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As summer break quickly approaches in Winchester, it’s time to start thinking about some awesome trips you can take with your family. The weather is just about perfect for some family bonding outdoors, and northern Virginia is ripe with things to do. Winchester is the perfect launching point for a variety of activities to do in a single day. That’s why we’re highlighting some great day trips to fill your weekends. You can easily load up the family in your car or truck and hit the road. Don’t worry – with these trips you’ll be back before bedtime!

This guide aims for variety over raw fun-appeal. You can spread these trips out over several months to have some great summer day trips all season long!

Fly Across the Trees at Virginia Canopy Tours

30 miles away | $89 per person (group discounts available) | March 01 2016 – November 30 2017

Sometimes it’s nice to get the whole family outside to enjoy the rich beauty of our state. It’s not always easy to convince the kids that it’ll be a fun day, though. Finally, there’s a way to get nature and fun for the whole family in one package. You can tour the skies of the Shenandoah valley like a bird at Virginia Canopy Tours! Zipline the whole park and explore the gorgeous hardwood forests, all within an under-one-hour drive from your own backyard.

The crew is fully trained in safety, so you and the kids can comfortably cruise down their eight ziplines, air stairs, a sky bridge and take two pleasant nature walks. “It’s a fantastic Summer experience for the whole family,” a representative for the Canopy Tours said about the experience. “You will learn about the rich history of the Shenandoah Valley, native plant species and the wild inhabitants who call these woods home, making it a great educational experience.”

They even have a zipline that spans over a thousand feet! Now that’s a rush the whole family can appreciate.

White Water Rafting in Harpers Ferry in West Virginia

28 miles away | $59 adult, $54 child | all summer

If you haven’t made your way out to Harpers Ferry, you’re really missing out on a beautiful historic town and incredible natural views. The best way to get introduced to the area (or reintroduce yourself) is with a rafting adventure! River Riders, the family adventure resort, has been providing memorable adventures in the area of 30 years.

A quick 30-mile drive north of Winchester brings you to Harpers Ferry, where the Shenandoah River meets the Potomac. Once there, River Riders will help you get set on a white water rafting adventure that will create a lifetime of memories for you and your family.

We talked with Tyler Tummolo, General Manager at River Riders about the experience they offer. “The rafting experience here at River Riders is extremely unique! We have the rich history of Harpers Ferry mixed with the knowledge of highly trained river guides,” Tyler said. “The big difference between us and everyone else is our employees. The passion that they have for their jobs, the river, and the guests shows on everyone’s faces!”

This is one day trip right outside of Winchester you won’t want to miss.

A Day at the Track – Summit Point Motorsports Park

13 miles away | $10 – $35 per ticket, under 12 free | all summer

The warm summer air, the sound as fast-moving autos race past, there’s nothing quite like a day at the track. A quick jaunt outside of Winchester will bring you to the Summit Point Motorsports Park. Throughout the year they offer a fun variety of family-friendly events. If you’re interested in motorcycles, drift nirvana or sports cars competing on a challenging track, you’ll want to explore the available events.

We know vehicles at Safford of Warrenton, so racing is particularly exciting for our team. If your family is interested in spending times at the track, you can choose from one-, two-, or three-day racing events. It’s a guaranteed high-speed day trip and totally worth trying at least once in your life.

Indulge in the Sweet Rides at Hersheypark

128 miles away | $65 adult, $42 child (under 9) | all year

Virginia is known for having some fantastic theme parks and roller coaster attractions. One place that your family may overlooked in the past as “too far” is Hersheypark. Named for the most prolific candy bar makers in the world, Hersheypark is Willy Wonka’s factory, but instead of little orange men you’ll find tons of epic coasters and rides.

Located two states over in Pennsylvania, it sounds far away from Virginia. That couldn’t be further from the truth, though! It takes a little over two hours to arrive at Hersheypark, where it’s easily a three-hour excursion to drive the gang from Winchester to somewhere like Busch Gardens.

If you’re looking to take the little tykes or moping teens in your life somewhere they can all have fun, look no further than a day trip to Hersheypark.

Ride the Wave at Massanutten Indoor/Outdoor Waterpark

82 miles away | $30 adult, $21 child | indoor/outdoor dates vary

There’s nothing quite like taking a dip in a clear, cool pool when the summer weather is perfect. At Massanutten Waterpark, they take that great idea to the extreme. You don’t even have to wait for perfect weather, since they have one of the largest indoor waterparks in the state! The outdoor park is open between Memorial and Labor Day, and features a simulated ocean beach as well as a gigantic racing waterslide to unleash your competitive spirit.

If you head inside to the rest of the waterpark, you’ll be greeted with even more liquid joy. Body and tube slides are scattered all over the facility, ready for you to dive right in. The younger kiddos can enjoy the smaller-scale attractions at the Frog Pond or take a ride with you down the lazy rapids that snake through the area. Guests who feel a little bolder can take a ride on the Pipeline, an endless wave pumping 50,000 gallons of water a minute to simulate the real thing. It’s a must-try!

You don’t have to travel far from Winchester to have an epic family adventure. These are just a few of the noteworthy adventures waiting just around the corner. If you’re looking for a reliable vehicle to make day trips a regular part of your summer, we’d love to show you our fantastic selection of new and used vehicles. Have fun out there this summer!