Your Guide to Colonial Williamsburg (Yes, you should visit)

Last updated on August 30th, 2023 at 03:58 pm

Do you enjoy long weekend trips? Do you like history? Colonial Williamsburg and the historic triangle are worth visiting soon. This guide to Colonial Williamsburg will help you plan your visit.

Williamsburg is the perfect home base for a getaway to the historic triangle. While there are many things to do in the area, we chose to stay in the heart of this historic district. The sites, restaurants and shops were within walking distance for us. Although, there is a trolley that runs through the historic district, and it is included with your admission ticket. You can pick up a map at the visitor’s center for a list of trolley stops.

Basics

You will have different options for tickets based on your interests and what you would like to see. I will list some of the choices for you to get started.

Colonial Williamsburg tickets are available as single day, multiday (3 consecutive days) or annual pass. Each ticket includes;

• Guided tours by historical interpreters of the Govenor’s Palace, Capitol and Courthouse.
• Admission to trade sites where you will hear from journeymen and apprentices about 18th century trades.
• Daily performances on the Charlton Stage and in the Hennage Auditorium.
• Entrance to their two art museums.
• Free parking at the visitor’s center.
• Complimentary shuttle service.

America’s Historic Triangle ticket

We chose this option because it included each of the sites we wanted to visit. This ticket includes;

• 7 consecutive days admission to Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Jamestown, Jamestown Settlement. American Revolution Museum at Yorktown and Yorktown Battlefield.
• You receive all the benefits of the Colonial Williamsburg ticket.
• Seasonal discounts on carriage rides.

When you purchase this ticket, you will receive a printable voucher which must be exchanged at a Colonial Williamsburg ticketing location BEFORE visiting Yorktown or the Jamestown sites.

All tickets can be purchased online.

What To Do

Step back in time to experience what life was like for the earliest permanent English colonists through the American Revolution and life after winning freedom. While there is no specific itinerary to follow, I will list the chronological order and subsequently, the way we toured the area.

Jamestown Settlement

Spend the day wandering through this living history museum while you learn about the first permanent colony from England. Discover the hardships and challenges the colony faces during the early days of their settlement.

James Fort

Enter into a life size recreation of the 1610-1614 fort. Inside the fort you will find an Anglican church, court of guard, storehouse and a Govenor’s house. Historical interpreters will forge metal objects in the blacksmith’s shop and show you how muskets are fired. Seasonally, you will see historical interpreters working with wood and leather using 17th century style tools. You can also watch daily activities, such as sewing, cooking, gardening and tobacco production.

Paspahegh Town

A recreation of Paspahegh Town has been built based on archeological findings close to the James River. You will get a glimpse into daily life of the Powhatan tribal group. Take time to walk through the reed-covered houses with cooking areas, crops and a ceremonial circle. You will also learn about the life of Pocohontas, the daughter of Powhatan.

Historical interpreters will demonstrate how the Powhatan culture grew, prepared and stored food. You will learn how they process animal hides, made tools and pottery. All of this will leave you with a better understanding of how they used what the land provided them to survive.

Jamestown Settlement Ships

Set along the shores of the James River, you can climb aboard re-creations of the 3 ships that brought English colonists to Virginia in 1607. The ships are the Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery. You will learn the gross tonnage, cargo and passenger load. As you walk around the ships, you can see how sleeping quarters were set up and where most of the passengers spent their time.

Film and Galleries at Jamestown

Inside the museum you will be able to view new exhibits as the stories and events of Powhatan Indians, English and West-Central African cultures are told. Learn about the challenges of 3 cultures coming together in 17th century Virginia.

Make your first stop the documentary film, 1607: A Nation Takes Root. It is shown every 30 minutes in the museum theater.

A 4-D multi-sensory projection theater features “Bacon’s Rebellion.” It is shown every 20 minutes and tells the story of a 1676 uprising at Jamestown.

We enjoyed walking through the exhibits and archaeological finds from Virginia, Europe and Africa. There are dioramas and short films that accompany some of the displays that bring to life how the colonies were established and the sacrifices that were made to come to a new land.

After learning about some of the inherent problems with the settlement at Jamestown, we learned why the people moved into Williamsburg. We spent our next day exploring this important town in our history.

Colonial Williamsburg

When you step onto the cobblestone roads in Colonial Williamsburg, you are transported back to 18th century Virginia. Historic interpreters explain in detail what life was life before and during the American Revolution.

Purchasing a ticket will give you access to several exhibits, productions and restored or re-created buildings.

Sample of the Colonial Williamsburg Exhibits

Guided Tours

Historical interpreters will guide you through thus providing you with detailed insight on the daily happenings in town. You can tour:

• Govenor’s Palace
• Courthouse
• Capitol

Self-Guided Tours

All throughout the historic district there are buildings and exhibits designed for self-guided exploration. Move through at your own pace while taking your time reading about each area. Below is a sampling of the exhibits you can tour.

