Get ready to Go Ape in Williamsburg, Virginia as this all-new attraction is set to open April 7 in Freedom Park.  If you’re wondering what exactly is Go Ape, read on to find out.

Go Ape is an interactive, eco-educational, treetop adventure course providing visitors with a unique outdoor experience.  With Go Ape, you’ll be treated to 2-3 hours of thrilling fun and exercise while you navigate more than 37 obstacles in the treetops, including Trapeze, Wobbly Ladder, Small U and Spider’s Web.  The course spans seven acres and features five zip lines, one of which is 600 feet long, two Tarzan swings, and a series of rope ladders, bridges, swings, and trapezes.

The uniqueness of the Go Ape course is elevated by their location in Freedom Park.  Visitors can explore the site of an 18th century cemetery, the Revolutionary War Battle of Spencer’s Ordinary and recreated cabins located on one of the nation’s earliest Free Black Settlements in America.  There are also two miles of hiking trails for Williamsburg visitors to explore as well as more than 20 miles of mountain biking trails.

Safety is top priority at Go Ape.  All participants receive a 30 minute training session before starting their canopy adventure.  Participants are also equipped with harnesses, pulleys and carabineers.  Plus, Go Ape caters to all skill levels and age groups.  Adults are $55; children 10-17 are $25.  For safety reasons, children under 10 are not allowed.

Only at the Virginia Living Museum can you see animals, plants, and other exhibits that encompass all of the state’s geographic regions. It’s not your usual “museum.” Explore indoor galleries like:

• Coastal Plain gallery
• Piedmont & Mountain gallery
• World of Darkness gallery
• Underground gallery
• Abbitt Planetarium

 Outdoor exhibits include:

• Coastal Plain Aviary
• Butterfly Garden
• Virginia Garden

The museum is also home to over 250 species of animals and plants that are all found in Virginia. Explore the numerous types of mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles that are found from the coastal regions to the mountains.

Visit the museum on Saturday, April 21 to help celebrate Earth Day. There will be special activities all day for both visitors and animals. Watch animals as they receive treats and toys. Visitors will be able to pick up gardening tips and ways to become more eco-friendly. Environmental organizations will have displays and information about conservation and you’ll be able to purchase green items from earth-friendly vendors. Other activities include:

• Crafts
• Eco-friendly giveaways
• Plants for sale
• Animal shows

The museum along with Goodwill and the Dell Reconnect Program will be collecting old items for recycling, including batteries, cell phones, sneakers, computers, and TVs.

The museum is open from 9-5 and the cost for non-VLM members is $17 for adults and $13 for children 3-12. The Virginia Living Museum is about 35 minutes from Williamsburg.

In 1607, a group of English explorers first landed on Jamestown Island and went on to establish the first permanent English settlement in North America. Jamestown was named after King James I of England and was founded on May 14. Now, 405 years later, we’re still remembering that historic event with Jamestown Day in Williamsburg, VA.

Historic Jamestowne and Jamestown Settlement will mark the anniversary on Saturday, May 12 with special entertainment and activities for the whole family. In addition to the normal activities, you’ll be able to enjoy:

• Military and maritime demonstrations
• Traditional music
• Storytelling
• Historic trades
• Archaeology site talks
• Children’s activities

Historic Jamestowne is the site of the first permanent English settlement in America. The site is jointly administered by the National Park Service and The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation on behalf of Preservation Virginia. While visiting Historic Jamestowne you’ll be able to:

• Watch archaeology in action at the 1607 James Fort excavation
• Tour the reconstructed Jamestown Memorial Church
• Take a walking tour through the New Towne area
• See costumed glass-blowers

The Jamestown Settlement pays homage to America’s first permanent English colony. See recreations of the colonists’ forts and ships, along with a replica Powhatan Indian Village.

Jamestown Day is jointly sponsored by Historic Jamestowne and Jamestown Settlement. The event is included in regular admission.

