Busch Gardens Williamsburg opened in 1975 as Busch Gardens: The Old Country, switching to its current name in 1992 before a brief change to Busch Gardens Europe from 2006-08. With lands themed to several nations in western Europe, the park is moving to year-round operation in 2021.
Looking for discount tickets? Busch Gardens Williamsburg tickets
Our recommendations below come from our annual survey of Theme Park Insider newsletter subscribers. Locations with star ratings ★ ranked especially highly among our readers. Click here to subscribe to our free, twice-weekly email of theme park news and to participate in the next ranking survey.
Certain locations may not be available due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The new coaster for 2021 at Busch Gardens Williamsburg will be Pantheon, a 3,328-foot Intamin blitz coaster that will America's fastest multi-launch coaster when it debuts, featuring four launches, two inversions, a maximum height of 180 feet, a 95-degree drop, and a top speed of 72 mph.
Ranking
In addition to these "grown-up" coasters, Busch Gardens Williamsburg offers Grover's Alpine Express, a Zierer Force coaster in the Sesame Street Forest of Fun children's land.
Other notable attractions include Escape from Pompeii, a shoot-the-chutes flume ride; Le Scoot Log Flume, the Mach Tower drop ride, the Rhine River boat ride, and Finnegan's Flyer, a Screamin' Swing with a height of 80 feet and speed of 45 mph.
Our top recommended show at Busch Gardens Williamsburg is Celtic Fyre ★ ★, a celebration of Irish music, dance, and culture.
Top recommendations
Busch Gardens Williamsburg is located off Interstate 64, about five miles south of Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.