Williamsburg - 5 Suitcases

15 Unique Things to Do in Colonial Williamsburg with Kids

Elle MacRae — Sat, 31 May 2025 13:18:29 +0000

We were completely blown away by all of the incredible things there is for kids to do in Colonial Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg is a living history museum and historic district in Williamsburg, Virginia. It is a fully restored 18th-century town that allows visitors to experience life as it was in colonial America, particularly during the time leading up to the American Revolution.

Colonial Williamsburg is a fantastic destination for families, offering interactive experiences, living history, and plenty of hands-on activities for kids. Here are some of the best things to do in Colonial Williamsburg with children:

15 Unique Things to do in Colonial Williamsburg with Kids

1. Visit the Governor’s Palace

Explore the grand home of Virginia’s colonial governor.
Kids can see authentic period furnishings and the impressive gardens.
The armory features swords and muskets, which fascinate young history buffs.

2. Watch the Fife and Drum Corps

Kids love the excitement of this 18th-century military parade with marching musicians.
Performances happen daily, usually in the late afternoon.

3. Meet the Tradespeople and Artisans

Blacksmiths, coopers, printers, and shoemakers demonstrate colonial trades.
Kids can ask questions and sometimes try out simple tasks.

4. Participate in the Children’s Military Drill

Young visitors can “enlist” in the colonial army and learn basic marching drills.
Led by costumed interpreters, this activity is both educational and fun.

5. Visit the Powell House (Great for Hands-On Fun!)

This 18th-century home offers interactive activities like gardening, cooking, and colonial games.
Kids can try simple chores from the past, like fetching water and washing laundry.

6. Ride in a Horse-Drawn Carriage

A classic way to tour the historic area in style.
Carriage rides are a hit with younger kids and offer a unique perspective of the town.

7. Explore the Playbooth Theater

Attend a family-friendly colonial-era play or puppet show.
Kids can enjoy period-appropriate entertainment and audience participation.

8. Try Colonial Games on Palace Green

Kids can play hoop rolling, trap ball, and other 18th-century games.
Free and fun, these games give children a taste of colonial childhood.

9. Visit the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg

The DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum have scavenger hunts and hands-on exhibits for kids.
“History Mystery” tours keep children engaged in discovering artifacts.

10. Eat at a Historic Tavern

Family-friendly options include King’s Arms Tavern or Chowning’s Tavern, where kids can try colonial-inspired dishes.
Some taverns have live entertainment with music and storytelling.

11. Join an Evening Ghost Tour

Older kids will love the spooky stories of Williamsburg’s haunted past.
Family-friendly ghost tours are available for a fun (but not too scary) experience.

12. Explore the Colonial Gardens

Learn about 18th-century gardening techniques.
Kids can see how vegetables, herbs, and flowers were grown long ago.

13. Dress Up in Colonial Costumes

Available for rent or purchase at local shops.
Makes the experience even more immersive for young history lovers.

14. Visit the Colonial Farm Animals

Sheep, oxen, and chickens roam the historic area.
Kids can learn about farming life and how animals helped in colonial times.

15. Stop by the Market Square

Browse colonial-style souvenirs, trinkets, and handmade crafts.
Kids might enjoy picking out a quill pen or tri-cornered hat.

Best Places to Stay in Williamsburg with Kids

1. Williamsburg Lodge (Official Colonial Williamsburg Hotel)

Steps away from the historic area.
Offers family packages and discounts on attraction tickets.
Outdoor pool and on-site dining.

2. Great Wolf Lodge (Read about Our Stay!)

A kid favorite with an indoor water park!
Tons of activities, including a MagiQuest adventure game.
Perfect for families who want extra fun after sightseeing.

3. Kingsmill Resort

A luxury resort with pools, golf courses, and a kids’ club.
Located along the James River with scenic views.
Spacious suites and condos for larger families.

4. Embassy Suites Williamsburg

Offers free breakfast and spacious family-friendly rooms.
Indoor pool and close to local attractions.

5. Bluegreen Patrick Henry Square

Family-friendly suites with kitchenettes.
Walking distance to Colonial Williamsburg.

