photo: Colonial Williamsburg
When you take a family vacation to Virginia Beach, of course you’ll spend some time at the beach. But there are some really fun family activities within an hour’s drive from your beachfront hotel.
Here is a list of our favorite family day trips from Virginia Beach:
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
45 minutes from Virginia Beach
open from March through October
hours 10am-10pm most days
Tel:757 253 3350
Busch Gardens Williamsburg has four of the world’s top-rated roller coasters, including Alpengeist and the new Apollo’s Chariot. This hypercoaster will plummet riders a total of 825 feet. From awesome rides and spectacular shows to superb shopping and fabulous feasts, Busch Gardens Williamsburg offers a fun-filled adventure you’ll never forget.
Directions: Take Interstate 64 West to Exit 242A, then follow SR 199 2 Miles to US 60, take US 60 east, 1.5 Miles to entrance
Water Country USA
45 minutes Virginia Beach
Open May through September
hours 10am-8pm, late summer 7pm and 6pm
Tel: 1 800-343-SWIM
With more than 35 wacky cool water rides, super shopping and tasty treats, Water Country USA is the coolest way to beat the heat. Directions:
Directions: Take Interstate 64 West to Exit 242A, then follow SR 199 ¼ Mile to Entrance
Colonial Williamsburg
Henry Street/Rt 199
Open March through August
hours 9.30am-5pm
Tel:1-800-HISTORY
Colonial Williamsburg is the world’s largest outdoor living history museum. Learn all about the history of the area from costumed characters who’ll stroll among you and put on wonderful plays. Special events are put on at different times of the day and evening. Williamsburg is a must if you’re staying in the Virginia Beach area. It’s about 1 hour’s drive away and there’s lots to see and do with 18th Century houses, a governors mansion, the capital plus Colonial restaurants and shops. Learn all about the history of the area from costumed characters who’ll stroll among you and put on wonderful plays. Special events are put on at different times of the day and evening.
Directions: About an hours drive from Virginia Beach midway between Richmond and Norfolk on I-64 (exit 238). After exiting, look for the green and white signs for the Visitor Center. Once you purchase your admissions pass, you can either take the shuttle bus or walk to the Historic Area.
Virginia Air & Space Centre
600 Settlers Landing Road,Hampton,Va
Tel: 757 727 0800
Less than an hour from Virginia Beach is the Air & Space museum which will bring excitement and fun for kids of all ages!
Childrens Museum
221 High Street Portsmouth
Tel: 757-393 8393
Kids looking for something different to do? Well approx. 30 minutes form Virginia Beach is a fun museum. Watch them delight while playing with the big Bubble machine where they can make bubble as big as themselves! Or hold your breath as you watch them scale the indoor rock-climbing wall
Virginia Zoological Park
3500 Granby Street
Norfolk, VA
Tel: 757- 441 2706
Located only about half an hour’s drive from Virginia Beach you will find this fine Zoo. The whole family will love it!
Check out our picks for oceanfront family hotels in Virginia Beach.
Read Virginia Family Vacations: Family Activities in Virginia Beach for ideas for family activities in the resort area on The Strip.
