Virginia is for Kids!

Are you a resident of the beautiful Commonwealth of Virginia?

Are you between the ages of 3 and 9?

Do you know a grown-up who will buy a full-price adult ticket to Busch Gardens Williamsburg online?

Congratulations!  You qualify for a FREE child’s ticket!

“For a limited time, Virginia residents receive one free child single-day admission to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg with the purchase of a full-price single-day adult admission. Child ticket is valid for children 3 to 9 years old.

This offer is for Virginia residents only, and is only valid and must be used at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg from June 21, 2010 through August 31, 2010. This online offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.”

Click HERE to purchase this online-only offer.

Vintage sign from the Keysville Drive-In

Believe it or not, the drive-in movie theater is still alive and well in many parts of Virginia. While many have been updated with new sound systems, radio frequencies and websites, the heart of the operation remains the same. An inexpensive, wholesome place to spend time with family and friends under the stars.

Many theaters are only open on certain dates/days so be sure to call ahead or visit their websites before going.  Also, be sure to bring cash as some theaters do not accept credit/debit cards.

The Moonlite Theatre in Abingdon (Washington County) was opened in 1949 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Starlite Drive-In in Christiansburg (Montgomery County) has been open since 1952.

The Fork Union Drive-In (Fluvanna County) is the smallest drive-in theater in Virginia and has a Facebook page.

Hull’s Drive-In in Lexington (Rockbridge County) was saved from closure by local residents and is pet friendly.

Keysville Drive-In (Charlotte County) has a new concessions menu for this year and a Facebook page.

Park Place Drive-In in Marion (Smyth County) is a newer facility built after the old theater was replaced with a Walmart.

Central Drive-In in Norton (Wise County) opened in 1952 and borders the Jefferson National Forest.

Family Drive-In in Stephens City (Frederick County) is the closest drive-in in Virginia to Washington DC.

Mayberry Drive-In in Moneta (Bedford County) opened in June of 2008 and is adjoined by a diner.

Goochland Drive-In in Hadensville (Goochland County) is the newest drive-in in Virginia; opening in August of 2009.

Throughout 2010, members of the US military and up to 3 of their dependents can get a free, single day pass to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg as part of their Here’s to the Heroes program.  To register, click here.    It is not necessary for military dependents to be accompanied by the service member (but they must be accompanied by someone over the age of 18).

We are proud to salute the men and women of our armed forces and their families. Throughout 2010, members of the military and as many as three direct dependents may enter SeaWorld, Busch Gardens or Sesame Place parks with a single-day complimentary admission. For your service and sacrifice, we thank you.

FREE Access to almost 400 National Parks next week for National Park Week!

Explore the stunning beauty and amazing stories found in your national parks and celebrate National Park Week!

With the national nonprofit partner, the National Park Foundation, NPS is making a special inivitation to Share a Park, and Shape a Life by helping a young person experience the parks and plant the seed of stewardship.

Also, Saturday, April 24, is National Junior Ranger Day, and children can take part in kid-friendly activities and earn their very own junior ranger patch!  In addition, many national park concessioners are offering special promotions that are certain to add to your fun.

National parks across the country are hosting events andvolunteer projects on Earth Day – April 22 – and throughout the week.

Click here for a list of all participating parks in Virginia.

Abingdon is one of Virginia’s best kept secrets.  Unfortunately, our most recent trip didn’t last nearly long enough to fully enjoy all Abingdon has to offer.

First of all, I recommend splurging and staying at “The Martha” aka The Martha Washington Inn.  This historic inn was built in 1832 and has been a private residence, a women’s college and a civil war-era hospital as well as it’s present use as an inn.  The inn’s library, with it’s fireplace and overstuffed leather couches and chairs, is a perfect place to curl up and read one of the many wonderful volumes available.   The staff was very attentive and kid-friendly.

One of the highlights of Abingdon is the Barter Theatre, established in 1933.  The Barter Theater is the State Theater of Virginia and puts on many performances for children.  Reserve your tickets in advance as many shows sell out.  If you are not able to get tickets in advance, I was told by a local that if you show up at the box office 15 minutes before the show starts, they will release tickets for those who have not shown up.

We had a wonderful dinner at The Tavern.  Again, reservations are recommended.  The Tavern is the oldest building in Abingdon and well worth a peek inside.  They do not have a children’s menu, but are happy to accommodate children with smaller portions of menu items or chicken fingers.  The owner’s attentiveness was most impressive.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have a chance to see all that Abingdon has to offer.  We look forward to going back and checking out the museums, festivals and more of the hidden gems here.

The Radford University Planetarium offers FREE shows to the general public on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 7:30pm and on Saturday mornings at 10:30am.  The shows vary by the season, time etc. so be sure to check their website for the shows currently running.  The Saturday morning shows are usually specifically for children.

