How to spend the weekend in Williamsburg Virginia with kids
Wondering what to do with the kids this summer? Why not take a summer road trip to Williamsburg Virginia with kids, learning more about our early Colonial history.
A visit to Williamsburg Virginia with kids is the perfect family getaway. You can learn so much about our early Colonial settlers, exploring the historic triangle of Virginia.
If you’re not a history buff, Williamsburg is also home to a major theme park, a water park, and other fun activities for the whole family.
On the blog, I will share some of the main attractions that you can add to your weekend visit to Williamsburg with kids, along with some day trip ideas for a future visit.
Williamsburg is a fun year round destination and there’s something to do for everyone!
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Where to stay in Williamsburg Virginia
There are so many choices of places to stay when planning your summer road trip to Williamsburg Virginia.
We love staying at one of the Colonial Williamsburg Resort hotels in the area. Here are some of our favorites:
- Griffin Hotel– One of our favorite hotels, located in a quiet area, and just a short walk away from the historic area in Colonial Williamsburg.
- The Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel– Another great option within the Colonial Williamsburg Resort area as well. This hotel is located by the Visitors Center, and is just a walk away from the historic center.
- Williamsburg Lodge– Newly renovated rooms in the heart of the Historic Area
More Williamsburg Hotels and Resorts
- The Wyndham Garden Williamsburg Busch Gardens Hotel
- Holiday Inn Express Williamsburg Busch Gardens
- Greensprings Vacation Resorts
- Historic Powhatan Resorts
- Cedars of Williamsburg Bed & Breakfast
- Westgate Historic Williamsburg Resort
Where to eat in Williamsburg Virginia
There are so many choices of places to eat in Williamsburg Virginia.
We especially love the restaurants and historic taverns at Colonial Williamsburg, and along Merchant square.
Here are some of our favorites:
- Blue Talon Bistro– French style brasserie fare. We enjoyed the steak frites with truffle fries. They also serve breakfast!
- DoG street pub– Gastropub that serves craft beers and British influenced comfort foods. We love the Fish & Chips, Tikka Massala, and the Roasted Chicken.
- Mellow Mushroom- Pizzeria and craft beer, their pizzas are amazing!
- Kilwins chocolates and ice cream shop– for some caramel apples, homemade ice cream, and fudge.
- The Cheese Shop– Specialty Cheese shop, sandwiches, freshly baked breads, cheese plates and wine.
- Blackbird Bakery: assortment of breads, pastries, cookies and more including buttery croissants and giant oatmeal cookies!
- The Bake Shop: Artisan Bakery & Coffee Bar. Love their bagels and scones.
- Colonial Pancake House: Best place for breakfast
- La Tolteca: Mexican eatery serving tacos, quesadillas and more!
Historic Taverns at Colonial Williamsburg
- The Chowning Tavern: Colonial inspired pub fare
- Kings Arm Tavern: Colonial chophouse menu
- Shields Tavern: Dishes and spices from around the world
- Christiana Campbells Tavern:Southern fare
BOOK A TOUR:
Williamsburg Virginia with kids ideas
Top things to do in Williamsburg Virginia: Historic Triangle
One of the top Williamsburg Virginia attractions is a visit to the Historic triangle.
Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestowne settlement and Yorktown all comprise the Historic Triangle, and are all linked via the Colonial Parkway.
Historic Triangle Tickets
When visiting the historic triangle, save money and purchase the America’s historic Triangle ticket.
This ticket gives you access to all these sites for seven consecutive days:
- All Colonial Williamsburg sites
- Historic Jamestowne
- Jamestown Settlement
- American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
- Yorktown Battlefield
- Historic Triangle Tickets costs:
- $119.00 adults 16 and up
- $53 youth 6-15
- FREE kids under 6
Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg is a historical landmark and living history museum.
It is one of the most visited attractions in Williamsburg Virginia, and is the perfect family activity when visiting historic Williamsburg.
You don’t need tickets to roam around the grounds, visit the shops and taverns of Colonial Williamsburg, but tickets are needed if you want to take part in some of the experiences, or take tours of some of the buildings and gardens.
On your visit to Colonial Williamsburg, you can learn about how our early settlers lived back then in this amazing interpretation of a colonial American city.
