The kids will go absolutely wild when you take them to visit the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. The Great Dismal has the impressive distinction of serving as the home of more mammals than any other local preserve. Among the more popular residents are the black bears and the endangered Dismal Swamp shrew. The refuge sprawls out 750 miles and includes Lake Drummond
Go on a safari-type adventure when you visit the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk. The facility's mission of education, recreation and conservation is communicated through every animal exhibit and information station that you'll find throughout this impressive venue. In addition to stunning specimens of lions, tigers, giraffes and kangaroos, the zoo also works hard to offer several activities for the kids as well as fun seasonal events that the whole family will enjoy.
Pocahontas State Park is located about 20 miles from downtown Richmond in Chesterfield County. It offers hiking, biking and bridle trails. You'll find five miles of hiking trails around Beaver Lake, a five mile bicycle trail as well as a recreation trail accessible to people with disabilities. Also, numerous trails are available to hikers and cyclists that wind through the surrounding woodlands. Additionally, there are approximately 10 miles of bridle trails. Mountain bikers will enjoy the single-track mountain bike trails that range from easy to expert levels.