When it comes to family-friendly fun, Virginia is home to some of the best theme parks and water parks on the East Coast.
Looking for thrilling roller coasters, refreshing water slides, or immersive entertainment? Virginia’s parks have a perfect destination for every family. Here’s your guide to the top theme parks and water parks in Virginia that offer unforgettable experiences for kids and parents alike.
At a Glance: Virginia Theme Parks & Water Parks
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a popular Virginia theme park with world-class roller coasters.
- Kings Dominion theme park also includes entry to Soak City water park.
- Water Country USA and Massanutten Water Park have slide for older kids and adults as well as shallow play areas for toddlers and non-swimmers
- Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg is an indoor water park and resort that also has an arcade and other hands-on activities for kids.
- Parent Swap passes at theme parks allow parents with small children to take turns riding without the second parent waiting in line.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Best for: Thrill-seekers and families who love themed attractions
Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a world-class amusement park known for European-themed villages, thrilling roller coasters, and incredible live entertainment. Young children will enjoy spaces like Land of Dragons. Older kids and adults can experience some of the country’s best coasters, like Griffon and Pantheon. There are also plenty of classic theme park experiences like spinning teacups and bumper cars. The park hosts seasonal events such as Howl-O-Scream and Christmas Town, making it a great destination year-round.
Family-Friendly Features:
- Kid-friendly rides in Sesame Street® Forest of Fun and Land of Dragons
- Stroller and wagon rentals
- Family dining options and picnic areas
- Family-friendly live shows, entertainment, and animal encounters
Water Country USA
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Best for: Families looking for a classic water park adventure
Just minutes from Busch Gardens is Water Country USA, Virginia’s largest water park. It has high-speed slides, kid-friendly splash zones, and a massive wave pool. Families can float along the lazy river, enjoy family raft rides like Big Daddy Falls, or experience heart-pounding slides like Cutback Water Coaster. With plenty of shaded areas and cabanas, it’s a great way to cool off during the hot summer months.
Family-Friendly Features:
- Cow-a-Bunga & H2O UFO play areas for younger children
- Surfer’s Bay Wave Pool for the whole family
- Plenty of lounge chairs and shady spots
- Lockers and changing rooms for convenience
Kings Dominion & Soak City
Location: Doswell, VA
Best for: Families who want both amusement park thrills and water park fun
Kings Dominion is a one-stop destination for families. The park features over 60 rides, live shows. Plus, its massive water park, Soak City, is included with admission. Thrill-seekers can experience record-breaking coasters like Intimidator 305. Younger children will love Planet Snoopy, a dedicated area with rides designed just for them. Soak City offers a variety of water slides, a wave pool, and a relaxing lazy river for cooling off during summer.
Family-Friendly Features:
- Kid-friendly Planet Snoopy zone with 20+ rides
- Soak City Water Park included with admission
- Cabana rentals for a relaxing day
- Parent Swap program for families with younger kids
Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Best for: Year-round indoor water park fun
If your family loves water parks but wants to avoid unpredictable weather, Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg is the perfect choice. This massive indoor water park resort features water slides, wave pools, and interactive play areas, all in a temperature-controlled environment. Beyond the water park, families can enjoy mini-golf, a ropes course, an arcade, and the MagiQuest adventure game.
Family-Friendly Features:
- Indoor water park with slides for all ages
- On-site dining and family-friendly restaurants
- Interactive games and activities for kids
- Spacious family suites with kid-themed bunk beds
Massanutten Water Park
Location: McGaheysville, VA
Best for: Families who want an indoor and outdoor water park experience
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Massanutten Water Park is a family-friendly destination offering both indoor and outdoor water attractions. Indoors, kids can enjoy water slides, a lazy river, and the FlowRider surf simulator. The outdoor water park features water cannons, slides, and a relaxing deck area. This resort-style destination also offers plenty of family-friendly activities like mini-golf, zip-lining, and even snow tubing in the winter.
Family-Friendly Features:
- Indoor water park for year-round fun
- Toddler-friendly water play areas
- Adventure park with zip lines
- Family lodging and dining options available
Frequently Asked Questions: Virginia Theme Parks & Water Parks
Which Virginia theme parks are best for older kids and thrill-seekers?
Busch Gardens Williamsburg is home to some of the best roller coasters in the country. The record-breaking Pantheon coaster stands 180 feet tall, while high-speed launch coaster Tempesto features inversions at 154 feet in the air.
Kings Dominion is another popular destination for families with older kids. Here you’ll find high-speed coasters like Intimidator 305 and Twisted Timbers, or the Dominator coaster, which has some of the largest vertical loops in the world.
Which Virginia theme parks are best to visit with small children?
The great news about theme parks and water parks in Virginia is that they all keep families with young kids in mind. At both Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens, you’ll find dedicated play areas for younger visitors. These spaces include low-stress, age-appropriate rides, climbing structures, and live shows with characters kids will enjoy. Water Country USA has play areas with shallow pools, interactive features like waterfalls, and small water slides that kids and parents can do together.
Both Great Wolf Lodge and Massanutten Water Park have toddler-friendly play areas, along with non-water activities and play zones that are perfect for the younger members of the family.
Do any theme parks or water parks in Virginia offer lodging?
Both Great Wolf Lodge and Massanutten Resort offer on-site lodging and restaurant dining. Families can book packages that include rooms, meals, and water park tickets.
Which water parks are in Virginia?
No matter where you are in Virginia, you’ll be within an easy drive of a water park. On the eastern side of Virginia are Water Country USA and Great Wolf Lodge. King’s Dominion’s Soak City is in Central Virginia, about a two-hour drive south of Washington, D.C. And Massanutten Water Park is on the western side of the state, about a two-hour drive from Blacksburg.
How does Parent Swap work at theme parks?
Some Virginia theme parks, like Kings Dominion, offer Parent Swap passes, which allow parents of young children to both ride rides, even if only one waits in line. This can be particularly helpful if you have small kids. The first parent waits in line and rides, while the second entertains the children elsewhere. Then, the second parent meets the first at the exit, they hand off the kids, and the second parent gets to ride without waiting in line. Ask about parent swap passes at guest services when you arrive.
Tips for Visiting Virginia’s Theme Parks with Kids
Whether your family loves thrilling roller coasters, splashing in water parks, or enjoying themed attractions, Virginia has plenty of options to explore. From the legendary rides at Busch Gardens to the indoor adventures at Great Wolf Lodge, these parks offer excitement for all ages.
To get the most out of your family’s theme park visit, follow these tips.
- Buy tickets online in advance for discounts and shorter lines.
- Check height restrictions before visiting to find out which attractions your child can do.
- Arrive early to beat the crowds and maximize ride time.
- If possible, visit in the off-season or on weekdays.
- Bring essentials like sunscreen, swimsuits, and extra clothes.
- Use Parent Swap programs at parks for families with little ones.
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