Picnicking, stargazing, and berry-picking are great diversions for the whole fam this time of year. You’re covered on rainy days, too, with indoor trampolines, climbing walls, dance lessons, and more.
Pumpkin Patch
Winner
Cox Farms
As the anticipation for fall builds, so does anticipation for picking pumpkins in Centreville. Once you choose the plumpest gourd in the field, enjoy the rest of the fall festivities, like the famous hayride and plenty of racing slides. 15621 Braddock Rd., Centreville
Runner-Up
Great Country Farms
From small to bumpy, find the pumpkin that best matches your aesthetic at this family-owned farm. Make plans to pick your pumpkin, and then stop by the annual Harvest Festival for the best fall festivities. The farm also closes out the season with the Pumpkin Chunkin’ weekend event, so you can say farewell to autumn with a bang. 34345 Snickersville Tpk., Bluemont
Bounce/Trampoline Space
Winner
Flight Adventure Park
Thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies of all ages will appreciate a day at the trampoline park. Full of fun, the 15,000-square-foot facility includes wall-to-wall trampolines, a zone reserved for little kids, dodgeball, and more. After you finish taking flight, take a break at the arcade, or test your strength on the battle beam. 7200 Fullerton Rd., Springfield
Runner-Up
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
The bounces are endless when you visit one of Sky Zone’s four Northern Virginia locations (Fredericksburg, Manassas, Springfield, and Sterling). From freestyle jumps on the trampoline courts to high dives into the Foam Zone, kids across the region can enjoy endless opportunities to burn off all of that extra energy. Multiple locations
Campground
Winner
Lake Fairfax Park
If you truly want to enjoy everything this 476-acre park has to offer, book yourself an extended stay at the Lake Fairfax Campground. Set up your base at the family or small group campgrounds to enjoy a night with some tasty s’mores under the stars. 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr., Reston
Runner-Up
Prince William Forest Park
What was once a recreation area during the Great Depression has since turned into one of the region’s favorite hiking and camping destinations. It’s got cabins and spaces for tents, trailers, and RVs available for rent, so campers can pick out the spot that best suits their camping style, and each campground has an incredible view of the park. 18170 Park Entrance Rd., Triangle
Public Park
Winner
Lake Accotink Park
If you’re looking to escape into nature for a tranquil afternoon, then this is the place to be. The almost-500-acre park has endless trails and shoreline views for a relaxing walk or picnic or an afternoon of bird-watching. 7500 Accotink Park Rd., Springfield
Runner-Up
Burke Lake Park
The 218-acre lake is definitely the focal point when you visit this popular park. If you don’t feel like hitting the water, there are still plenty of activities to keep you entertained, like taking a ride on the carousel or playing a game of disc golf. 7315 Ox Rd., Fairfax Station
Ice-Skating Rink
Winner
Ashburn Ice House
No matter the temperature outside, Loudoun County’s state-of-the-art facility provides a smooth skating surface year-round. With two rinks, a full-service pro-shop, skating lessons, and an in-house restaurant for those post-skate munchies, Ashburn Ice House’s many attractions might make it hard to round up all of your kids at the end of the day. 21595 Smith Switch Rd., Ashburn
Runner-Up
MedStar Capitals Iceplex
Home to the Washington Capitals, this Arlington rink is also open to skaters of all skill levels. The two NHL-size rinks have plenty of space for all of your favorite skating pastimes, whether you are learning to skate or want to join an adult league. 627 N. Glebe Rd., Ste. 800, Arlington
Indoor Kid Entertainment
Winner
Sportrock Climbing Centers
Opening its doors in 1994, Sportrock has since become the go-to spot for indoor rock climbing throughout the region. And it’s something your little ones can take part in, too. Hosting a variety of weekly youth programs, Sportrock will help your child become a natural rock climber in no time. 5308 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria; 45935 Maries Rd., Sterling
Runner-Up
Ultrazone
The darkened labyrinth awaits your family and friends. Your team will enjoy the immersive laser tag experience (loaded with new equipment and technology), but breaks for games in the arcade and on the rock wall are a must. 3447 Carlin Springs Rd., Bailey’s Crossroads
Kid’s Party Venue
Winner
Sportrock Climbing Centers
Instead of another trip to the bowling alley, book your child’s next birthday party at the rock wall. The 90-minute climbing parties provide partygoers with all of the equipment and an instructor to show them the ropes before they begin their climb. 5308 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria; 45935 Maries Rd., Sterling
Runner-Up
LaserTag2You
A party with laser tag and soft dart guns sounds like something we would want to be invited to. This family-owned small business gives you the option to bring the laser tag fun to your own backyard or to take the party-crazed kids to the adventure park. Either way, it will be a birthday to remember.
