Your Virginia Spring Bucket List
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Your Virginia Spring Bucket List
By
Erin Gifford
Virginia is a wonderland that’s ripe for exploration in spring, whether paddling at
state parks
, pedaling on
bike trails
, or sampling varietals from a picturesque patio at any one of more than
300 wineries
across Virginia. Here are 15 Virginia bucket list ideas to check off this spring!
1. Tiptoe Through the Tulips
Burnside Farms
As ukelele-playing singer Tiny Tim once sang (in falsetto, no less), “Tiptoe Through the Tulips.” In Virginia, there are
you-pick farms
that let you do just that, including
Burnside Farms
in Nokesville, which allow visitors to stroll fields of flowers and pick colorful tulips to take home. Burnside even hosts a ticketed event called
Festival of Spring
over the three-week tulip season in early spring.
2. Cheer at a Minor League Baseball Game
Norfolk Tides Stadium
Photo Credit: Cameron Davidson
Virginia has
five official minor league baseball teams
, including the Triple-A Norfolk Tides, the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels, and the Single-A Fredericksburg Nationals. Check team schedules for fireworks, theme nights, and special promotions to cheer on the home team. Many teams also have Bark in the Park events so fans can bring their pups with them to the game.
3. Paddle at a State Park
Claytor Lake State Park
Photo Credit: Sam Dean @sdeanphotos
Virginia is home to 44
state parks
, including 31 that have water access, whether a pond, a creek, a river, or a bay. Among them are
York River State Park
in Williamsburg,
Mason Neck State Park
in Lorton, and
Claytor Lake State Park
in Dublin. Bring your watercraft, rent one for a self-guided expedition, or sign up for a ranger-led paddle to savor a state park at sunset or twilight. The new
Wandering Waters Paddle Quest
initiative lets park-goers earn prizes for getting out on the water within our state parks.
Reach new heights with our guide to
11 state parks
for those who love the mountains.
4. Hike to a Cascading Waterfall
Falling Spring Falls
Spring is a fantastic time for a waterfall hike, as the falls are running strongly after spring rains. There are all kinds of waterfalls in Virginia, too; some are tall, some are wide, and some have refreshing swimming holes. A favorite waterfall is
Cascades Falls
in Pembroke. An easy four-mile out-and-back hike lets visitors revel in this 66-foot-tall waterfall. Several waterfalls are just steps from a parking lot, including
Dismal Falls
in Bland and
Falling Spring Falls
in Hot Springs.
Find more
stunning waterfalls
in Virginia.
5. Tour Maple Sugar Camps
Back Creek Farms
Photo Credit: Valerie Lowry
Highland County, Virginia is home to seven maple sugar camps that can be visited, including
Back Creek Farms
in Monterey and
Laurel Fork Sapsuckers
in Hightown. Back Creek Farms even has a cabin rental on-site so you can stay overnight and learn about maple syrup with hands-on demonstrations.
In March, the area can attract upwards of 50,000 visitors for the
Highland County Maple Festival
, which celebrates the “opening” of the trees. Visitors can tour maple sugar camps and watch the maple syrup-making process during this annual festival. If coming to Highland County during other times of the year, check the websites and contact the farms before visiting, as many are open for appointment-only tours.
6. Go on a River Float Trip
Tubing with Twin River Outfitters
Photo Credit: Sam Dean @sdeanphotos
Spring is a great time to float on the river, when the water is high — or at least higher than in summer, which can occasionally be troublesome for rafts. In Richmond, book a family-friendly whitewater rafting trip on the James River with
RVA Paddlesports
. You can also go rafting on the Shenandoah River in Front Royal with
Front Royal Outdoors
. Wear water shoes and get ready to get wet as you paddle through Class I and II rapids.
7. Dress Up for a Spring Steeplechase
Virginia Gold Cup
Photo Credit: Douglas Lees
Spring is horse racing season. More specifically, it’s time to dress up, don a gorgeous hat, and spend the day watching steeplechase races, like the
Foxfield Races
(April 25, 2026) in Charlottesville and the
Virginia Gold Cup
(May 2, 2026) in The Plains. Plan to tailgate, drink signature cocktails, like mint juleps, and ogle beautiful horses all day long.