There’s so much history to explore here and the kids will love the interactive and immersive exhibits.
- Hours: Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Tickets: Tickets include admission to the newly expanded Art Museums collections. Purchase tickets here
- Single day tickets-$49.99 Adult/ $12.99 Youth (6-12)
- Multi-Day ticket (3 days)-$59.99 Adult/ $33.99 Youth (6-12)
- Williamsburg Residents unlimited pass-$19.99 Adult/ $9.99 Youth (6-12)
- One way to get the kids excited about exploring this colonial town is to let them get dressed in period costumes. You can usually rent costumes here, but rentals have been discontinued.
- For now, you can purchase period costumes, hats, and more at the Tarpley, Thompson & Company store.
- Explore the hands-on workshops and learn the 18th-century trades which include woodworking, embroidery, weaving, and more!
- Don’t miss the Ghost Walk Junior tours for an interactive not too scary storytelling experience. This 45-minute tour is perfect for kids and costs $8 for all ages.
- One thing not to miss when visiting with kids is the amazing maze at the Governors Palace gardens. it’s such a fun activity for the whole family.
- Don’t forget to go on a nature walk along the Bassett Nature Trail. This 1.4-mile trail is adjacent to the Griffin Hotel and is a great place to explore nature and bird watching!
- You can also explore Colonial Williamsburg on a horse-drawn carriage ride as a family.
- Tickets cost $67, and can be purchased at the Visitors center, or at the Lumber House Ticket office on the Duke of Gloucester street across from the Palace Green.
- You receive a $15 dollar discount with your current admission ticket or annual pass. Make sure to purchase tickets early in the day before they’re sold out!
READ MORE: A visit to Colonial Williamsburg with kids
Jamestown settlement
Jamestown settlement is a living history museum and a re-creation of the original James Fort.
- The museum offers a few interactive exhibits that the kids will enjoy, including an outdoor living history museum featuring a re-creation of a Powhatan Indian Town.
- We especially loved learning more about the Powhatan village with all the fun hands-on experiences, which includes a canoe carving experience using only oyster shells, jewelry making, and much more.
READ MORE: Learn more about our visit to Jamestown Virginia here!
- There are also replicas of the original settlers’ ships, the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery that are fun for the kids to explore, with guides dressed in period costumes.
- The kids can take part in periodic demonstrations of what it was like to pilot and navigate the ships. It was a great way to learn what life was like for the settlers at sea.
- Hours: Open year-round 9am-5pm daily
- Tickets: $18 adults, $9 kids 6-12
- A combination ticket to Jamestown settlement, and American Revolutionary Museum Yorktown: $30.00 adults, $15.00 ages 6-12
- Free museum admission to veterans, active duty, reserve, and retired military personnel and up to three direct family members with military ID on Yorktown Day, October 19; Veterans Day, November 11; Jamestown Day, May 13; and Memorial Day, May 30.
Historic Jamestowne
Historic Jamestowne is the actual site of the original James Fort, whereas the Jamestown settlement is the re-creation.
It was amazing to actually walk through the original James Fort site and learn more about the history with the free guided tours.
- Historic Jamestowne is still an active archeological site and kids will love to witness an ongoing excavation, which usually happens daily depending on the weather!
- For the summer 2023 season, Historic Jamestowne will host a Kid’s Camp for kids ages 8-12 from 9am-2:30pm with two sessions to choose from: Session 1: July 17-July 21, 2023-Session 2: July 31-August 4, 2023. You must register for the camp and are on a first-come-first-serve basis.
- Make sure to visit the Events Calendar for future programs for kids. You can also download kid’s activities and coloring pages here.
- Ticket prices: $25 Adults 16 & older ($30 starting on July 1, 2022)
- Kids aged 15 & younger get free admission
Explore Yorktown Virginia
Yorktown is most famous as the site of the siege and subsequent surrender of General Charles Cornwallis to General George Washington and the French Fleet during the American Revolutionary War.
It’s hard to imagine that a battle was once fought here. Yorktown is such a charming little town, and there’s so much to do and explore on your visit.
READ MORE: Learn more about our visit to Yorktown Virginia here!
Visit Yorktown Beach
- One of the best things to do in Yorktown with kids is a day at the beach. Yorktown Beach is perfect for families with its shallow and calm waters.
