Digital creator Ashlee Stoodley and her young family of six took a summer getaway to Williamsburg, Virginia over a long weekend. Here are some of their favorite experiences.
Williamsburg captured our attention with its blend of history and exciting family activities. Just a six-hour drive from our Pennsylvania home, it was the perfect choice for a long weekend summer getaway. Going into the trip, our children were looking forward to roller coasters and water slides, while my husband and I were eager to experience the area’s rich history. The family-friendly experiences below were some of our favorites.
1. Stay & Play at Great Wolf Lodge
The indoor water park at Great Wolf Lodge features pools, slides, and an interactive water treehouse – and the water is kept at 84 degrees year-round. My older boys (8 and 10-years-old) were able to run off and play. My 1-year-old son, Roman, had the time of his life splashing around, and my 4-year-old daughter, Winter, loved the slides. The whole family had a blast in the wave pool. The water park is free for hotel guests but day tickets can be purchased online.
After we dried off, the kids enjoyed the on-site Build-A-Bear experience. Other attractions included glow golf, bowling, a ropes course, lodge-wide MagiQuest, and more. The lobby dance party and story time made nighttime special.
The rooms were nice, especially for the kids – they loved the “log cabin” area with bunk beds and its own TV. In the morning, we had breakfast at The Loose Moose Bar & Grill. The service was excellent, and we never had to ask for coffee or orange juice refills. Great Wolf Lodge has sit-down and quick service options plus mobile ordering through the app.
2. Make a Splash at Water Country USA
As Virginia’s largest water park, Water Country USA offers fun for the entire family. My boys loved the thrilling Colossal Curl, a mega slide that swirls you around a funnel and into a pool. Winter and Roman had the best time in the children’s play areas, such as Cow-A-Bunga and Lil’ Surfers Splash Pad. They went down the slides about 100 times, had a blast with the spray jets, and floated in the tubes. Then the whole family cooled down in the Lazy River before heading to the Surfer’s Bay Wave Pool to ride the waves!
This seasonal and cashless park is open on select dates in the summer. For more highlights and planning tips, see the top ways to cool off at Water Country USA.
3. Enjoy Lunch with a view at Water Street Grille
When we first arrived at Water Street Grille, we each threw a quarter into a glorious fountain and made a wish. We sat outside at a table that had views of the York River flowing into the bay, and that really made the meal extra-special. My fish tacos were a 10 out of 10, the kids really enjoyed their burgers and mac and cheese, and my husband didn’t leave anything on his plate. The portion sizes left everyone satisfied, but it was the atmosphere that won my heart. Water Street Grille serves lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.
4. Dive into History at the American Revolution Museum
We had an amazing time at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, which tells the story of the nation’s founding with engaging, kid-friendly exhibits and immersive sensory experiences. Outside you’ll find recreations of a Continental Army encampment and a Revolution-era farm. This outdoor area allowed my kids to interact with history in a fun way – they didn’t even realize they were getting a history lesson! The way the staff gets into character makes for a great experience, and it really helps you visualize how people lived back then.
Our favorite part was seeing the cabins/homes and learning how they cooked in the kitchen. My boys particularly enjoyed seeing the cannons, while my younger two had fun running around with the chickens. Everyone left with such an appreciation for what we have, and a better understanding of how we got here.
5. Savor Authentic Italian Fare at Anna’s Brick Oven Pizza
Talk about a restaurant that checks all the boxes with amazing food and service! Anna’s Brick Oven Pizza serves a variety of authentic Italian food from focaccia bread, brick oven pizzas, pasta specialties, and a variety of hot subs and sandwiches. For Hudson’s 10th birthday, our server surprised him with chocolate cake and the entire restaurant sang to him!
6. Treat the Family at Bubba's Ice Cream Shack
With fun toys, apparel, home decor, and souvenirs, the Williamsburg General Store is the cutest little country store. Bubba’s Ice Cream Shack, located inside the store, is a highlight.
The line for ice cream was very long but well worth the wait. My kids got the waffle cones with vanilla and added rainbow sprinkles, and since it was my oldest son’s birthday, he was allowed to pick whatever he wanted off the menu (cookie dough!). For any ice cream lover coming to the area, this is a must-visit. Plus, if you’re anything like us, vacation is all about finding special places to get treats.