6. Woodlands Hotel & Suites (Colonial Williamsburg Resort)

Budget-friendly with free breakfast.
Kids love the splash pool and mini-golf course on-site.
Guests get discounts on Colonial Williamsburg attractions.

Best Family-Friendly Restaurants in Williamsburg

1. Chowning’s Tavern (Colonial Williamsburg)

Offers a fun, casual colonial dining experience.
Kids will love the 18th-century-style games and music.
Menu includes hearty pub fare like meat pies and sandwiches.

2. King’s Arms Tavern (Colonial Williamsburg)

Historic setting with servers in period costumes.
Family-friendly meals, including roasted chicken and macaroni pie.
A great way to experience dining as it was in colonial times.

3. Christiana Campbell’s Tavern (Colonial Williamsburg)

Seafood-focused colonial-style restaurant.
George Washington was a fan of this tavern!
A fun experience with candlelit tables and live music.

4. The Cheese Shop (Merchant’s Square – Near Colonial Williamsburg)

Famous for delicious sandwiches and homemade bread.
Great for picnic-style lunches before or after exploring.

5. Food For Thought (Modern American – Kid-Friendly)

Offers a mix of Southern comfort food and healthier options.
Kids’ menu includes mac & cheese, grilled chicken, and mini burgers.

6. Mellow Mushroom (Pizza – Casual Dining)

Colorful, laid-back atmosphere with great pizza and salads.
Kids love the fun décor and unique toppings.

7. Captain George’s Seafood Buffet (Great for big eaters!)

A popular all-you-can-eat seafood buffet.
Offers crab legs, shrimp, and a variety of non-seafood options.

8. Shorty’s Diner (Classic Diner – Breakfast Favorite)

Fun, retro-style diner with great pancakes, waffles, and omelets.
Super affordable and great for families.

9. Pierce’s Pitt Bar-B-Que (Casual BBQ Joint)

A local favorite for smoked meats and Southern sides.
Great for families who love barbecue.

10. Duck Donuts (Sweet Treat!)

Customizable warm donuts with fun toppings.
A must-visit for a treat after exploring Williamsburg.

Free Family Road Trip Starter Kit

Ready to hit the road with magic in the speakers?

Don’t forget to grab our FREE Family Road Trip Starter Kit — packed with printable checklists, kid-approved games, and snack ideas for your next adventure!

Includes:

Packing checklist
I Spy game
Travel Bingo boards
Snack list
Activity ideas

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Guide to the Great Wolf Lodge Water Park in Williamsburg

Elle MacRae — Sat, 01 Jul 2023 12:01:54 +0000

The Great Wolf Lodge water park is one of the most fun places to visit in Williamsburg, Virginia! You can purchase a day pass for the water park or you can access it when you stay at the Great Wolf Lodge. One of the perks of staying at the lodge is you get two days at the Great Wolf water park for the price of one! You can access the park at 1 o’clock on the day of check in and until closing time on your departure day!

In this post, we’ll breakdown all of the attractions at the 67,000-square-foot indoor water park. We’ll also outline all of the other amenities the GWL has to offer.

The Great Wolf Lodge water park is a perfect 84 degrees making it perfect to enjoy year round. There are a ton of lifeguards and they are honestly the most deliberate, intentional, and professional lifeguards I’ve ever encountered. I was extremely impressed by how seriously they took their jobs.

The Great Wolf Water Park Attractions

Alberta Falls: a tandem tube ride from 4 stories up
Big Foot Pass: a floating obstacle course
Chinook Cove: a 4-foot deep pool with basketball hoops
Club Paw Pool: a pool for little ones
Crooked Creek: the park’s relaxing lazy river
Fort Mackenzie: a 4-story interactive water fort treehouse
Howlin’ Tornado: a fast 2-4 person 6-story waterslide
North Hot Springs: adult only hot tubs
Racoon Lagoon: the outdoor pool, open during the summer months
River Canyon Run: the park’s family raft ride
Slap Tail Pond: a wave pool
Totem Towers: the twin water slides at the top of the fort treehouse (Fort Mackenzie)
South Hot Springs: the family hot tubs
Whooping Hollow: the splash park for the little ones
Wolf Rider Wipeout: the super fun, surf simulator

Alberta Falls

This two-person 4-story waterslide is super fast and super fun! The Alberta Falls waterslide whisks you right outside of the building and back again before dropping you off in Crooked Creek.

