Discover Virginia Kids Trail heritage in the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley. These stops make learning fun for the whole family!
Discover Virginia Kids Trail Heritage
From Northern Virginia and Harpers Ferry, WV through the Shenandoah Valley and over to Staunton and Charlottesville, you’ll find historical stops on the Virginia Kids Trail. You can map your route by interest, like US Presidents, or geographically like this blog.
Virginia Kids Trail History
Northern Virginia: Just east of the Blue Ridge you’ll find the village of Delaplane and Sky Meadows State Park. This 1800 acre historic park captures valley life beginning with Colonial times. The park offers historical programs year-round. Admission: $7-$10 parking/admission depending on the season.
Harpers Ferry WV: From Sky Meadows, go north on Route 340 to Harpers Ferry National Park in West Virginia. The site of John Brown’s rebellion, the town also witnessed the arrival of the first successful American railroad. The park has several interpretive programs and living history workshops. Admission: $15 vehicle pass is good for 3 consecutive days.
Kids Trail Collections
When you discover Virginia Kids Trail heritage, you’ll find more than just battlefields. Museums are like historical treasure chests. You’ll find everything from Colonial settlements to Elvis.
Winchester: From Harpers Ferry, cross back into Virginia and to Winchester. While the city is steeped in Civil War history, you’ll also find a hidden gem in the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley. The museum has a permanent collection of over 11,000 pieces. Have a little girl in the family? Then she’ll love the miniatures collection. These are dollhouses like no other! Admission: $10 adults, $8 for ages 13-18, free for ages 12 and under.
Strasburg: South of Winchester is the town of Strasburg. Because of the area’s pottery manufacturing, it was once known as “Pot Town”. The Strasburg Museum is located in a former manufacturing building later used as a train depot. You will find exhibits from the 18th through 20th centuries, including a whiskey still and a red caboose. Admission: $5 adults, $1 teens, 50 cents for children.
Elvis on the Kids Trail
Harrisonburg: History is not all serious business. Check out the Inspired by Elvis exhibit at the Virginia Quilt Museum. Traditional and contemporary quilting also come together in other exhibits. Admission: $8 adults, $5 students, children 12 and under free.
Kids Trail Side Trip
Lexington: Take a quick drive south on I-81 to Natural Bridge State Park and combine both environmental and Colonial history. Natural Bridge is a 215′ limestone gorge carved out by Cedar Creek and was once owned by Thomas Jefferson. It’s believed George Washington surveyed this site, as tour guides claim the initials “G.W.” were carved into the limestone by the future president. Admission: $8 for ages 13 and up, $6 for ages 6-12.
More Stops on the Kids Trail
Continue to discover Virginia Kids Trail heritage in Staunton and Charlottesville. Here you’ll learn about two US Presidents who were also Virginians. Fun fact: Virginia is the “mother” of presidents with eight.
Staunton: After your side trip to Natural Bridge, travel north and east to Staunton and the Frontier Culture Museum. The museum divides its exhibits into “Old World”(England, Germany, Ireland and West Africa) and American. Living history is a mainstay. Admission: $12 adults, $11 students, $7 for children 6-12, children 5 and under free.
The Mother of Presidents
Also in Staunton is the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library. Kids will like the restored 1919 Pierce-Arrow limousine and the museum’s scavenger hunt makes learning fun. Admission: $15 adult, $8 for ages 6-18, children under 6 free.
Charlottesville: Winding up this history tour is Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Be sure to get a “selfie” with the life-size statue of America’s 3rd President. Children will enjoy the Griffin Discovery Room and the toys, games, and tools. Admission: Purchase tickets online and save. A day pass for adults is $26.95, $17 ages 12-18, $10 ages 5-11, children under 5 free.
Discover Virginia Kids Trail Heritage with your family. And to find other adventures along the way, visit Go Blue Ridge Travel.