Williamsburg Parks

Busch Gardens Europe - Williamsburg, VA

Loch Ness Monster

Ride the loops of the Loch Ness.  ©2006 Busch Entertainment Corporation.  All rights reserved.

In addition to all the family attractions and history in the Williamsburg area, this corner of the nation has a multitude of parks providing a host of activities for high energy visitors. Be sure to visit Busch Gardens (surprisingly educational for a theme park), as well as local city and state parks.

Busch Gardens theme park, three miles east of Williamsburg, filled with 100-acres' worth of thrill rides, restaurants and shows. If Busch Gardens has one eye on adventure and excitement, its other is always on the environment, and especially endangered animals. Voted 14 years straight as the nation's "Most Beautiful Theme Park" with its award-winning landscaping, Busch Gardens is tirelessly dedicated to wildlife preservation and public education. Visitors can attend two shows to learn about animal issues: Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve, featuring the plight of the Gray Wolf, and the Falcons and Fables show to learn about endangered birds and how to help protect them. Another exhibit for animal-lovers is the free-flight aviary, showcasing lots of exotic lorikeets who chatter in bird language and light on visitors' shoulders to receive a treat of nectar from them. Busch Gardens works with several environmental organizations, including The Nature Conservancy and the National Fish & Wildlife Federation in its efforts to protect natural resources.

Another way to get out and enjoy Williamsburg's parks is the extensive network of city parks where visitors can engage in a variety of sports and recreation activities, or simply enjoy a sunny afternoon with a picnic lunch.

• Kiwanis Municipal Park, Longhill Road: 27-acres of ball fields, playgrounds, picnic shelters and tennis courts
• Waller Mill Park, Airport Road: 2400-acres including a reservoir, fishing lake, miles of nature and fitness trails
• Quarterpath Park, Quarterpath Road off Route 60 East: Z-shaped swimming pool, Williamsburg Recreation & Sports Complex
• Bicentennial Park, Court Street
• College Landing Park, South Henry Street
• Highland Park Community Park, North Henry Street

For a true nature experience, visitors will thoroughly enjoy York River State Park, 11 miles West of Williamsburg on Route 606 (Riverview Road). Once a 16th-century tobacco warehouse, this park is now dedicated to the protection of a portion of the York River where it meets saltwater. This unique habitat is known as an estuary. Activities include fishing, boating, canoeing and kayaking, biking, hiking, horseback riding and picnicking. There are also interpretive programs including fossil hikes, hay rides and wildlife studies. York River State Park also has equipment and boat rentals, a visitor's center, concessions and a gift shop.

For nature-enthusiasts and sports fans alike, the Williamsburg area has enough park space to fill an entire vacation. The local state and city parks, as well as Busch Gardens, extend an open invitation to see all they have to offer, and take with you the souvenir of priceless outdoor memories.