Ways to Stay Cool this Summer

As the temperatures start to rise, here are a few ways you and the whole family will be entertained and find ways to stay cool this summer in Williamsburg! From kid-friendly park rides to sightseeing cruises and fresh-air shoreline swims, your options are many — and the memories are just waiting to be made!

Visit VA’s Largest Water Park

If there’s one thing Williamsburg does very well, it’s rides. We’d recommend taking the 5-minute drive to Water Country USA, the 43-acre water park that’s home to thrilling rides, including the park’s latest debut: Aquazoid Amped. Starting May 27, plunge down 864 feet of fully enclosed twisting tube with sudden splashes at 20 feet per second! This tricked-out raft ride has an all-new special effects show with dynamic lighting effects and a pulse-pounding soundtrack. Plus, the ALL-NEW Lil’ Surfers Splash Pad & NEW Surfer’s Bay Bar are opening this June, so it’s going to be a season to remember.

There are rides of all thrill levels at Water Country USA! You can also try out Big Daddy Falls, a medium-thrill whitewater rafting adventure, or Vanishing Point, a high-drop slide that will give you the adrenaline rush of your life, or Malibu Pipeline, another medium-thrill ride with twists, turns and drops. Try them all, and see if you can get through the day without feeling the delicious rush of adrenaline. (You can’t.)

Sail the River

How do you make the most of longer, warmer days? Take in the sight of beautiful Virginia from the breezy vantage point of the York and James Rivers! Bring the whole family to the Yorktown Waterfront for an unforgettable sightseeing cruise with Yorktown Sailing Charters. A schooner takes you through surrounding waterways past historic sites like the Yorktown Battlefield and Victory Monument. The kids will love everything about this experience, especially since they’re encouraged to help steer and assist the pirate costume-adorned crew to fire the cannon!

If you’re interested in a more laid-back experience, try a cruise with Jamestown Discovery Boat Tours, where you’ll tour the James River and learn about its amazing history. Williamsburg Charter Sails also has exciting daily charters and lessons along the lovely York River.

Take a Dip

If there’s one thing all kids have in common, it’s a deep appreciation of a good summer swim, whether it’s in a pool, a lake, a river or an ocean. King’s Creek has three beautiful outdoor pool complexes for owners and guests located in our Cottages, Townes and Estates neighborhoods. Live it up with spacious decks, kiddie pools, hot tubs, fluffy towels and access to our beautiful locker rooms!

If you’re looking to venture beyond home base, pack everyone up and hop in the car. A quick 15-minute ride will take you to Yorktown Beach, a gorgeous two-acre stretch of sand along the scenic Yorktown River that includes a fishing pier and grassy areas to enjoy a picnic lunch! You’ll also have access to great dining, shopping and concert performances at Riverwalk Landing.

Sightsee

Williamsburg’s unique geography includes beautiful blueways, or water trails, that are waiting to be explored. Waller Mill Park rents out rowboats, canoes and pedal boats, and you can borrow canoes, kayaks and paddleboards from the facilities at Chickahominy Riverfront Park.

If you’d prefer to go on an ecological adventure with a knowledgeable guide, Bay Country Kayaking offers eco tours of the area’s tidal wetlands near Colonial Williamsburg at New Quarter Park. This is a truly unique experience that combines the joy of being on the water with the thrill of learning something new!

We hope you enjoy these ways to stay cool this summer! Don’t forget to bring plenty of sunblock, because it looks like your summer at King’s Creek is going to be jam-packed with outdoor fun for the whole family!