Red, White, and Historic

Visit Kidsburg at Veterans Park in Williamsburg for a historic playdate. This Jamestown-themed playground is perfect for pint-sized patriots. A 17th-century replica ship complete with portholes, rope bridges, and the sounds of the sea—it even has an interactive harbor bell and a cannon that goes boom—will transport your children to the 1600s. And that’s just where the fun starts. There are two zip lines, endless climbing structures, log tunnels, and barrel hideaways to spark their imagination. Plus, you will find an adjacent settlement fort with a lookout bubble telescope, a land-locked cannon, a dinghy that rocks, and a two-wheel cart with a double slide inside for even more creative play. If your kids prefer to just swing, there are lots of those, too.

Branch out and head to the Virginia Living Museum for a wild day of family fun. Nowhere else can your family experience a steamy cypress swamp and cool mountain cove, explore the underwater world of the Chesapeake Bay, and dive into the underground realm of a limestone cave all in one place. This all-in-one zoo, nature park, aquarium, science center, planetarium, aviary, and botanical preserve is home to more than 250 Commonwealth species. There are endangered red wolves, fish with no eyes, and frogs that change color to see, live horseshoe crabs and sea stars to touch, dinosaur and Ice Age fossils to dig, and so much more.

For a historic adventure, take your family on a Spooks and Legends Haunted Tour while you’re here. On this spirited after-dark walking tour of colonial Williamsburg, you’ll visit haunted landmarks like Raleigh Tavern, Bruton Parish Church, and the Peyton Randolph House while hearing dramatic stories about pirates, mischief, deceit, and ghosts. Meet your costumed guide at the Capitol Building and set off for an incredible night of spooky tales, ghostly legends, and plenty of history.

The Pursuit of Happiness

Head to Bush Neck Farm for one of summer’s sweetest traditions: berry picking with the kids. This spot overlooking the Chickahominy River outside of Williamsburg is a perfect place to pick. You and the family can grab a bucket and wander through acres of blooming blueberry bushes bursting with gumball-sized beauties for as long as you want while you pick as much as you want.

You can also pack up the family for a day of fragrant fun at Sweethaven Lavender. At this little slice of heaven, you’ve got your pick of activities to choose from. There are flowers, lambs, lemonade, picnics, and so much more. If you want to spend time among the rows of purple lavender and gather a bouquet to take home, just grab a basket. Kids can make friends with the farm’s flock of baby lambs and bunnies in the meantime. If you prefer to chill, you can enjoy some fresh lavender lemonade or a family picnic in the shade. You can even experience a summer evening of live music and wine under twinkling lights. This charming oasis with its porch swings, magical story times, playhouses, and lavender-spun cotton candy makes it easy to create memories that will linger long after the day has ended.

Give a nod to the sweet Land of Liberty and visit the Wythe Candy & Gourmet Shop in Williamsburg’s Merchants Square. A Hampton Roads sweet spot for more than 50 years, this sugar hive is known for its incredible array of sweet and savory treats that run the gamut from traditional to bizarre. You’ve got confectionery classics like more than 60 different dipped, dunked, drizzled, and dressed truffles, alongside childhood favorites with some 200 candy bars and counting. They also feature character candy novelties, sugar-free options, and even lollipops with crickets, scorpions, mealworms, and ants. You’ll find imported chocolates alongside their fresh, shop-made all-American fudge and fancy apples. Fancy is an understatement—these treats are coated in caramel, chocolate, and peanut butter, rolled in sprinkles, nuts, candy, or cookies, and then drizzled again in another flavor you get to pick. Really, does it get any better than that?

Fun Made for You and Me

Strike the perfect chord with a trip to the Virginia Musical Museum and Music Hall of Fame. This fascinating collection of the state’s musical history includes rare antique instruments, mechanical music machines, and phonographs along with the largest collection of letters, pictures, music, and memorabilia from some of Virginia’s most legendary performers. Among the pieces you won’t want to miss is an 18th-century Joshua Shudi harpsichord (one of only two in existence), a 300-year-old hurdy-gurdy, a phonograph made by Thomas Edison, and Wayne Newton’s roadster.

Leave your crew spellbound and book tickets to the Wagsters Magic Theatre for a night of mind-bending illusions, breathtaking sleight of hand, sharp mind reading, and daring escapes. This award-winning show will have you and the kids on the edge of your seats from the second the curtain opens to the final jaw-dropping moment.

Ready to roll? After a day of absorbing history and exploring new places, head to the four-lane bowling alley at Williamsburg Resort for some more family fun.

Big fun doesn’t have to come with a big price tag. But make no mistake—this is only a start, as there are plenty more ways to create priceless vacation memories with your family in Williamsburg.