Vacations are about the experience! Traveling families are looking for the unique opportunities a certain location offers with its food, history, and of course, entertainment for the kids. Rockahock is the perfect place to stay to experience the capital of Virginia and its Peninsula. Within 50 minutes in either direction, a family can explore much of what Virginia has to offer including the following wonderful and exciting experiences that will make any family vacation unforgettable!
Richmond
It is impressive to see how time stands still at the VMFA. Many different cultures and ages come together in one place and allow you to experience much of the world in Richmond, VA. You should spend at least an hour taking a guided tour with one of the museum’s docents, but these tours can often be catered and lengthened depending on the size of the group. Visitors can easily spend the morning or an entire afternoon appreciating the art and couple their stay with a meal from the museum’s café or fine-dining restaurant. Parents may find young children are difficult to watch during their visit.
- Distance from Rockahock: 48 min.
- Address: 200 N Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23220
- Website: https://www.vmfa.museum/
- Tickets: General Admission is Free
- Hours: Daily 10:00 am – 5:00 pm; Thurs. + Fri. 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
The SMV is a must visit for families on vacation in the Richmond area. Each of the three major levels of the museum provide their own unique experience that will excite wonder and delight. In Speed, you can experience hurricane level winds, try to outrun a black bear, and play air hockey against a robot. In Boost, you can test your vertical jump, bench press, and reflexes and walk across a tight rope. In Forge, children can spend time inventing and drawing before they inspect the live spiders, turtles, cockroaches, and beehive. A trip will not be complete, though, without watching a state of the art movie on the 76-foot screen inside the Dome. Breathtaking adventures include films about swimming with sea creatures, discovering the beauty of national parks, and exploring deep space for new planets. The museum also has a café, The Periodic Table, which sells sandwiches, pizzas, yogurts, and coffee. Visitors should expect to spend at least 3 hours.
- Distance from Rockahock: 49 min.
- Address: 2500 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220
- Website: http://www.smv.org
- Tickets: Exhibit and Dome Combination: Children (4-12): $17.50 Adult (13+): $18.50
- Hours: Tues.-Sat. 9:30 am – 5:00 pm; Sun. 11:30 am – 5:00 pm
The CMoR has four central Virginia locations and has become the third most visited cultural attraction in Richmond. The excitement of the kids as they run from theme to theme will help parents understand why within their first few minutes on the grounds. There will be tons of smiles and laughter as the children play and learn in a variety of situations. One four year old said, “I’m so happy” as she was digging for dinosaur bones with her newly acquainted friends. Other special interests include farming, science, car maintenance, grocery shopping, and arts and crafts. Families will easily spend 3 hours at the museum, but bring lunch or snacks if you plan to stay longer. Small concessions (chips, juice boxes) are sold, but nothing substantial. Recommended for children under 10 years old.
- Distance from Rockahock: 49 min.
- Address: 2626 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220
- Website: http://www.c-mor.org
- Tickets: $9 (Age 1-59)
- Hours: Daily 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
Experience the wonder of the world’s plant life as you walk from one unique landscape to another. The LGBG is a perfect place to spend the day for all ages. The garden will cater to the more finely educated and also those who simply love the beauty of the earth. Adults can spend a quite, serene time in contemplation over a cup of tea at the Japanese tea house, and kids can learn how to plant vegetables in the Children’s Garden. During their stay, visitors will also get to walk through an elegant Victorian restoration garden, study dwarf conifers and ornamental grasses, and stroll through an orchard of Cherries trees. One of the highlights for both adults and children is the Butterfly Garden in the conservatory. There you will hear the playful buzz and cheers of children as they watch butterflies float through the air and land on fresh fruit for a drink. Plan to spend an entire afternoon and share lunch at the Garden Café for fresh salads, tasty soups, and other daily specials.
- Distance from Rockahock: 49 min.
- Address: 1800 Lakeside Avenue Richmond, VA 23228
- Website: http://www.lewisginter.org
- Tickets: Adults: $13, Seniors (55+) $11, Children (3-12) $8, Children (under 3) Free
- Hours: Daily 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Eclectic and vintage are two words to describe one of Richmond’s most unique districts. There are a variety of pet-friendly shops and tasty eateries that cater to nearly all styles and budgets. Shoppers will find a little bit of everything: simple accessories, pottery, artisan jewelry, unique kitchen wares, chic high fashion boutiques, and shops specialized for hikers, cyclers, record collectors, and classic video game enthusiasts. There are plenty of dining opportunities that include food from abroad (French, Greek, Thai, Indian) as well as the typical local joints. If you’d like a sampling of the restaurants unique to Richmond, you would enjoy a professional and well-organized guided outing by River City Food Tours that includes neat tidbits of local history. Young children are not recommended for the food tour.
- Distance from Rockahock: 44 min.
