Colonial Williamsburg
#1 in Best Things To Do in Williamsburg
Details
scorecard
- 4.0Value
- 4.0Facilities
- 4.5Atmosphere
According to many, this site is like a Disney theme park for history fanatics. Plus, Colonial Williamsburg's appeal isn't just for kids but also for anyone who feels young at heart. Visitors to Colonial Williamsburg will be greeted with townspeople, shopkeepers, politicians, slaves and more who called the Revolutionary City home. More than 20 guided and self-guided tours are available on a daily basis, including ghost walks, garden tours, city itineraries and carriage rides. Travelers can also shop authentic wares and sample 18th-century-inspired meals.
Recent visitors praised Colonial Williamsburg, saying it offered an expertly recreated step back in time and helped them understand more about this period and our nation's history. This history-themed park also earns kudos for employing knowledgeable guides and maintaining pristine facilities throughout. However, travelers warn that the ticket prices to access Colonial Williamsburg are on the steep side.
Colonial Williamsburg sits in the center of its succeeding city of the same name. Popular stops include the Governor's Palace, the Magazine (home of the colony's weaponry and ammunition), the old-time church, tavern and theater, and the period homes. Because there is so much to explore, you might want to consider purchasing a multiday ticket ($50.99 for adults 13 and older, and $25.49 for kids 6 to 12), which grants guests access for three consecutive days at one set price. Single-day tickets cost $40.99 for adults and $20.99 for kids ages 6 to 12. You also have the option to splurge for a multiday bounce ticket, which includes entry to Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens for between $79 and $99. Also, keep in mind the multiple-day Williamsburg Flex Ticket that allows you to visit several area attractions, including Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestowne, Water Country USA and more, for around $154 to $196. For specific information on park hours, children's ticket pricing and more, check out the official website.
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2 of 7#2 Jamestown
You've probably heard the legends of the settlers that first arrived in the spring of 1607; of Captain John Smith's leadership; of Pocahontas' role in smoothing relations between the settlers and the Powhatan Confederacy. All these historical stories are on display in living museums, exhibits and monuments clustered around a parcel of land loosely known as "Jamestown." Despite its colloquial associations, this area is technically made up of several historic areas. First up: Historic Jamestowne, the actual archeological site on Jamestown Island where the original 1607 settlers were based. Next door is the Jamestown Settlement, a re-enactment museum with replicas of the settlers' ships, plus life-size models of their homes and the villages of the area's American Indians. And adjacent to that: Yorktown Victory Center, another open-air living museum that chronicles the British troops surrender to the United States at the Yorktown Battlefield in 1781.
As a whole, the Jamestown area receives favorable reviews for offering three intriguing historical attractions within one space. Travelers call Jamestown and its historic sites "captivating," "interesting" and a place where "history comes alive." Many were also impressed with the engaging tour guides.
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