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Shenandoah Valley: Your Summer Family Getaway

Skyline Caverns
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This summer is all about getting back out there! It’s been a long, cooped up year, and we’re ready to have some adventures in the coming months. That’s why, when we heard about the Shenandoah Valley, a popular getaway destination that travel bloggers obsess over and families continually return to, we knew we had to give you the scoop!

This Virginia beauty spans over 12 cities, counties, and towns, and it’s about 140 miles long. All is to say that there is plenty to do and see when you visit this iconic region. What we love about this getaway is that your journey is as much a part of the adventure as your destination! You’ll get to take in the gorgeous Virginia landscapes as you make your way over. Road trip, anyone?

Frontier Culture Museum

If you’re looking to get outside of the city this summer with your family, then the Shenandoah Valley is the place for you. Some of the best kid-friendly activities include the Virginia Safari Park, where your kiddos can get up close and personal with animals from six continents, carriage rides through downtown Lexington, where kids get to feel like royalty as they tour around the town, and the Frontier Culture Museum, which is the perfect dose of educational fun that teaches kids and adults alike about how American culture is truly based upon African, European, and indigenous peoples.

But as NYC parents, we know how hard it is to plan a trip that pleases everyone. Yet that’s the very best part about the Shenandoah Valley: it has family-friendly activities that all ages will enjoy. There really is something for everyone, whether you have younger kids or bigger kids! The Discovery Museum is a must-visit, because it has fun exhibitions and programs that kids will surely get a kick out of. We also love Dinosaur Land, where your kids can explore prehistoric creatures, and of course, there’s the can’t-go-wrong Shenandoah National Park. Family fun is a given when you visit the Shenandoah Valley.

Shenandoah National Park

Now, we can’t talk about the Shenandoah Valley without diving into some of its natural gems that you’ll definitely want to check out. From exciting hiking trails to wildflower farms, you’ll get your fill of beautiful & engaging nature. Don’t miss out on the area’s many natural caverns such as Luray or Skyline Caverns, where you can see stone formations that will simply blow you away. If you’re looking for a more active adventure, then explore the seven bends of the Shenandoah River.

Dinosaur Land

A bit overwhelmed by how much there is to do here in the Shenandoah Valley? Yep, so were we. That’s when we came across the Shenandoah Valley Guides, which make it easier than ever to plan your next family vacay.

Want to learn more about the Shenandoah Valley? Visit shenandoahvalley.org and start planning your trip!

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Polaris Productions Theater Camp

<p>Kids will learn, rehearse, and perform the wonderful Maurice Sendak and Carole King musical, Really Rosie. For 10 weekdays, campers will take part in physical and vocal warm-ups and learn choreography, staging, and vocal parts. They’ll develop skills in acting, singing, character development, and more. This camp will ignite your child’s imagination and passion for performing, build their self-esteem, and help them form lasting friendships. They’ll have fun! At camp’s end, the kids will perform Really Rosie for family members and friends. Kids of all levels of experience, ages 8 through 13, are welcome to join.</p>

A-Game Sports

<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;">A-Game Sports is a premier provider of sports camps, programming and instruction for kids of all ages ranging from toddlers to teens. As an instructional and recreational youth sports facility, our goal is to make athletics a rewarding experience for all kids. A-Game Sports is located in New Rochelle, NY, and offers camps, lessons, customized programs for more than 10 sports and rental space for private events. A-Game Sports was founded in 2013 by two guys who decided that it was time to do what they truly love in life. Since then, we've made the ideology of fusing hard work and fun into a reality. Our dedicated staff of professional coaches share their enthusiasm with kids of all ages and skill levels that take part in our programs.</p> </div> <div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"> </p> </div> <div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;">With turfed fields for soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and flag football, batting cages and tunnels for baseball and softball, and various basketball programs, A-Game Sports is one of the premiere sports facilities for kids and adults of any age. Aspiring athletes and fitness enthusiasts will benefit from our many strength and conditioning programs, while children new to sports will learn skills and techniques within their chosen sport, all while having a great time and keeping the game fun.</p> </div>

The Wild Center

<p>The Wild Center, nestled within the breathtaking landscape of New York's Adirondack Park, offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of nature. As visitors approach the Center, they are greeted by the Adirondack Mountains towering in the distance, setting the stage for an immersive adventure.<br /><br /></p> <p>Upon entering the 34,000-square-foot exhibit hall, guests are enveloped in a world of wonder and discovery. Interactive exhibits like Planet Adirondack and Climate Solutions invite exploration, allowing visitors to delve into the rich biodiversity of the Adirondack region. The indoor experience also includes an opportunity to soar on Birdly--a one-of-a-kind VR experience. Also, get up close with an animal ambassador during one of many live animal encounters throughout the day.<br /><br /></p> <p>In addition to its indoor exhibits and programs, the Wild Center also boasts 115-acres of extensive outdoor amenities. One of the highlights in the award-winning Wild Walk. Visitors walk up a trail of bridges to the treetops of the Adirondack forest, 40 feet off the ground. Along the way, interactive exhibits provide insights into the flora and fauna that call the Adirondacks home, from songbirds to black bears.<br /><br /></p> <p>The rest of the campus features more ways to explore. Check out Patrick Dougherty’s Stickwork sculpture, an all natural installation of woven sticks that will spark your imagination and nostalgia. Immerse yourself in Forest Music, take a naturalist-lead canoe trip, or get your roll on with Raquette River Roll, a brand-new, oversized, all-natural ball run experience opening in June 2024.</p>