Top Virginia Outdoor Activities

Watch the sun set over Chesapeake Bay on a 2-hour, small-group dolphin tour by kayak from Virginia Beach. Paddle along the coast as you spot Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, and see the Cape Henry Lighthouses and Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel from the water.

Paddle alongside the wild dolphins of Virginia Beach on a small-group kayak tour from North End Beach. Watch for sea birds and other wildlife as you steer an easy to use, sit-on-top kayak along the coast to the Cape Henry Lighthouses. Learn about the Atlantic bottlenose dolphins that swim past the Virginia coast each summer, and explore the shore with an experienced guide.

Get your adrenaline pumping and experience the feeling of free-fall without having to jump out of a plane. Virginia Beach’s Indoor Skydiving experience is great for thrill seekers of all ages with no prior experience necessary. Follow your instructor inside the state-of-the-art wind tunnel and experience wind speeds of up to 180 miles per hour two times for a full 60 seconds during your session.

Spend the evening exploring the historic streets of Colonial Williamsburg on a candlelit guided ghost tour. The ghost tour reveals a lesser-known side of the historic streets and takes you to parts of the town most tourists wouldn’t be comfortable visiting on their own. Along the way, a guide entertains the group with family-friendly stories and local legends.

Couples and families enjoy a unique opportunity to sail their own 32-foot sloop with all the modern conveniences. Or sit back and relax in the cockpit or up on the bow of the boat for greater privacy. Great idea for engagement, birthday, anniversary or surprise gift.

Experience the beauty of the Potomac River and Old Town Alexandria on this independent bike tour along the Mount Vernon Trail. Check out the historic estate, which was once home to George Washington, and wander through the grounds, galleries, and hallways of this stately mansion. Opt for a tour upgrade and kick back for your return trip on a narrated Potomac River cruise to Alexandria. This independent tour offers plenty of flexibility and is one of the best ways to explore Mount Vernon.

One of the best ways of viewing wetlands is from above. Enjoy the views while having fun on this 90-minute wetland tour by zipline. From towers 80 feet up in the air you’ll zoom down lines of up to 1200 feet long and over the unique forest ecosystem. This is a great activity for friends and families who want to mix sightseeing and adventure.

Most bike rentals set you off in a new city with no guidance at all for you to explore an unknown city alone. This Downtown Norfolk E-Bike Rental and Self-Guided History Tour provides you with directions to go on a self-guided tour of the downtown area so you can learn about its history and culture.

Steer a stand-up paddleboard across Linkhorn Bay on a 1.5-hour sunset tour in Virginia Beach. Watch for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, blue herons, and kingfishers, and enjoy an easy going place to practice stand-up paddleboarding with help from experienced guides.

Enjoy a day of family fun at the Virginia Living Museum during your visit to Williamsburg. Explore indoor and outdoor animal exhibits and see more than 250 species of wildlife native to Virginia, including bald eagles and endangered red wolves. Kid-friendly highlights include discovery centers, interactive hands-on exhibits, and an outdoor Dinosaur Discovery Trail with life-like dinosaurs, dig pits, and fossils.

Explore areas of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains that you can only find far from the beaten path in this off-road guided Jeep adventure. The private tour takes the Appalachian Mountain Ridgeline in George Washington National Forest, yielding amazing high-elevation views of Shenandoah National Park and West Virginia. Enjoy the ride as a passenger or upgrade to receive off-road driving instruction and take the wheel yourself.

Enjoy 2 hours of interactive BayPlay Golf at Drive Shack’s high tech driving range in a comfortable all-weather hitting bay. Experience cutting edge radar-based TrackMan™ Range technology, which provides unparalleled precision ball tracking, in real time, for the venue’s 200-plus yard field. You can also play state-of-the-art augmented reality games designed for all skill levels, even the non-golfers! Did we mention food? Fuel your game by dining on a chef-inspired menu and enjoying refreshing signature cocktails, craft beers and an array of beverages.

Since 2001, Assateague Explorer boat tour has helped thousands of visitors to experience the wild ponies in their natural habitat. Locally owned and operated. Featured by ABC Good Morning America.

Discover the art of sailing during your time in the Williamsburg area with this sailing lesson. Join a small group and head out onto the water with a modern sailboat to learn the basics of sailing. Learn how to build speed, “see” the wind, and boat safety, or simply enjoy a relaxing ride on the water.

Skydive in an indoor wind tunnel without the scary experience of jumping out of a plane. Buy your tickets ahead to the iFLY Loudoun indoor skydiving facility, which ensures you'll have your pick of days and times. Even beginners can participate, since instructors hold a pre-flight orientation session to teach you exactly what to do before you fly. Walk away with a certificate to commemorate your flight.

Discover great freshwater fishing spots near Washington DC on this full-day charter boat excursion. Depending on the season, your captain will take you out to the Upper Potomac to fish for smallmouth or the Occoquan River for largemouth, catfish, and striper. A perfect chance for kids or beginners to learn to fish, this trip has plenty to offer experienced anglers as well.

With a Fredericksburg horse and buggy tour, you can see the historic city the old-fashioned way. Trot to top Fredericksburg destinations such as Market Square and Rising Sun Tavern in an Amish-made wagonette, all while hearing stories and fun facts about the city’s history. You cover more ground than on a walking tour, too, making this tour a great orientation for first-time visitors.

Kayaking along Assateague Island where wild ponies live is a great way to experience nature and wildlife.

Experience the best of Norfolk with this Passport to Fun. Enjoy admission to Norfolk’s top attractions, like Nauticus, a maritime-themed science center and museum located on the downtown waterfront, the USS Wisconsin (BB-64), the second ship of the United States Navy to be named in honor of the US state of Wisconsin, and the Virginia Zoo. Enjoy great discounts at the Norfolk Premium Outlets, and with outdoor adventure at the Norfolk Botanical Garden.

Our guides are locals and have local knowledge of all the wildlife and island history. All of our guides are licensed Captains.

Get to know Richmond, Virginia’s oldest neighborhood while solving clues on this fun, interactive scavenger hunt of Church Hill. This smartphone-based adventure lets you play the game at your own pace, alone or as part of a team. Simply download the app, follow the map, and unlock your questions to start learning and exploring.

Uncover the mysteries and secrets of Norfolk as you embark on a scavenger hunt with your group. Walk around the city and learn new facts about the sights that you see. Discover landmarks and hidden gems while you answer trivia questions and solve challenges. This scavenger hunt is ideal for small groups who want to have fun or celebrate an occasion.

Have a blast exploring Charlottesville with this app-led scavenger hunt, titled Centuries of Charlottesville. You’ll get to see the most entertaining sights in town, while learning about its history and culture, but you’ll have to answer trivia questions and solve challenges to unlock each new prompt. Enjoy this with a group of 10 or fewer people.

Discover the remote marshlands of Assateague Island and spend some time in the great outdoors on this kayaking adventure. Join a small group and depart from Chincoteague Island, paddling to the wildlife refuge of Assateague. These two islands are home to a number of animals including the wild Chincoteague ponies and dozens of bird species.