Despite its name, Busch Gardens Europe isn't in Europe. It's here in the United States, just down the road from historic Colonial Williamsburg, in Virginia. The park, originally called “Busch Gardens -- The Old Country” includes themed lands honoring England, Ireland, Germany, Italy and France.  

Busch Gardens' theme parks mix animal exhibits with family-friendly thrill rides in lush garden settings, and the Williamsburg park is consistently rated among the nation's most beautiful. The recent addition of several world-class roller coasters and 3-D rides has moved the park to the top of many online surveys, challenging the famous Central Florida theme parks.   

Busch also offers an adjacent water park, which requires a separate admission. But ticket packages are available, and many visitors include a trip to both the theme and water parks. And all of the above fit nicely with nearby Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown, Virginia Beach, Richmond and its James River plantations (see the entry for Colonial National Historical Park).

AGE APPROPRIATE 

Yes, the place is named for a brewery, and beer is available throughout the park. But the layout and lineup of attractions make it appropriate for all ages. 

TOO MUCH FUN 

Animals, roller coasters, musical shows, dark rides -- Busch Gardens offers a complete array of attractions for all types of theme park fans, from Disney veterans to dedicated coaster freaks. And it's all in one of the more beautiful settings for a theme park. There's a good reason the park has the word “Gardens” in its name. 

BEST ATTRACTION 

Griffon is the park's newest roller coaster, a floorless dive coaster that visitors ride in “flying chairs” mounted to the side of the track. The ride's highlight is a 200-foot straight-down drop that’s as close to free falling as you'll ever experience without a parachute.  

KEEP ’EM HAPPY 

Turn the kids loose in Land of the Dragons, a kids' play area with several rides, a three-story tree house, Ferris wheel, mini-flume and live show. 

TIMING IS EVERYTHING 

Busch Gardens is open from late March through October, daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. If you love Halloween, plan a weekend visit in October, when the park hosts “Howl-O-Scream,” with haunted mazes, live comedy/horror shows and ghouls scaring folks throughout the park. (It's not for the littlest kids, though.) 

AVOID THE CROWDS 

Buy your tickets online and arrive before the park opens to beat the crowds to the park's top rides.  

CAN’T MISS 

Curse of DarKastle is a wild 3D ride through a haunted Bavarian castle, with high-tech special effects. You ride on a golden sleigh that bucks, pitches and slides as you swoop through the castle on your adventure, all the while under the enchanted thrall of the mysterious King Ludwig.  

BARGAIN LODGING/DINING

INSIDE TRACK

Gardening enthusiasts have a chance to meet with and learn tips from Busch Gardens' landscaping experts during the park's annual Ready, Set, Grow! Festival in April.

-- Robert Niles , founder/editor of ThemeParkInsider.com