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Williamsburg is most well known for its incredible live history experiences and attractions, making it one of the best travel destinations in the U.S for history buffs.
But what about families? I don’t know about you, but our kids are not mad about history.
However, they really enjoyed their trip to Williamsburg, exploring the historical landmarks like Colonial Williamsburg, downtown Jamestown and Yorktown – and that’s because there were plenty of other adventurous activities to do.
There are a plethora of activities that provide thrills and adrenaline boosts in historic Williamsburg – it doesn’t all have to be about historic buildings and history museums.
Take your pick from ziplining, segway tours, thrilling roller coasters or even a touch of ghostly shivers – there is something for everyone in your family to get them excited and entertained.
Family-Friendly Activities in Williamsburg VA
1. Go Ape Zip Line and Treetop Adventure Park
We’re not a family to shy away from a high ropes obstacle course. The girls amaze me with how fearless they are high above the ground with skimpy ropes under their feet.
Go Ape Treetop Adventure is a unique outdoor activity through the canopy of the forest, though admittedly, not unique to Williamsburg as they have branches all over the world.
If you’ve never been to a Go Ape before, you’re in for a treat! The goal is to navigate through a variety of suspended obstacles that include single cable lines, rope ladders, Tarzan swings, and swinging bridges and culminating in a thrilling 600 ft zip line.
Go Ape in Williamsburg VA also has a junior adventure course which reaches heights of 20 feet and has two zip lines.
You get one hour on the Go Ape Treetop Junior course. Children under 5 require adult supervision on the course. We were able to sit down and let the girls go around and around on their own!
There is a minimum age of 10 on the adult course. Kalyra would have done it for sure, but because of Savannah’s age and time limits, we stuck to the junior course.
Parents, you may just want to whiz around the junior course once with the kids and then let them go at it. The upper cable is low down, as it is a junior course, and so it can get in the way of your crossings and rub along your back.
However, it does make it more adventurous as you feel a little less stable walking across some of those crossings!
Perhaps you could sneak away to the adult adventure course next door, zip line into a giant net and climb your way back out.
2. Get your thrills at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
If fast-paced roller coasters are your thing, then Busch Gardens Williamsburg should not be skipped! They have more roller coasters than you could poke a stick at.
It made the top 10 best theme parks in the USA list by USA Today in 2023 and 2024, and The Griffon, Alpengeist, and Apollo’s Chariot made the best roller coasters in the country list by Amusement Today.
Busch Gardens had only just opened for the season when we arrived, and we timed it perfectly with warm weather and small crowds. We had a blast and consider it one of our favorite theme parks in the USA.
The theme is classic Europe with artfully landscaped villages, like the Parisian streets of France, the hamlets of Scotland, and the Oktoberfest celebrations of Germany.
There are nine villages centered around six countries for you to explore, and its circular in design makes it easy to move around and explore.
There is a thrill roller coaster to experience in every country in Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
Our favorites include The Griffon (possibly the most terrifying ride I’ve been on but the most fun!), The Alpengeist (Kalyra’s favorite ride), and The Verbolten (there’s an awesome surprise on this one!).
And the Loch Ness Monster (fun and furious with interlocking loops and travels across a couple of lands).
Busch Gardens Williamsburg also has plenty to do for younger kids, with some rides with thrill levels with more sedate, as well as live shows and other entertainment.
There are flume and rapid rides and a relaxing river cruise, as well as typical favorites such as spinning tea cups and carousels.
The Sesame Street Forest of Fun and the Little Dragon play area is designed for smaller children and the park has KIDsiderate® offerings around the park.
Look for the K sign on your map to find the child ride areas.
To avoid waiting in queues, consider getting the Quick Queue pass, particularly during busy periods. It will give you more time to experience more thrilling adventures!
3. Put the pedal to the medal at Go-Karts Plus
NASCAR and Formula One lovers strap yourself in and push that pedal to the medal. It’s time to live out your racing car fantasies at Go-Karts Plus.
It’s a thrill ride park designed for families, but there is more family fun here than Go-Kart racing – they have mini golf, bumper cars, and even rollercoasters!
Our favorite activity was Super Stockarts, a NASCAR style race around a high-banked oval track. It was neck and neck between Savannah and I and Craig and Kalyra for most of the race.
Savannah and I managed to find an open spot on the final bend to drop in front and win!!
The main track is the Figure 8 track, which is more of a Grand Prix style course, competing with other cars, racing around curves and over and under a bridge.
My Tip: Do not get in the yellow car. I had my foot all the way down and Savannah and I putted in last. However, in our next trip around, in the red car, we flew around the track and came in second.
4. Splash around at Water Country USA
If you’re visiting in the summer and need an activity in Williamsburg to cool you offer, then move your thrills to the pool!
Water Country USA is Virginia’s largest water park, spanning 43-acres and soley dedicated to waterslides and thrill rides.
With names like Jet Scream, Big Daddy Falls, and Colossal Curl, you know you’re going to scream your way through the wet zone.
But it’s not just thrill waterslides, there’s an easy pace to enjoy in the park as well.
Soak up the sights on a free-floating river ride, cool off in the wave pool or explore the park’s KIDsiderate® water playgrounds.
