Kiptopeke State Park — Cape Charles, VA

On Virginia’s beautiful Eastern Shore, explored by Capt. John Smith in 1608, Kiptopeke offers recreational access to the Chesapeake Bay. The site was named Kiptopeke in honor of the younger brother of a king of the Accawmack Indians who had befriended early settlers to the area.  Kiptopeke means Big Water. It’s also a great place to exploreContinue reading “Kiptopeke State Park — Cape Charles, VA”

First Landing State Park – Virginia Beach

First Landing State Park is Virginia’s most visited state park. It is where English colonists first landed in 1607. Native American canoes, Colonial settlers, 20th-century schooners and modern cargo ships have navigated the park’s waterways. Its cypress swamps were a source of freshwater for merchant mariners, pirates and military ships during the War of 1812.Continue reading “First Landing State Park – Virginia Beach”

York River State Park–Williamsburg

York River State Park, as its name suggests, is located along the York River and it opens up to the Chesapeake Bay. It is a great place to hike, mountain bike, horseback ride, fish, sail, or just have a picnic with your friends and family. Be on the lookout for marine wildlife! Location: 9801 York River Park Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23188Continue reading “York River State Park–Williamsburg”

Lake Anna State Park

The park has a beach on one of Virginia’s most popular lakes, a fishing pond accessible to children and the disabled, a bathhouse-concessions complex and a boat launch. Overnight stays are made possible by camping, six camping cabins, four yurts, two six-bedroom lodges and 10 two-bedroom cabins. Seven cabins and the lodges have views ofContinue reading “Lake Anna State Park”

Ni River Reservoir Park

Ni Reservoir is a 411-acre Spotsylvania County water supply reservoir located near Chancellorsville.  Location: 10516 Gordon Road, Spotsylvania, VA 22553 (The turn into the park comes quickly. We passed it our first time.) Hours: 6 am to dusk — Open Saturday & Sundays beginning March 5, 2022 – March 27, 2022.  Then beginning in AprilContinue reading “Ni River Reservoir Park”

Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center Solomons, Maryland

Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center is a non-profit center located in scenic Solomons, Maryland, where the Patuxent River meets the Chesapeake Bay. The sculpture garden features a 1/4 mile walking path that meanders through the woods past permanent and loaned sculpture, including over thirty works on loan from the Smithsonian Institution and the National Gallery ofContinue reading “Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center Solomons, Maryland”

Fredericksburg Nationals

The Fredericksburg Nationals are a Minor League Baseball team of the Carolina League and the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Washington Nationals. They are located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and will play their home games at the new Fredericksburg Ballpark which holds 5,000 people. Location:  42 Jackie Robinson Way, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Hours: Most are eveningContinue reading “Fredericksburg Nationals”

Mount Olympus Berry Farm

Strawberry Picking Mount Olympus Farm is a family owned farm for over 30 years located between Richmond and Fredericksburg, VA.  You can pick-your-own (PYO) strawberries, blueberries and pumpkins.  They offer a large variety of high quality fresh vegetables including many heirloom varieties.  Their garden center has many perennials, herbs, annuals, shrubs, etc.  Can’t make it to their farm?  Look forContinue reading “Mount Olympus Berry Farm”

Machicomoco State Park

Virginia’s 40th State Park Machicomoco is Algonquian for “special meeting place.” The name was chosen to reflect the park’s purpose of education on the native tribes of Virginia. Machicomoco is Virginia’s first state park focused on honoring and interpreting the history of Virginia’s Indian tribes. It opened to the public on April 16, 2021. Located inContinue reading “Machicomoco State Park”