Family Spring Break in Virginia
Vacation at Virginia Beach or Williamsburg, or Combine Both!
Take your family spring break vacation in Virginia at the beach, or visit exciting Busch Gardens and Colonial Williamsburg. Better yet, split your time in both locales.
The state of Virgina offers plenty to do on a family spring break vacation. After all, it's got loads of interactive historic attractions, since its history dates back 400 years to the original Jamestown settlement. And because the state is on the Atlantic coast, it boasts miles and miles of shoreline.
But for vacationing families in March, when kids typically get spring break vacations from school, two particular locations stand out: Virginia Beach and Williamsburg. Here's why:
As you'd guess from its name, this coastal city is all about the beach. The local tourism department's slogan is, in fact, "Live the Beach Life!" With 35 miles of waterfront property, Virgina Beach has long been known as a family-friendly "classic American beach vacation" spot. While air temperatures may be a bit chilly in late March -- about 60 degrees Fahrenheit -- that shouldn't stop you from building sandcastles on the beach and dipping your toes in the Atlantic. You'll have plenty of room to do that--the main stretch of beach is 300 feet wide!
Another fun way families can spend their time in Virgina Beach is along the oceanfront boardwalk, a 28-foot-wide concrete path that winds its way three miles along the beach. A distinct foot path makes it ideal for strolling, running, rollerblading and biking.
In March, visiting families can go on a whale-watching cruise with the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, where you'll learn why the amazing, mammoth creatures swim so close to the Virginia shores, and what's being done to protect them. At the Virginia Aquarium, get up close and personal with harbor seals, sharks and sea turtles.
Other family-friendly attractions that are open in the spring include an indoor rock-climbing gym, kids' cooking classes and laser tag.
A little more than an hour's drive northwest, and you'll find historic Williamsburg, another family-friendly destination. Since it's so close to Virginia Beach, if you have a rental car (or live within driving distance) combining a beach destination and a visit to Williamsburg (part of the "Historic Triangle": Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown) makes an ideal itinerary for a family spring break vacation.
Perhaps the most well known attraction in Williamsburg is Colonial Williamsburg, the country's largest living history museum. Open year round, it encompasses 301 acres, including some 500 buildings, homes, stores and taverns reconstructed and restored to their 18th-century appearances. Character actors and tradesmen in period dress teach visitors about what life was like in the 1700s (i.e. your children get an important American history lesson and they don't even know it!) A live-action drama called Revolution City is held daily from mid-March.
To learn more about the area's rich past, visit still more living history museums that are close by and connected via the Colonial Parkway: Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center. Plus, there are two national park sites, Historic Jamestowne and Yorktown National Battlefield.
Interestingly, the mega theme park in Williamsburg doesn't focus on U.S. history; instead, it's European themed. Busch Gardens Europe features thrilling rides (such as the Griffon coaster, set in a "French village," which hurtles riders straight down at 90 degrees) and international shows (like Irish step dancers). Sections of the park, all which house various rides, shows and kids' attractions, include Festa Italia; Reinfeld, Germany; and Da Vinci's Garden of Inventors. The park opens for the season March 21, 2008.
Want more family spring break vacation ideas? Check out these options in California and Florida. Also see Family Beach Vacation Packing List.
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