On rainy days or during heat waves you may feel like staying inside, but don’t let the weather stop you from exploring indoors at Virginia State Parks. 

It is easy to find an outdoor activity to enjoy at a park, as much of my job entails working closely with the parks to help highlight these programs. However, this blog focuses on the many other opportunities to entertain yourself and explore a park indoors when it rains or if it's too hot or cold to play outside.

Virginia State Parks offer numerous indoor exhibits, activities and museums that allow guests to explore the park’s history and better understand the surrounding area.

Here are 5 ways to keep you and your whole family entertained on a rainy, hot or cold day.

1. Visit a park museum

Did you know that some Virginia State Parks have museums onsite? It is worth the visit to each location to learn about how the park came to be as well as understand the land and its history. It’s also a great place to visit on a rainy or hot day.

Pocahontas State Park has the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Museum, which highlights the work that more than 500,000 unemployed young men did in forests, parks and rangelands across the country. This hard work helped develop what would become Pocahontas State Park. The CCC Museum showcases the timeline of the work completed and explains how this program came about as part of President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal. The museum is housed in the original craft building where you can see the highlights of the corps' many accomplishments in Virginia. Museum hours vary seasonally, so call the park for more information and arrange group tours at (804) 796-4255.

Southwest Virginia Museum, located in Big Stone Gap, includes more than 60,000 pieces and state of the art exhibits telling the story of the exploration and development of Southwest Virginia from the 1700s to the late 1800s. The museum is a National Historic Landmark housed in an 1890s Victorian stone mansion with an original oak interior. The museum’s exhibits rotate throughout the year so visit the Friends of the Museum Facebook page for more information about museum programs and services. You can also call (276) 523-1322 for a calendar of events.

Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical State Park has a spacious visitor center that includes many exhibits detailing the battles in Virginia and on the park property. The exhibit's timeline begins on April 2, 1865, when Confederate forces leave Richmond and Petersburg, and ends on April 8, 1865, the day before the surrender at Appomattox Court House. Displays also feature holographic storytellers and artifacts native to the battles of Sailor’s Creek. The visitor center is open year-round from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., except on Thanksgiving and Christmas. A gift shop is also in the building so that you can pick up a memento from your visit. If you have ancestors who fought or worked on this land, be sure to talk to one of the very knowledgeable Rangers to get more insight into how they lived.

Natural Tunnel State Park has a satellite location called the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Interpretive Center which includes a museum, library, conference room, gift shop and an outdoor classroom. The museum focuses on the portion of the trail from Sycamore Shoals to Cumberland Gap and showcases the brave men, women and children who journeyed on that path. There are several hands-on exhibits and period-appropriate clothing for guests to try on. Located at 371 Technology Trail Lane in Duffield, you can visit the museum from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Be sure to check out one of the Park’s history events and programs that are held here seasonally. Visit the center's events page for details.

2. Tour historical sites

Some parks have historic houses that you can tour and learn more about how the land was used before it became a park. Each one has a unique story, and it is worth taking a tour of each location. Check each park's Know Before You Go page for the most up-to-date information.

Machicomoco State Park includes the historic Timberneck house that the Fairfield Foundation, in partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia, plans to restore. The hope is to provide additional public programming as well as a potential exhibit space and an overnight facility. Weekly tours are held on Tuesdays and discuss the early history of the 18th-century families buried at the site and the 19th-20th century history of the Catlett family, who built the farmhouse in 1793. During the tours, it is common to see volunteers working hard on restoring Timberneck and there are opportunities for you to help with this project. To learn more about the foundation and volunteer opportunities, visit their website Fairfieldfoundation.org.

Chippokes State Park offers tours of the 19th-century Chippokes Mansion Friday through Monday, April through October, and other times by reservation for groups. In the spring, special tours of the mansion and gardens are offered in conjunction with Garden Week. During the Christmas season, the mansion is decked out in Victorian-period decorations and open for tours on select weekends. This historical building tour is designed to highlight the architecture of the time and stories within the walls of the Jones-Stewart Mansion. The home offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of two historic families that lived there.

Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park also contains the historical Overton-Hillsman House that was used as a field hospital during and after a battle. The house has been restored and furnished and was home to the Hillsman family. The rangers have many stories to share, and tours are free. Request a tour by calling 804-561-7510 or email sailorscreek@dcr.virginia.gov.

3. Discover something new at the educational centers

There are so many plants and animals that can be found at each park and many locations have educational centers where you can discover more about the creatures that call the park home. You can also learn about the lakes, rivers, creeks, bays, and the ocean that surround the parks. Some parks have separate buildings for the centers while others have displays and exhibits in the visitor center.

Smith Mountain Lake State Park has a Discovery Center where many educational programs are held. You can explore the variety of flora and fauna found around Smith Mountain Lake and learn how the second largest lake in Virginia was created.

Occoneechee State Park has exhibits in the visitor center that introduce visitors to Native American history and the indigenous Occoneechee people. You can watch the "The Occoneechee Story," see a living hut and explore artifacts on display. There is also a gift shop featuring Native American merchandise and many other souvenirs.

First Landing State Park has educational displays in the visitor center that focus on the First Landing by English settlers in 1607. There is a gift shop, and concessions are available seasonally. The Trail Center houses exhibits on the park’s natural and cultural resources and has a gift shop. You can also check out the Bay Lab to get a first-hand look at fish, turtles and other animals that live there as well as participate in an educational program held here.

Leesylvania State Park has the Potomac Place: Aquatic and Nature Center, formerly known as the Breakwater Store. The center offers many nature displays and is open Wednesday through Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can purchase snacks, ice cream, cold drinks, bait and tackle, T-shirts, hats and souvenirs.

Wilderness Road State Park boasts the LEED-compliant, state-of-the-art visitor center that includes a movie theater and the Powder Horn Gift Shop. The theater showcases Spirit of a Nation, which depicts the history of the Wilderness Road. Many 18th-century replica items, as well as art, snacks and refreshments can be bought in the gift shop. The park's Nature Center has native animal pelts and skulls on display for hands-on educational programs.

Douthat State Park has the Nature’s Outpost interpretive center and a discovery center where educational programs are offered. The Lakeview Camp Store sells apparel, souvenirs, limited groceries, snacks, camping items, and fishing necessities. Lakeview Grill which offers a short-order menu with all items packed for carry out, is located in the camp store. Store and Grill hours vary throughout the year so check the park web page for details.

Kiptopeke State Park has the Big Water Visitor Center, located just before the park entrance, that offers many opportunities to learn and explore. Programs are offered daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.  Kiptopeke is a perfect place to bring students to learn about the Chesapeake Bay and educational programs area available for students K-12. For more information, call the park office at (757)-331-2267 or email stephanie.venarchick@dcr.virginia.gov.

4. Gift shopping

Most parks have a visitor center and/or gift shop where you can spend some time perusing various merchandise. Be sure to check the park hours before your trip, especially when it’s extremely hot or rainy.

Natural Bridge State Park has a huge gift shop inside the visitor center that includes a wide variety of souvenirs. You can check out exhibits in Base Camp that describe the area's natural, historical and cultural heritage. This is an interactive space with touch screen monitors, an observation beehive and exhibits of wildlife found in the park.

5. Stay in one of our cabins or lodges

Virginia State Park cabins and lodges are the perfect place to spend a rainy day. Even in the summer heat or the cold winter, the cabins provide a cozy environment along with games you can check out from the park. Games vary at each location so check out all the park details before you book your stay.

Some overnight accommodations include a fireplace, perfect for a winter day inside. Enjoy the view and listen to the rainfall from one of the many covered porches. Cabins are pet-friendly, so spend some time inside with your furry friend.

Cabins and lodges are the perfect place to unplug and relax so reserve your stay today.