This month's Bucket List Monday is brought to you by Chelsea from Oh the Places Kids Go. Chelsea moved to Alexandria, Virginia, in May of 2020 with her husband, a family medicine doctor in the Air Force, and they have two daughters. When she first arrived, Chelsea was overwhelmed by google because her new duty station had so much to do. So after exploring the area with her family, Chelsea started her social media travel blog, Oh the Places Kids Go. Her first goal is to help military families get excited about Virginia and provide the necessary information. Virginia can be daunting, so her second goal is to help stay-at-home parents feel comfortable exploring alone with their children. So let's dig into all of Chelsea's Virginia favorites!
favorite restaurant
Virtue Feed & Grain Old Town Alexandria Waterfront
The family-friendly restaurant offers a unique atmosphere with 18th-century decor and is the perfect place to enjoy American-style food. Try Chelsea's favorites; fish tacos or salmon burger with duck fat fries. Traveling with little humans? Chelsea's little ones love the mac-n-cheese! Don't forget to enjoy the scenery with a stroll on the waterfront.
favorite playground
Chessie's Big Backyard Alexandria, VA
This park is perfect for all ages and includes a toddler playground, older kid playground, paved walking trail loop with instruments along the way, amphitheater, carousel, and the popular spray ground with lots of different water sprays and fountains.
favorite tourist attraction
George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate Mount Vernon, VA
This spot is very family-friendly and fun for visitors of any age. There is plenty of acreages to explore, opportunities to visit the farm animals, a relaxing back patio facing the Potomac River, a restaurant, a museum, and a tour of the inside of the estate. In addition, the estate hosts special events on Christmas, Halloween, and the 4th of July.
favorite museum
The National Army Museum Fort Belvoir, VA
The museum is free and very informative on the history of the United States Army. A kid's play area also teaches kids about the Army. Chelsea finds it "incredible to live close to such a magnificent tribute to the Army with so many different exhibits!"
favorite park
Great Falls Park McLean, VA.
An 800-acre park along the Potomac River includes a beautiful, large, rapid waterfall! There are lots of walking trails, and the views are incredible.
favorite day trip destination
The Skyline Drive is 105 miles north and south along the Blue Ridge mountains and has the most beautiful mountain views and many different hiking trails. It is just an hour and a half outside the DC area in Front Royal, VA. The visitor's center has a little museum and picnic area. It takes about 3 hours to drive the entire length of the park. A nice, peaceful, and quiet day trip to get away from the hustle and bustle of the DC area.
favorite beach feel destination
Leesylvania State Park Woodbridge, VA
Bring blankets or chairs, relax along the Potomac River shores, and listen to the small river waves crashing along the shore. There are multiple picnic shelters in the grassy area, a fishing pier, and a snack shack.
BONUS
There is so much to do in Virginia, so here are some bonus bucket list ideas. Special thanks to fellow Milsos Samantha Stevens and Chealsea Haas for providing the Spouse SERVE community with a bonus list!
Hidden Pond Nature Center Springfield, VA.
Visitors can enjoy 25 acres of trails and woodlands. There are walking trails, a self-guided nature walk, a playground for kids, picnic shelters, tennis courts, and the one-acre hidden pond. In addition, visitors can enjoy learning more about wildlife in the nature center through their exhibi
Pohick Bay Regional Park Lorton, VA
This 1,000-acre park has it all. So the question is, what interests you? Boating, camping, equestrian trails, fishing, hiking. Mini-golf, Occoquan Watertrail, paddle tours, playground, or Pirate's Cove Waterpark. Anything and everything is at your fingertips.
Alewerks Brewing Co Williamsburg, VA
Visitors can enjoy the Brewery Taproom which offers 16 taps of classic year around recipes. Not only do they offer great brews but there are also games and non-alchonolic breverages for families.
Did you know that Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the world? It is definately a bucket list worthy location. The nuseum is open all year and features historic trades and sites, art museums carraige rides, historic taverns and more. This historic town is part of Americas Historic Triangle made up of Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamsburg.
Yorktown Battlefield Williamsburg, VA
Experience the site of the last major battle of the Revolutionary War! The battle field has a visitors center, a museum exhibiy, and offers ranger guided tours. Historic Yorktown is a short walk from the visitors center. Enjoy free trolleys during the spring, summer and early autum months. TDownload the Tour App and enjoy two 16 mile self guided driving tour routres. Other places to visit at this historic park are the Nelson House, the Moore House, and the National Cementery Lodge.
Jamestown Beach Williamsburg, VA
This is a fantastic beach for families and their pets! It is open everyday from 8 am to sunset. There are charcoal grills available, designated fishing areas, an observation peer, kayak rentls, and a concession faility.
U.S. Army Transportation Museum Fort Eustis, VA
This unique museum showcases the story of the Army Transpotation Corps, beginning with horse-drawn wagons of the revolutionaly war to the armored vehicles use today by our Soldiers.
Well folks, I could write about Virginia forever because its where I grew up! Virginia certainly holds a special place in my heart and I am so greatful the Army has relocated the Kennie Family back to the Commonwealth. I have an endless duty station bucket list and cannot wait to begin exploring! Follow along on Instagram and Facebook for more Bucket List Mondays.
Kelly