Minimum Height: 42″
Thrill Level: Medium

Big Foot Pass

Balance and sway across giant lily pads as you make your way across this floating obstacle course. There are cargo nets to help little ones make their way across and test their limits.

Minimum Height: None
Thrill Level: Medium

Chinook Cove

Pass, splash, and shoot hoops in this water basketball court.

Minimum Height: None
Thrill Level: Low

Crooked Creek

Spend some time relaxing in the lazy river. The pool is 3 feet deep making it easy to float, swim or walk. Several of the water slides dump out into the Crooked Creek. It’s a great place to chill out after your adrenaline has been pumping!

Fort Mackenzie

Fort Mackenzie is the centerpiece of the Great Wolf Lodge water park. It is a massive water tree fort complete with interactive water toys, splash-features, water slides, and a massive bucket that drops 500 gallons of water!

Minimum Height: 42″
Thrill Level: Low

Howlin' Tornado

This ride is perfect for groups ranging from 2 to 4 riders. The super-fast thrill ride features six-stories of twists and turns that will get your heart racing. Oh…and brace yourself for the splashdown! This is hands down one of the most thrilling rides in the Great Wolf Lodge water park!

Minimum Height: 48″
Thrill Level: High

River Canyon Run

Hold on tight! Two to five members of your wolf pack can hop on this family-friendly raft ride! River Canyon Run sends you rushing around curves, plummeting down dips, and empties you out into a tranquil pool of water.

Minimum Height: 42″
Thrill Level: Medium

Slap Tail Pond

This zero-depth entry wave pool is the perfect place for family’s to hang out. Catch a wave, splash, play, or simply sit and relax in this cozy area. Every 5 minutes, the tide rolls in creating swells reminiscent of the beach.

Guests less than 48″ tall must wear a life jacket.

Minimum Height: None
Thrill Level: Medium

Totem Towers

The twin waterslides that are found on Fort Mackenzie are known as the Totem Towers. Zoom from the top of the fort back down to the bottom in a race against your friend!

Minimum Height: None
Thrill Level: Medium

Whooping Hollow

This area is perfect for the littles! The slides have gentle slopes and little dips that are perfect for kiddos under 52″.

Maximum Height: 52″
Thrill Level: Low

Additional Attractions

The following attractions can be purchased individually or may be included with an Attraction Pass.

MagiQuest- a fun multi-level interactive wizard-themed game.
Oliver’s Mining Sluice
Howler’s Peak Ropes Course
Ten Paw Alley (fun-sized bowling alley)
Northern Lights Arcade
Build-A-Bear Workshop
Laser Trail- laser tag course
Candy Store

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The Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg, Virginia- the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Elle MacRae — Sat, 28 Jan 2023 12:38:08 +0000

This year as part of the kids Christmas gift we booked a 4 night trip to the Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg, Virginia. The day after Christmas, we loaded up the car and drove about 9 hours north from Florida to Williamsburg, Virginia. In this post we’ll cover our entire experience at the Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg- the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

If you’re not familiar with Great Wolf Lodge, it’s a hotel chain known for their indoor waterparks. Each Great Wolf Lodge is jam packed with family-fun amenities to help make your vacation one to remember!

Accommodation Options at Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg

The accommodation options at the Great Wolf Lodge are Standard Suites, Themed Suites, and Premium Suites. Most rooms will sleep 4 comfortably however, some options can sleep up to as many as 12 people!

Family Suite

Sleeps 4-6

Standard suite includes two queen beds as well as a living area with a full-size sofa sleeper.

2 Queen Beds
Full Sleeper Sofa
Full Bath
Living Area
Table & chairs

Family Fireplace Suite

Sleeps 4-6

Standard suite includes two queen beds and a semi-private living area with a full-size sofa sleeper.

2 Queen Beds
Full Sleeper Sofa
Full Bath
Living Area
Fireplace

Luxury King Suite

Sleeps 4

Standard suite includes one king bed and a full-size sofa sleeper, comfortably sleeping up to four people.

