How Far Is Busch Gardens From Virginia Beach

Busch Gardens is close to Colonial Williamsburg.

Busch Gardens is close to Colonial Williamsburg. (Photo: Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images )

Th 350-acre Busch Gardens (buschgardens.com/BGW) theme park in Williamsburg, Virginia has more than 50 rides, shows and attractions. It is a short drive from Colonial Williamsburg and adjacent to the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. Its sister park, Water Country USA (watercountryusa.com), is only five minutes away. Owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Busch Gardens has something for people of all ages and is an ideal destination choice for a short break.

Getting There

Busch Gardens is approximately 55 miles from Richmond and 150 miles from Washington D.C. Fly into Norfolk, Richmond or Newport-News-Williamsburg International Airport. Alternatively, travel by Amtrak to Williamsburg. The train station is only a 10-minute drive from Busch Gardens. To get to Busch Gardens by road from Williamsburg, take Exit 243A from Interstate 64.

Where to Stay

The Busch Gardens area offers a selection of accommodations. Affordable hotels include Quality Inn at Kingsmill (qualityinn.com) and Days Hotel Busch Gardens Area (dayshotelbuschgardensarea.com), which is across the street from Water Country USA. The Marriott Williamsburg (Marriott.com) is the closest hotel to Busch Gardens; and the Parkside Williamsburg Resort (parksidewilliamsburg.com) is also within walking distance of the park. King's Creek Plantation (kingscreekplantation.com) offers up-market vacation cottages and town houses in a village-style resort, and is close to both Busch Gardens and Water Country USA. Anvil Campground (anvilcampground.com) has sites for tents and RVs, as well as vacation cottages to rent. It operates a shuttle bus service to Busch Gardens and other local attractions.

Busch Gardens Theme Park

Busch Gardens is a European-themed adventure park that opens from March through October. The season ends with the annual Howl-o-Scream festival. The park is divided into several "lands," such as Germany, England and Italy, each with appropriately themed attractions, cafes and shops. Thrill rides include Griffon, the world's first floorless dive coaster; and Mäch Tower, the park's tallest ride. Land of the Dragons and Sesame Street's Forest of Fun offer child-friendly rides and attractions. The park is disabled-accessible with ECV rentals available from Guest Services. Picnic areas are provided near the parking lots, and a pet day-care facility is available.

Christmas Town

Busch Gardens re-opens at the year-end as "Christmas Town," when the park is transformed into a winter wonderland. Sip a glass of mulled wine under the 50-foot Christmas tree, or shop for hand-crafted gifts in Mistletoe Marketplace; peep into Santa's Workshop or dine with Santa and Mrs. Claus in Castle O'Sullivan. Stroll along the Polar Pathway, an ice-themed world with twinkling lights, snowy landscapes and penguin encounters; or soar through the sky on the Flight of Lights.

Water Country USA

This water park is open from late May until early September. Enjoy more than 30 attractions, including thrill rides such as Rampage and family attractions such as Big Daddy Falls and Rock'n'Roll Island. The park also contains a wave pool at Surfer's Bay and the Cow-A-Bunga kiddies play area. Lunch is available from Water Country USA's restaurants, and chilled drinks and fresh fruit are on sale in Surfside Market. On-site shops sell beach apparel, sunscreen, towels and souvenirs.

Passes

Busch Gardens offers several ticket options. Purchase a one-day park ticket for a single visit; while a two-day, two-park ticket offers access to both Busch Gardens and Water Country USA. A one-week pass allows unlimited access to both parks for seven days; and an annual pass is the most economical choice for visitors who plan to visit the park several times during the year. A "Bounce Ticket" lasts seven days from date of purchase, allowing unlimited admission to Busch Gardens and various other local attractions.

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Writer Bio

Based in Scarborough, U.K., Carole Simm started writing in 1998. She has authored training programs, marketing materials and website content. Simm also blogs for SuperGreenMe and Eventim. She studied publishing at Napier College, Edinburgh, and has a first-class Bachelor of Arts in tourism management from the University of Hull.