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For families seeking an ambitious driving vacation that’s a mix of old and new, Virginia is the place to go.
Like a group of long-ago pioneers, our family of four recently struck out for Williamsburg, Va. At a distance of more than 800 miles, the journey was an endurance contest, even with a van equipped with all the necessary electronics. How those early settlers survived their trips is anyone’s guess.
(Note: I won’t try to estimate travel hours for this article. As anyone traveling with children can testify, a high miles-per-hour speed is quickly mitigated by food and restroom stops.)
Williamsburg is a good central location to explore southwestern Virginia, as it’s about an hour away from Richmond and all its history and slightly more than an hour away from oceanfront Virginia Beach.
Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg, like Yorktown and Jamestown farther down Interstate 64, starts with history.
Encompassing 301 acres, the attraction, which is open 365 days a year, portrays 18th century Williamsburg on the eve of the American Revolution. Although two buses run frequently, it’s easy enough to walk around the grounds.
Colonial Williamsburg is more informational and observational than interactive. The historic points of interest with presenters can capture people’s attention. It was fascinating to have the lifestyles of the rich and famous come to life at the Governor’s Palace. But there wasn’t enough hands-on material to keep younger children involved (feeding the animals at Great Hopes Plantation only goes so far).
Also, do some planning; figure out what you want to see before you go. Not every exhibit is open at all times, so it’s easy to be disappointed. In addition, throughout the historic area are private homes not open to the public, as well as high-end shops, restaurants and lodging.
For more information, call (757) 220-7286, or visit www.ColonialWilliamsburg.com.
Busch Gardens
Virginia is also a modern place, with such theme parks as Busch Gardens Europe. Located on 100 acres, this seasonal adventure park is divided into six country-themed sections.
Busch is known for its roller coasters. Just added is the Griffon, the world’s tallest and first floorless dive coaster (we made the mistake of going on the day the Griffon opened and faced long lines for everything).
Busch is a thrill-ride-seeker’s dream. If you’re not into those, that quickly eliminates about 25 percent of the park. Still there are rides for children of all ages and at least nine main stage shows. In addition, there are distinctive restaurants, way too many shops and, of course, Clydesdales.
Again, get a map ahead of time and prioritize. Decide what’s worth the wait and what isn’t. Pack all the snacks and drinks you can carry to avoid as much as possible the exorbitant concession prices.
Affiliated with Busch Gardens is the 33-acre water park Water Country, which has a separate admission (two-park admission prices are available).
For more information, call (800) 343-7946, or visit www.buschgardens.com.
Other attractions
. There are two other historical sites of note in the area. Celebrating its 400th anniversary this year, Jamestown Settlement tells the story of America’s first English colony, established in 1607. Re-creations of the colonists’ fort, three ships and a Powhatan American Indian village depicts life in the early 1600s. The Yorktown Victory Center is a museum of the American Revolution which includes gallery exhibits that provide eyewitness accounts of that era.
. Open through Labor Day, Kings Dominion in Doswell offers more than 200 rides and attractions, including 12 roller coasters and the 305-foot Drop Zone Stunt Tower. Also included in the admission is the 19-acre WaterWorks water park. For more information, call (804) 876-5000, or visit www.kingsdominion.com.
. Virginia Air and Space Center, located in Hampton, covers the gamut in flight, from a replica of the 1930 Wright Flyer to a space shuttle landing simulator. The year-round center also houses a 3-D IMAX theater with a five-story screen. For more information, call (757) 727-0900.
. Virginia Zoo, in Norfolk, houses nearly 400 animals on a 53-acre site. A popular feature is The Compass Rose Plaza, featuring six fountains and a Kugel Ball. For more information, call (757) 441-2374, or visit www.virginiazoo.org.
. The year-round Virginia Marine Science Museum in Virginia Beach, features a 70,000-gallon sea turtle aquarium and a 300,000-gallon Norfolk Canyon, which houses sharks, stingrays and other large ocean dwellers. The Owls Creek Marsh Pavilion features river otters and an outdoor aviary. For more information, call (757) 425-3474, or visit www.vmsm.com.
If you go
The lengthy trip to Virginia is best broken up into two days, unless your children are exceedingly patient.
Pennsylvania’s Poconos region offers a number of family-friendly accommodations. Here are a couple of them.
Great Wolf Lodge
Located in Scotrun, just off I-80, this resort is a combination of resort and theme park.
Bear Track Landing, a 78,000-square-foot indoor water park, featured 11 waterslides and six pools. There’s also Fort McKenzie, a four-story interactive activity center.
For lodging, there are 10 different suite configurations. There are also daily activities planned, the musical Great Clock Tower, two in-house restaurants and a coffee shop.
For more information, call (800) 559-9653 or access www.greatwolflodge.com.
Split Rock Resort
Located off Route 940 in Lake Harmony, Split Rock offers something for everyone. In addition to the deer roaming the property, there are three restaurants, a coffee shop, a pizzeria, two bars, a nightclub, an ice cream parlor, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, indoor and outdoor tennis, a fitness center, a golf course, a bowling alley, a movie theater and a game room.
The condo units themselves offer many of the comforts of home, including a full kitchen, cable TV and a whirlpool tub.
For more information, call (800) 255-7625 or access www.splitrockresort.com.
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