7. Do Breakfast at Emily’s Donuts and Cafe
Emily’s Donuts and Café is a small, family-owned café with a friendly staff and a great donut selection. We ordered a dozen so that we could try all the different flavors, including peanut butter, cream-filled, and glazed with chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla frosting with sprinkles. Every single one was delicious, and the iced coffees and lattes were amazing, too!
8. Step Back in Time at Jamestown Settlement
At Jamestown Settlement, the 17th century comes to life with interactive exhibits including a 4D theater, a re-created fort and Powhatan Village, and life-size replicas of the three ships that brought colonists to Jamestown in 1607.
When you get on the ships, it’s a powerful experience. Seeing how people came over here hundreds of years ago was something I’ll never forget. As a family of six, we sometimes feel crammed in the car, but after seeing the sleeping quarters, I won’t be complaining about space for a while. Inside the museum, we explored mockup houses those early settlers lived in and learned how they heated up their beds in winter. For more highlights and planning tips, see the top things to do at Jamestown Settlement.
9. Taste the Electric Circus Taco Bar
If you love tacos as much as I do, Electric Circus Taco Bar at Precarious Beer Hall is your place. The street tacos were the best I’ve ever had! Electric Circus uses locally sourced seasonal products so expect new menu items.
The atmosphere is fun, bright, and electric. The arcade was a total hit with my husband and the kids, especially the air hockey, ping pong, and pinball. It’s a family-friendly place where you can play arcade games and then head back to your table to eat tacos. Everyone loved the food. If you like unique craft beer, their selection of West Coast IPAs is worth the stop alone. Bring your quarters – and your appetite – because this is a can’t miss spot.
10. Play Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf
For a competitive family like ours, playing mini golf was a great way to break up the day. Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf is a blast to play with waterfalls, sunken ships, and pretty landscaping all around. I took home two special memories: my husband teaching my daughter how to putt and me beating my entire family to become the mini golf champion.
11. Satisfy the Need for at Go-Karts Plus
My boys love go-karts! They had the best time trying out different go-kart tracks and doing the blaster boats. Go-Karts Plus is a great time because it has four different go-kart tracks, bumper cars, mini golf, gemstone panning, a mini roller coaster, Toddler Town, and an indoor arcade. Don’t forget to check out the daily specials and All-You-Can-Ride wristbands.
12. Indulge in Pierce’s Pitt Bar-B-Que
We ended up eating here twice because we fell in love. Pierce’s Pitt Bar-B-Que has outdoor picnic tables, giving the place a relaxed family picnic vibe. It’s perfect if you have little ones who don’t love to sit in a highchair for long – they can run free outside. Everyone devoured their food. I especially loved the pulled pork, and the rest of my family loved the ribs and chicken.
13. Eat & Ride at Spoke + Art Provisions Co
I was excited about Spoke + Art Provisions Co. and it did not disappoint – it was probably my favorite part of the trip! At this gathering spot along the Virginia Capital Trail, you can go biking and enjoy tasty bites and refreshments.
Rent hybrid or recumbent bikes (toddler wagons are available, too) to ride up and down the scenic, 3.5-mile nature trail. On our relaxing ride, we stopped by a field with a beautiful large tree to take a family photo and rode over gorgeous wooden bridges. After your bike ride, relax on the covered porch or open deck with live music. You can fuel up with the always changing menu of sandwiches, salads, pastries, and treats.
14. Get Ready for Adventure at Busch Gardens® Williamsburg
Busch Gardens® Williamsburg has nine international villages, each with a train stop. My favorite part was admiring the beautiful details and European flair of the villages. They made great family photo backdrops!
There are rides for all ages, from roller coasters to slow-paced rides for the little ones. My husband and older boys are STILL talking about the Alpengeist and Loch Ness Monster coasters. New in 2025 is The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge, a family-friendly inverted coaster. For more highlights and planning tips, see the top things to do at Busch Gardens® Williamsburg.
Exploring never gets old, and the Williamsburg area is the perfect place to take your family to play, eat, explore, learn, and bond. Everywhere we went, it was clean, safe, and family-friendly. It was a summer getaway we’ll always remember.
Discover more kid-friendly experiences in Williamsburg and plan your perfect family getaway.