Just like it’s sister park, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, kid-friendly areas are denoted with a K!
5. Go kayaking
The Greater Williamsburg area is surrounded by natural beauty by the water: the York and James River and tidal creeks leading to the Chesapeake Bay.
What better to way to enjoy it then from the low seat of a kayak?
You can learn about the history and wildlife on narrated, guided tours in New Quarter Park and other area locations with Bay Country Kayaking.
Look out for otter, muskrat, crabs, and deer.
James City County Marina on the historic Powhatan Creek, behind historic Jamestown Island and across the street from Jamestown Settlement offers kayak rentals for trips up the creek where you might see bald eagles, osprey, and great blue herons.
You can also kayak along the York River or soak up the serenity on the York River State Park during sunsets on a Sunday.
6. Take a Segway tour of Yorktown
I don’t think anyone will forget their first time on a Segway.
There’s oodles of adventure to be had just in learning how to balance, knowing the correct way to lean forward and make it move.
Once you nail the art of segwaying, cruising on a Segway is a fun way to explore, or even just to cruise up and down the beach or forest like we have experienced on previous trips.
Patriot Tours and Provisions runs one to two-hour guided Segway tours through Historic Yorktown.
The tour along the scenic York River starts on the bluff near American Revolution Museum at Yorktown and goes to the entrance of the National Park Service visitor center near Yorktown Battlefield.
7. Look for the Ghosts of Williamsburg
With a city as historic as Williamsburg VA, you can bet there are some spooky stories to tell and paranormal activity to experience – don’t leave all your thrills for the daytime and with those of the human form.
Williamsburg has a reputation for being the most haunted city in Virginia, so if you’re a fan of the paranormal, seek out the spirit world with the Ghosts of Williamsburg Candlelight Tour.
Although ghosty, it is a family-friendly tour, and is largely based on the book The Ghosts of Williamsburg by L.B. Taylor. The tour is offered nightly at 8 p.m.
Take a leisurely walk through the cobblestone streets of Colonial Williamsburg while hearing eerie and spooky fun folklore from local guides.
If you want to up the shivers, find a sitter for the kids, and join the Extreme Tour for some professional ghost hunting.
You can even bring your own ghost hunting equipment.
8. Have Afternoon Tea at Williamsburg Inn
So far we’ve presented you with some adventurous and thrilling things to do, but if you’re looking for a delightful experience in the historic area, then consider afternoon tea at the opulent Williamsburg Inn.
This is a five star hotel known for hosting special guests such as Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip on their royal visit, so expect a high level of sophistication.
While you might be thinking – hang on, you expect me to take my kids to an intimate dining experience?
Yes! We’ve taken our girls to high tea several times when they were young and they loved it. They can pretend to be princesses or rich aristocrats, and have a tea party.
What’s more is that the atmosphere is a great way to learn about model behaviour.
So if you’re thinking of visiting some cafes or modern restaurants for a place to eat, up the adventure level and take them for high tea instead – it will offer endless fun and build lasting memories.
Where to Stay in Williamsburg VA
Most properties in Williamsburg are located a few miles out of downtown since most of the buildings in downtown are historic registered buildings.
So, if you want to stay close to the top attractions and also be within easy distance of restaurants, shops, and evening entertainment, try to stay in downtown Williamsburg in one of the historic homes!
Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel & Suites is an official Colonial Williamsburg Hotel just down the road from the visitor’s center and offers both resort facilities and historic charm!
It has a fitness center, a seasonal outdoor pool and children’s playground where kids can play in the summer, and all rooms are spacious and cozy, designed with traditional colonial times decor and furnishings.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, those are some of the best activities to do in Williamsburg besides visiting world-class art museums, historical attractions, and museum exhibitions.
Of course, you cannot visit Williamsburg without taking a trip to Colonial Williamsburg, a living-history museum, but we hope this guide shows you there is more to see and do than just history. If you need more inspiration for things to do in Williamsburg, here’s a complete guide!
What are you most excited to see and do? Let us know in the comments!
More Virginia Travel Tips
Need more inspiration for your vacation to Virginia? Here are some other related guides…
- Family getaway to the Shenandoah Valley (what to do)
- An East Coast Revolutionary War Trail Road Trip
- See history come alive in Greater Williamsburg
- Visit to Luray Caverns, Virginia
- Spring getaway to Virginia’s Blue Ridge
- Things to do in Roanoke, VA
- Walking an alpaca at Point of View Alpaca Farms
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Which of these adventurous activities in Williamsburg VA would you most like to do? Let us know in the comments.
This is the first time I’ve heard of Williamsburg and it seems like a perfect destination for adventure seekers, Craig. Exceptional activities which I would love to try soon. Is it easy to find accommodation near Williamsburg?
Yes. There are plenty of hotel options in the Greater Williamsburg area
Busch Gardens is hands down one of the best places to visit in Williamsburg VA with kids. This European-themed theme park boasts epic roller coasters, virtual reality rides, classic amusement park attractions, and world-class shows. Also, delicious cuisine is available throughout the park.
That looks like such a nice place to go.
Love your blogs! Keep on inspiring us.
Seems like a lot of fun, I love kayaking 🙂