8. Check Out the Cherry Blossoms
Alexandria Cherry Blossoms
Photo Credit: Carol Stulan
The opening up of the delicate cherry blossoms is the sign that spring is truly here. From Alexandria, rent hybrid bikes or e-bikes with
Unlimited Biking
and pedal along the paved
Mount Vernon Trail
to see the cherry blossoms along the Potomac River. From the Alexandria Marina, you can also cruise in a
water taxi
to see the blossoms. There are plenty of cherry blossom trees in Buchanan too, which hosts the
Buchanan Cherry Blossom Festival
Get our full
guide to spotting cherry blossoms
in Virginia, from how to avoid crowds to where to find the best blooms.
9. Pedal on a Trail
Virginia Capital Trail
Photo Credit: Big Orange Frame
Spring is a spectacular time to get out for a bike ride. Explore the 12.5-mile
Mendota Trail
in Bristol or the
I-66 Parallel Trail
in Fairfax County. Spring is also a great time to head out for a pedal on old favorites, like the 52-mile
Capital Trail
, which runs from Richmond to Williamsburg.
10. Fly a Kite
Atlantic Coast Kite Festival
Photo Credit: Patricia Przybylinski @pattipeaski
March may come in like a lion, but that’s good news for kite lovers. March’s windy days make perfect conditions for flying colorful kites. Climb to the top of
Mount Trashmore
in Virginia Beach to fly your own kite or head to the Virginia Beach Boardwalk for the
Atlantic Coast Kite Festival
on May 2-3, 2026. Roanoke also hosts a family-friendly kite festival, the
Blue Ridge Kite Festival
, which takes place on April 18, 2026.
11. Go Camping (or Glamping)
Camping in Shenandoah National Park
Photo Credit: Cliford Mervil @cliford.mervil
Pitch a tent, book a cabin, or try glamping in an Airstream trailer at a family campground in Virginia, like
Luray RV Resort & Campground on Shenandoah River
, which re-opened in August 2023 after a full renovation. Look for a resort-style pool, pickleball courts, and a bike park. Another favorite is
Sun Outdoors Cape Charles
, which has a miniature golf course, fishing piers, and its own private beach. Many state and regional parks have campgrounds too, as does the world-famous
Shenandoah National Park
Use our guides to find
great sites for first-time campers
or plan a
glamping getaway
12. Attend a Spring Festival
Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival
Photo Credit: Christopher Hunter Photography
After a cold winter, there’s nothing better than strolling at a spring festival like the
Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival
in Winchester (April 24-May 3, 2026) or the
Gloucester Daffodil Festival
(March 28-29, 2026). More favorites include the
Leesburg Flower & Garden Festival
(April 18-19, 2026), and the
Chincoteague Seafood Festival
(May 2, 2026).
Find
more spring festivals
to celebrate the season.
13. Fly Through the Trees
Go Ape Treetop Adventure
Photo Credit: Sam Dean, @sdeanphotos
Harness up for a treetop course at an aerial adventure park that challenges with obstacles, cargo nets, ziplines, tightropes, and swinging bridges. Check out the
Adventure Park
at Sandy River Outdoor Adventures in Rice or
Go Ape
, which has locations in Springfield and Williamsburg. It’s a great way to get outside and test your navigation skills while suspended up in the trees.
Keep exploring thrilling zip lines and ropes courses in Virginia with
our complete guide
14. Tour a Historic Home and Gardens
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
Photo Credit: The Detour Duo, @thedetour_duo
In Virginia, we’re fortunate to have many historic homes, including
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
in Mount Vernon and
Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello
in Charlottesville. These presidential homes are wonderful to see inside, but you won’t want to miss the lawns and gardens outside that burst with color in springtime. In particular, Monticello offers a
guided tour
of the gardens and grounds.
Explore
more historic houses
around Virginia, from the homes of music legends to estates with lush gardens.
15. Sip and Relax on an Outdoor Patio
Pippin Hill
There are more than a few gorgeous vistas to be enjoyed from
outdoor patios at scenic wineries
, breweries, and cideries all across Virginia. A few that are ideal for whiling away the afternoon are
DuCard Vineyards
in Etlan,
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards
in North Garden,
Bear Chase Brewing Company
in Bluemont, and
Burnbrae Vineyards
in Forest.
Use this spring bucket list to create an unforgettable spring in Virginia this year!
Author
Erin Gifford
Erin Gifford
is a travel and outdoor writer based in Ashburn, Virginia. She is also the author of three guidebooks for Falcon Guides highlighting hiking trails in Virginia, as well as a web resource called
GoHikeVirginia.com
. She enjoys seeking out quirky roadside attractions, biking rail-trails, and hiking at state and national parks. She also runs half marathons and is working toward completing one in all 50 states.