It’s hard to believe that spring break is only a few weeks away! Don’t let screens take over that precious time off. Here’s our list of family-friendly attractions so you can start making plans to keep the kiddos occupied with fun, educational, and outdoor activities.

Get your spring break started!

Street Arts Trail and Scavenger Hunt

Start your vacation off right with a walk around downtown! Waynesboro's Street Art with a colorful walk downtown. Hop in the car and explore six more murals a short drive away. Pro-tip: End your Street Arts tour at Basic City Beer Co, home to several murals on the tour, and reward the adults with a beer and the kids with brick oven pizza and plenty of fun games like skeeball and shuffleboard!

Blue Ridge Children's Museum Natural Playground

While you're on your Street Arts Tour, stop by the Blue Ridge Children's Museum Natural Playground! There are lot's of awesome activities for kids to enjoy like an outdoor kitchen, rock slide, and magnifying glass. Open from dawn to dusk everyday!

After you're all done at the Playground, stop by their neighbor, Stone Soup Books on the South River, for a great selection of new and used books in a relaxing atmosphere.

Spend some time on the water

Start your water adventure out at the South River Fly Shop for full service guides and instruction for fishers of all skill levels. Schedule a fishing excursion on the South River, one of Virginia's only urban trout fisheries and just steps aways from Waynesboro's historic downtown, for a memorable experience! 

If fishing isn't your thing, rent some kayaks from Rockfish Gap Outfitters or bring some tubes with you to float down Waynesboro's Water Trail. With five different boat access points along the trail, you can customize the 6.5 mile float. Drop in the visitor's center for a guide or download one here. 

Pro-tip: From April 1st to June 15th the South River adjacement to Basic Park will be Youth-Only Stocked Trout Waters. Only youth age 15 and under will be allowed to fish during that time. Adults can help, but not with setting the hook or reeling the fish in. Click here for more information. 

Spend some time on land

If the water isn't for you, grab some comfortable shoes and a flashlight and head to the "coolest" hike in Virginia, literally. The Blue Ridge Tunnel Trail is an abandoned train tunnel-turned-recreational trail that stays a cool 50 degreees year-round. It's just over two miles long and has a flat, .63 mile, ADA accessible access trail at the East Trailhead and a steep grade, .81 mile aceess trail on the West Trailhead so hikers of all skill levels can enjoy the tunnel!

Head up the mountain just past the tunnel and spend some time in Shenandoah National Park or on the Blue Ridge Parkway! Check out hiking trails for all skill levels.

When you get back in town hit up one of Waynesboro's six City Parks for awesome playgrounds, disc golf, walking paths, a swimming pool for the warmer months, picnic areas, and more! 

Nom, Nom, Nom

Waynesboro has plenty of local restaurants for even the pickiest of eaters. Start your day out at Farmhaus Coffee Co. or The French Press for some coffee and treats for the kids. If you're looking for a hearty breakfast with the works, head over to Weasie's Kitchen for an old school diner feel with amazing home-made classics. 

Whatever you're in the mood for, downtown Waynesboro has you covered. Kid friendly options like pizza from Benny Stivale's, hot dogs at Sam's Hot Dog Stand, or sandwiches from Delly Up are right along side finer dining options like The River Burger Bar, Heritage on Main, and The Green Leaf Grill. 

Downtown on a Saturday morning? Check out the Waynesboro Farmer's Market with plenty of fesh food, music, food trucks, and more! Every Saturday from 9-1:00 pm from May to October. 

More fun!

Putt-Putt at Waynesboro Golf and Games

Better start practicing your putts for your family’s big golf competition at Waynesboro Golf and Games. Grab some snacks and play an exciting 18-hole round of putt-putt on the mini-golf course, where you’ll maneuver around interesting landscaping and unique obstacles. You can also practice your short game or play foot (soccer) golf on the par 3 course. 

Grand Caverns

Because of the soft limestone and dolostone making up much of the Shenandoah Valley’s bedrock, the area is veined with caverns. Grand Caverns was discovered in 1804 and has been open to the public since 1806. It’s actually the oldest commercial “show cave” in the country. Visitors can take a 70-minute walking tour or opt to get dirty on one of the extensive rugged tours. 

Take an Easy Family Bike Ride

The paved, flat South River Greenway Trail is ideal for emerging bikers to hone their pedaling skills. At two miles long, the scenery varies from natural river to industrial views with plenty of street art and a LOVEworks stop along the way. Educational signs along the way provide historical and scientific information as well as places to rest little legs. There’s parking at both ends, portable toilets, and a bike repair station. 

We hope this has given you some ideas for keeping everyone busy and entertained during spring break season. It will be here before we know it, so start planning now!