From High-Flying Fun to a Spa Getaway, Experience it all in Williamsburg
As one of the most popular cities to visit in the state of Virginia, Williamsburg is the perfect getaway for a small vacation with big attractions. No matter what time of year it is, families from all over continually find that Williamsburg is a unique vacation destination with a variety of activities to choose from. Whether you are looking for a fun adventure, a chill weekend recharge, a thrifty getaway—or all three!
Fun for the Whole Family
Williamsburg is filled to the brim with fun and exciting activities for both adults and kids. Set aside a day for thrills at Busch Gardens, where you will find some of the most exciting coasters in the world as well as an entire area with rides, entertainment and dining designed specifically for kids.
Spend an afternoon at Go Ape Freedom Park, the area’s only treetop adventure that no chimp will soon forget! This easy and safe course built for all ages allows you and your child to explore the treetops of Freedom Park using zip lines, obstacles and Tarzan swings. Those who participate will have the chance to live daringly—while treading lightly—and witness one of the most beautiful places in Virginia from a bird’s-eye view.
Perhaps you would like to race your way to fun at Williamsburg’s only go-kart course. Grab the kids and get into gear at Go-Karts Plus, where the kids can be the ones behind the wheel for the day. Here you will find all types of go-karts waiting to be ridden on a wide variety of fun and unique tracks. Be ready to burn some rubber!
Rainy Days Can’t Stop the Fun
Raining outside? Don’t fret! If your day is spoiled by bad weather, there are just as many fun, indoor activities in Williamsburg as there are outdoor activities.
Rainy days can make your kids start climbing the walls, so why not head to a place where that’s perfectly normal? Bounce House Williamsburg offers 20,000 square feet of jumping, bouncing, climbing and sliding! This clean and safe inflatable playground will give your kids an exciting and energetic day rain or shine. Concessions are available, plus an indoor picnic area.
How about letting your child step inside a real-life video game? Laser tag has always been a popular activity for kids, but Williamsburg offers laser tag on steroids at Bounce House’s 9,000-square-foot Laser Tag facility! Traditional laser tag combined with paintball and airsoft give your child the ultimate laser tag experience. With lightweight and easy to use laser tag guns, your kids will love working as a team to complete their action-packed mission.
Want your child to have a blast while getting some exercise? The Williamsburg Indoor Sports Complex (WISC) offers a number of different programs, including indoor soccer, gymnastics, dance, CrossFit and a gym. Let your child run wild and free at The Zone, a kid-friendly area with arcade games, an indoor playground, Clip ‘N Climb, laser tag and a laser maze.
Experience the unbelievable at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! This popular attraction is best known for its Odditorium, featuring a collection of weird oddities from around the world—such as shrunken heads and a two-headed parrot. Don’t stop there, Ripley’s also has amazing add-ons. See movies come to life at the 4D Theater or sneak and crawl through a web of lasers at the Impossible LaseRace.
You can never go wrong with a game of bowling! The pins are positioned and waiting, and you’re up next! So put on your bowling shoes and pick out your favorite color ball as you and the kids rediscover fun at the bowling alley.
Let your kids flex their creative muscles at Paint on Pottery. Even if you and your kids are first-timers or don’t think you’re very “artsy,” painting your own pottery is a great way to have fun and explore creative possibilities. Plus, your kids will love leaving with their very own pottery creation to keep as a sweet memory of their time in Williamsburg.
Relax and Unwind on Your Williamsburg Vacation
Go back to a simpler time, where the modern hustle and bustle of everyday life melts away. Colonial Williamsburg is a must-do for any visitor coming to the area. Men, women and children dressed in colonial attire roam the streets as you explore your way through this 18th-century restored city. These colonists, shopkeepers, blacksmiths and farmers look forward to sharing their lifestyles and stories with you and your family, and are always looking for a helping hand from the younger guests!
Relaxing and educational experiences abound in the Greater Williamsburg area. Explore nearby areas such as the Jamestown Settlement where kids can climb into a sailor’s bunk, steer with a whipstaff, or simply wander through one of the three re-created ships that brought the first English colonists to Virginia in 1607. Expand your child’s knowledge of Pocahontas and her fellow tribe members as you and your family stroll through the Powhatan Indian Village and interact with historical interpreters demonstrating how they would survive on a daily basis.
A great way to get to know Williamsburg is to take a peaceful stroll down sidewalks and cobbled streets. Be sure to take time to visit the nearby towns that are full of shopping, dining and beautiful surroundings. Enjoy dinner outside in Merchant’s Square, browse the unique shops in New Town or find a new appreciation for art in Smithfield.
Music and the arts have the power to bring peace to any soul. If you enjoy live performances, soothing jazz, plays or featured films, then make your way over to Merchants Square. Here you will find inspiring performances as well as special events and thought-provoking movies. With a theatre hosting special events throughout the year, there is always a chance to witness inspiring creativity right before your eyes. Click here to see what events are going on now.
After all that walking, be sure to book a session at a local spa, providing a relaxing experience, the perfect cap to a fun-filled vacation. Recline in a comfortable chair, please your ears with peaceful music and breathe in air saturated with beneficial minerals. A therapeutic session at the Williamsburg Salt Spa will leave you feeling naturally rejuvenated and healthy without the use of medication. Or indulge in a facial or mani-pedi at one of the many area spas. You won’t want to miss out on the therapeutic, beautifying and healing experiences these locations offer.
At the end of a long day, there’s nothing like kicking back with a great brew or a glass of wine. There are several wineries and breweries in and nearby Williamsburg offering Virginia-made libations with a distinct and delicious taste. Sample tastings of various food-friendly wines and brews, and make some tasty memories. Pair your favorite drink with a delicious meal at one of the bars or restaurants open late in the area. Play a game of pool while watching the game or simply sit at the bar and reminisce on old times. Having a laid-back night out never hurt anybody!
Save Before You Arrive and While You’re Here
By Ron Kirkland, Executive Director of the Williamsburg Hotel & Motel Association
- Save up to $4 per person on admission to Colonial Williamsburg with a coupon from the goWilliamsburg Visitors Guide.
- The longer you stay, the more you save. Hotels rarely give discounts for one- or two-night stays. Stay three nights or longer and you might be looking at steep discounts or even free nights
- Instead of calling the national chains’ 1-800 number, take a little extra time and call your lodging provider locally. Often you can expect to get the best deals and specials when you speak with them directly or book directly at goWilliamsburg.com
- The easiest way you can find over $700 in free money-saving coupons and discounts is in the coupon station of the goWilliamsburg Visitors Guide or by downloading the Passport Coupon Book.
- Purchase gift certificates for dining, shopping, attractions, spa services and more at the Local Deal House. No fees, no membership. Just sign up and save.
- Pick up a copy of the free goWilliamsburg map and coupons. With over $100 in savings and maps for Williamsburg, Yorktown, Gloucester and Virginia Beach, you can’t go wrong.