• African American Religion Exhibit
• Guardhouse
• James Geddy House
• Magazine Yard
• Presbyterian Meeting House
• Public Gaol
• Randolph Property
• Wythe Property

There are several more for you to choose from, so pick your favorites or pick them all. It is up to you.

Trades

Another fun thing to do while walking through the village is to stop and listen to the master craftsmen and apprentices explain their trade and how it was used in 18th century life. Because there are many to choose from, I have listed some examples of the exhibits are:

• Apothecary
• Blacksmith Shop
• Foundry
• Govenor’s Palace Kitchen
• Public Armory
• Tailor

The historical interpreters are very knowledgeable and have a passion for explaining life during this period in history. Subsequently, it’s easy for their enthusiasm to transfer to the guests.

Shops

As you are walking the pedestrian only streets, you will see shops that are representative of the stores you would have shopped in during this period. Even if you aren’t interested in shopping, the stores are worth walking through to see the unique and sometimes handmade items. The stores you will find are:

• John Greenhow Store
• Market House
• Tarpley, Thompson and Company
• William Pitt Store
• Prentis Store

Art Museums

There are 2 art museums included with your ticket. The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Art Museum focuses on amateur folk art. The DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum features beautiful yet useful objects.

Hopefully, you have a better understanding of life before and during the American Revolution. You can take this information to Yorktown where you will be immersed in life during the war as well as post war life.

American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

This is one of the most informative museums of the Revolutionary War. The exhibits tell the story of the war from beginning to end.

Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.

George Washington

Galleries

• The British Empire and America- Learn about the geography, demography, culture and economy before the Revolution.
• The Changing Relationship-Britain and North America- Examine the changing relationship between the American colonies and Britain
• Revolution- Chronicles the battles from Lexington and Concord in 1775 to the victory at Yorktown in 1781.
• The New Nation- Focuses on America from the 1783 Treaty of Paris forward.
• The American People- Explore the changes in our national identity following our independence.

Film

180-degree surround sound film “The Siege of Yorktown.”

Living History

Colonial Army Encampment

Step back in time as you walk through a typical army encampment. You will hear stories of what life was life for the soldiers and those who worked at the camps.

Revolution Era Farm

Get an up-close view of what 18th century farm life would have been like. Learn about the Edward Moss family, their history and daily life then listen to historical interpreters explain how planting, harvesting and cooking have been done. You will also see demonstrations of the tools used for woodworking and turning flax and cotton into thread.

Yorktown and American Independence

Visit the displays highlighting the victory at Yorktown and how America won independence

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Yorktown Battlefield

Drive through much of the 1862 Yorktown battlefield which encompasses the 1781 battlefield of the American Revolution. You will also find reminders of the Civil War throughout the park. The battle sites contain remnants of how the artillery was set for battle.

*Tip– Before visiting, download the Yorktown Tour Guide app for detailed information and a driving guide of the battlefield.

Where to Stay

There are several options for lodging in the historic district. Fortunately, most are within walking distance of the sites, shops and restaurants.

• Williamsburg Inn– A five-star luxury hotel in the heart of Colonial Williamsburg.
• Williamsburg Lodge– Modern luxury with a colonial twist. Enjoy this quiet retreat while only being steps away from the historic district.
• Colonial Houses– Step back in time as you stay in reproduced homes true to the colonial time period. Enjoy access to the amenities of the Colonial Williamsburg Resorts. We stayed in the Chiswell-Bucktrout House during our trip.

You can check here for some great options in Colonial Williamsburg!

Where to Eat

There are many restaurants to choose from featuring all different cuisines. You can choose to have a meal in one of the restaurants located in the historic district or walk to Merchants Square and find the perfect place for you.

• Chowning Tavern– A reconstructed 1766 colonial tavern featuring a southern menu.
• Raleigh Tavern Bakery– The perfect stop for root beer, cider and baked goods.
• King’s Arms Tavern– A colonial reproduction focusing on favorite American dishes.
• Amber Ox– Upscale pub food with a menu that changes daily. Excellent beer options.
• Fat Canary– Upscale American fare.
• Aroma’s– Great stop for breakfast and coffee.

Merchant Square

Merchant Square has over 40 eateries and boutiques. This is a great place to end the day or for a midday break. If you have been in search of more traditional shopping, you will find it here.

• Campus Shop– William and Mary gift shop
• Brick and Vine– Colonial Williamsburg gift shop
• The Cheese Shop– Gourmet cheese and specialty foods
• The Williamsburg Winery– Local wines

Conclusion

I hope this guide to Colonial Williamsburg has inspired you to visit the Historic Triangle. Because there is so much to see and do, you will want at least a long weekend. However, if you really enjoy history, you may want to spend more time in the area.

Read this South Dakota road trip post for another historical road trip.

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