Want the ultimate summer weekend escape? Head to Busch Gardens and Water Country USA in Virginia…
Why is this the ultimate summer weekend escape? There is just the right amount of fun for a weekend. You can visit one park on Saturday, and one park on Sunday, or get a pass that allows you to visit both parks each day. In Busch Gardens, you’ll be riding incredible roller coasters, such as the new Griffon, and learning about Europe, while at Water Country you’ll be cooling off from the hot sun with some great water rides. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to go to Europe, because you can get a taste for it at Busch Gardens. You don’t have to spend thousands going to a beach in Florida or the Caribbean, because you can get wet on the water rides and lay out by the wave pool! To me, this is the perfect weekend.
Busch Gardens and Water Country, USA are two great theme parks located right next to each other, and they are affiliated with each other. This means you can put together a package to come here for the weekend and visit both parks! Busch Gardens in Virginia is called Busch Gardens Europe, and so you get a taste of European countries and aventures. Busch Gardens has some of the greatest roller coasters anywhere in the United States, and great food and culture of Europe. Water Country USA is a waterpark, located within about a mile of Busch Gardens. Water Country offers a huge wave pool, water slides, and shows. Together, both of these parks make for the ultimate summer weekend escape.
Busch Gardens and Water Country USA are located in Williamsburg, VA. The parks are about 150 miles from Washington, DC, 400 miles from New York City, 275 miles from Philadelphia, PA, and 45 minutes from Virginia Beach. Specific directions can be found here. I live in Western Maryland, and it takes me about four hours to reach the Busch Gardens and Water Country USA.
As for tickets, you can go here. A single day ticket to Busch Gardens will cost $54.95 for an adult, and $47.95 for a child ages 3 to 9. A single day ticket to Water Country will cost $38.95 for an adult, and $31.95 for a child. The best value is to buy a two-day ticket with bonus third day for $69.95. You enjoy unlimited use of both parks for three days. This would be great for a three-day weekend such as for Labor Day. Even if you only use two days of the three, you still save about $24 from purchasing a single day ticket to each park!
If you visit Busch Gardens and Water Country, USA for your ultimate summer weekend escape, you can choose a nearby hotel to stay in. The Days Inn Hotel is located next to Water Country and less than one mile from Busch Gardens. The rates are reasonable, and there is an outdoor pool and free parking. For more information about this hotel, see this.
What are some of the great attractions at these two parks?
Busch Gardens:
1. You have to check out the newest roller coaster at Busch Gardens- Griffon. Griffon takes you up 205 feet, adn then hurls you straight down at 90 degrees and 70 miles per hour! There are twists, turns, and more plunges during this ride. This ride promises to be another incredible roller coaster at the park!
2. Other roller coasters:
Alpengeist. This is the world’s tallest, most twisted inverted roller coaster. It reaches heights of 195 feet and at one point has a 175 foot drop! This roller coaster is in my top five roller coasters anywhere, and may be my favorite ever!
Apollo’s Chariot. This is another relatively new roller coaster, where you will experience moments of feeling weightless! You reach speeds of 75 miles per hour.
LochNess Monster. This was one of the first roller coasters at the park with loops that take you upside down. It still delivers quite the thrill and competes with some of the new roller coasters!
3. Curse of Darkastle. This is a multi-sensory experience. The ride has integrated theming and 3-d visuals that take you on a journey through the castle!
4. Escape from Pompeii. A great water ride in the park, but prepared to get drenched! You see the ancient ruins of Pompeii and then plummet down a huge hill with water at the bottom!
5. Kid-friendly attractions. Many kid-friendly rides can be found in this park. Some include a carousel, a railroad ride, and a smaller riverboat ride.
6. The countries. Each section of the park is themed with a European country. Some of these include France, Germany, Italy, and England. In each country, you will find food served native to the country, buildings in the style of the country, and attractions to boot. For instance, in England, you will find real Clydesdale horses! In Germany, you can experience the Oktoberfest, with German food and dancing. In Italy, you can dine in an Italian restaurant with Italian-style landscaping.
Water Country, USA:
1. The wave pool. The wave pool is just like being at the beach. There is an area to lay out in the sun, and then you walk into the water like at the ocean. Every few minutes, the waves start up and you feel like you’re at the ocean.
2. Hubba-Hubba. This is my favorite ride at Water Country, USA. It’s basically a lazy-river ride. You get in a tube and ride slowly around the river, dodging spraying water along the way. It’s incredibly relaxing and effortless…
3. Aquazoid. On this ride, you get on a four-person raft and zip through dark tunnels and waterfalls on your way to the splash pool at the bottom.
4. Big Daddy Falls. This attraction is a round-raft for up to four people. There is a series of twists and turns through flumes until you reach the end. Make sure you don’t mind having water hit over top of your head if you ride Big Daddy Falls. It’s almost impossible to avoid!
5. Jet Scream. This is your traditional water ride. You get on a single person innertube and ride down to the bottom, through many curves and turns at 25 miles per hour. It’s decently fast, and you are in the sun most of the time. I like being able to see where I’m going on water rides, so I choose this as a favorite.
6. Peppermint Twist. If you’re bold and not afraid of being inside a water ride in the dark, check out this ride. You are inside of a tube with water hitting you for a great part of this ride. It’s quite a thrill!
7. Island Quest dive show. The show features divers, acrobats and trampoline artists, and lasts for about 20 minutes.
