Family-Friendly Summer

May 19, 2023

School’s out for summer! Don’t spend the break inside on the couch. Whether you’re seeking outside adventure, rainy-day fun, a weekend away, or a warm weather event, Waynesboro has something to keep you busy this summer. Here’s your guide to Waynesboro-area family hikes, fruit picking, paddles on the South River, kid-friendly dining, mini golf, and more.

 

Get Outside

 

 

Spend an afternoon floating down the 4-mile section of the South River known as the Waynesboro Water Trail. Try to spot wildlife such as herons, ducks, and turtles. If you don't have your own watercraft, no worries! You can rent a stand-up paddle board, canoe, or kayak from Rockfish Gap Outfitters

Fruit season’s coming, so get the gang together to pick strawberries at Troyer’s Fruit & Produce. The nursery also grows later-season fruit and produce like peaches, sweet corn, and pumpkins. If you enjoy Concord and Niagara grapes, they ripen in August and September at family-owned Wenger Grapes

Waynesboro is close to many incredible hikes, but one of our favorite summer adventures takes us through the cool darkness of the Blue Ridge Tunnel. Once used as a railroad tunnel, the tracks are gone and the four-mile out-and-back is now a multi-use trail for hikers and bikers. Crabtree Falls is another high-interest hike that’s good for families in the summer. 

Try your hand at disc golf on the 9-hole, par 31 Fox Disc Golf course at wooded Coyner Springs Park. If you’d rather introduce the kids to regular golf, take them to Waynesboro Golf and Games, which has a par 3 course for both traditional golf and soccer golf. There’s also a mini golf course and a “multicade” cabinet containing the 60 best games from your childhood. Centipede, anyone?

Make your racecar dreams a reality at Fastrax, a go-kart park that also features mini golf, an arcade, and batting cages.

Ridgeview Park's public swimming pool is the perfect destination for a hot summer day. You can enjoy the nearby playground and then take a refreshing dip in the pool to cool off. Plus, the pool is well-maintained and has lifeguards on duty, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors.

If you're looking for more swimming options, head over to Sherando Lake Recreation Area. This spring-fed lake boasts a sandy beach, a marked swimming area, and clean restrooms with showers and changing areas. The lake is surrounded by lush forests, offering a tranquil escape from the summer heat.

Saddle up and peace out while trail riding through the Valley on a gentle horse at Star B Stables

 

Have Fun at a Festival

 

 

Everyone has fun at a festival! Here’s what’s happening this summer in Waynesboro.

Head out to Constitution Park each Thursday night (May - July) for Waynesboro Parks and Recreation’s Groovin' at the Greenway weekly concert series. The music series is free and family-friendly, often featuring activities for kids. Dance along to live music from an eclectic mix of genres and enjoy dinner from onsite food trucks.

The Downtown Spectacular is a fun way for the family to spend the day. With a hot dog eating contest, hula hoop contest, vendors, food, and other fun activities, families of all ages can be entertained. Stick around downtown for the best seat ‘in the house’ to view the Sunset Spectacular, Waynesboro’s famous firework display that lights up the night sky and creates a memorable experience for all attendees.

The Waynesboro Farmers Market (May - October) offers a variety of fresh produce, baked goods, and other local products. It's a great place for kids to learn about where our food comes from and to shop for ingredients for a summer picnic or barbecue.

The annual Dooms Volunteer Fire Company Carnival is scheduled for June 13-June 17 in Constitution Park.

 

Get Something to Eat

 

 

Waynesboro is home to many restaurants with amenities like outdoor seating and kid-friendly menus. 

Everyone in your family will find something to love at Waynesboro’s new virtual food hall The Mill Yard. Kid-friendly options like pizza, tacos, and smoked drumsticks will appease the littles, and grown-ups can find options like seafood, ribs, burgers, and more.

Kids (and parents) love Sam’s Hot Dogs for its all-beef hotdogs, famous chili, and tasty sides!

Take everyone for BBQ or fried catfish at The Fishin’ Pig where kids eat free on Wednesdays, and there is live music in the outdoor “Pig Pen” every weekend. 

Another good bet is Basic City Beer Co., a kid-friendly microbrewery with a taproom and outside seating for sipping craft beer while the younger set stays occupied with games like corn hole and skeeball. Onsite Lost Billy Pie Pizza promises to keep everyone fed and happy.

The entire crew will have a blast at Bottles. Grown-ups can enjoy a bucket of beers and tasty appetizers while kids stay busy with a wide variety of indoor and outdoor games of skill. 

Cool off after your meal with fresh ice cream at Kline's Dairy Bar or Willy’s Ice Cream. Both delight with soft serve cones and creations like sundaes and shakes. Chocolate and vanilla are always on the menu as well as weekly special flavors. Willy’s even offers dairy-free options!

 

Spend a Rainy Day

 

 

Don’t let a rainy day put a damper on your fun. Here are some inside options to keep you entertained and dry.

Downtown Waynesboro has several art galleries and museums that will educate and stimulate both adults and kids. Check out the Shenandoah Valley Art Center, a working studio and gallery with a gift shop, and the P. Buckley Moss Downtown Gallery. Learn all about the history of our community at the Waynesboro Heritage Museum. The Plumb House Museum is a site along the Civil War Trail and the Russell Museum showcases the astounding art legacy of Walter Russell. 

Stone Soup Books houses an eclectic collection of new and used books for adults and kids. Browse for some new reading material, then, after the rain stops, head outside to play on the Blue Ridge Children’s Museum natural playground.

Do you have a serious case of cabin fever? Persons 10 and up can work out some aggression in one of the rage rooms at Havoc House. Smash dishes and electronics to your heart’s content and somebody else will clean up the mess!

The Wayne Theatre is starting up their summer movie series every Wednesday at 10:00 am and 12:30 pm. This pay-what-you-will series shows a different kid-friendly movie every week from June 14th through August 2nd. 

Bond over treasures from yesteryear at Alpha and Omega Antique Mall or The Tubular Toy Box.

 

Where to Sleep

 

Get close to nature when you pitch your tent or park your RV at North 340 Campground, which has a basketball court, swimming pool, and a playground. Shenandoah Acres Family Campground will keep everyone busy with swimming, mini golf, fishing, and planned activities on the weekends. Sherando Lake Recreation Area has camping, a swimming lake with a sandy beach, and miles of hiking trails. 

If you’re looking for indoor comforts, check out Best Western PLUS or the Grey Pine Lodge.

 

What are you waiting for? Plan your trip to Waynesboro today!

 

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