Historic Jamestowne – Adults $10, children under 16 free

Jamestown Settlement – Adults $15.50, ages 6-12 $7.25, children under 6 free

You can also purchase a Historic Triangle Pass for $78.25, which is good for seven consecutive days of unlimited admission to Jamestown Settlement, Historic Jamestowne, Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown Battlefield and the Yorktown Victory Center.

Glory at the Gardens

Busch Gardens Williamsburg is bringing back Glory at the Gardens this May and June. This event will feature different Gospel and contemporary Christian artists performing at the Royal Palace Theatre. The upbeat, Christian-inspired performances are great complements to the other family-friendly attractions at Busch Gardens. All concerts are free for park guests.

Line-up of performers:

• May 6:  Newsboys, Abandon & Anthem Lights
• May 20:  Kirk Franklin & Group 1 Crew
• June 10:  Chris Tomlin & The City Harmonic
• June 24:  Third Day & TBA

Busch Gardens Live

Also taking place at the Royal Palace Theatre will be the Live Concert Series, which features contemporary and rock artists.

Line-up of performers:

• May 13:  Cobra Starship
• June 3:  Hot Chelle Rae
• June 17:  Kellie Pickler
• August 26:  Victoria Justice

All concerts are free with Busch Gardens admission. While you’re at the park, don’t miss out on the new coaster, Verbolten, and all the great shows like Celtic Frye and Entwined.

Looking for an interesting experience that is less than 40 minutes from Williamsburg, VA?  You’ve found it with New Kent Winery, an impressive winery that boasts an old-world feel.  Hop in the car and make the short drive to New Kent Winery to see the picturesque vineyards and enjoy a wine tasting and tour.

The ambiance at New Kent Winery is a real highlight of any visit.  Built from reclaimed lumber and brick that is over a century old, the winery hearkens a time when wine making was common in Virginia.  The warm and inviting structure is equipped with state-of-the-art wine making equipment, as well as a tasting room for sampling their unique wines.  Their wine has been so well received it won the 2011 Virginia Governors Cup for white wine.  Of course, they excel at creating aromatic and palate-pleasing wines like Merlot as well as Norton and Bordeaux blends.  Plus, the tasting room at the winery is exquisite.  Overlooking the estate’s vineyards, the room also has an expansive porch where visitors are invited to sip and relax.

The tour, which is available Tuesday through Sunday from 10am-5pm, gives guests an overview of the stunning craftsmanship of New Kent Winery as well as an inside look at their wine making process.   The tour and tasting fee is only $8 and includes a New Kent Winery etched souvenir glass, a tasting of all wines in current productions and wine crackers to cleanse your palate.  If you prefer to skip the tour and only participate in the wine tasting, the fee is $5. 

What you need to know before you go: Centrally located between Colonial Williamsburg and Richmond, the New Kent Winery is exceptionally accessible to anyone traveling in central Virginia or eastern Virginia.  The winery is closed on Mondays. 

GPS Address: 8400 Old Church Road, New Kent, Virginia 23124

Jamestown Settlement, located in Williamsburg, Virginia, is part of the historic triangle that has made this area a famous historic destination. Stepping into the past is easy at Jamestown as the attraction is dedicated to telling the story of the people who founded Jamestown and of the Virginia Indians they encountered. Film, gallery exhibits and living history are part of the immersive environment you’ll experience at our nation’s first permanent English colony.

Re-creations of the three ships that brought America’s first permanent English colonists to Virginia in 1607 are on exhibit at Jamestown Settlement.  The Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery are moored at Jamestown Settlement’s pier for visitors to explore. Visitors can learn about the four-and-a-half-month voyage from England and take part in periodic demonstrations of 17th-century piloting and navigation.  There is also a recreation of the James Fort and Settlement, where living history interpretors demonstrate a variety of crafts and skills, as well as a recreated Powhatan Village where you can learn about the world of Pocahontas.

Destination Specialist Ashley in front of the Susan Constant.

Godspeed

Discovery

A closer look at the Godspeed.

James Fort, a re-created interpretation of the settlement from 1610-1614.

