Busch Gardens

Griffon® is the world’s tallest, floorless dive coaster. Busch Gardens® Williamsburg

Busch Gardens Williamsburg has plenty of rides, entertainment and fun for all ages.

It is the second largest amusement park in Virginia and one of the most visited sites in the state. There are activities for the youngest children in the family as well as the adults.

Busch Gardens in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia does indeed have gardens. The garden atmosphere offers the setting for a variety of animal shows and exhibits. However, it is a theme park so it has plenty of rides, entertainment and basic theme park activities.

The park opens near the end of April and remains open until December. It has consistently earned the honor of “Most Beautiful Theme Park”.

Rides

Apollo’s Chariot includes a 210-foot drop and reaches speeds up to 73 miles per hour.

Griffon is the tallest, floorless dive coaster in the world. It is 205 feet high and free falls at 75 miles per hour.

Alpengeist, which travels 67 miles per hour, is a steel roller coaster that climbs 195 feet. The Loch Ness Monster, which is a interlocking, double-looping roller coaster, stands 13 stories high. It has a drop of 114 feet and reaches 60 miles per hour.

Other rides include Da Vinci’s Cradle, Der Wirbelwind, Der Autobahn, Escape from Pompeii, Le Scoot, Loch Ness Monster, Aeronaut Skyride, and Verbolten. There also is a railway that gives visitors the opportunity to ride an old steam engine through the park.

While some rides do have height restrictions, there are rides that are designed just for kids.

Water Park

Busch Gardens says it has the largest water park in Virginia. It has a “mega slide”, wave pool, lazy river, racing slide and “surf-boggon” slides.

For children, the water park has themed play areas, shallow pools and child-sized water slides.

Note that the water park requires separate tickets. Visitors also can buy the theme park and water park in combination at a discount.

Entertainment

A variety of live entertainment is held throughout the amusement park. With singers, musicians and dancers performing in various shows throughout the park, there is something for everyone.

Whether visitors like country, rock or show tunes, there is a show that suits their tastes. There is a Sesame Street show, the Sunny Days Celebration and Family Fun Tour.

There are also shows that feature live animals, including Animals Up-Close, Lorikeet Glen, Clydesdales and Collies Up-Close Tour, Jack Hanna’s Wild Reserve and More Pet Shenanigans.

Food and Shopping

Busch Gardens offers themed foods from around the world. Selections are available from England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany and Italy.

Whether visitors are looking for a fast snack, a sweet treat or a sit down meal, they will find something that will suit any palate. The selections include kid-sized meals plus plates for larger adult appetites.

The park has numerous opportunities for shopping. Christmas Town allows you to find souvenirs as well as gifts for all your family and friends. There are gifts available from around the world, such as Ireland, Scotland, England, Germany and Italy.