Author: Stan Deatherage | Published: December 30th, 2009

If You Love Roller Coasters, Make Busch Gardens a Summer Destination

    Almost everyone loves Disney World. I do, my wife does, and my children do. While my children and I still love the Disney experience, but we also love roller coasters, and there are no better assemblage of these rides in the South that are equal to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia. Busch Gardens is located on the south side US Hwy 60 North from Newport News where it is easily seen from the Highway as one drives toward Richmond or Norfolk. One cannot miss the Apollo's Chariot, which stands over 200 feet above the rolling Virginia Hills. One can easily see how one can see the James River, nearly two miles south, winding southeast toward the Norfolk Harbor.

    Busch Gardens is certainly not the only reason to visit one of the United States oldest cities, and, definitely, most important in a Colonial sense, but, along with its first cousin water country, it is the area's biggest draw. It began many years ago, when Busch Gardens began as a tour of the Brewery (when they‘d offer one up to 6 cups of beer), still next to park, with the park having a plethora of shows that featured a European theme, many small, but fun rides such as the Le Scoot Log Flume ride and one prominent roller coaster - the Loch Ness Monster. The "Monster" is still there, but joining the "Nessie" is The Big bad Wolf, Alpengeist, Apollo's Chariot and Griffon.


    The Loch Ness Monster (above) is fast and furious, but pales in both speed and thrills to the later, larger and more dynamic coasters: Alpengeist, Apollo's Chariot, Griffon.


    The Alpengeist features floorless rows of seats that give the riders the view of a blue sky or a starlit night when it corkscrews: above. Busch Gardens and their parent company; was Anheuser Busch, now it is Anheuser Busch InBev, has always taken a keen interest in wildlife preservation and keeps a preserve for eagles, grey wolves and other endangered animals.


    The Animal Preserve has traditionally taken in animals, especially birds of prey, that have been injured in the wild, and often at the hands of Man. The preserve is located between the Scottish Sector / Pavilions and the French Sector / Pavilions. Within the Animal Preserve, there is Eagle Ridge and Wolf Valley, and a open theater, Pet Shenanigans, that has pet acts that are somewhat humorous and fun for the whole family. Flying Parrots, Macaws, and other mynah birds make up the cast of characters in the Pet Shenanigans.

    When we are paying guests at the theme park, we always visit the pet shows, including the feeding of the bald eagles by the keepers. We enjoy the pet tricks, when they feed the long legged grey wolves. Even wild canines will turn a trick if they are hungry enough. Along the walk to the French sector near the monorail, that takes folks to tour the brewery (no beer samples now), there is an aviary with a vast assortment of birds. Bird watching is fun, but these birds are friendly to the point of walking all over our upper extremities.
    
    A short time before one enjoys their visit with their "fine feathered friends," one should stop into the local Irish pub for a pint of ale and, or take in the Irish dance show, Emerald Beat (similar to "River Dance" just smaller in scale) at the Abbey Stone Theater. Irish dancing is a high energy flailing of the feet and you might even catch the lilt of an Irish tenor or two.

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    Article provided courtesy of our sister site: Better Travelers Now.

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