- The lagoon-like beach is perfect for the little ones to wade in, plus there are restaurants and restrooms nearby.
Visit the Yorktown Waterfront and Battlefield
- Make sure to explore the Yorktown Waterfront and find General Conwallis’ Cave. This is where he supposedly hid during the siege of Yorktown.
- You can also set sail on the York River aboard a Schooner located along the waterfront.
- Yorktown Battlefield is located nearby as well. Pick up a Junior Ranger booklet for the kids at the Visitors Center and go on a driving tour of the battlefield. Once the kids complete the activities, they can receive a Junior Ranger badge.
Visit the American Revolutionary museum
- For history buffs, a visit to the newly opened American Revolutionary museum should be on your itinerary when visiting Williamsburg.
- We loved exploring the outdoor living history museum and exploring the re-created Continental Army Encampment.
- It was so interesting to learn what camp life was like for the soldiers back then. There are also daily demonstrations on medical treatments, cooking, flintlock musket firings and more.
- We also loved exploring the indoor galleries, immersive displays, artifacts, and films. It’s such a kid friendly museum, with lots of fun interactive exhibits that the kids will definitely love.
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
- Tickets: $16 adults, $8 kids, 5 and under FREE
- Combination ticket to Jamestown settlement, and American Revolutionary Museum Yorktown: $30.00 adults, $15.00 ages 6-12
York River State Park
If your looking to get out in nature, go for a hike or nature walk at the York River State Park.
The park is known for its rare and delicate estuarine environment and is designated as a Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
- There are more than 30 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. There is also a fishing pier, boat ramp, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
- You can even go in search of some fossils along Fossil beach. Make sure to stop by the Visitors Center and pick up a park map, and make your way down the Mattaponi trail to fossil beach.
- There is also a seasonal recreational equipment rental, where you can rent kayaks and canoes. The park is open from 8am-dusk daily, and there is a $5 parking fee.
Freedom Park
Freedom Park is a historical park dating back to the 1650’s, featuring hiking trails, a botanical garden, an Interpretive Center, and the Go Ape zip line adventure course.The Park is located at 5537 Centerville Road Williamsburg, VA 23188. visit website here
- There are 2 miles of multiuse trails, including a 1-mile ADA accessible paved trail, and more than 20 miles of mountain bike trails that wind through historical sites, and forests throughout the park.
- The Williamsburg Botanical Garden is also located here and showcases plants that support pollinators and wildlife.
- The Interpretive Center features exhibits of artifacts recovered during the construction of the park that provides visitors a visual tour of Interpretive Center Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- There is also a fun treehouse themed playground for kids with picnic tables and trails nearby.
- GoApe Tree Adventures: The GoApe Treetop Adventure Course and Treetop Junior Course let’s you navigate through treetops on a zip line adventure, Tarzan swings, obstacles, and more.
- There’s also a Treetop Junior course for the littler kids which features a smaller zip line circuit.
- Gloves are REQUIRED. You may bring your own or purchase from Go Ape. Closed toe and closed heels shoes are REQUIRED as well!
- Go Ape Treetop Journey
- Tickets cost $34.95 for one hour
- Min age: no minimum age
- Min Height: 3ft. 3in.
- Max weight: 285 lbs.
- Child (5 & Under): A participating adult (18+) must supervise every two children.
- Youth (6-15): One adult (18+) must supervise up to eight youths. Adults can watch from the ground.
- GoApe Treetop Adventure
- Min age: 10 years
- Min Height: 4 ft 7 in
- Max Weight: 285 lbs
- One participating adult (18+) must supervise up to two 10-15 year olds.
- Ticket prices: $64.95 Ages 16 and over– $59.95 Ages10-15
Get your thrill on at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Need a break from all the colonial history? Busch Gardens is the perfect itinerary for the day to get your thrill on.
- Make sure to purchase tickets online to avoid the long queues. You can also purchase your parking ticket online for two dollars off parking.
- Busch Gardens is themed after Europe, and is so much fun! For you thrill seekers, there are many roller coaster options to get your adrenaline going.
- Active duty military families, Busch gardens offers free admission for up to four people once per year.
