Best things to do in Williamsburg

At Water Country USA, the Mid-Atlantic's largest water park, hit the adrenaline inducing slides, lose control in dark water tunnels, and then take a break at one out of many pool lounges. While you're trying out water rides, the surroundings will be transporting you to the 1950s and 1960s surfers' world. You can try out strength and balance challenges, visit shops and restaurants, and watch live entertainment. Children can play interactive pool games. Not to be missed is the Colossal Curl--the only ride of its kind in North America--nearly as long as two football fields, featuring a funnel, waves and an experience of weightlessness. Lockers and food are available at the site.

Connect with your inner thrill-seeker with a day of fun-filled adventure at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Set on almost 120 hectares (300 acres), the combination zoo and amusement park offers attractions for the whole family, including thrill rides, live shows, and more than 12,000 animals. Take a 112.6 km/h (70 mph) plunge on the floorless dive coaster SheiKra, or ride the Rhino Rally Safari to admire dozens of free-grazing elephants, giraffes, and tigers. Book online to receive discount ticket prices.

Take an eerie guided walk through the alleys, burial grounds, and haunted houses of colonial Williamsburg. Your costumed guide will take you to secret vaults, tunnels, and shadowy lanes where all kinds of sinister events took place. You'll hear about the 1626 witch trials and other tales of ghosts and apparitions. Though they might be a bit too creepy for the youngest of kids, these tours are essentially meant to be family friendly--most last between 60 minutes and 2 hours.

Jamestown Settlement offers a living recreation of the first successful English colony in North America. Located near the actual archaeological Jamestown site, the museum provides an open-air display of replica 17th-century buildings, a fort, and colonial life. You can explore the social history of the settlement through a series of exhibits and galleries, and experience a life-size Powhatan Native American village. To track the journey of the Jamestown colonists to the New World, don't miss the three sailing ships docked in the river. Visit the museum's gift shop for historical-themed souvenirs, hand-made ceramics, jewelry, and glassware.

Situated on the banks of the James River, Historic Jamestowne represents the site of the first English colony in North America. You can wander among reconstructed buildings of the original James Fort, which resemble their 17th-century appearance. Dig deeper by exploring the archaeological museum that displays items from the original English colonists, local Native American tribes, and the Africans who called the region home. Facing the river, catch a glimpse of the statue of John Smith, a leader in the development of the Virginia Colony in its early years.

Step back in time to the days of the Founding Fathers and the Revolutionary War at Colonial Williamsburg. The interactive, living-history museum--which covers 122 hectares (301 acres)--is actually a network of restored Colonial structures manned by costumed, in-character employees. Ride in a rented horse-drawn carriage down the cobblestone streets past the Governor's Palace and Capitol Building. Walk through Merchants Square, an 18th-century marketplace dotted with original storefronts. Take part in America’s fight for independence during a reenactment of the storming of the Governor's Palace or the march to victory at Yorktown. You can even participate in a trial. Purchase the combined Historic Triangle ticket for discounted entries to Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown.

See where royal governors and the state's first two elected governors, including Thomas Jefferson, once lived. Governor's Palace gives insight into how Virginia’s powerful men lived in colonial times. Destroyed by a fire in 1781, the current palace has been reconstructed based on the original foundation and archaeological evidence that survived the fire. Walk in the footsteps of some of Virginia’s most influential men as you explore the many lavish rooms decorated with weaponry from the period. In the gardens behind the palace, guides in period dress perform re-enactments of historical events that took place here. The guided tour is a must.

See the site of the Revolutionary War's last major battle, Yorktown Battlefield. Here the American and French troops secured the independence of the United States from the British in 1781. Begin at the visitor center, where you can watch a short video introduction and admire artifacts found on the battlefield, including tents used by Gen. George Washington's army. Maps available at the reception desk give instructions for self-guided driving tours. If you'd prefer to explore on foot with a guide, take a ranger-led walking tour. The guided tour also includes a stop in the Historic Jamestowne. A small per-person fee is charged at the reception desk.

The Revolutionary War comes to life at American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, a living-history museum located near the battlefield where American and French forces secured the new nation's independence in 1781. The center's signature display features an early draft of the Declaration of Independence, which was produced in Boston before members of Congress signed another copy of the document. Outside the center you can explore an army encampment, that's been created to provide visitors with insight into the private lives of soldiers who fought and died for the cause of independence. At another outdoor exhibit, a reconstructed 18th century farm, you'll hear the story of ordinary American farmers struggling to survive during this decisive period. Check online for web-only specials and discounted multi-attraction tickets.

Originally constructed in 1677, Bruton Parish Episcopal Church still functions today and represents the oldest continuously operating church in America. The church, originally the result of a conglomeration of parishes, served as one of the epicenters of life in colonial Virginia; today it sits in the living history town of Colonial Williamsburg. Learn more about the church's history, societal importance, and 20th century restoration by paying a visit and following the recommended self-guided tour through the grounds. Throughout the yard you'll find the graves of prominent individuals and families since the colonial era, many of which rest in rare and well-preserved table tombs. As an active institution, the church is open for worship and services, so be sure to check the schedule for information on these and other events, such as concerts.