Animal experiences like seeing horses make Busch Gardens Williamsburg theme park a great experience for the whole family
Busch Gardens

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If you’re trying to decide what the best things to do at Busch Gardens Williamsburg are, you might think of some of the thrilling roller coasters in the park. The shows and the special events (like Howl o Scream and Christmas Town) might come to mind, too.

But did you know that Busch Gardens also offers some unforgettable tours?

We’re going to go over the different tours you can take at the park. And then we’ll let you know how to purchase one of these tours – and how you can save money both on the tours and on discount tickets!

Clydes & Collies Animal Tour

This is one of two special animal tours currently being offered at Busch Gardens. You’ll get to see the Clydesdales and Border Collies at Highland Stables up-close. And you’ll learn how these animals are trained.

This tour is recommended for guests ages 6 and up. And if a guest is younger than 14, they must be accompanied by a supervising companion who is 14 years of age or older.

Please note that loose jewelry, sunglasses and smoking are not allowed on the tour.

Howl to Coexist: An Inside Look

Animal lovers should also consider this tour, which is centered around the wolves at Busch Gardens. You’ll learn about how to care for the wolves. And you’ll even get to assist in a feeding.

Guests who are younger than 14 years old must also have a supervising guest on the tour who is at least 14 years old.

And like with the Clydes & Collies Animal Tour, loose jewelry, sunglasses and smoking are not permitted.

Roller Coaster Insider Tour

If you love thrill rides and want to learn more about how they work, you should take this Roller Coaster Insider Tour!

You’ll get to see control rooms, maintenance areas, and behind the scenes at the Verbolten special effects building. And you’ll also get an early ride time. You’ll need to arrive at 8:15 AM at the Employee/Delivery Entrance, as the tour will start right at 8:30 AM.

Guests must be at least 6 years old, and will need to meet all safety and height requirements in order to ride. Those who are younger than 14 years of age will need a supervising companion who is 14+ years of age. Closed toe shoes are required. And no sunglasses, loose jewelry or smoking allowed.

Railroad Steam Engine Tour

This tour is perfect for those of us who love trains!

Guests will hop aboard a steam engine, learn how they work, and even pull the steam whistle. (For guests younger than 5 years old, they’ll be viewing the engineers from the ground only.)

Fifteen minutes before your tour is scheduled to start, you’ll need to check in with photo ID and your reservation confirmation. You can do this at the Education & Tours building located in England.

Children ages 13 years old and younger will need a supervising companion who is at least 14 years old. Closed toe shoes are recommended, and smoking is not allowed.

Family Fun Tour

This 2 and a half hour tour is a great idea if you have younger children in your group. You’ll get priority access to family rides at the Sesame Street Forest of Fun. (Guests must meet all height and safety requirements.) Also, you can enjoy a Sesame Street Character Meet & Greet. And you’ll be able to get a close-up look at the Clydesdales, Barn Owls & Railroad Steam Engine Trains at Busch Gardens.

The tour also includes a free PhotoKey with pictures from your experience.

Any guest who is younger than 14 years old will need a supervising companion who is at least 14 years old. Guests may not wear loose jewelry or sunglasses, and they cannot smoke.

For this Family Fun Tour, you’ll check in at the Education & Tours building located in England at 10:45 AM. Make sure to bring a photo ID and your reservation confirmation. The tour will begin right at 11:00 AM.

Elite VIP Tour

If you want an extra special day at Busch Gardens that’s planned for you by experts, consider this Elite VIP Tour. It requires a minimum of 2 people and includes a brief pre-visit consultation by a park tour guide (to help them plan your day). Some of the things this VIP tour includes are:

  • Meals and snacks
  • Reserved show seating
  • Priority access to all attractions
  • 2 Special Experiences
  • Photo Memory Card
  • Preferred Parking

Busch Gardens Discounts on Tours & Tickets

To take one of these Busch Gardens tours, you’ll need both to pay for the tour as well as a park ticket. Luckily, we have ways you can save money on both!

Tour Discount

If you’d like to go on one or some of these fun tours, click here.

And you can save money with a discount if you get a membership to Busch Gardens Williamsburg. This is a great option if you plan on visiting the park on a couple of different trips during a 12 month period. That’s because a membership gives you 12 months of admission to Busch Gardens Williamsburg. A one park basic membership currently costs less than the total of two 1 day tickets. You can purchase a membership here.

Discount Tickets

Even if you don’t plan on getting a membership, you can still save money on your theme park tickets. Click here to save up to 25% on tickets.