Williamsburg Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Williamsburg featuring heritage architecture, a coastal town and sailing
Williamsburg featuring heritage architecture, a coastal town and sailing
Williamsburg showing military items, a garden and tranquil scenes
Williamsburg showing wildflowers, a garden and flowers
Williamsburg as well as a small group of people

This historic town is filled with scenic hiking and biking trails, but is best known as the home of Colonial Williamsburg, the largest living museum in America.

At Williamsburg, see history recreated at a 301 acre (121 hectare) village with historically furnished buildings and costumed interpreters. Colonial Williamsburg is the largest outdoor living history museum in America. Step back in time at this fully operational 18th-century city. Trace the historic footsteps of people such as first president George Washington, military strategist Benedict Arnold and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson.Visit the Colonial Williamsburg Resort to shop for gifts or souvenirs, including reproduction flatware and furniture from the 18th century. Enjoy a round of golf on the resort’s course or relax with a pampering treatment at the spa. For couples seeking a romantic excursion or families looking to rest their legs, take a leisurely tour by horse-drawn carriage. Sit back and relax while learning about the Revolutionary City from a Colonial Williamsburg “citizen” who will serve as your guide. There is an admission fee to enter Colonial Williamsburg, which is open 365 days a year. Some features within the village, such as the guided tours, are included with your admission ticket.While many visit Williamsburg to learn about the past, you’ll find many other attractions and activities as well. There are dozens of hiking trails in and around the city. Visit Freedom Park and hike through the 600-acre (243-hectare) preserve passing through historic sites, forests, creeks and open green space. For a more challenging workout, head to the 52-mile (84-kilometre) paved Virginia Capital Trail. Walk, jog or cycle this scenic path across the Virginia landscape.Just outside the city is Busch Gardens, a theme park with thrill rides, animal exhibits and shows. Ride the roller coasters, which include Griffon, with its 205-foot (62-metre), 90-degree free fall. View the mysterious grey wolf at the Wolf Valley exhibit and see exotic animals at Jack Hanna’s Wild Reserve. Williamsburg Area Transport (WAT) runs trolley and bus services that stop at the city’s attractions, including Busch Gardens. There is a shuttle bus service in the Colonial Williamsburg village.

The Annual Holiday Sale

Members save up to 40% on hotels and holiday homes. Plan this year’s big trip and save.

Where to stay in Williamsburg

Punishment the old fashioned way!

Colonial Williamsburg

While visiting Colonial Williamsburg, you might make a stop by sights like Governor's Palace and Golden Horseshoe Golf Club.

Colonial Williamsburg
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Kingsmill

While visiting Kingsmill, you might make a stop by sights like Kingsmill Plantation Golf Course and Colonial National Historical Park.

Kingsmill
Christmastime is the most joyful of seasons in Colonial Williamsburg, and certainly the best time to visit. The entire town is adorned with handmade wreaths such as this one, all containing fresh fruit or unique items that correspond with the building they're placed on. Steaming colonial-style hot chocolate is served by a few of the buildings, and fireplaces are aplenty.

Downtown Williamsburg

If you're spending some time in Downtown Williamsburg, Merchants Square and Colonial National Historical Park are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Williamsburg
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Lightfoot

Shopping, gardens and restaurants are some highlights of Lightfoot. Make a stop by Williamsburg Pavilion Shops Shopping Center or Swing Kingz while you're exploring.

Lightfoot
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Midtown

While Midtown may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Ripley's Believe It or Not! and Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf.

Midtown
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Norge

The restaurants and gardens are a few reasons travellers visit Norge. Though there aren't many top sights in the neighbourhood, you can visit Colonial Heritage Golf Club and Williamsburg Pavilion Shops Shopping Center, a few notable attractions nearby.

Norge
Vacation Village At Williamsburg

Vacation Village At Williamsburg

3 out of 5
4870 Longhill Road Williamsburg VA
The price is £70 per night from 24 Mar to 25 Mar
£70
24 Mar - 25 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Williamsburg. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,149 reviews)
Everything was excellent

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2026

Vacation Village At Williamsburg
Hilton Vacation Club The Historic Powhatan Williamsburg

Hilton Vacation Club The Historic Powhatan Williamsburg

3.5 out of 5
3601 Ironbound Rd Williamsburg VA
The price is £97 per night from 24 Mar to 25 Mar
£97
24 Mar - 25 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this golf resort in Williamsburg. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,428 reviews)
Everything appeared to be top notch from what I could see in my room was awesome. The property was clean and beautiful. The only thing I could say is you only get one parking space then you have to park in the visitor space which is out of the area of where your room is, other than that best place ...

Reviewed on 10 Mar 2026

Hilton Vacation Club The Historic Powhatan Williamsburg
The Colonies at Williamsburg

The Colonies at Williamsburg

3 out of 5
5380 Olde Towne Road Williamsburg VA
The price is £77 per night from 11 Mar to 12 Mar
£77
11 Mar - 12 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Williamsburg. Enjoy free parking, an outdoor pool and free water park access. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,012 reviews)
Room was very clean

Reviewed on 8 Mar 2026

The Colonies at Williamsburg
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Marriott's Manor Club at Ford's Colony

Marriott's Manor Club at Ford's Colony

3.5 out of 5
101 Saint Andrews Dr Williamsburg VA
Stay at this golf condo in Williamsburg. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,023 reviews)
The mattress was really sagged and uncomfortable

Reviewed on 10 Mar 2026

Marriott's Manor Club at Ford's Colony
King’s Creek Resort by Spinnaker

King’s Creek Resort by Spinnaker

4.5 out of 5
191 Cottage Cove Lane Williamsburg VA
Stay at this luxury condo in Williamsburg. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (131 reviews)
it was a great time

Reviewed on 8 Mar 2026

King’s Creek Resort by Spinnaker
Fun and Open Space Near Everything - Pool table, Hot Tub in Williamsburg

Fun and Open Space Near Everything - Pool table, Hot Tub in Williamsburg

Williamsburg VA
Stay at this holiday home in Williamsburg. Enjoy a garden, a pool table and patios. Popular attractions Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA are ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (22 reviews)
Everything was great. Response from host was quick. We definitely brushed up on our pool skills.

Reviewed on 4 Mar 2026

Fun and Open Space Near Everything - Pool table, Hot Tub in Williamsburg
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Williamsburg

4.8
Top destination
5 - Excellent
13
5 - Excellent 81%
4 - Good
3
4 - Good 19%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Ken

Lovely place, excellent accommodation. Only there for limited time, hopefully we will be back sometime in the future.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

A beautiful town well worth a visit

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lots of excellent places to visit. Beautiful well kept surroundings.

5/5 - Excellent

Chris

A really lovely area with great history .

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

If interested in history, this restored town is wonderful. Town is superbly rebuilt with retina tents, lectures and plays pertaining to historical period. Absolutely, the best.

Cities near Williamsburg

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