My biggest joy while travelling across the States, beyond experiencing a dude ranch daily life, was visiting Williamsburg, Virginia, also known as Colonial Williamsburg.
Williamsburg was the capital of Virginia during the American Revolution. Today, it is the world’s largest history museum town, offering visitors a stunning and touching complete immersion into 18th-century Virginia.
A bit of history
Named in honour of the King of England, William III, Williamsburg was the capital of the Crown’s most important colony, Virginia. It was essential during the whole process of American independence.
However, in 1780, Thomas Jefferson moved the local government to Richmond, and the town was partially abandoned, becoming a quiet and pretty countryside area.
1926, following Reverend Goodwin’s passion, Rockefeller Jr. planned and financed the restoration of the historic area, creating the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation to preserve the city and develop its educational goal.
Visiting Colonial Williamsburg
The Historic Area is the heart of Williamsburg. It is dotted by hundreds of restored original 18th-century buildings, from public historical buildings to private unique houses to shops and taverns. Then, horses and carriages, traditional gardens and plantations, and passionate volunteers dressed in inaccurate historical costumes. Magic. To me, this is pure magic.
I took hundreds of pictures and spent hours talking with each person willing to tell me the long history and the small, peculiar local stories, learning from each artisan and shopkeeper.
What struck me and intrigued me most in Colonial Williamsburg? The wig maker shop!
Anyway, it’s time to give you some valuable and practical info to plan your visit.
Admission to the Historic Area
Colonial Williamsburg grounds and buildings are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and shops’ schedules might change according to the season.
Strolling around town and entering shops and restaurants is free, but I recommend getting the pass to access all the historical buildings and experience the local history.
The single-day pass costs $44.99, and the three-day pass costs $54.99. You can get them at the Visitor Center or avoid queuing, even online. If you stay in one of the accommodations the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation runs, you get a discount!
I enjoyed the walk from the Visitor Center to the Historic Area. Of course, the free shuttle is quicker, but the walk is a nice one and offers plenty of historical information all along the path, preparing you for this fantastic trip into the past!
Historical buildings
I told you there are plenty of buildings and houses to visit in Williamsburg, but I have my favourites.
The Governor’s Palace, the seat of British authority in Virginia, is stunning, as the Capitol, the seat of colonial power, where the independence vote took place on May 15, 1776, and where the first Declaration of Human Rights was promoted and signed by Thomas Jefferson on June 12.
The Raleigh Tavern, a meeting room of local patriots planning independence strategies, is a very cool place. I recommend you take the time to fully absorb its atmosphere and all the details—the same thing in George Wythe House, the private home of Thomas Jefferson’s teacher.
A touching visit is to Peyton Randolph’s home, where you can observe a wealthy family’s daily routine and lifestyle and their slaves. The same applies when visiting the hospital or stopping by the Indian delegation.
More on the happy side, I loved the printing office and the bindery (!), where I got some beautiful papers and a handbook. I also loved the tailor, the wigmaker, and the shoemaker, where I spent almost a whole afternoon learning everything about fashion trends in the 18th century.
I also loved the James Geddy House and Foundry, the carpenter’s yard, the apothecary with all the tiny and big colonial medicine pots, the super exciting information regarding ancient surgery, and the Courthouse, where you engage in trials and passionate discussions.
I also recommend a hot chocolate cup at R. Charleton’s Coffeehouse! Prepared and served the ancient way, it’s a blessing.
There are many more buildings and trades to see, and I really enjoyed them all, at different levels, but I stayed there for two days. If you have less time in town, getting the map at the Visitor Center and planning your itinerary to see what you prefer is better.
You might also visit the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum.
Guided tours and events
Daylight walking tours are planned in the morning and afternoon, and I heartily recommend taking at least one. Well, not “at least one.” I recommend the Behind the Scenes one.
Carriage rides are also very cool; you can book and pay for them at the Lumber House or the William Pitt Store. If you have a day pass or stay in one of the Foundation accommodations, you get a $5 discount.
If you stay overnight, I recommend checking the evening program of tours and events and booking the one or those you prefer ahead of time! I attended a witch trial and visited shops at night with the Lantern Trade Tour.
