Summer Fun at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia
Written by VacationIdea.com Travel Editors.
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Kids can rent period costumes and wear them all day while exploring the town. They can use replicas of 18th-century notes to make purchases at Colonial Williamsburg and send postcards stamped with an 18th-century postmark. You can participate in various 18th century activities such as marching in a colonial militia. If your family needs a quick rest, visit the beautiful town gardens.
You should probably plan on spending a full day at Colonial Williamsburg. For lunch or dinner, take your family to dine at one of the historic taverns where wait staff is dressed in 18th century clothing. Character interpreters at these historic taverns explain colonial dining habits and food preferences.
After learning everything you can about Colonial Williamsburg, spend a day at Busch Gardens, located just three miles east of historic Williamsburg. Enjoy fun rides and fantasy villages, such as Da Vinci's Garden of Inventors, European Crafters and Land of the Dragons. If your family needs convincing to visit this vacation destination, you can tell them that Busch Gardens features the world's tallest, most twisted inverted roller coaster.
In the summer months you can also spend a day at the Water Country USA, enjoying water rides, slides and heated outdoor pools. Dare to try the Aquazoid water ride where you splash though dark tunnels on a giant four-person raft? The ride features special effects such as laser light images and sound effects.
If you would like to catch up on some shopping, the area offers a wide selection of shopping venues. The Historic Area Shops at Colonial Williamsburg offer handcrafted goods, sweets, coffees, teas, hats, block printed stationery, candles and jewelry. The Merchants Square shops feature gifts, art, fine porcelain and china as well as men's, women's and children's apparel. Alternatively, if you like to look for deals, visit the nearby Prime Outlets at Williamsburg outlet shopping mall located on Richmond Road. The mall offers over 80 major brand name stores (see www.primeoutlets.com for more information).
Family Vacation Resources and Links
Where to StayThere are many hotels and inns in the area. Kingsmill Resort is a luxury resort located on James River. The resort offers golf, tennis, a spa and a choice of family activities. For other accommodation options and to search for seasonal packages, visit the Colonial Williamsburg Visitors Web Site at www.colonialwilliamsburg.com or the Williamsburg Area Convention and Visitors Bureau site at www.visitwilliamsburg.com.
Attraction Pricing Information
At Colonial Williamsburg, an adult day pass costs $33 and a youth pass (ages 6-17) costs $16.50 during the 2002 season. The Water Country USA and Busch Gardens Williamsburg 2 Day/2 Park Bounce Ticket costs $54.99 and is valid any two days during the 2002 season. A single day pass to Busch Gardens costs $42.99 for adults and $35.99 for children ages 3-6. Season passes are also available (call 800-772-8886 or visit www.buschgardens.com). Tickets can be purchased online at respective web sites.
Getting There
Busch Gardens and Colonial Williamsburg are located 150 miles from Washington, D.C., and 50 miles from Richmond, Virginia. Nearby airports include Richmond, Norfolk and Newport News/Williamsburg international airports. Car rental is available at these airports. Alternatively, Amtrak offers a service to Williamsburg.
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Written By the Travel Editors at VacationIdea.com, Last Update: Jun 02, 2003