Virginia is home to multiple theme parks, so chances are there’s an amusement park nearby that suits your family. From world-renowned roller coasters to drenching water rides, you won’t have to drive far to experience all the fun.
Busch Gardens
Virginia’s most well-known theme park, Busch Gardens, has been voted “The World’s Most Beautiful Theme Park” every year since 1990 thanks to its stunning European setting. Its incredible thrill rides have also earned Busch Gardens the distinction of being “The World’s Favorite Theme Park,” so it really has to be experienced to be believed.
Various countries are represented at Busch Gardens, including Scotland, England, Ireland, Germany, Italy, and France, and you can savor their popular foods, shops, gardens, landmarks, and entertainment without a passport. As if that weren’t enough, the thrill rides here are amazing. In fact, two of Busch Gardens’ roller coasters are among the Top 25 in the world!
The most recent addition to Busch Gardens is the Tempesto roller coaster, which features complete 154-feet inversions and 63-mile-per-hour tight turns. Between the park’s 23 rides, 4-D movie, and nine main stage shows, you’ll need to spend at least a weekend here to see all there is to see.
Water Country USA
Situated near Busch Gardens and considered its sister water park, Water Country USA has the claim to fame of being the Atlantic’s largest water park. You can even opt to purchase a 2-park ticket to make the most out of both sites.
Water Country USA offers 43 acres of lazy rivers, pools, and water rides. There’s even a thrilling water slide called Vanish Point that offers a 75-foot-tall drop. The park’s brand new thrill ride is the Colossal Curl. This mega-slide starts with a funnel feature before swirling guests through colorful tubes on their way down to the waves. Each raft on this slide accommodates up to four people, making it a great ride for the whole family. In addition to the thrill rides, there are several kid-friendly attractions designed for the youngest guests.
Kings Dominion
If you want incredible thrill rides and a variety of roller coasters, including wooden ones, then Kings Dominion may be right for you. Located just 20 miles north of Richmond, Kings Dominion is larger than Busch Gardens and even features a 20-acre water park called WaterWorks. Experience 15 roller coasters, including The Dominator, which is the world’s longest floorless coaster. There’s also the Intimidator 305, a mega coaster that boasts speeds of 90 miles per hour.
Even the littlest family members can enjoy Kings Dominion thanks to the park’s Planet Snoopy, which offers a variety of family and kids’ rides and beloved PEANUTS characters. Another great feature of Kings Dominion is Dinosaurs Alive!, an area of the park featuring animatronic dinosaurs. You can even experience what it’s like to be a paleontologist at the dig site.
With so much variety close to home, why wouldn’t you take a trip to one of Virginia’s most iconic amusement parks? Start planning your trip today!
Image Via Pixabay
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