Water Country USA

This year we sprang for the Busch Gardens/Water Country Summer Fun passes because they paid for themselves in two visits!

It's a three hour drive from Raleigh, but definitely a doable day trip for the ages and stages of my kids.

We pack and prep the night before so we can wake up and jump in the car, with the goal of being there when it opens.

Food in the parks is pricey, but their refillable water bottle/cup deals are great. You can buy one cup and use it at both parks AND year after year. For only $10/day we got unlimited refills which made it much more affordable. We also pack food and bring a cooler to keep costs down because I'd much rather spend fun money on more adventures.

We made a makeshift changing area with a portable clothes line and the best quick drying towels so that we could change in the car without having to lug our clothes back inside.

The grand finale of any trip to Williamsburg is always Sno-to-go!

And ice cream always tastes better with besties!