Memorial Day Weekend is right around the corner, bringing warm weather and the unofficial start of summer to theme parks within driving distance of Alexandria. Here's a look at some summer fun coming your way!
Hershey Park: Three hours from Alexandria
Photo courtesy of Hersheypark
Visitors stroll in Hersheypark with some of the "sweet" mascots!
ENJOY THRILLING COASTERS AND FAMILY RIDES AT HERSHEYPARK : OPEN DAILY MAY 22
Another exciting summer season of Hersheypark Happy is here! Open for daily operations beginning May 22, guests of all ages can make sweet memories by checking out all the fun the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania has to offer.
Home to 15 coasters (the most in the Northeast), more than 20 kid-friendly rides and a larger-than-life water park, Hersheypark has something for everyone in the family to enjoy. Several fan-favorite rides celebrate milestone anniversaries in 2025, such as Kissing Tower, Lightning Racer and Candymonium! Thrill seekers can look forward to the opening of the all-new Twizzlers Twisted Gravity Screamin' Swing, set to debut this summer as the tallest ride of its kind in the world.
Hersheypark tickets include three parks in one: A 121-acre amusement park with an iconic ride collection, an 11-acre water park with one million gallons of water and animals native to our continent at ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park.
Hersheypark guests can only access the Zoo from the bridge inside Hersheypark during posted Park hours. Great ticket deals are available online now, including the return of the Summer Fun Card, which features unlimited visits from the date of purchase through Sept. 7 for just $99 plus taxes and fees.
Kings Dominion: Two-hour drive from Alexandria
Image courtesy of King's Dominion
King's Dominion is celebrating its 50th anniversary!
There's so much NEW to experience during Kings Dominion's 50th Anniversary season! With a birthday as big as this one - there’s bound to be presents! Take a walk in the park with us and check out some of the exciting enhancements this season.
King's Dominion Celebrates 50 Years: A Golden Summerbration
Now starting May 24, A Golden Summerbration is going to be the party of the summer! This means adding live entertainment like the return of their Clown Band and a new nighttime spectacle Light the Night, along with other special enhancements to iconic park buildings, special food and beverage items, once-in-a-lifetime merchandise and other enhancements to buildings and rides throughout the park. The entertainment lineup features:
- Light the Night – Starts May 24 - Join the celebration of their 50th anniversary and experience Light the Night — a daily dazzling new visual spectacle illuminating International Street.
- Clown Band – Starts May 24 - The park comes alive with interactive entertainment starring the beloved Clown Band and their zany high jinks.
- Prism: 50 Years of FUN Presented by Bomb Pop Extremes – June 13 - July 6 - Bursting with vibrant color and mesmerizing visuals, this all-ages celebration at the Kings Dominion Theater is a can't-miss laser show that will leave your family in awe.
- 50 Years of FUN Street Party – Starts June 13 - Partake in the celebration where the whole family can join in on the fun featuring a new original song, "Right Here! Right Now!".
- Gazillion Bubble Show – July 12 - August 3 - Let your inner child run wild as world-class bubble artists deliver a dazzling display of soapy wonder and jaw-dropping stage magic. It’s a one-of-a-kind show in the Kings Dominion Theater that will leave you amazed and uplifted.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg: About a two-hour drive from Alexandria.
Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens theme park in Williamsburg
Fine Arts, Fantastic Food & First-Class Thrills
Stayed tuned for 2025 info!
Immerse yourself in the wonder of art, music, culinary delights and world-class thrills during the All-NEW Busch Gardens® Summer of Wonder from June 14 – August 11.
Experience the world’s most beautiful theme park like never before as local artists showcase awe-inspiring art installations and murals throughout each of the park’s European villages.
The fun continues with live concerts every Saturday featuring headlining artists like Flo Rida, Bret Michaels, We the Kingdom, and more.
Drop in for daytime thrills on ten record-breaking coasters, including the NEWLY REIMAGINED Loch Ness Monster®: The Legend Lives On, North America’s first and only remaining interlocking-loop roller coaster.
Then, keep cool at award-winning indoor shows like Celtic Fyre® and the returning favorite, American Jukebox: Summer Remix.
Treat yourself to specially curated menu offerings exclusively available this summer and insatiable sounds found at the Coke Studio Sound Stage DJ presented by Coca-Cola® every night. Plus, FREE beer for Members and 50¢ beer for all guests!*
Spectacular fireworks cap off the evening at this one-of-a-kind celebration. Come early and stay late at Busch Gardens Summer of Wonder daily from June 14 – August 11.
