Williamsburg looks like an affordable destination until you add Busch Gardens to the plan, and then the numbers shift fast. Here's exactly what each experience costs — broken down honestly so you can plan a trip that doesn't blow up your budget on day two.
Completely Free Attractions
There are genuinely excellent free options here. Use them.
Kidsburg (4.8 stars) at Veterans Park — $0. A massive community-built wooden playground that earns its rating from hundreds of families. Pack a picnic. One of the best free destinations in Williamsburg.
Freedom Park (4.8 stars) — $0. Forested trails, genuine nature, 1–3 hours of outdoor time. The park also contains the Williamsburg Botanical Garden and Freedom Park Arboretum (4.6 stars) — two free attractions in one stop. Open at 7 AM; morning visits before 9 AM are uncrowded.
The Robins Nature Center at Maymont (4.7 stars) in Richmond — $0. Maymont grounds are free to visit. Critical note: only open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Bluebird Gap Farm (4.7 stars) in Hampton — $0. City-operated farm park. Consistently good ratings, consistently free. Pack a picnic.
Kiwanis Park (4.7 stars) — $0. Open 6 AM–11 PM daily.
Quarterpath Park (4.5 stars) — $0.
New Quarter Park (4.7 stars) — $0 for trails. Kayak/canoe rentals seasonal at $10–15/hour per boat.
Waller Mill Park (4.6 stars) — free park entry. Boat/canoe rentals $10–15/hour. Pack a picnic.
The Grove Community Playground (4.4 stars) — $0.
Ironbound Park (4.4 stars) — $0.
Under $60 for a Family of Four
Catalillies Play Cafe (4.9 stars) — $30–50 for play admission; cafe items are additional. Important: only open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (longest session is Friday 9 AM–2 PM). This is the highest-rated attraction on the Williamsburg list — don't miss it if you're here on a weekend.
Explore More Discovery Museum (4.8 stars) — $35–50 (~$8–12/person). Only open Tuesday–Friday. Closed weekends and Monday. Worth the trip if your schedule allows.
Virginia Musical Museum (4.8 stars) — $30–45. Closed Sundays. A niche pick, but well-rated and worth the low admission.
Children's Museum of Virginia (4.6 stars) — $40–55 (~$10–12/person; under 1 free). Membership is strong value for Hampton Roads families.
Children's Museum of Richmond (4.6 stars) — $50–65 (~$14/person; under 1 free). Closed Mondays.
Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum (4.7 stars) — $35–50 (~$8–12/person; under 1 free). Sunday hours 12–4 PM only.
Danville Science Center (4.6 stars) — $35–50. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Science Museum of Western Virginia (4.1 stars) — $40–55. Sunday hours 1–5 PM only.
York River State Park (4.7 stars) — $7–10 per vehicle. An annual Virginia State Parks pass covers this and all other state parks for the year.
WISC - Williamsburg Indoor Sports Complex (4.5 stars) — $30–60 for drop-in open gym or classes. Call ahead to confirm available sessions.
Quarterpath Park Rec Center (4.4 stars) — $20–40 for drop-in pool or gym access.
James City County Recreation Center (4.5 stars) — $20–30 for a family of four for drop-in pool and facility access. Day passes are available for visitors.
$60–100 for a Family of Four
Norfolk Botanical Garden (4.8 stars, 9,000 reviews) — $60–80 for a family (adults ~$17, children ~$11, under 3 free). Tram and boat tours are extra. If you have a botanical garden membership, check for reciprocal admission. Budget 2–3 hours.
Virginia Living Museum (4.7 stars) — $60–80 (adults ~$20, children ~$15). Membership pays for itself in 2–3 visits. Check for reciprocal admission programs.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (4.7 stars) — $60–80 (adults ~$18, children ~$10, under 3 free). Reciprocal botanical garden membership benefits may apply.
VR64 Arcade / New World VR (4.8 stars) — $60–100 for a family. VR sessions $15–25/person. Only open Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun — verify before going and book stations in advance.
Funplex Trampoline Park (4.7 stars) — $60–100. Book online to lock sessions.
Sky Zone Trampoline Park (4.2 stars) — $60–100 (~$15–22/person/hour). Weekend slots sell out.
Virginia Zoo (4.5 stars) in Norfolk — $60–90 (adults ~$20, children ~$15; parking and food extra). Membership pays for itself fast.
Virginia Air & Space Science Center (4.5 stars) — $50–70 (adults ~$15, children ~$10; IMAX-style theater extra).
Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf (4.7 stars) — $40–55 (~$10–14/person for 18 holes). Kids under 3 often free. Two courses available.
Bounce House Family Entertainment Center (4.5 stars) — $50–90. Closed Sundays.
Tactical Adventure Games (4.2 stars) — $50–80 (~$12–20/person for laser tag). Appears connected to Bounce House.
$80–120+ for a Family of Four
Science Museum of Virginia (4.7 stars) — $70–100 with IMAX. Closed Mondays. Combo tickets save over separate purchase. Worth the drive to Richmond.
Play A Round Family Fun Center (4.6 stars) — $80–120 depending on activities. Check for combo deals.
Go-Karts Plus (4.3 stars) — $80–150. Go-karts $12–15/ride. Budget varies by how many rides your kids extract from you.
Tilt Studio Patrick Henry (4.1 stars) — $80–130 for arcade, laser tag, mini golf combined. Game card system saves over per-game purchases.
Surge Adventure Park (4.0 stars) — $80–120. Closed Mondays.
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Williamsburg (4.2 stars) — $60–90. Buy online and save 20–30% over gate prices. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Slick City Action Park — $80–140. Check website for current status.
Jellystone Park Williamsburg (4.4 stars) — $50–80 for a day visit; overnight stays $80–200/night. Midweek cabin rates are significantly lower.
The Big-Ticket Items
Busch Gardens Williamsburg — $200–300+ for a family of four per day. The Lorikeet Glen, Land of the Dragons, Wolf Haven, and Sesame Street Forest of Fun are all included with park admission. Buy tickets online in advance; gate pricing is higher.
Sesame Street Forest of Fun — part of Busch Gardens: adult ~$90–110/day, child (3–9) ~$80–100/day, parking $25–30. Cannot visit this section without full park admission.
Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg (4.3 stars) — $600–1,200 for a 2-night stay. Day passes for the water park only run ~$50–75/person. Book Sunday–Thursday for the best rates.
Bel Laurel Farm (4.6 stars) — $40–60. Very few reviews; call ahead to confirm availability.
Budget Day vs. Splurge Day
| | Budget Day | Splurge Day | |---|---|---| | Morning | Kidsburg or Freedom Park (free) | Catalillies Play Cafe ($30–50) | | Afternoon | Virginia Air & Space Center ($50–70) | Busch Gardens ($200–300+) | | Evening | Pirate's Cove mini golf ($40–55) | Great Wolf Lodge ($600–1,200/2 nights) | | Total | ~$90–125 | $800–1,500+ |
The budget day here is genuinely good. Williamsburg's free outdoor options plus one paid science attraction gives you a full day for under $130. The splurge path is one of the most expensive in the South — plan for it intentionally.