amphitheatre for a little echo testing or at Old Michie for some great children's theatre. If you really want to experience that "small town" feel, stop in at the lunch counter of Timberlake Drugstore. Here you'll forget about all the hip teens hanging out across the way with a cup of "joe", and think you've been teleported to Mayberry!

Be sure to set aside a whole afternoon for your visit to the Frontier Culture Museum. You might even be recruited to help out with chores as the costumed interpreters demonstrate daily life in 17th and 18th century Europe and 19th century America. During annual Wool Days (April 27-May 5 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm) watch sheep shea. Open daily 9-5pm. Take 64E to 81N. Take Exit 222 Turn right onto 250W toward Staunton. Go through 2 lights, and then continue half a mile to the Museum sign.Call 540 332-7850 or visit their website

Whether or not you come for one of the Tavern’s famous buffet-style meals, you’re in for a treat when you visit Michie Tavern in Charlottesville. The tour is hosted by guides in period costumes and offers fun facts that make the visit memorable for youngsters. You might even be invited to dance a Virginia Reel! Open 9am-5pm year round for tours. Lunch buffet available from 11:15am-3:30pm. Located on Thomas Jefferson Parkway (Route 53) off of Rt. 20. Call 977-1234 or visit their website

Guided tours of Mr. Jefferson’s University are offered several times daily or you can pick up a self guided map at the Rotunda. Be sure to bring a Frisbee, ball and glove and picnic lunch to take full advantage of the Lawn. Older children will enjoy hunting for the rooms that used to belong to Edgar Allen Poe. Open daily for 9:00am-4:45pm. On University Ave. From Downtown take W. Main St. — it will become University Ave. From Rt. 29. Call 924-0311 or visit their website

Curious about how parade floats are made? Learn the tricks like hidden entrances for drivers, special handles to keep people from toppling off and how they keep a float balanced. Throughout this quirky museum, you’ll get to climb on many floats (great photo ops) and kids even get to sit in the driver’s seat and operate the float’s animation. Bigger than life - this museum is unique, colorful, and pure family fun! While you’re there consider visiting the Shenandoah Caverns too (stroller accessible). 1 1/4 hours from Ch’ville via I-64W to I-81 to exit 269. Call (540)477-3115. Visit their website

One of only two poled ferries still operating in the country, the Hatton Ferry in Scottsville is a fun trip across the James River for mature preschoolers and school age children. Open April 15 through October 15, Saturdays and Sundays only. Hours of operation are from 9am-5pm. The ferry does not run when water levels are too low, so call the Albemarle Historical Society at 296-1492 before planning your trip. Take Rt. 20 S to Scottsville. Turn right on Rt. 726; continue for three miles to Rt. 625. Continue on Rt. 625 for 2 miles. Visit their website

For a set fee, you can grab a shovel and pail and dig up hidden treasures, of which there are many at the Morefield Gem Mine. There are over 70 types of minerals to be found and you might even find yourself mining alongside Smithsonian and University researchers hopeful of discovering new minerals. Also, an exhibit about gems is found there, and a gift shop for the rockhounds at heart. Wear clothes that can get really dirty, bring ziplock bags for your treasures, and a change of clothes for the ride home. Amelia is almost an hour and a half away and requires some careful map reading – once in Goochland take Rte 609 to a left onto Rte 360. Follow that and watch for a brown Morefield Mine sign and take the next right onto Rte 628. Call 804-561-3399.

by Jessica McCoy

Ivy Creek Natural Area: Ivy Creek Natural Area on Earlysville Road is a great place to start for toddling nature lovers. You won’t have to spend a long time in the car to take advantage of a myriad of shady trees, sparkling streams and natural springs, and two miles of Rivanna Reservoir shoreline. Ivy Creek Natural Area has six miles of walking trails and a paved trail that is perfect for strollers and little ones who need a nice, level surface to walk on and the occasional rest stop at a bench.

Monticello Trail: The Thomas Jefferson Foundation worked hard to create a foot and bike path that connects the Visitor’s Center to Monticello. The crushed gravel trail meanders past a cool pond, through groves of trees, and up to Carter’s Overlook where you enjoy spectacular views and on to Monticello. Stroller friendly. From Charlottesville, head south of town on Hwy. 20, take the turn left (east) onto Hwy. 53, and take your first right into the parking lot.

