My wife and I have vacation coming up on Labor Day week.  We're stumped on where to go though.  We did the D.C. thing last year, we visit the beach regularly because of family living there.  Where are some good places within about a 5 hour drive of Staunton, VA to go?  Keep in mind I have a 16 month old son and a 4 year old daughter that will be with us.  The wife said fishing is probably out of the queston too!   :

Google and google some more.  I don't know what you and your family like to do but here are some ideas.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Appalachian Trail (Choose a spot but a long hike probably work with your little ones.)

Cape Hatteras National Seashore - North Carolina

(Whoops, I guess you are tired of beaches.)

Road trip of civil war sites in Virginia and Pennsylvania.  There are a few including Gettysburg, PA and the National Civil War museum in Harrisburg, PA.  

Google every large metropolitan area within 5 hours for attractions.

Google every large park, national forest, or recreation area within 5 hours.  

Go to the Jersey Shore. Barnagut is a nice family beach and a cool light house nearbye

Pigeon Forge is one of my favorite places.

Busch Gardens.

The Blue Ridge Parkway.