Traveling is learning as well as fun! If you travel with kids, you know both of these to be true! With each new place you visit, maneuvering in foreign cities and finding new exciting adventures can be a challenge, or it can be easy.In Virginia's diverse towns, you'll find history coming to life, fun things for kids of all ages that won't bore the adults, and o­ne-of-a-kind opportunities.Virginia has much to offer the traveling family o­n a quest for fun! No matter what your skill levels are or what you truly enjoy to do, you'll find your favorite activities, as well as some new o­nes to enrich your vacation!

Great places to take little o­nes in Virginia:

Virginia Discovery Museum - This hands-on children's museum is located o­n the east end of the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville.VDM features rotating and permanent exhibits o­n arts, sciences, humanities, history and nature! Enjoy The Puppet Tree and a Toddler Room Pirate Ship. Touch, play and explore!

Virginia Safari Park - This is the state's largest zoo, and the o­nly drive-thru zoo! Hundreds of animals roam free o­n this 180-acre preserve. Feed, touch, and observe camels, zebras, elk, llamas, bison, ostrich and many more. Little kids will love the petting area with domestic animals. Bring a picnic lunch! The park is near Lexington.

Virginia Aquarium - While you're in Virginia Beach, stop by this watery facility and enjoy the state's largest aquarium; there are more than 300 exhibits in two buildings as well as outdoor activities and 10 acres of marsh habitat. Meet sharks, sea turtles, harbor seals, river otters, stingrays and more! Kids and adults alike will love this place!

Mill Mountain Zoo - Situated atop Roanoke's Mill Mountain just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, this unique zoo has more than 50 species of amazing animals, ranging from Siberian Tigers and Snow Leopards to Red Pandas and reptiles.Take a train ride o­n the ZooChoo!

Virginia Living Museum - Virginia's natural heritage comes to life at this fascinating museum. From the mountains to the sea, cypress swamps to a cascading waterfall, explore the beautiful landscapes, animals and natural wonders that abound in Virginia. Enjoy hands-on activities, stroll the boardwalk to the coast or join o­ne of the special events going o­n!

Sandy Head Ostrich Farm - Flightless birds! Llamas! Emus! If you've ever wanted to see these up close, your next stop while in Tazewell is this distinctive Ostrich farm. Visit the hummingbird and butterfly garden, tour the farm, and stop by the o­nly o­ne of its kind gift shop. If you can stomach it, try some smoked Ostrich or turkey sticks

Children's Museum of Virginia, Portsmouth - You have arrived at Virginia's largest children's museum with over 90 hands-on exhibits for kids of all ages.You'll be spellbound by the antique toy train collection, planetarium, construction zone and more!Come with your imagination!

Kiptopeke State Park - State parks can all seem the same, but this recreational gem o­n Chesapeake Bay in Cape Charles offers an opportunity to observe a major flyway for migratory birds. The habitat is home to rare animals and a coastal dune environment. Dad can enjoy the fishing pier, mom can take a hike, and kids can enjoy a playground and swimming beach!

Virginia Museum of Natural History - In a new location with over 22 million items and artifacts in its collections, this museum in Martinsville is a vanguard in scientific discovery of Virginia's natural world. Kids will love exhibits o­n dinosaurs, millipedes and more!

If your crowd is older, these places will satisfy any teen's interest:

Out of Bounds Adventure Center at Wintergreen Resort - If your teens are thrill seekers, this resort has just the thing! Activities include team paintball, bungee trampoline, mini golf, a mechanical bull, and a 25-foot climbing tower. There are even inflatable playgrounds for the younger o­nes, 45 holes of golf for dad and a full-service spa!

Tubing the James River - James River State Park is o­ne of the state's newest parks.Go fishing, hiking, hunting, picnicking, and most importantly, launch a canoe or tube in the river! Twenty miles of multi-use trails are available for horseback riding, walking, biking, you name it! You can even camp here!

Jet skiing o­n Smith Mountain Lake - With over 500 miles of shoreline, boating and jet skiing is o­ne of the most popular activities o­n Smith Mountain Lake! Whether you rent at a marina or bring your own boat and use o­ne of the six public docking areas, you can enjoy miles of water! Get totally away from the crowd and spend the day fishing, swimming and picnicking.

Braving the Drop Zone - Your teens are brave, so they can handle the many daring attractions at Paramount’s Kings Dominion in Richmond! Enjoy some of the largest roller coasters, the Drop Zone Stunt Tower, and the new Italian Job Stunt Coaster based o­n the high-action film.

Eastern Shore - While Virginia's Eastern Shore is well-known for excellent birding found nowhere else in the country, your older kids will thrill at the thought of kayaking around the coves and creeks!Local outfitters offer inexpensive tours of the tranquil waterways that empty into Chesapeake Bay!

Virginia Beach's Boardwalk - This three-mile promenade overlooks miles of golden sandy beaches and ocean waves; it's a bustling place of bicyclists, diners, people-watchers and families looking for fun. Dine at a diverse variety of restaurants, go rollerblading, browse for souvenirs, or enjoy some of the free nightly entertainment!

Shenandoah Caverns, Shenandoah Valley - Take a guided tour of these beautiful caves and experience beautiful underground formations like the famous Breakfast Bacon! Enjoy the convenience of an elevator service and wide level pathways! Be sure to visit the gift shop!