Housed in part in the oldest surviving building in Richmond, the Old Stone House dating from 1737, the Edgar Allan Poe Museum offers a glimpse into early nineteenth century Richmond, where the city’s best loved literary son lived and worked on the Southern Literary Messenger. The Museum houses a nice collection of pictures, first editions, and artifacts that document his life and accomplishments. The Poe Museum is in the heart of Richmond's Historic Shockoe Bottom district located at1914-16 E. Main St. While you’re in the neighborhood, continue along Main St. to the Farmer’s Market at 17th street, in continuous use since 1779. Call 1-888-21E-APOE. Visit their website

This shrine to the “Golden Age of Aviation” enhances the Science Museum of Virginia’s aerospace exhibits. The extensive collection of vintage flying machines include a special exhibit on Virginia's legendary Adm. Richard E. Byrd and his Stars and Stripes; the first American scientific research aircraft to fly in Antarctica; airworthy replicas of the Wright Brothers gliders; and a World War I SPAD VII in mint condition. Learn about operation and development of aircraft with films, special talks, and tours of the Museum. Take 64 to Exit 97 (Richmond International Airport--RIC). Follow the brown Virginia Aviation Museum signs. Call (804) 236-3622. Visit their website

Full of snails, catfish, and several species of turtles, the 50,000-gallon aquarium (the largest in Central Virginia) is a window into the world of the parks' namesake lakes. Newly expanded exhibits show examples of Virginia's wildlife from prehistoric times as well. Whether or not you enjoy aquariums, this great spot tucked away just outside of Richmond boasts meandering lakeside nature trails, fishing, butterfly, and three separate playgrounds near the entrance. There is even a demonstration bog complete with pitcher plants. Hours and days of operation vary seasonally so be sure to call ahead 804-261-8230. Visit their website

This beautiful water-powered flourmill predates the American Revolution and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (c1750). Mr. Jim Young, the miller, enjoys sharing his operation with visitors. From the top of the four-story building or from the lower floor looking in at all the gears and pulleys used to grind the wheat, kids and adults alike will be amazed by the science involved. The ground level of the mill is the marketplace and offers organic, stone-ground grains in a variety of flavors. Wade's Mill is about 20 miles down Interstate 81, south of Staunton. Take the Raphine exit (205) and go west on Route 606, then travel four miles on some of the most gorgeous countryside the Valley offers. The Mill has seasonal hours and as always, it is best to call ahead 540-348-1400. Tip: Exit 205 is also the turn off for the Cyrus McCormick Farm exhibit. Just head east instead of west on 606. It is self-guided, free and an interesting place to stretch your legs.

by Jessica McCoy

Turk Mountain: About 2.2 miles round trip, the summit is one within reach of just about everyone including novice hikers, providing that you pace yourself. The climb is rocky, but the view from the summit outweighs the effort required to reach the peak of Shenandoah’s southernmost mountain. To get there, drive north on Skyline Drive from the Rockfish Gap entrance station about 10.5 miles to the Turk Gap parking lot, which will be on your right. You will start your hike descending on the Appalachian Trail from the parking lot, and then at 0.2 miles you will veer right onto the Turk Mountain Trail, which will take you to the top, where you will see a fabulous view of Shenandoah Valley, the Allegheny Mountains and George Washington National Forest in the west, and to the north you will see the bulk of Shenandoah National Park—tempting you to hike it all.

Chimney Rock: The hike to Chimney Rock is about 3.4 miles round trip, and will enable you and your child to witness the effects of the wildfires that swept through the park in October 1998 and May 1999. You will also get to walk through a chestnut oak grove, the acorns of which have provided a primary source of food for park animals since the demise of the chestnut trees. To get to Chimney Rock, drive north on Skyline Drive from the Rockfish Gap entrance station about 14.6 miles to the Riprap parking area, which will be on your left. The hike starts on the Riprap Trail from the parking lot. About 100 feet from the parking lot, the trail intersects with the Appalachian Trail. Turn right onto the AT and continue north. The AT intersects with the continuation of the Riprap trail at mile 0.4. Turn left onto the Riprap Trail. Chimney Rock will be at mile 1.7. Enjoy the view of the Valley, the Alleghenies, and Paine Run below!

Challenge hike for teens: Shenandoah National National Park’s Big Branch Falls via Moormans River: 6.8 mile out and back hike. The hike begins with a descent on Moormans River Fire Road from the Blackrock Gap parking area. Then you’ll have the opportunity to do some rock-hopping over the North Fork Moormans River and to see some of the evidence remaining from the 1995 floods, when massive mudslides swept away trees and other vegetation. At mile 3.3, you’ll arrive at Big Branch Falls. There is a 0.1mile side trail that will take you right up to the falls for a perfect picnic spot. The Blackrock Gap parking area is 17.2 miles north of the Rockfish Gap entrance, on the left.

New in 2003! Paramount's Kings Dominion introduces the largest drop ride in North America, a 305-foot tower of thrills that promises daring riders a 272-foot descent at 72 miles-per-hour! This adrenaline-pumping adventure simulates the sensation of skydiving and opens to the public when the 400-acre theme park kicks off its 2003 season. Kids love the rides at Paramount’s Kings Dominion! And you don’t want to miss Nickelodeon™ Central! Enjoy a hug from your favorite character to a ride on our kid-sized coaster, there's lots to do for even the littlest thrill seeker. Super splashes and hours of cool fun are yours when you visit WaterWorks, Paramount's Kings Dominion's incredible water park. WaterWorks is a 19-acre water park extravaganza, where family members of all ages will find something to love. So bring your bathing suit, WaterWorks is free with theme park admission.(804)876-5000 Visit their website