The Homestead Resort: Things to do with Kids on your Getaway

If you're wondering what to do with kids at The Homestead Resort, this is the guide for you!

The Omni Homestead Resort provides the ultimate escape for families in Virginia -- and there are plenty of reasons why it's the best resort for families in The Commonwealth.

Whether you're looking for relaxation and unstructured fun, an adventure-filled trip, or you want to know how to make the most of the resort's complimentary activities, I've got your weekend itineraries already planned. Keep scrolling for all the details!

...And I have a special discount code for you to use for your spring trips! If you use MEGAN, you will receive 25% off your reservations between February 24 – April 30, 2025.

*Follow @thewestendmom on Instagram for things to do with kids in Virginia!

USE THE WEST END MOM DISCOUNT CODE:

I have a special discount for to stay at The Omni Homestead this spring! If you use MEGAN, you will receive 25% off your room cost.

If you'd like to use this 25% discount, you need to make reservations between February 24 – March 28, 2025 for a trip between February 24 – April 30, 2025.

This means you can save 25% on your stay for a SPRING BREAK TRIP!

Things to Do with Kids at The Homestead Resort:

So... you've booked your trip to The Homestead Resort, but you're wondering what to do to entertain the kids all day. Here are a few of our itineraries from past trips and ones that we are planning in the future.

Two of our daily "can't miss" activities and events are the indoor pool and Social Hour. My kids have always love the indoor pool, and they can play there for hours. I always schedule more than enough time for us to play in the indoor pool. Make sure to bring floaties and toys for younger kids - pool starts at 3 feet deep.

Social Hour is daily from 3-4pm in The Great Hall. During Social Hour, you can enjoy complimentary hot tea, iced tea or hot cocoa plus Southern Afternoon Tea treats (mini sandwiches, muffins, pastries). A pianist plays classical music, current hits, and Disney songs. Almost all resort guests visit The Great Hall during this time, so it's also fun to socialize and (possibly) make friends with other families!

Kids under 5 years old?

When our children were under 5 years old, we stayed on the first floor of the Garden Wing in a Deluxe Room. This provided us a patio to sit on while the kids were napping or sleeping, and we ordered a lot of in-room dining after the kids went to bed.

We also enjoyed the complimentary resort activities the most. The only activities we added on were putt putt and the S'mores Express. Playing putt putt is complimentary for children 5 and younger, and my kids love it! My children also love tractors and making s'mores, so these activities made the most sense to us.

Looking for more information about The Homestead Resort like which room to book or where to eat with kids? Check out my guide on Virginia's Best Resort for Families: The Homestead Resort.

Spring Trip Using Complimentary Resort Activities (March-May):

Friday

3pm - arrival at The Homestead Resort

3-4pm - enjoy complimentary "Social Hour" while you check in & explore the resort

4pm - "check in time" is officially 4pm, but sometimes you can get in your room earlier!

5:30 - dinner at Woody's

6:30 - watch a family movie in the theatre

Saturday

7-8am -enjoy breakfast at America Audubon Dining room

10am-12pm - play at the enjoy pool

12-1pm - enjoy lunch at Martha's Market & play games in the library

2-3pm - take a family hike

3-4pm - enjoy complimentary "Social Hour"

6pm - dinner at Jefferson's Restaurant

*Suggested activities for after dinner: play games in the arcade, watch the big game in Jefferson's taproom or head to the indoor pool

Sunday

7-8am - enjoy a breakfast quick breakfast at Martha's Market

9:30-10:30am - play at the indoor pool

11am - check out (or request an extended checkout for noon)

*Suggested activities for the day of check out: play games billiards or checkers, put together puzzles, or play in the indoor pool while one adult packs the room for check out

Complete List of Complimentary Resort Activities:

1. Take a self-guided hike - trail maps available at the Activities Experience.

2. Play tennis - access to the tennis courts is included with your daily resort fee.

3. Play pickleball - coming in Spring 2025! The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa has a brand-new pickleball complex opening this spring.

4. Play at the playground - the resort has a playground on property.

5. Work out at The Fitness Center. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

6. Family movies every night at 6:30 in the theatre with complimentary popcorn, candy and drinks (like The Princess and the Frog, Mary Poppins Returns, Zootopia, and Incredibles) . Movies with a rating of PG13 are shown at 8:30 (like Jurassic World: Domination, Legally Blonde, Steel Magnolias, and Star Trek).

7. Play billiards at The Presidential Lounge or in The Garden Wing

8. Enjoy free lawn games on The Casino Lawn (7am to 8pm)

9. Relax in the indoor, heated pool (open all day)

10. Play in the outdoor, heated pool (open 9am-8pm)

Budget-friendly Places to visit near The Homestead Resort:

1. Walk into town - The resort is located in Hot Springs, and the town is right next to the hotel. You can easily walk to find local restaurants, shopping, and more.

