Virginia Theme Parks

Beckoning families year after year, Busch Gardens and Kings Dominion are 2 of the world’s most spectacular theme parks.

Busch Gardens

Thanks to its European setting, Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA, has been voted the world's most beautiful theme park every year since 1990, and it proves to be a delight for adults. But it's the rides that thrill the kids and give it another distinction: the world's favorite theme park.

Visit England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany and Italy without the hassle of passports, customs and language barriers. Every country at Busch Gardens showcases popular foods, landmarks, gardens, shops and entertainment that put you in the middle of a particular European village. Hit the roller coasters of each country, too. Two of Busch Gardens' 5 coasters are rated in the top 25 in the world!

A recent addition to Busch Gardens is Verbolten®, a multi-launch, indoor/outdoor roller coaster that sends guests on a fun and mystifying family adventure through the Black Forest.

Busch Gardens Special Events

March 27-April 12: Busch Gardens® Opens Daily for Spring Break. Busch Gardens is open daily March 27 through April 12 for spring break. Families desiring a cure for boredom can hit the road and head to Busch Gardens for a fun-filled journey across Europe. Travel to Germany for a thrilling ride on the newest coaster, Verbolten®, or venture over to Scotland's Highland Stables to visit the majestic Clydesdales.

April 11-12: Jack Hanna at Busch Gardens®. Experience the naturally fun wild side of Busch Gardens® when animal expert Jack Hanna brings his menagerie to the park on April 11 and 12. Jack is the host of the popular TV show Into the Wild, as well as director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Join "Jungle Jack" and his animal ambassadors as they examine the importance of wildlife conservation. With his infectious energy, Jack makes animal and conservation education entertaining for the whole family. See him at the Teatro Di San Marco Theatre, or dine with Jack and his animal pals.

May 22-25, May 29-31, June 5-7, June 12-14, June 19-21, June 26-28: Busch Gardens® Food & Wine Festival. Tickle those taste buds with the culinary delights at the Busch Gardens® Food & Wine Festival. Enjoy authentic tastes from around the world while strolling through the park. Busch Gardens invites guests to unleash their inner foodies with a variety of dishes and wines not normally served at the park. Individual tasting portions make it easy to explore all that the Food & Wine Festival has to offer. The hardest part might just be deciding what to eat first.

Sept. 25-27, Oct. 2-4, Oct. 9-11, Oct. 16-18, Oct. 23-25, Oct. 30-Nov. 1: Howl-O-Scream. Fall marks the return of Busch Gardens' bone-chilling Halloween event, Howl-O-Scream®. Gruesome creatures will be waiting for daring guests during this park-wide spooky celebration.

Nov. 27-Dec. 31: Busch Gardens Christmas Town. Joy, laughter and cheer are in the air at Christmas Town®. This one-of-a-kind event combines the magic and merriment of the season with stunning Broadway-style shows, unique gift ideas and millions of twinkling lights.

Sip on Busch Gardens' signature peppermint fudge hot chocolate while strolling through Christmas Town's latest addition, Holiday Hills™, a nostalgic vision of mid-20th-century Christmas traditions, complete with tin toys and miles of garland.

Plan to share your holiday wishes at Santa's workshop and see the park's 50-foot-tall, light-animated Christmas tree for a memorable Christmas Town experience.

Deals and Packages for Busch Gardens

March 27-May 31: Busch Gardens Celebrates Kids: Free Preschool Pass. Introduce your little ones to their favorite characters at the Sesame Street® Forest of Fun™, or take them to the Land of the Dragons® to discover a magical playland at Busch Gardens®. Splash over to Water Country USA®, where kids can play in our interactive splash zones, including H2O UFO® and Cow-A-Bunga®. Throughout both parks, you’ll find lots of KIDsiderate® rides, slides and attractions created for our youngest guests.

Kings Dominion

A 400-acre theme and water park, Kings Dominion is home to more than 60 rides and attractions, including 15 world-class roller coasters known to international coaster enthusiasts. The park is continuing to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2015. Located just 20 miles north of Richmond and 75 miles south of Washington, DC, this central Virginia theme park opens its gates to more than 13 million visitors a year.

Hop aboard any one of the 15 roller coasters for a thrilling time, and then explore Planet Snoopy, where even the littlest ones in the family become big thrill-seekers!

Kings Dominion Special Events

April 3-12, April 18-19, April 24-26, May 1-3: Spring Bloom Festival at Kings Dominion. Be there as International Street is transformed into a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors with thousands of blooms. Experience unique springtime food and beverage tastings around the Royal Fountain, enjoy toe-tapping entertainment on International Street, and participate in hands-on activities for kids in the Planet Snoopy area. Don’t miss it!

April 6-10: Spring Break at Kings Dominion. Close those books and get ready for fun! The park will be open for the most thrilling spring break in the mid-Atlantic.