So you’re planning your first trip to Colonial Williamsburg? Or perhaps it’s been a while since your last visit? Awesome, we can’t wait to share this amazing place with you! We’re here to help you plan your visit so you can get the most out of your stay.
Get ready to experience the living, breathing 18th-century colonial capital. A mile long and half a mile wide, the Historic Area boasts 15 historic sites and 22 historic trades. Discover our two world-class art museums with thousands of objects on display. Meet the people who bring history to life at programs and events throughout the day.
Planning ahead is key to getting the most out of your visit. We’re sharing our tips on what to do during a three-day visit. Download our multi-day itinerary planner to pick your must-sees out and build your schedule. Plus, we’ve asked our fans to share their favorite activities and tips below as well!
Hit the Favorites
Pick Four Trades to Visit
Allow 20-30 minutes in each location to ask questions and learn from the skilled craftspeople.
Plan Your Meals
Savor historically inspired and contemporary creative cuisine.
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Gold Course Clubhouse Grill
Satisfy Cravings by the Links
Open to the Public
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Chowning's Tavern Garden
Open for dining in the Garden. Weather Permitting.
Open to the Public
Handicap Accessible
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Visitor Center Cafe
Stop in to the Visitor Center Café, conveniently located beside the shops, to stock up on snacks to fuel your day of adventures or enjoy a light lunch. With ample seating, you can give your legs a rest and plan your next di…
Open to the Public
Handicap Accessible
Add a Hands-On Activity for Each Day
Meet at Least Two Nation Builders
Time and again, our fans suggest spending time with our Nation Builders. From Thomas Jefferson to the Marquis de Lafayette, any opportunity to learn from these engaging and knowledgeable interpreters is a win.
Experience Diverse Voices
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The True Master
Meet Jane Vobe and Gowan Pamphlet, master and slave of the King's Arms Tavern, in 1772 - when a radical request could put both of their lives at stake.
CW Admission
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Stories of the Past, People of the Present
Celebrate American Indian culture through traditional stories and discuss with American Indian interpreters about what it’s like to tell the histories of their communities.
Art Museums Admission
Event Ticket
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Visit A Nation Builder-Young Gowan Pamphlet
Step into the past with young Gowan Pamphlet. Learn more about his contribution to the founding of our nation.
CW Admission
TAKE A CARRIAGE RIDE
Enjoy a leisurely ride through the Historic Area by horse-drawn carriage and surround yourself with the sights and sounds of our unique city
See Two Performances
Whether you’re seeing our whimsical outdoor plays or Nation Builders sharing their stories, theatrical performances are great entertainment while you rest your legs.
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Super Happy Fishmastide
Come celebrate Fishmastide with the Jug Broke Theatre Company as they sing songs of the magical beast who saved good souls lost at sea and returned them home on Christmas Day.
CW Admission
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Christmas Ceilidh
David Gardner, Gabe Stone, Dacotah Hartman present a holiday performance with Scottish dancing, fiddles, bagpipes, and more. Fun for the whole family.
Art Museums Admission
Event Ticket
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Harp and Dulcimer Yuletide Joy
Join Ann Robinson and Timothy Seaman as they journey through seasonal favorites, distinctive new compositions, and rare melodic gems old and new.
Art Museums Admission
Event Ticket
Explore on Your Own
Have some time between scheduled tours and programs? Peruse the African American Religion, Presbyterian Meetinghouse, or the Public Gaol on a self-guided tour.
African American Religion
Presbyterian Meetinghouse
Public Gaol
WATCH A FIFE AND DRUM MARCH
Join the Fife and Drum Corps as they march down Duke of Gloucester Street, projecting the music that stirred filled the fields of the Revolutionary War.
VISIT THE ART MUSEUMS
In addition to the world’s largest living history museum, two hidden gems await in the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. The Dewitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum features American and British antiques and decorative art from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, while you can find bold and imaginative pieces of colonial and contemporary folk art at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum.
Select an Evening Program
The fun doesn’t end when the sun goes down. From spooky ghost tours to public trials to concerts of 18th-century music, you’ll find an array of nightly performances in the Historic Area.
STAY WITH US
From absolute luxury to family-centric amenities (read: Splash Park!) to the complete 18th-century experience, our unique properties offer the complete experience, just minutes from all the action. Book your stay now!.
Three Great Museums. One Ticket.
Our living history museum and two art museums at Colonial Williamsburg offer something for everyone, from hands-on activities to guided tours of original 18th-century buildings to our unmatched folk-art collection.
Your Admission Ticket is the Key