One of the many settlement buildings at Jamestown.  You can tour the buildings at your leisure.

Living history interpretors work at buildings like these and demonstrate the use of 17th century style tools.

At the Powhatan Village you'll see firsthand how the Powhatan's lived, including shelters that kept them warm and the food that sustained them.

The Jamestown Settlement Museum, home to films, galleries and exhibits. 

April is a great time to visit Williamsburg, VA. The daily temperature hovers around 70 degrees and there are plenty of things to do. You might notice larger crowds visiting for Spring Break, but you’ll miss the heavy traffic of the summer tourism season. Busch Gardens Williamsburg is open every day April 1-15, then Friday-Sunday for the rest of the month.

Here are the Williamsburg events for April:

April 1-22: RevQuest: Sign of the Rhinoceros

Save the revolution in this alternate reality game. Best for ages 8 and up, decipher clues and search Historic Williamsburg to solve the mystery. Play the game for free with a Colonial Williamsburg admission ticket.

April 7: Piggy Cottontail & The Great Egg Hunt at Boykin's Tavern Museum

Children 12 and under can enjoy an Easter egg hunt at Boykin’s Tavern. Crafts and photo opportunities with Piggy Cottontail will be available, as well. Reservations required. Call 757-365-9771 for more details.

April 14-15: Artillery Through the Ages

See reenactment artillery units during the 150th anniversary of Yorktown’s role in the 1862 Civil War Peninsula campaign. Artillery will be represented from the past three centuries.

April 20-22: Ready, Set, Grow! at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Get gardening and landscaping tips from the experts at Ready, Set, Grow. Learn how the Busch Gardens landscapers plan and maintain the park. Attend workshops and demonstrations to pick up pointers for your home.

April 21-29: National Park Week

Enjoy free park admission to all National parks throughout the country, including Colonial National Historical Park.

April 21-22, 28-29: Ramp Jam at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Ramp Jam is part of the ASA Action Sports World Tour. See some of the best extreme sports athletes in the world, including skateboarders, BMX riders, and in-line skaters. Riders will perform stunts on the X-Games’ traveling half pipe and will meet with fans between performances. Event takes place at Festhaus Park. 

April 27-28: Pirates Invade Yorktown

Discover what seafaring life was like in the 17^th and 18^th centuries with live performances, educational activities, and demonstrations by pirates. Cost is free and takes place at the Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown.

April 27-29: Colonial Spring Folk Art & Fine Artisan Show

Visit Shirley Plantation during Historic Garden Week to see artisans and craftsmen from around the world display their crafts. Hand-blown glass, custom jewelry, antiques, chalkware, and floorcloths are just some of the goods that will be available. Admission: adults $11; seniors $10; kids 6-18 $7.50; under 6 free.

Williamsburg, Virginia has been named one of the Best United States Historic Destinations.  The distinction recognizes Williamsburg connection to America’s history and highlights attractions like Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown Battlefield and Jamestown as the cornerstones of a historic visit.  Moreover, Williamsburg was ranked as No. 2 on the list, falling only behind Philadelphia, as the Best U.S. Historic Destination.

Curious as to what makes Williamsburg a top historic vacation destination?  Visitors say it’s the way the town breathes life into history, with the best example being Colonial Williamsburg.  This living history museum features over 300 acres of restored and reconstructed buildings, through which costumed interpreters and interactive shows take guests back to the time of the Revolutionary War.  The immersive environment is a unique experience, from the 18th century dining establishments to the programs reenacting pivotal moments in our nation’s history.

America’s Historic Triangle, as the destination is fondly referred to, allows visitors to get even closer to history with full access to Jamestown Settlement, America’s first permanent English colony, as well as Yorktown Battlefield, the site of the final battle of the American Revolutionary War. 

Williamsburg’s appeal also lies in the fact visitors can discover America’s past while enjoying the present.  Modern day fun can be found at Busch Gardens and Water Country USA.  Busch Gardens is a nice contrast to the entertaining and education history available as it is all European-themed.  It really feels like visiting two destinations in one.