www.FredericksburgParent.NET 17
Day Trippin'
WRITTEN BY BRANDY CENTOLANZA
Looking for some summer fun without the hassle of packing a suitcase or endur-
ing a long car ride or a trip to the airport? Consider visiting one of these locales
all within an easy drive of Fredericksburg that offer up plenty of family fun.
Carter Mountain Orchard (www.chilesfamilyorchards.com) in Charlottesville
is a popular destination in the fall for apple picking, but there is plenty of
fun to be had in the summer too. Families can pick their own peaches during
the summer months. Carter Mountain also has live music and food trucks at
sunset on Thursday evenings through September, as well as children's edu-
cation programs on Monday and Tuesday mornings that include storytime
and a craft. Additionally, Charlottesville is home to another historic attrac-
tion, Monticello (www.monticello.org), and the children's museum Virginia
Discovery Museum (www.vadm.org).
Charlottesville is not far from Shenandoah National Park, where families can
spend the day outside hiking, picnicking, and admiring the spectacular scen-
ery and wildlife from afar.
Sure, Williamsburg is home to Busch Gardens and Water
Country USA, but other adventures also await for all you
thrill seekers.
Go Ape! (www.goape.com/location/virginia-williamsburg/)
boasts a variety of treetop ziplining experiences for all
ages, as well as axe throwing and an outdoor escape room
attraction called Forest EscAPE. Go Ape! is located within
Freedom Park, which features a botanical garden, picnic area,
and hiking and mountain biking trails.
This summer, Go-Karts Plus (www.gokartsplus.com), another
amusement park in Williamsburg, will open a new elevated
go-kart track called Skyline Speedway. The park also has
other amusement rides, including bumper cars and bumper
boats, as well as a mini golf course, gem panning, a toddler
play area, and an arcade.
History buffs, of course, can check out Jamestown
Settlement (www.jyfmuseums.org) or Colonial Williamsburg
(www.colonialwilliamsburg.org), which both offer a variety
of summer programming. Families can grab a slice of pizza at
Mellow Mushroom in downtown Williamsburg after stepping
back in time for a day or head next door to Precarious Beer
Hall, where moms and dads can sip a pint while the kids
enjoy the hall's arcade games and pinball machines.
WILLIAMSBURG
Richmond has plenty of opportunities for families
to soak in both flora and fauna this summer. Lewis
Ginter Botanical Garden (www.lewisginter.org) is
home to a plethora of plants and flowers, as well as
a children's garden with a tree house, climbing trees,
and a splash pad. Meanwhile, families can also stroll
the grounds of historic Maymont Park (www.may-
mont.org). Maymont features several gardens and an
arboretum, or visitors can check out animals, which
can be found at the nature center, at the farm, or
in the wildlife habitats. The wildlife habitats include
bison, black bears, elk, bobcats, deer, a red fox, and
numerous birds. Richmond also has a zoo (www.
metrorichmondzoo.com). On a hot summer day, head
indoors and check out the exhibits at the Children's
Museum of Richmond (www.childrensmuseumofrich-
mond.org) or the Science Museum of Virginia (www.
smv.org). Budding scientists can discover what lies
beneath the skin at Body Worlds: The Anatomy of
Happiness, a new exhibit that opened at the science
museum in May.
RICHMOND
CHARLOTTESVILLE
GoApe's Treetop Adventures in Williamsburg
Carter Mountain Orchard in Charlottesville