- Address: W Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23220
- Website: http://www.carytownrva.com/; www.rivercityfoodtours.com
- Tickets: $55 + tip for guide
- Hours: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays
Historic Triangle
Ever wonder what life was like in America 300 years ago? You’ll find the answer through one of the most unique tourist attractions in the country. In Williamsburg’s Revolutionary Town, local historians are dressed in character as you enter the local shops to discuss colonial fabrics and design with the tailor, watch the techniques and craftsmanship of the carpenter, or take a guided tour of the impressive Governor’s Palace. All the experiences are enhanced with the stunning landscape and beautiful flower gardens. Tourists will want to sample the variety of local treats during their visit as well. Go to the Raleigh Tavern Bakery for a mid-afternoon snack and try the tasty ginger cakes, brownies, and cookies. You’ll need to top it off with a refreshing cup of homemade apple cider. For dinner, set reservations at one of the colonial eateries. Christina Campell’s Tavern, for example, is a recreation of the tavern where George Washington frequently ate seafood. On the menu, you’ll find local fish, scallops, clam chowder, and some of the best crab cakes you’ve ever eaten. The experience is enriched with the sweet potato muffins and spoon bread provided with every meal and by adding a family fruit punch bowl.
- · Distance from Rockahock: 33 min.
- · Address: 101 Visitor Center Dr. Williamsburg, VA 23185
- · Website: https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/
- · Tickets: Adult: $40.99; Child (6-12) $20.49
- · Hours: 8:45 am – 5:00 pm
Personally experience the first permanent English-speaking colony through the indoor and outdoor exhibits at Jamestown Settlement. Inside the museum, visitors will see artifacts dating to the 17th century including weapons, decorated tiles, kitchen supplies, farming equipment, and religious relics. Exhibition galleries and short videos explain the three cultural influences (English, Indian, & African) of America’s historic beginning and even the roots of our modern government. Visitors should plan to take a free, guided tour of the unique outdoor living museum that lasts about an hour. You are able to walk through a recreated Powhatan Indian village, observe historic crop fields, and sit in reed-covered houses with animal skin beds. The tour also takes you to a recreation of James Fort to see the living condition of early settlers such as the thatch-roof houses, storehouses, church, and governor’s palace. The final outdoor stop is a short path to the James River to see recreations of the three ships that sailed across the ocean with the first settlers of Jamestown. One of the most inviting aspects of the experience is the live characters that visitors can interact with throughout their stay. Ask questions and learn about early America from these working historians. Plan to stay an entire afternoon and share a meal at the museum’s café. School age children and older will get the most out of the unique opportunity of Jamestown Settlement.
- Distance from Rockahock: 37 min.
- Address: 2110 Jamestown Rd. Williamsburg, VA 23185
- Website: https://www.historyisfun.org/
- Tickets: Ages 5 & under: Free, Ages 6-12: $8.00, Age 13+: $17.00
- Hours: Daily 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Travel back to 1607 to see where 104 settlers established the first permanent English settlement in North America. Visitors should begin their stay by watching a short documentary in the museum to learn about America’s birthplace and all the dilemmas facing the earliest residents, including drought, famine, and skirmishes with Indians. Over the past 400 years, the island has been remarkably used for many pivotal influences of our country that include the original meeting place where our modern government began as well as strategic strongholds for many battles during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Today, there are live archeological sites unearthing the hidden treasures of our nation. You can walk the very ground and imagine what life what like during America’s beginning and its toughest years. The tours are professional and well organized and if you are lucky you’ll get to spend time speaking with a real archaeologist of the Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation and learn first hand about all the artifacts being brought to light during our day and time. Plan to stay 4-5 hours, mediate with lunch on the James River, and remember the historical influences that brought us to the 21st century and modern America.
- Distance from Rockahock: 44 min.
- Address: 1368 Colonial Parkway Jamestown, VA 23081
- Website: https://historicjamestowne.org
- Tickets: Adults: $14, all tickets are good for 7 days and include admission to Yorktown Battlefield
- Hours: Daily 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Williamsburg
Take a “Tour and Tasting” with either lunch or dinner to experience one of Williamsburg’s cultural gems. If you choose lunch at the Gabriel Arch Tavern you can experience a warm, sunny day and a cool breeze outside under the pergola. Drink a glass of wine, eat a delicious sandwich special on a French baguette, and finish it with a mouth-watering cookie for a simple relaxing afternoon. If you choose dinner, you will find elegance and romance are combined at the unique fine-dining experience of Café Provençal. Enjoy a wondrous French culinary experience at this cozy, colonial restaurant as upscale lamb and local fish are cooked to perfection. Begin your meal with one of the special appetizers like the cheese charcuterie board and finish it with chocolate mousse or strawberry shortcake for a perfect three-course meal with a glass of wine. Due to the fantastic atmosphere and experience, time spent at Wessex Hundred will never be forgotten. Reservations highly recommended.
- Distance from Rockahock: 42 min.
- Address: 5810 Wessex Hundred, Williamsburg, VA 23185
- Website: https://www.williamsburgwinery.com/
- Tickets: $35 Tour and Tasting Lunch or $80 Tour and Tasting Dinner
- Hours: Winery & Gabriel Archer Tavern: 11:00 am – 5:30 pm; Café Provençal: 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm; Winery tours are given every half hour.