1 King Bed
Full Sleeper Sofa
Full Bath
Living Area
Table & chairs

ADA Queen Sofa Suite

Sleeps 4

Accessible Bathtub suite features one queen bed, a full-size sofa sleeper and is fully accessible.

1 Queen Bed
Full Sleeper Sofa
Accessible Bath
Table & chairs

Themed Kid Cabin Suite

Sleeps 6-7

Standard suite features a log cabin-themed sleeping area, three twin beds, a queen bed, and a full sofa sleeper.

1 Queen Bed
Cabin Theme
Bunk Beds
Full Sleeper Sofa
Full Bath

Themed Wolf Den Suite

Sleeps 4-6

Standard suite includes an in-suite cave-themed sleeping area, a queen bed, and full-size sofa sleeper.

1 Queen Bed
Cave Theme
Bunk Beds
Full Sleeper Sofa
Full Bath

Themed KidKamp Suite

Sleeps 4-6

Standard suite features a tent-themed sleeping area with bunk beds, a queen bed, and a full-size sofa sleeper.

1 Queen Bed
Tent Theme
Bunk Beds
Full Sleeper Sofa
Full Bath

Deluxe Wolf Den Suite

Sleeps 8-12

Standard suite includes an in-suite cave-themed sleeping area with a queen-sized bed, a private bedroom with two queen beds and two bathrooms.

3 Queen Beds
Cave Theme
Bunk Beds
Full Sleeper Sofa
2 Full Baths

Grizzly Bear Suite

Sleeps 6-8

Standard suite features a queen bed in a master bedroom, two queens in a second bedroom and a full-size sofa sleeper in the main area.

3 Queen Beds
Full Sleeper Sofa
Fireplace
Living Area
2 Full Baths

Loft Fireplace Suite

Sleeps 6-8

Standard suite includes three queen beds and a full-size sofa sleeper with a lofted bedroom.

3 Queen Beds
Full Sleeper Sofa
Gas Fireplace
Living Area
Full Bath

Majestic Bear Suite

Sleeps 6-8

Standard suite includes a king bed in the private master bedroom, two queen beds and a full-size sofa sleeper.

1 King Bed
2 Queen Beds
Full Sleeper Sofa
Breakfast Bar
Full Bath

Royal Bear Suite

Sleeps 4-6

Accessible Bathtub suite features a king bed, a queen bed, and a full-size sofa sleeper.

1 King Bed
1 Queen Bed
Full Sleeper Sofa
Accessible Bath

Check In/ Check out at Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg

Prior to arriving at the Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg you’ll receive a text with information for a pre-check in. You’ll identify your estimated arrival time and have an opportunity to ask any questions.

Once you arrive at the Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg, you’ll check in at the front desk on the righthand side of the main lobby. There was a little confusion amongst several people at check-in. There wasn’t a line system and people weren’t sure if we were standing in one line or forming multiple lines.

The front office staff was very courteous and helpful. The lady checking us in gave me the low down on our food package, issued us our Wolf Badges, offered up lots of information, and guided us to the best place to park the car for the easiest access to our room.

Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg Amenities & Attractions

Water Park
MagiQuest
Oliver Mining Sluice
Ten Paw Alley (bowling)
Laser Trail (laser tag)
Northern Lights Arcade
Candy store

Build-A-Bear Workshop
On-site restaurants
Bar
Gift shop
Planned activities
Wifi

The water park is such a huge attraction that it deserves a post of its own! We’ll soon be sharing all of our tips and tricks for the water park.

All About the Wolf Passes

The Great Wolf Lodge offers passes that bundle activities and special memorabilia. Purchasing the passes can help save you money in the long run. The passes are Wolf Pass ($99.99), Paw Pass ($79.99), and Pup Pass ($59.99).

We’ll explore the benefits of each of these passes in a future post.

Dining Options

Hungry as a Wolf– This pizza joint is open for lunch and dinner. They serve pizza, meatball subs, fresh salads, and cheese bread. View menu.

Dunkin’ Donuts– Grab donuts and coffee for breakfast lunch or dinner!