Petting Zoo
Winner
Frying Pan Farm Park
Travel back in time to see what farm life was like in the 1930s. As you explore the farm and its antique equipment, don’t forget to visit the cute and cuddly cows, sheep, goats, and pigs that call the farm home. 2709 West Ox Rd., Herndon
Runner-Up
Roer’s Zoofari
From the traditional petting zoo experience to a guided safari tour, an up-close animal experience awaits all visitors at this park. No matter which journey you take, you’ll get exotic encounters and stunning photos of barnyard favorites. 1228 Hunter Mill Rd., Vienna
Pick-Your-Own Farm or Orchard
Winner
Valley View Farm
Northern Virginians can’t get enough of the fresh finds at Valley View, which has now earned the honor of two-time Best of NoVA winner. If you’re looking to get your hands on these locally grown delicacies, pack up the family for an afternoon of picking berries, peaches, and apples. 1550 Leeds Manor Rd., Delaplane
Runner-Up
Hollin Farms
Fill your dinner table with Hollin Farms’ delicious fruits and veggies. The ripest cherries, tomatoes, peppers, and more are waiting for you to pick in the fields of the fourth-generation family farm. 1524 Snowden Rd., Delaplane
Picnic Location
Winner
Burke Lake Park
You’re sure to find the best spot to fit your picnic needs within Burke Lake Park’s 888 acres. Dust off your picnic basket and snag a spot by the marina or a seat under a shady tree for lunch with a glistening water view. 7315 Ox Rd., Fairfax Station
Runner-Up
Great Falls Park
If you’re looking to connect with nature, take your lunchtime adventure to the rushing, yet calming, waters of Great Falls. Once you finish your hike, pull up a seat at one of the picnic tables and take in the surrounding sounds as you eat. 9200 Old Dominion Dr., McLean
Place to Stargaze
Winner
Sky Meadows State Park
The stars definitely shine brighter over Sky Meadows, the only designated dark sky park in NoVA (and one of five in the state). The park even hosts monthly astronomy programs, so you can catch all of the must-see meteor showers of the year. 11012 Edmonds Ln., Delaplane
Runner-Up
The Turner Farm
Checking out the stars at the observatory sure beats the backyard. With public viewing sessions hosted each week by the Analemma Society and special astronomy programs at the park throughout the year, you’re sure to catch the stargazer bug in no time. 925 Springvale Rd., Great Falls
Playground
Winner
Clemyjontri Park
The park of every kid’s dreams sits in the heart of McLean. Clemyjontri features equipment that is accessible to children of all abilities (like the liberty swing for wheelchair users), so everyone can have a day of fun at this colorful jungle gym. 6317 Georgetown Pk., McLean
Runner-Up
Dean Park
This is one of the largest parks in the city of Manassas, so it makes total sense to find two playgrounds there. Your rambunctious little ones will have their pick of the 10 slides, multiple rock features, and the always fun set of monkey bars. 9501 Dean Park Ln., Manassas
Pottery Studio
Winner
Paint Your Own Pottery
Pottery on the go is just a click away thanks to this Fairfax favorite. The mobile studio will provide your medium of choice and up to five colors of paint. Once you’ve created your masterpiece, drop it off for firing and pick it back up when it’s ready. Mobile studio
Runner-Up
Clay Cafe
Looking to take up pottery classes in your spare time? Or do you want to create a one-of-a-kind gift for a special someone? Clay Cafe can help with that. The studio has all of the tips and tricks when it comes to working with glaze, clay, and the pottery wheel. 14511 Lee Jackson Memorial Hwy., Ste. G, Chantilly
Water Park
Winner
The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole
Cooling off from the summer sun is way more fun at a water park. For 25 years, this gold rush–themed park has been the go-to spot for summer memories. Everyone will feel like a kid as they lounge in the pool, float the lazy river, or plummet down the three-story waterslides. 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr., Reston
Runner-Up
SplashDown Waterpark
Holding the title of the largest water park in NoVA, SplashDown is definitely a summer bucket list stop. With four-story slides, a splash pad, and activity pool, you’ll find it hard to fit everything into a one-day visit. 7500 Ben Lomond Park Dr., Manassas
This story originally ran in our June issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to our monthly magazine.