Family Travel: Tips for Traveling with Kids in Williamsburg, VA

My family of five recently traveled to Williamsburg, VA. Because our travels were only four days in the beautiful city, I researched the best things to do with kids to make the most of our vacation. Here are some tips if you plan to travel with kids to Williamsburg, VA, this year.

Busch Gardens Amusement Park

We reserved Thursday from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. for the adventurous fun at Busch Gardens Amusement Park. The purchase and reservation was quick and easy on their website: Virginia Theme Park & Water Park. You can opt in for the family meal pass for the entire day, however, it is limited to certain restaurants and snack shops. You can also choose to pre-pay for preferred parking as well as purchase “fast pass” tickets to skip the lines for certain rides. I found that the meal pass was not worth the savings due to the limited number of restaurants and foods you can order. For instance, we couldn’t purchase tasty jumbo pretzels or delicious churros and ice cream on the meal pass, which was a bummer for my family. Also, the lines for rides were only about 30 minutes wait time so the fast pass wasn’t needed. I’d save your money on these options and just go with the flow. If you can manage to round up your family early, I recommend getting to the park by 9:00 a.m. for up front parking and quick access to the gates. Once inside, we were able to ride every single roller coaster a few times throughout the day. They even have an entire section devoted to toddlers and younger children who may not meet the height requirements of some of the bigger coasters. Busch Gardens separates its theme park into countries: Germany, England, Italy, Ireland, and Scotland. It was really cool venturing into different countries and tasting each cuisine, as well as the traditions and cultures on display. If you can make it through the entire day, I’d recommend staying for the fireworks extravaganza on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 9:15 p.m. Our day was long, but totally worth the cost of $69.99 each for a 2-day pass for ages 3+. Children under 3 are free to enter the park. You can choose to use your second day at the amusement park again or reserve it at Water Country USA.

Water Country USA

Because we purchased a 2-day ticket redeemable at both parks, we saved 40% on the total ticket price. We decided to spend our second day at the water park, which is located in close proximity to the amusement park. Again, we planned to spend the entire day from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. enjoying the water park, and there is plenty to do with kids to keep them entertained and happy here. Make sure to bring water shoes, towels, and sunscreen for everyone. You can choose where you want to call “home” during the day. We chose a few chairs under a large umbrella next to the wave pool. However, there are plenty of options with shade throughout the park. There are several toddler areas with slides, water blasters, baby pools, and gradual entry pools. The water park has a plethora of tube rides, family water rides, and single rider options for the more daring adventurer. Our family screeched and laughed going down the tube rides together. We enjoyed relaxing with a hot fudge sundae, funnel cake, and ice cream before surfing the waves in the wave pool. The lazy river was a favorite of ours because of the many twists and turns as well as entry/exit areas. If you plan to visit Williamsburg during the summer months, be sure to check out Water Country USA. 

Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestowne Settlement

Finally, we rounded off our weekend at Colonial Williamsburg and the Jamestowne Settlement. Only a 10 minute drive from downtown Williamsburg will transport you back in time to the colonial days of American history. In Colonial Williamsburg, all the streets, buildings, and people are replicas of the Revolutionary Era. You can hear Thomas Jefferson speak about his life in the early days of America’s founding, witness a blacksmith creating handmade tools out of iron, meet the apothecaries and learn how medicine, wellness, and surgical practices of the 18th century compare to today. You can even operate the specialty tools they used for planting and harvesting crops. For an extra ticket fee, you can purchase horse and carriage rides for the day and get a personal tour of the unique “city.” Some even partake in the Haunted Williamsburg ghost tour in the evening (there is a special junior ghost tour for the younger children). We were unable to reserve tickets for these events, as they were already booked. So, if you think your family would enjoy them, make sure to purchase tickets in advance. We spent the morning at Colonial Williamsburg, then headed toward the Jamestowne Settlement. 

On our way, we stopped at Jamestowne Pie Company for lunch. It’s a take-out only restaurant on the side of the road with a few tables and chairs under a canopy where you can enjoy a delicious sandwich, pizza, or apple pie. I highly recommend making the stop for a pie! At the Jamestowne Settlement, you can purchase tickets at the entry museum. While there, you’ll experience “17th-century Virginia, from the arrival of English colonists in Jamestown in 1607 to the cultural encounters and events that planted the seeds of a new nation. The world of Jamestowne, America’s first permanent English colony, comes to life through film, gallery exhibits and outdoor living history,” as stated in their website. The area is open to the public year round from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The kids will love to climb aboard the three large ships that were recreated to mirror the first colonial ships arriving from England. Take a few hours to walk the grounds (all near the riverfront), stop by the glassblowing exhibit for a personal look at the art of glassblowing, and experience where the Powhatan Indians, English and West Central Africans who converged in 17th-century Virginia first planted roots in America. It’s truly an educational and enlightening re-creation you won’t want to miss. 

There are plenty of lodging options for families. We used vrbo to book our lodging in a family-friendly condominium near downtown that boasts amenities for kids like a pool, arcade, and mini-golf. As you stroll through downtown, you’ll find restaurants, shops, museums, and art galleries to enjoy at your leisure. 

Williamsburg, VA, is a great place to travel to with your family. It has adventure, relaxation, history, and much more to keep the entire family busy and happy. We hope you find these tips helpful and share your trip photos and videos with us. Please connect with us on Instagram @MapsCookingKids or on Twitter @MapsCookingKids. Until next time, Agape, be kind, and happy parenting.