Virginia's Largest Water Park Is Perfect For A Family-Friendly Day Trip Full Of Summer Fun

As you soak up the rest of the summer, going to a waterpark can be a great way to beat the heat. Located in Williamsburg, Virginia,  under an hour's drive from both Richmond and Virginia Beach, Water Country USA is the largest water park in the state. And, featuring water slides and attractions designed for all ages, it's a great spot for a full day of family-friendly fun.

Open every day from 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., or 8 p.m. on the weekends, starting in late May to early September, Water Country USA is full of thrills. If you're planning on visiting the park, we recommend planning for a full-day stint to make the most of the day since tickets run around $50 per person — including kids ages three and up. That said, the price can vary based on special deals or and dates. At the time of writing, the price of a single day ticket ranged from $52.99 on weekdays, and up to $69.99 on certain weekends. Beyond that, there are also several ticket options, including whether you want to select an exact date or a ticket you can use any day through September 1.

When planning your trip to Water Country USA, it's worth noting that the park doesn't want guests to stress about weather, and their "Weather-or-Not Assurance" program is designed to reimburse your park ticket cost if extreme weather impacts your experience. That said, the park does state that it's open rain or shine, and it also has very specific requirements regarding what is eligible for reimbursement — so keep that in mind! 

Ranked as one of the best water parks to visit across the U.S., your family will have to think about where they want to start checking off water attractions. One of the newest rides available is High Tide Harbor, which just opened up this year. A multi-level water play structure with over 100 interactive water features,  it's designed for the whole family to explore together — going down slides, using water tippers, and just exploring everything the new play structure has to offer.

Then, of course, there are also several water slides to choose from. Water Country USA currently boasts 10 open water slides, providing options from kiddie slides to water slides for the whole family, and rides for older kids to get their adrenaline flowing as they race each other down. As the state's largest water park, the options are endless to balance the family's desires — whether that's to fill the day with as many runs down the water slides or to relax and play in the pool.

Aside from the water slides, there is also a wave pool, lazy river, and a splash pad for the little ones. The wave pool is a great spot for some bodysurfing, especially since the waves start crashing every ten minutes allowing for non-stop fun playing in the waves. Meanwhile, the Hubba Hubba Highway has 1,500 feet of lazy river fun. That said, the website touts that it's not necessarily "lazy" because there are geysers, spraying water, and coconuts that drop water for more interactive fun as you go down the free-floating river. Lastly, for your little ones to cool off, the new Lil Surfers' Splash Pad has spray cannons and slides they can enjoy.

When it comes to food, you and your family are at the mercy of the dining options at Water Country USA. This is because outside food is not allowed inside the park. However, guests are allowed to bring their own reusable water bottles, which will help save you money on having to buy water once you're inside the park.

Additionally, depending on how much your family plans to eat throughout the day, you might also benefit from their all-day dining deals. These allow you to get one entree, a non-alcoholic drink, and a side or dessert every 1.5 hours for around $35-40 for either children or adults. Beyond that, there is also a free app you can download before your visit, which you can use to purchase any add-ons, mobile food ordering, or to check out the park's interactive map.

While we're on the topic of tech, it's important to remember that, as part of Busch Gardens, your cash will be useless at Water Country USA. As a result, you'll either have to use a credit or debit card as normal, Apple Pay, or set up a Quick Pay Cashless Wristband when you get there. Don't worry, though: the wristband is waterproof, which means you can wear it all day and not worry about having a credit card on you while exploring the park. Alternatively, for families looking to save even more, there are plenty of more budget-friendly water parks in America that offer large-scale thrills for lower prices.