Williamsburg has the reputation of being an ideal vacation spot for tourists from all over the country—with its beautiful scenery and colonial feel, it proves to be a prime historic vacation destination. Our little city and its surrounding areas have been ranked in the top ten tourism destinations in the state of Virginia by The Virginia Tourism Corporation 13 years in a row. Colonial Williamsburg alone is expected to entertain over one million guests this year. But as the tourists begin to crowd Dog Street and cram their way into Busch Gardens, locals oftentimes lose sight of the various activities that Williamsburg provides. This seems to be the annual conundrum for Williamsburg teenagers, who always seem to be asking, what can we do in Williamsburg this summer?

Williamsburg has the unique advantage of having various historical sites, a college, and two amusement parks all rolled into one area—proving to be a unique experience for locals and tourists. The summer activities in Williamsburg are exciting for people of all ages. However, for some locals, these activities become a bit monotonous, and they opt to travel elsewhere during their vacations. While this perspective might seem a bit spoiled to Williamsburg-loving tourists, it’s oftentimes true—even though Williamsburg has numerous exciting experiences to offer.

The most obvious destination for summer thrills in Williamsburg are Busch Gardens and Water Country. These two amusement parks provide locals with hours upon hours of fun between the exciting rides, the delicious food, and the beautiful scenery. And to maintain the interest of diehard amusement park fans, Busch Gardens and Water Country continue to add new attractions. Since 2012, Busch Gardens has added 3 new rollercoasters (Verbolten, Tempesto, and Invadr) and continues to expand its arsenal of attractions. These amusement parks are perfect places for Williamsburg teens to enjoy their summer vacations.

It wouldn’t seem fair to discuss Williamsburg without mentioning Colonial Williamsburg and its surrounding areas. There are numerous opportunities for summer escapades within the historic area, even without entering a single museum. Colonial Williamsburg’s gorgeous scenery provides the perfect spot to past the time with friends and family. Locals can walk, bike, or run the streets of the historic city, enjoying the fresh air—or the food. Colonial Williamsburg and the greater Williamsburg area is the home to numerous restaurants. For a fine dining experience, The Fat Canary, Chef’s Kitchen, and the Blue Talon are perfect options for anyone seeking high quality cusine. However, most teenagers aren’t looking to have a five-star meal on a summer day—and Williamsburg has restaurants for them as well. Most Williamsburg teens are aware of Retro’s Good Eats, Aroma’s Café, and Baskin Robbins Ice Cream, which are popular places to grab a quick bite to eat. In addition, Culture Café provides a unique variety of small plates, ranging from Chicken and Waffles to Moroccan Meatballs, with an eclectic setting filled to the brim with comfortable sofas and cozy chairs—a perfect spot for a Williamsburg local. And if for some reason a certain teen might be tired of Baskin Robbins’ 31 flavors, Kilwins is another prime ice cream option for teens looking to cool down from the blistering heat.

Prince George Street and its surrounding restaurants have an array of exciting summer events. The Blue Talon hosts a series of family friendly outdoor movies during the summer. Williamsburg locals have the opportunity to see their favorite films for free on Prince George Street while munching on popcorn and ice cream provided by The Blue Talon and Baskin Robbins respectively. Every Saturday, from 8 am to 12pm, Williamsburg hosts a farmer’s market in Merchant’s Square which showcases the best of Virginia agriculture and local cuisine. Additionally, every Second Sunday of the month, Williamsburg hosts an art festival where local artists display and sell their work to the delight of locals. Both the Farmers’ Market and Second Sunday Art include live music from local musicians—creating an unforgettable atmosphere.

Nature lovers aren’t left out when it comes to summer offerings. Jamestown beach is an excellent place to soak up the sun and relax with companions. Freedom Park offers numerous activities as well, including Go Ape, a high-flying zip line experience. And for adventurous teens, the famous rope swing at Lake Matoaka (a secret spot amongst the locals) is a perfect source for hours upon hours of summer fun.

The number of summer activities in Williamsburg continues to grow every year—each one more exciting than the last. Whether it be visiting the beach, walking the streets of Colonial Williamsburg at dusk with an ice cream cone in hand, or flying high above the world on Apollo’s Chariot at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg is the epitome of summer vacation—giving teenagers memories that will last a lifetime.