Free Things to Do With the Family in the River Realm
7 Free Things To Do With The Family School is out for the summer, and the kids are ready to explore! Virginia’s River Realm is
Kid-Friendly, Family Getaway Destination
Kid-Friendly Family Getaway
Plan a weekend getaway with the whole family. Virginia’s River Realm is filled with family fun for all ages!
Where Is Virginia's River Realm?
Full of delightful surprises, hidden gems, and friendly, small-town spirit. The 465 miles of shoreline, eight great small towns, and hundreds of unique attractions invite visitors to enjoy the wonder of a perfect oyster, the promise of a back road or secret cove and the pleasure of sharing a table with friends. A place where you can catch your breath, calm your mind and live your dreams.
Experiences
Dining
WAYS TO STAY
─ Family Fun For Everyone ─
Get Inspired For Your Trip
Go Crabbin’
Great news for anyone who loves fresh crab meat! According to a 2019 survey, nearly 600 million blue crabs live in the Chesapeake Bay. That’s
Where in the World is the River Realm?
That’s a good question. We are a gateway to the Chesapeake Bay shaped by hidden gems totally unique to our small river towns. Enchanting views,
Why the River Realm is Better than the Ocean
Oysters Let’s start with our favorite reason: oysters! When settlers first arrived here in the 16th and 17th centuries, the beds of our rivers were
The River is Calling You: 8 Great Small Towns Await
Discover 8 Small Towns Along 465 Miles of Shoreline Escape the city life and find out what our small towns have to offer. Set along
Ice Cream by the River
Ice Cream in Virginia’s River Realm There’s no right way to eat ice cream, except with a smile. Anytime of the year, this treat is
─ Family Fun ─
Experiences
Fun for the whole family at Compass Entertainment
Compass Entertainment in Irvington offers fun activities for the whole family, including the area’s only multi-screen luxury boutique movie theatre, plus nine exciting attractions: an arcade, indoor adventure course, climbing walls, go-karts, miniature golf, and Meridian full-service restaurant and bar
Kilmarnock's Town Centre Park
Kilmarnock’s Town Centre Park is OPEN DAILY from Dawn until Dusk! Inside this park, you’ll find every child’s favorite: the Waterworks Splash Pad! The Park has a number of family-friendly events throughout the year, including the Music On The Half Shell concert series. Pups are even welcome at the Scottie Yard Dog Park.
Take An Eco Tour with our watermen
Join one of the Captains from Virginia Watermen Heritage Tours for the Bay’s best hands-on tours. Experience the Chesapeake Bay with an authentic working waterman as your personal guide. From learning about the Bay to how the oyster industry has returned to watching wildlife, this is as personal as it gets.
─ Family-Friendly ─
Favorite Dining Spots
Frontporch coffee & Gathering Place
Grab a cup of coffee or an ice cream with the kids. Their relaxed atmosphere and casual gathering area make a perfect place to take a quick lunch break during a big day in the River Realm.
Chesapeake Doughnut Company
Sweet smiles are in surplus at Chesapeake Doughnut Company! Their freshly made, organic doughnuts are an ideal sweet treat for the kids (& grown-ups).
Bethpage Miniature Golf & Ice-Creamery
Play 18 holes in the wildly fun world of COWTOPIA and enjoy 20 delicious flavors of hand-dipped Hershey’s ice cream! COWTOPIA is an artfully designed miniature golf course with whimsical cows around every corner.
Stevie's Ice Cream
No trip to Virginia’s River Realm is complete without a stop at Stevie’s Ice Cream! Their Fresh soft served ice cream is made hourly. Fuzzy Kids are welcome, too! Bring your dog for a pup cup!
─ Outdoor Adventure ─
Ways To Stay
Bethpage campground
Stay and play by the Chesapeake Bay! Visit Virginia’s highest rated waterfront RV resort, twice named best RV resort in the nation! Incredible water park, full hook up sites, modern cottages, waterfront indoor reception facility, pavilion, daily activities, theme weekends, live entertainment, playgrounds, marina, boat ramp, storage, charter boat, pools, sandy beach, water trampoline, and more! Pets welcome.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY COTTAGES
With so many AirBnbs throughout the River Realm, Group & Family-Friendly lodging is easy to find. These vacation rentals offer an ideal home-away-from-home experience for the whole family with beautiful views and privacy.
GREY'S POINT
CAMPGROUND
If you love the outdoors you’ll love Grey’s Point! Enjoy their huge water park with slides, multiple pools and the splash point kid’s area. Bring your boat to the ramp and hit the Rappahannock River for some of the best fishing in Virginia. Hop in one of their paddle boats, kayaks or canoes and take in the scenery along the river. Or relax on the long sandy beach by the river! There’s something for everyone!