Current shows include:

• The newly-acquired show “The Planets” which takes audiences on a tour of our solar system, explaining how our solar system and its planets formed, why things rotate around the sun in the ways they do, and eventually looks at the planets that have been discovered around other stars.  This show was produced by the Southeastern Planetarium Association and is narrated by Kate Mulgrew (aka Captain Katherine Janeway of “Star Trek: Voyager”) .
• The three shows in the “Explorers” series.  These were produced by the Bishop Museum Planetarium in Hawaii and address many of the national and Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs) for K-12 students.
• The children’s show “In My Backyard”, produced by the Calgary Science Center.  This show takes younger audiences (from 3 years old to second graders) on a tour of many of the objects that can be seen in the night sky without a telescope.
• “Dinosaur Prophecy”:  The audience joins paleontologists at the scene of the crime, excavating bones and wondering what killed the mighty dinosaurs.  Be amazed as your favorite giants come to life, roam across the dome, and meet their catastrophic deaths.  Find out how NASA scientists monitor the Earth and solar system for potential disasters!
• And the always-popular Christmas show ” ‘Tis the Season” chronicles many of the legends and traditions of the Christmas holiday season, including the story of a certain star.

Tina’s take:  I brought my son and a couple of his friends here for an evening show.  They loved it and can’t wait to go back!  Curie Hall, where the Planetarium is located on the Radford campus, is easy to find and free parking is available right behind the building.  The young lady leading the show we attended seemed to be very passionate about her work and took extra time to answer all the kid’s questions.  Shows last anywhere from 30 to 50 minutes.

The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk recently dedicated a new childrens rain garden as one of its newest attractions. Besides being a beautiful addition to the zoo, the garden will function as an outdoor classroom too.

What child doesn’t love romping through pumpkin patches that seem to go on forever?  Holding a parent’s hand as they weave their way though a corn maze made of corn stalks that seem as tall as Jack’s Beanstalk?  Virginia is filled with places to enjoy the fruits of fall and Virginia.org has put them all in a easy-to-navigate online directory for us!  So, pack up the kids and take a day trip this weekend to enjoy the crisp fall air and quality family time!

Head to the National Zoo’s Autumn Conservation Festival October 3-4 from 10am-3pm and enjoy an unforgettable day in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  This is the ONE AND ONLY time every year that CRC is open to the public.  And this year, it’s your ticket to getting a peek at the clouded leopard cubs born at CRC this spring!

Visitors get behind-the-scenes looks at some of the CRC’s endangered animals, the bird house, and the veterinary hospital.  One of the Zoo’s endangered brown kiwi’s will also be available for meet and greets.  In addition, there will be live music, draft horse wagon rides and cavalry maneuvers.  Lunch, beverages and zoo-themed merchandise will be available for purchase.

Admission is free for CRC members.  For non-CRC members, a car pass is required and may be purchased for $5.  Car passes are also available at the Front Royal/Warren County Visitor’s Center (414 East Main Street, Front Royal, VA) and at the gate each day of the event.

Please note: The Conservation and Research Center is set in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  The Autumn Conservation Festival activities are scattered throughout the campus.  Dress appropriately for outdoor activities and wear comfortable walking shoes.  This event will be held rain or shine.

Directions:

From the East (Washington DC Area)

• Take I-66 to the Linden/Route 55 exit (Exit 13)
• Turn left at the bottom of the exit ramp
• Turn right at the first stop light onto VA-55 West and go about five miles
• Turn left at the first traffic light onto US-522 South/Remount Road
• The main gate to the CRC will be on your left in about two miles
• Turn left into the CRC

From the West (Winchester/Strasburg)

• Take I-81 to I-66
• Take the Front Royal/US-522 exit (Exit 6)
• Turn right at the end of the ramp and follow US-522 South/Remount Road through Front Royal and for about two miles south of town
• Turn left into the CRC

Photo courtesy of infinityacres.org

Infinity Acres Ranch, owned by Rick and Laura Steere, will be holding an open house this weekend, September 26th and 27th, 2009 from noon until 4pm both days.

The Ranch, located in Henry County, will offer free admission to the general public.  Visitors will meet the alpacas living on the farm.  You can watch fleece being spun and fiber demonstrations.  Mini-horse cart and pony rides will also be available for children.  There will be live entertainment as well as crafts, baked-goods and alpaca wool items for sale.

Infinity Acres Alpaca Ranch is located at 136 Joppa Rd, Ridgeway, VA 24148; just a few miles south of the Martinsville Speedway, 8 miles north of Eden NC and only 30 miles west of Danville.  Look for the purple Alpaca Signs to guide you to the Open House at Infinity Acres from Rt 220.