Williamsburg invites families on a journey of discovery where educational experiences meet interactive fun. With an impressive range of budget-friendly attractions, outdoor activities, and exciting seasonal events, family travel is both affordable and packed with moments kids will talk about for years to come.
First things first: You’ll want to find your ideal home base. From hotels and resorts to cabins and cottages, find family-friendly places to stay while exploring the best things to do with kids in Williamsburg. Plus, uncover packages and deals that make traveling with little ones even easier.
See History Come Alive at Iconic Attractions
In America’s Historic Triangle – made up of Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown – kids become part of the story and see history come to life with immersive hands-on experiences. The area’s iconic attractions stir all the senses!
Colonial Williamsburg
Walk into America’s earliest chapters in 🔺Colonial Williamsburg, the world’s largest living history museum. Ooh and ah at live demonstrations as skilled artisans share their crafts and stories of colonial life. Take a tour on a horse-drawn carriage like a true time-traveling adventurer, and spend an afternoon wandering the iconic Governor’s Palace grounds before racing through the evergreen maze. Join the year-round fun during annual events, seasonal festivals, and exciting reenactments.
Jamestown Settlement & Historic Jamestowne
Explore the top things to do in 🔻Jamestown Settlement, a modern museum with indoor exhibit galleries and outdoor living history experiences. Climb aboard the colonial-era replica ships Godspeed and Discovery and step into the shoes of Jamestown’s early settlers. Walk into the houses of a Powhatan Indian Village and discover how Powhatan kids lived, hunted, fished, and gathered food.
Nearby, experience the best things to do in Historic Jamestowne. Become a history detective at active dig sites and see how archaeologists uncover real treasures from the past. Inspect artifacts at the Archaearium, an award-winning archaeology museum, before seeing the rest of the grounds.
American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
Jump into the action and step back in time in the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. See what life was like for a soldier in the re-created Continental Army encampment by watching daily demonstrations and even listening to the thunder of a flintlock musket. Roll up your sleeves to help with chores in the house, kitchen, tobacco barn, gardens, and fields in the Revolution-era farm. Feel the excitement in the 4D theater as you watch the “Siege of Yorktown” film, complete with wind and smoke.
Discover Big Thrills for Every Age
Get ready for heart-pounding thrills and epic attractions that will leave the whole family laughing, exploring, and making memories.
Busch Gardens® Williamsburg
Explore the top things to do at 🔺Busch Gardens® Williamsburg, one of the country’s best (and most beautiful!) theme parks. Ride adrenaline-inducing coasters or enjoy more easygoing attractions designed for the littles. See live shows and encounter animals, from the majestic Clydesdale horses to eagles and wolves.
Water Country USA
Make a splash and cool off at Water Country USA. Little kids will love the shallow pools, gentle slides, and water features while older kids and teens can brave the bigger water slides for serious thrills. Meanwhile, a relaxing float on the lazy river is a chill time that’s enjoyable for all.
Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park
Kids can tackle new heights at 🔺Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park. Designed for kids ages 10 and up, the treetop obstacle course lets kids navigate rope ladders, net bridges, and challenging aerial obstacles.
Classic Attractions
Classic family fun never goes out of style. Race around the tracks at Go-Karts Plus, release extra energy at the Bounce House Family Entertainment Center, or roll strikes at Bowlero. Or team up and solve puzzles in one of the area’s exciting escape rooms.
Explore the Great Outdoors
It’s easy to find your kind of fun in the area’s great outdoors, full of beautiful parks, playgrounds, trails, and other green spaces where kids can run, climb, and play to their heart’s content. One favorite pastime is renting bikes from Spoke + Art Provisions Co. and cruising scenic trails together.
Or, get on the water with a kayaking excursion or sailing trip – the pirate-themed adventure sail with Yorktown Sailing Charters is a hit. You can also spend a sunny day at Yorktown Beach building sandcastles, swimming, and soaking up the sun. With so many ways to opt outside, every day can feel like an adventure.
Chow Down with Kid-Approved Dining
Williamsburg serves up delicious dishes for kids of all ages. Dine at colonial taverns where kids can play colonial-era games and sip root beer. Or enjoy a pizza night feast at Anna’s Brick Oven, featuring an authentic Italian brick oven, true to its name.
Visit one of the area’s top pancake houses for a breakfast that will please every palate. To satisfy more sweet cravings, indulge in the giant caramel apples and other treats at Wythe Candy & Gourmet Shop or spring for ice cream at Kilwins in Merchants Square.
Check out all the great options for family-friendly dining in Williamsburg.
Find More Ideas for Family Fun in Williamsburg
In America’s Historic Triangle, kids and parents experience history up close, seek out thrilling rides, and enjoy mouthwatering treats at every turn. Uncover even more things to do with kids and start planning your next family getaway!