Williamsburg is most famous for Colonial Williamsburg.
This wondrous historical attraction is great for a family vacation.
It takes approximately two days to see all that is offered.
What can you and the kids do for the rest of your vacation?
Don’t worry, we have you covered!
Williamsburg is full of family-friendly activities for the kids.
Start your adventure with these 13 suggestions.
13 Things to Do in Williamsburg, VA, With Kids
Fox Wire Farm
Spend three hours on this farm, and you will know all you can about alpacas.
The tour starts with a presentation and a visit to the hydroponic fodder house–then onto the animals.
This farm has alpacas, miniature horses, donkeys and pigs, a chicken area, and a duck pond.
There is a maternity barn, where you can meet mother alpacas and their babies.
There are regular-sized horses and cows and dwarf goats.
There is a guard llama that protects the alpaca herd.
Finally, there is a thriving feral cat colony where you can learn about adoption.
Kids won’t want to leave with all the animals they get to interact with!
Williamsburg Botanical Gardens
This is a great place for kids to learn about pollinators and experience the butterfly experience.
There are twenty different gardens to explore.
Some of the most popular are the Perennial Garden, Shae Garden, and the Cottage and Hummingbird Gardens.
The Butterfly Garden and Meadow is like wandering through a dream.
The over 150 species of plants show the full variety of native plants.
One garden that is not to be avoided is the Carnivorous Garden, where kids can see plants that eat bugs.
Go-Karts Plus
Go-Karts Plus offers four courses to choose from, including one designed for younger kids.
But, they have so much more to offer.
The Toddler Town offers pint-sized rides for your younger family members.
They will especially enjoy the kiddie coaster.
There are also plenty of other attractions including mini-golf, bumper boats, and bumper cars.
For the budding prospector, there is a chance to pan for gemstones.
If that still isn’t enough to make the kids happy, a stop at the arcade should do the trick.
Bounce House
Bounce House is 30,000 square feet with many inflatables for the kids to bounce out all their energy.
For older kids, there is laser tag and a bungee jump over a trampoline that will give the thrill of free-falling.
There is also an arcade for the kids that don’t want all the activity.
Adults can relax in comfortable chairs and use the free Wi-Fi as they keep an eye on the little ones.
If everyone works up an appetite, there is a cafe and indoor picnic tables.
This is perfect for those days when the weather just doesn’t cooperate.
Pirates’s Cove Adventure Golf
Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf is a pirate-themed mini-golf venue that offers a whopping 25 courses to play on.
The courses include one that is played on a full-sized pirate ship and one that is full of waterfalls.
Others are mountain-extensive.
While mini-golf is all they offer, the variety is wide and will keep everyone entertained for several hours.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not
This museum is so packed with oddities and interactive exhibits that both kids and adults will be entertained for hours.
There are over 300 oddities on display in this 9,000-square-foot building.
In addition, there are many optical illusions and hands-on sensory experiences.
Once you have seen the exhibits, try your hand at the interactive games and visit the 4-D moving theater that will have you feel like part of the action.
Finish the day with a round of Laserrace.
After leaving this unusual museum, you will never view the world the same way again.
Waller Mill Park
For a day in nature, a visit to Waller Mill Park is in order.
This 2,705-acre park is a beautiful venture into nature.
They offer fishing and boating.
You can rent pedal boats, canoes, or kayaks for a float in the river.
Everyone will love the completely closed-in tunnel that separates the upper and lower sections of the lake.
There are five hiking trails, covering a total of 6.25 miles.
The trails vary in skill level so even the smallest family members can enjoy a hike.
For those who are still looking for things to do, there is a ball field, corn hole game, and disc golf.
After the little ones tire of the playground, the whole family can relax for a meal at the picnic pavilions that come complete with grills and tables.
Williamsburg Wild Airboat Tours
It’s a rare experience to ride on a boat powered by a huge fan, but that is what Williamsburg Wild Airboat Tours Each tour takes you through marshlands, down a creek, and through a canal.
Your tour guide gives you an informative guide about the land and animals through two-way headphones that make sure you hear every word.
They have two special tours you can choose from.
The Wildlife tour teaches you about animals, plants, trees, and the history of the area.
The Island tour circles Jamestown Island, where you learn more about its history.
Go Ape!
Go Ape! is an adventure that will keep the whole family excited for a long time to come.
The main activities are obstacle courses at the treetop level, complete with rope swings, bridges, zip lines, and more.
Older kids will enjoy Older kids will love the 2-3 hour adventure that offers 37 obstacles at a height of 42 feet above ground.
For the younger kids, there is an easier course with 30 obstacles.
If heights aren’t your thing, there is an axed throwing area.
We are particularly excited about their outdoor escape room adventures that require solving puzzles and working together to find your way out of the forest.
Children’s Museum of Virginia
This museum is designed so children of all abilities can enjoy it.
They have a planetarium and a number of display areas that allow your kids a hands-on learning experience that will keep them entranced for hours.
Let them feel what it is like to be enclosed inside a real bubble.
The antique train and toy collection will have them excited.
The various rooms to explore include a grocery store, a backyard area where they learn about recycling, and several other areas designed to teach science lessons through play.
There is also a Tot Lot that is designed for those under three years old.
Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Water Park
This indoor water park is worth putting aside a whole day for.
Starting with the 4-story interactive tree house with water slides to the 4-story tube ride, there are water rides to appeal to everyone.
There is a wave pond, a lazy river, a 6-story tornado slide, and a surf simulator.
Little ones can enjoy the kiddie water playground.
There are two hot tubs, one of which is kid-friendly, and even an outdoor water playground for those who prefer playing outside.
Water Country USA
Water Country USA is the largest water park in Virginia. It features 13 different water slides and six pools.
There is an area made just for the little ones.
Two of the best rides are the Riptide Race, which is a dueling pipeline slide, and the Aquazoid Amped, which will have you sliding through completely closed-in tunnels that play various musical pieces and alternating light shows.
Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens is an amusement park experience that packs a lot into your visit.
They offer America’s first all-indoor straddle coaster.
They have nine roller coasters.
They offer a train and a river cruise, as well as a carousel and bumper cars.
Little ones will enjoy Sesame Street Forest of Fun.
Other offerings include a white water rafting ride, a log flume, and more.
You can stop and watch various shows for a breather, or visit the mini zoo that offers special encounters, including one that allows you to get up close to wolves and even help feed them.
There are also a number of restaurants to keep everyone fueled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Williamsburg, VA, worth the trip?
Undoubtedly, yes!
You will be immersed in 18th-century life in areas you least expect.
There are many attractions that you don’t find elsewhere to keep the whole family entertained.
It will be a visit you won’t forget.
How long does it take to fully experience Colonial Williamsburg?
You will need at least two days for this experience as there are over 300 acres to explore.
Those with young children or elderly or disabled family members may want to plan on three to take things a bit slower.
What is the temperature like in Williamsburg?
The coldest month is January, where the highs reach only 50 degrees Fahrenheit and the nights dip to 33 degrees.
The hottest month is July.
During this month, you can expect high temperatures averaging 91 degrees and lows of 72 degrees at night.
What is the difference between Williamsburg and Colonial Williamsburg?
Colonial Williamsburg is the restored historic area of Williamsburg.
It sits in the middle of the city and consists of restored buildings and re-enactors from the colonial period.
The city itself surrounds this area and is quite modern.
Can I get around Williamsburg if I don't drive?
Yes.
The city is very walkable and bicycle-friendly.
For greater distances, there are readily available taxis and trolleys that reach all other areas of the city.