- You can also purchase the Military Pass online or at your MWR office for unlimited visits to the theme park, water park, and free general parking all year including the Halloween and Christmas events. You must be registered with ID.me to verify the status to receive these tickets.
- For Veterans, Busch gardens usually offers one free entry a year on certain days, or single day discount tickets.
- Visit the website here for more information.
- Busch Gardens also has many kid-friendly attractions for younger thrill seekers as well.
- Sesame Street world is the perfect place for the little ones. The rides here are thrilling enough for the little ones, and there is a little splash pad to cool off from the hot sun.
- There is also a giant play area for the kiddos at the Land of the Dragons, complete with a tree house, climbing nets, and fun little kiddie rides, as well as a little splash pad for those hot summer days!
- Keep in mind, there are height requirements for most rides. You can easily get measured at the England entrance, and receive a colored wrist band so you know which rides your kiddos can get on.
- There are also quite a few rides here that will get you soaking wet. Make sure to pack sunscreen and extra clothes. We opted to wear dry fit clothing as they dry faster and crocs.
- I highly recommend you pack your own rain jacket if you want to avoid getting soaked! The little plastic coverups are so expensive here.
- The best tip for visiting Busch Gardens is to get here early to avoid the crowds and the lines, especially when visiting in the summer!
READ NEXT: Best Amusement Parks for Families near DC
Christmas at Busch Gardens
Don’t miss visiting Busch Gardens during the holidays. The Christmas Celebration at Busch Gardens is a fun holiday event for the whole family, plus there are millions of twinkly lights to get you in the Christmas mood.
Experience a winter wonderland at the parks with Christmas lights, trees and holiday decor.
Plus there are many fun holiday themed shows, including a Christmas tree light show, the “Scrooge No More” Christmas Carol stage show, plus a new holiday music medley “Unto us” which was just so amazing!
READ NEXT: Fun Christmas getaways from Washington DC
More Williamsburg Attractions:
- Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Williamsburg
- Water Country USA
- Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf
- Copper Fox Distillery Williamsburg
- Yankee Candle Village
- Williamsburg Premium Outlets
- Great Wolf Lodge
Day trips from Williamsburg
Fort Monroe National Monument
Located just a short drive from Williamsburg is the Fort Monroe National Monument. Fort Monroe is a decommissioned military base in Hampton Virgina.
You can learn more about the military history of Fort Monroe on a visit to the Casemate Museum on a free self guided tour, or take a walking tour of some of the historic sites. There is also a historic lighthouse here that was built in the early 1800’s that you can admire.
There are also miles of pristine beaches here that the kids will surely love, and a boardwalk that stretches over 3 miles, perfect for a family bike ride or just a leisurely walk admiring the views.
Virginia Beach
If you’re craving some beach time, Virginia Beach is just an hour away. There is so much going on at the boardwalk in Virginia Beach.
You can rent a Surrey Bike and ride along the three mile boardwalk and take in the beach views, it’s so much fun.
The kids will love all the fun sculptures along the way, including the giant statue of King Neptune. There are also fun little playgrounds, if the beach and sand isn’t enough to keep them busy.
There are quite a few restaurants and cafes along the boardwalk serving some yummy seafood!
Some of our favorite places are Waterman’s surfside grill, Ocean 27 and their outdoor patio seating with a fire pit to keep warm.
READ NEXT: Best Family beaches near DC
Cape Henry lighthouse
Just a short drive away from Virginia Beach is the Cape Henry lighthouse. This historic lighthouse was built in 1792, and was the first federally funded public works project of the newly formed United States government.
Cape Henry lighthouse is situated near the “First Landing” site where English settlers first set foot on their way to settle in Jamestown.
A second lighthouse was built and completed in 1881 a short distance away after concern arose about the stability of the first. Both towers of the light station were designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970.
Since it’s located on a military installation, you would need to show a valid ID card for visitors 16 and up, and must be able to produce a valid vehicle registration and proof of insurance.
The lighthouse is open seven days a week from 10am to 4pm, and is located at 583 Atlantic Avenue Fort Story, Virginia 23459
READ NEXT: Best Spring break ideas from the DC area
Plan your family summer road trip to Williamsburg Virginia. There are so many fun activities for the whole family and memories to last a lifetime.
*Check out this post for more ideas on some of the best US vacation destinations for kids.
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