Loose Moose– This buffet is open for breakfast and dinner. Breakfast includes eggs, bacon, sausage, waffles, French toast, yogurt, fruit, and breakfast pastries. The dinner menu rotates but the sides pretty much stay the same. You’ll find mac n cheese, potatoes, salads, vegetables, and desserts. The entrees range from fish, ham, beef, chicken, and more.

Buckets Incredible Craveables- This spot is perfect for those enjoying the waterpark. It is open for both lunch and dinner. The eatery serves burgers, sandwiches, salads, and desserts. View menu.

Bear Paw– Open for lunch and dinner, this sweet shop serves up cupcakes, ice cream, and chocolate-covered fruit.

Our Honest Review

The Good

Before our arrival, we received a text from “Willow” our “assistant” for our trip. Willow is anyone who is working down at the front office. They asked us if we had any questions or special requests. I was able to text with them before we arrived.
Great Wolf Lodge has an app that you can download that will tell you all of the events going on throughout the day. You can also pre-order some of your meals via the app.
We bought each of the kids a $100 Wolf Pass (there is also a $80 Paw Pass and a $60 Pup Pass). This offered the family plenty of things to do when we were not at the waterpark. If you plan on doing any of the extra stuff at the Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg, you may want to consider one of these bundles as ultimately, it could save you money.
The indoor water park was great. There was something for every different thrill level. There are complimentary towels and life jackets available.
The lifeguards in the waterpark are the most intentional lifeguards I’ve ever seen– and being from Florida, we see a lot of them. They make very calculated and deliberate sweeps of the pool areas to ensure everyone is safe. I was very impressed.
Someone is always cleaning! The overall cleanliness of the place is pretty impressive considering how many kids are running around the place.

The Bad

Although there are a couple of different eating options (a breakfast/dinner buffet, pizza, burgers, sandwiches, etc.), there aren’t lots of places outside of the pool area to sit down and enjoy a meal. On our first full day there, we ordered a pizza for lunch and ended up just sitting on the hearth of the fireplace in the lobby because there weren’t tables to enjoy a meal.
Our room wasn’t in the best condition when we checked in. It was clean however, I noticed some random things like there is no toilet paper holder (it’s been broken) and the cover for our lock was broken off and on the floor.
Except for the ropes course and a pool (both were closed during our visit), there isn’t anything for families to do outside. It would be nice if there was a fire pit, outdoor hot tubs, or a play area outside.
The hotel has quiet hours that begin at 11 pm, which is pretty late considering the hotel is geared towards children.

The Ugly

My wife kept referring to the Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg as a “lawless land.” There were kids literally running around everywhere. We’ve stayed at kids hotels before (Legoland Hotel) and never experienced anything quiet like this. This wasn’t necessarily the Lodge’s fault, it’s more on the parents.
There doesn’t seem to be any enforcement of any sort of rules– this extended to the waterpark. We’ve been to several waterparks and there is always someone reminding kids to walk- that didn’t happen at all here. We saw several kids fall.
The MagiQuest game covers multiple-floors by near the main lobby and hotel rooms. Many parents let their kids play this on their own (we are all for independence!) which often ends up in the kids yelling and running from floor to floor. This noise carries over into the rooms near the stairwells and lobby. It would be better if the game had a dedicated area that was closed off and away from people’s rooms. However…I get that by having it out in the open more people see it and want to play it.

Tips for Visiting the Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg

Make sure you pack towels and/or cover ups for the pool. The hotel has towels, but you can only use them in the pool area. If you’re visiting during the colder months, it can get chilly walking through the lodge in a wet bathing suit.
Consider buying one of the passes (Wolf, Paw, Pup) to save money on the add-on attractions. Trust me, after seeing all of the other kids running around (literally) playing MagiQuest, your kid will want to, too.

Our Great Wolf Lodge Essentials from Amazon

Some non-wolfy things you’ll want to make sure you have on hand:

Bathing Suit Coverup
Swim Goggle
Pool Bag
Lotion

Location & Booking Information

The Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg is located at 549 E Rochambeau Dr, Williamsburg, VA 23188.

Visit the website directly to book your stay and review current offers.

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