2. Jackson River Scenic Trail - multiple locations, closest is Natural Well (13 miles)

3. Falling Springs Waterfall - 80 foot water fall (15 miles away)

4. Lake Moomaw - beach, picnic area and stand-up paddle boarding (16 miles)

5. Douthat State Park - 50-acre lake, trails and beach (28 miles away)

Spring Trip with Add-on Activities (March-May):

Friday 

3pm - arrival at The Homestead Resort

3-4pm - enjoy complimentary "Social Hour" while you check in & explore the resort

4pm - "check in time" is officially 4pm, but sometimes you can get in your room earlier!

6 pm - dinner at Jefferson's Restaurant

7:30  - play at the enjoy pool (open 24/7)

Saturday

7-8am -enjoy breakfast at America Audubon Dining room

10am-12pm - Archery and Axe Throwing (ages 8+)

12-1pm - enjoy a grab and go lunch at Martha's Market

2-5 pm - Cascades Gorge Hike (ages 4+)

6:30pm - dinner at Woody's

*Suggested activities for after dinner: play games in the arcade or watch the big game in Jefferson's taproom

Sunday

7-8am - enjoy a quick breakfast at Martha's Market

10 am - soak at the warm springs pools (Family Soaking - all ages)

12 pm - requested a late check out

Complete List of Add-on, Family-friendly Activities (March-May):

1. Adventure Kids Club -This kids club program provides supervised and structured fun for children between the ages of 5 and 12 years old. Activities include arts and crafts like painting flower pots ot lanyard making, indoor games like giant Jenga or Twister, and outdoor adventures like hiking, archery, and scavenger hunts. On weekends, The Kids Club hosts movie nights and pj parties between 6:30-9:30pm.

   
   

2. Mini Cascades Miniature Golf Course - You can play 18 holes inspired by The Homestead Resort's famous Cascades Golf Course.

   
   

3. S'mores Express - This hour-long experience takes you on a tractor ride up to the equestrian center. You get to roast marshmallows and listen to live music, plus visit with the horses. We've tried this experience twice, and my children love it!

   
   

4. Warm Springs Pools: The Warm Springs Pools are a natural hot spring in Bath County, just 5 minutes from the resort. Family soaking time is from 10am-1pm daily in the Ladies Bathhouse. It costs $25-35 per person, depending on the day.

   
   

5. Zip Lining - This is a 2 & half hour tree top adventure course on the Red Tail Racer or Ridge Runner Zip Line Canopy Tour. You can even sign up for the Sunset Tour. During this climbing expedition, you'll go 4,000 feet, fly through the treetops on 9 zip lines and have views of five mountains.

   
   

6. Fly Fishing - These guided-fishing tours are for all ages and abilities. You'll get to fly fish in pristine waters in the heart of Virginia's Allegheny Mountains.

   
   

7. Horse back riding - You can try horse back riding or try an historic carriage ride around the resort. Horse back riding is for beginners/children and experienced riders.

   
   

8. Kayaking - You can paddle through the Jackson River on a 2.5 to 3-hour adventure. Ranging from basics and beginner level kayaking to expert kayaking, you and your children can pick the river adventure that fits your family best. Children must be 6 years old at minimum, and children 10 and younger must ride in a tandem kayak with an adult.

   
   

9. Archery & Axe Throwing - In a guided experience, you and your family can learn how to throw axes and learn archery. Created for beginners and experts alike, the range features skilled guides and 10 targets at varying distances and bows that accommodate right and left-handed archers. This experience is for children 8 years old and older.

   
   

10. Cascades Gorge Hike - This 1.8mile hike is one of most popular activities at The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa. You will be led & entertained by a naturalist through a series of 13 beautiful waterfalls alongside a deep, Allegheny Mountain gorge trail. This intermediate hike is designed for adults and children, but for safety, kids must be ages 4+.

    
    

11. Falconry - This hands on experience will teach you about falconry and hunting birds that dates back over 4,000 years! All ages can participate.

    
    

12. Hiking and biking: You can sign up for guided hikes or rent regular bikes, mountain bikes or e-bikes to explore the gorgeous resort property and mountains. Trail maps available at the Activities Experience Center.

    
    

    *Check here for more videos of the activities we tried with kids!

If you've booked a summer trip to The Homestead Resort:

If you are visiting between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend, plan to spend the majority of your time at the two acre water park.

Allegheny Springs is the outdoor water park. It spans two-acres, and it's amazing for grow-ups and families! The pools are fed by the natural springs, and it has two 100-foot water slides, a 400-foot lazy river, a family pool and a whirlpool. In order to ride down the water slides, you must be at least 42' tall.

The main pool and whirlpool are heated and open all year from 9am-8pm. The Lazy River and Water Slides are open Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Heads up: Lifeguards are only monitoring the pools from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

For little kids, there is a separate water play zone. It is a zero-entry, 2 feet deep, play pool with splash park features and a sand play area. It also has cabanas around it, so families can stay out of the sun!

Looking for more Virginia Getaways? Check out this guide on places to visit 2 hours or less than Richmond. If you are ready to take a day trip, check out my guide on the best day trips from RVA!

For details on these Virginia places and more things to do with kids around Richmond, follow our family on @thewestendmom on Instagram!