Another exciting way to see a different side of Colonial Williamsburg is to go on a Williamsburg ghost tour. They run every night and take you to Colonial Williamsburg’s spookiest, most haunted locations.
Sleeping in Williamsburg
As mentioned before, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation runs several hotels and lodges in and around the Historic Area, and I booked with them—but in an authentic colonial house!
I stayed at The Orlando Jones Kitchen, a tiny two-floor house with a lovely sitting room with a fireplace and room and bathroom on the top floor.
It was costly, at least to me, but worth it! I wanted to experience total immersion, and the accommodation provided it.
There are also cheaper and more modern options in town, from cosy inns to hostels and, of course, Airbnb.
Eating in Colonial Williamsburg
There are four dining taverns in the Historic Area: the King’s Arms Tavern serving meat-based 18th-century menus, the more casual Chowning’s Tavern, the more affordable Shields Tavern, and the Christiana Campbell’s Tavern serving seafood (try their fried oysters if on the menu!).
I tried them all and loved the King’s Arms beef!
It’s the same as the accommodation; you have many other dining options besides the historic taverns.
If you like wine and beer, Williamsburg has several craft breweries, and Virginia is also home to more than 275 wineries and 28 wine routes. If you have time, visit the Williamsburg Winery, the state’s largest vineyard, and have their Trianon!
Shopping
You can lose your mind watching the lutist crafting a harpsichord and decide to order one, the same thing in the silver shop. Alternatively, you can shop for cheap souvenirs while leaving the Visitor Center or in the “modern Williamsburg.”
Or you can follow my steps and buy everything you can afford at John Greenhow’s general store! I got soap bars for family and friends, candles, pencils, kitchen accessories, chocolate bars, and a leather wallet. Yes, I got crazy in there.
Getting to Williamsburg, Virginia
Colonial Williamsburg is just a few hours south of Washington, DC and not far from famous Virginia Beach.
I got there while on my cross-country train trip—an experience I deeply loved and recommend!
You can catch the Amtrak Northeast Regional train in DC, arriving in Williamsburg 3h45 later (I caught it in Quantico—I have too many FBI-based TV shows in my life), book your ticket online, or use the very convenient official Amtrak app.
The pretty train station is just a few blocks from the Historic Area, but you can also get a bus.
My tips
- spend at least two days in Colonial Williamsburg and, if you can afford it, book a room in a colonial house
- watch the 30-minute orientation film at the Visitor Center and walk from there to the town
- get a pass to access all the buildings and historical trades
- book your table ahead if you want to experience 18th-century meals in the Colonial Taverns
- plan guided tours and evening events to enjoy the experience fully
- take time to chat with volunteers and shop tenders
- wear comfortable shoes and casual clothes as the town is pretty dusty, and you’ll walk all day long!
Day trips from Colonial Williamsburg
If you have a few more days to spend in the area, you can rent a car and drive along the Colonial Parkway Scenic Byway, a 37-km road that connects the Historic Triangle of Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown.
Jamestown
Jamestown is America’s first British colony, founded on April 26, 1607, when three English ships reached the shores. About 140 people from the Virginia Company of London erected a fort named Jamestown in honour of the King of England.
Again, start from the local Visitor Center and visit the Jamestown Settlement Ships.
Visit also the Powhatan Indian Village to learn the true story of Pocahontas, the daughter of the tribe chief who married John Rolfe for peace’s sake between the English and Powhatans. In 1616, Pocahontas and John Rolfe moved to England to promote colonisation in Virginia. Still, she couldn’t adapt to life in London and died one year later, at 22, during the boat trip back to Virginia.
Yorktown
Yorktown, where, in October 1781, the American Revolution culminated with the British surrender, thanks to Marquis de LaFayette and his 1200 fighters. The Yorktown Victory over the British troops brought to the independence of the United States just a few months later.
Once in town, you can enjoy the Continental Army encampment at the Living History Center.
York River State Park
I also enjoyed a kayak-guided tour along the river. It was an incredible experience to learn more about local fauna and flora.
Williamsburg amusement parks
I haven’t been there, but you might want to spend a family relaxing day at Busch Gardens, right outside Williamsburg. Its famous water rollercoaster is in the Water Country USA area.
A Swiss family I shared a carriage tour with recommended it, but North Carolina was waiting for me…
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