Williamsburg, Virginia is full of rich colonial history and is a great vacation destination for families with toddlers. When we embarked on a multiple year-long RV road trip around the country one of our first stops was Williamsburg and our youngest son was 2.5 years old. He was old enough to walk on his own and loved walking through the cobbled streets of Colonial Williamsburg, wading at the edge of the wave pool at Water Country USA, and watching his older sisters ride the zip line at Ape Treetop Adventure.
Williamsburg, Virginia in the United States also makes for a great multi-generational vacation. You can easily rent a vacation rental that will comfortably fit your extended family or take a day trip from the surrounding Williamsburg area and enjoy some outdoor activities, history and make amazing memories. Here are some places and different experiences in Greater Williamsburg that your toddler can enjoy with you and the rest of your family:
Colonial Williamsburg
Families love visiting Colonial Williamsburg to experience living history and to learn what life was like for residents of Williamsburg during colonial times. Bringing a toddler has its unique challenges but it is definitely rewarding. A stroller may be difficult to use due to cobblestone streets so it’s best to plan to let your toddler walk and be carried when necessary. A small umbrella stroller may be easier to maneuver rather than a large one.
Toddlers and children under the age of 6 get in free to the art museums, all of the historic sites and trade shops. Please note that a ticket is not required to walk through Colonial Williamsburg but it is required to enter most structures and take tours.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Busch Gardens is located on the outskirts of Williamsburg and is known as the world’s most beautiful theme park. The park is set within lush beautiful trees that abundantly set the scene for this amusement park. The trees offer a lot of shade and green scenery to enjoy. Thrilling rollercoasters are the big draw for thrill-seekers but there are lots of fun activities for crowds with younger children to enjoy.
Toddlers will love the Sesame Street Forest of Fun where they can run and explore and meet their favorite Sesame Street characters like Big Bird. Land of the dragons is also a fun area to explore with younger kids. Plus there are many shows, parades, and fun treats and snacks that toddlers will enjoy too.
Water Country USA
If you happen to come in the summer and are looking for a fun way to beat the heat and the humidity then you may want to check out Busch Garden’s water park: Water Country, USA. It is the largest water park in Virginia and home to the new Outback water coaster.
While many of the bigger water rides won’t be appropriate for toddlers and younger kids, parents can take turns riding the rides or cooling off with the toddlers in the fun play areas. The edge of the wave pool is also a fun spot for toddlers to run supervised in and out of the waves.
American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
Most people who visit Williamsburg agrees that Yorktown has a lot to offer. One of the better-known attractions in the area is the American Revolution Museum. While most toddlers won’t appreciate a museum there are a lot of interactive and live-action history exhibits that will keep their attention. Children under 6 are free so Mom and Dad can enjoy the museum and toddlers can take a nap in their stroller (we’ve all planned attractions we want to see around toddler nap times).
Jamestown Settlement
If you are visiting Williamsburg a stop at Jamestown Settlement is a must. It is one of the most beloved historic sites in the area. Jamestown is known as the first permanent colonial settlement and is a living-history museum. Toddlers will enjoy seeing ships dating from the early 1600s with their parents, touring a fort, and wandering through a re-created Indian village. Toddlers will be free of admission. Strollers are possible but may be difficult. If you know your toddler will get tired a carrying backpack may come in handy.
Yorktown Battlefield
Yorktown Battlefield is part of Colonial National Historic Park and is hosted by the national park service. Fees are $10 per adult 16 and older and are good for ten days. You can also use your interagency passes such as 4th-grade pass, golden eagle pass, or an interagency annual pass for the entrance of up to 4 adults. Take a self-guided tour of the Yorktown battlefield at your leisure with your toddler and family. There are several ranger-guided tours and programs you can learn about at the visitor’s center. Families love to walk through the different historical sites, admire the Victory Monument, and check out the cannons. It’s a very toddler-friendly place as there is plenty of space to explore and you can visit at your own pace. Pack a picnic and spend a good portion of the day wandering around.
Go Ape Treetop Adventure
If you are looking to add a little adventure to your Williamsburg visit, you may want to consider checking out the zipline at Go Ape Treetop Adventure. Obviously this will not be an activity that your toddler will be able to enjoy alongside you, but they can enjoy cheering on family members and watching them soar through the obstacle courses. There is a smaller adventure course for children (still not quite toddler friendly), ax-throwing, and a monkey drop. If you are wanting to enjoy this attraction you will want to plan to bring a babysitter for your toddler or leave them with a relative back at the hotel.
Have you been to Williamsburg with your toddler? What do you recommend seeing and doing?
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