Teens visiting Williamsburg quickly discover it’s anything but stuck in the past. Beyond the historic streets, you’ll find a destination packed with high-energy adventures, immersive attractions, and nonstop fun. From world-class coasters, tall ships, and ghost tours to axe throwing and arcade games, there’s no shortage of ways to keep your whole crew entertained.
Whether your teen is a thrill-seeker, the curious type, or just looking for a fun time, Williamsburg delivers. Here are some of the top things to do for families with teens.
Busch Gardens® Williamsburg 🔺
The Vibe: Full of fast-paced, fun-loving thrills, the famous theme park features over 50 rides and attractions spread across a beautifully themed European landscape.
Activities: For teens, the 10 epic roller coasters are often the main event. Alpengeist is one of the world’s tallest and fastest coasters, Pantheon is the world’s fastest multi-launch coaster, and Griffon is a floorless dive coaster with a 205-foot, 90-degree drop. Seasonal events like Howl-O-Scream add extra appeal for teens.
Pro Tip: In summer, check out Water Country USA, Virginia's largest water park just a few miles away. Combo tickets are available.
Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park 🔺
The Vibe: Reviewers often call it "teen heaven," and it's easy to see why — you can enjoy a half-day of adrenaline-fueled fun in a gorgeous forest setting. Go Ape is set inside Freedom Park, just 15 minutes from Colonial Williamsburg.
Activities: The Treetop Adventure course features 50+ obstacles, dangling bridges, two giant Tarzan swings, and ziplines up to 600 feet long. Outdoor axe throwing requires zero experience and instructors give helpful pointers. The Forest EscAPE adds an outdoor escape room experience to the mix.
Pro Tip: Discounts are available when combining activities, and military, student, and teacher discounts apply. Book in advance on weekends as it fills up fast. Open seasonally March through December.
Colonial Ghosts Ultimate Tour
The Vibe: This delightfully creepy tour is the real deal. Williamsburg's top-rated ghost tour operator is ranked among the Top 10 Ghost Tours in America and featured by the Smithsonian, USA Today, and MTV. Tours run daily, year-round, through the historic streets of Colonial Williamsburg.
Activities: The tours cover documented hauntings at sites like the Peyton Randolph House and Bruton Parish Church, with up to 18 ghost stories per tour. The stories are historically accurate and genuinely scary, making the tour a hit with teens.
Pro Tip: The late-night departure times make for the most dramatic, memorable experience. Check the website for tour options, including an EMF meter experience for the truly brave.
Revolution Golf & Grille
The Vibe: With a modern sports bar feel, this sprawling, fun-loving spot lets you watch the games and play the games.
Activities: Eat, play, and be entertained! Beyond the full menu of elevated bar food and craft drinks, you can watch sports on 40+ TVs, play indoor golf (with high-definition simulators featuring world-famous courses), and play classic digital games like darts, poker, and tic-tac-toe.
Pro Tip: Families and groups can rent a Sports Suite or Golf Suite. Each suite has a dedicated server and accommodates up to 6 people.
Precarious Beer Project 🔺
The Vibe: Even though they haven’t reached the drinking age, teens will find much to love about this modern beer hall in Colonial Williamsburg’s Merchants Square. There are about 20 arcade games and two food stands: Electric Circus Taco Bar and Ol' Dominion Burger. With walk-up ordering and eating at communal tables, the format is casual with a cool local energy.
Activities: Air hockey, arcade basketball, pinball, and multiplayer games keep a group entertained between taco runs. Smashburgers, street tacos, nachos, and ice cream floats mean no one goes hungry.
Pro Tip: Note that Thursday nights and Fridays are highly recommended 18+ only. For families with younger kids, check out our guide to kid-friendly dining in Williamsburg.
Ripley’s Believe It, or Not!
The Vibe: Ripley's packs over 350 weird, wild, and genuinely hard-to-believe exhibits into one roof. And the best part? Everything is real.
Activities: The collection spans rare artifacts, optical illusions, and hands-on interactives inspired by Robert Ripley's travels across 198 countries. Standouts include an 8-foot-tall Transformer, a 1,000-pound Millennium Falcon, and a real shrunken head.
Pro Tip: A solid rainy-day option, but honestly worth visiting regardless of the weather.
William & Mary 🔺
The Vibe: The second-oldest college in America, founded in 1693, sits right in the heart of Williamsburg and is free to explore. It’s a great stop for any teen starting to think about college and wanting to tour a historic campus.
Activities: Explore at your own pace with a self-guided walk or schedule an official campus tour. The Wren Building, the oldest academic building still in use in the U.S., and the Sunken Garden quad are highlights.
Pro Tip: William & Mary pairs perfectly with a stop at Merchants Square and Colonial Williamsburg — all three are within easy walking distance of each other.
Yorktown Sailing Charters
The Vibe: Channel maritime adventure aboard the Schooner Alliance II, a tall ship docked at Riverwalk Landing Pier in historic Yorktown.
Activities: The 90-minute Yorktown Sightseeing Day Sail takes in the historic York River and surrounding scenery. The Scenic Sunset Sail runs two hours as the sun goes down. Be on the lookout for wildlife like dolphins, ospreys, and bald eagles as you sail.
Pro Tip: The July 4th Fireworks Cruise lets you watch Yorktown's fireworks from the deck of a tall ship. Book early as these specialty cruises sell out.
Merchants Square
The Vibe: This shopping, dining, and entertainment district along Colonial Williamsburg’s Duke of Gloucester Street buzzes with activity.
Activities: Shop on-trend clothes, shoes, and accessories at stores like Lululemon, Sole Provisions, Three Cabanas, and Blink. Plus, enjoy casual bites and sips including wraps, sandwiches, and coffee drinks from Aromas Coffeehouse Bakeshop & Cafe and pizza from Mellow Mushroom.
Pro Tip: The Williamsburg Farmers Market runs Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon, February through December.
Explore More
From historic attractions to outdoor adventures and beyond, discover more top things to do for kids and families in Williamsburg.