Living in the southern east-coast area of Virginia, I’m surrounded by so much rich American history. Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamsburg are a mere hour away, while other fascinating sites like Roanoke, Mount Vernon, and Washington D.C. are all within four hours of me. These incredible places offer many insights into America’s foundations and remarkable, immersive atmospheres. Now, I understand that not everyone is into colonial reenactments or history. But if you like these experiences at all, one of the best places to dive right into some early American history is Colonial Williamsburg.
So today, I’d like to share some of my favorite tidbits about Colonial Williamsburg and what you can look forward to while visiting! I’m also hoping to tell you about some more of these great historical sites later this year as I get to explore them a little more myself.
1. Overview of Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg offers an in-depth look at the life of American colonists in the 18th century. All the shops, houses, and other buildings are either original or rebuilt in the style of architecture of that period. Horse-drawn carriages roll down the cobblestone streets while actors in period-style costumes perform the everyday activities of Williamsburg’s original inhabitants.
The peaceful simplicity is enchanting, particularly on a sunny day, and it’s easy to forget you’re living in the 21st century.
For the admission price of $45 per adult ($25 per child), Colonial Williamsburg offers more than 40 historic experiences, including trade shops, government buildings, and the Governor’s Palace. It also has two museums, the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Libary, and 17 dining choices. This is divided into three main areas: Market Square, Palace Green, and the Capitol. It’s a lot to cover in a day, so you may want to splurge on a three-day pass for only $10 more per adult ($5 per child) to fit everything in.
Alternatively, visit the itineraries page and choose one of the 14 listed itineraries that fit your fancy!
With that said, wear comfortable shoes! I made the mistake of visiting in sandals this fall and regretted it when I couldn’t find the bus stop (facepalm). The site offers a complimentary shuttle that runs every 15 minutes around the loop, but you’ll want to do plenty of your exploring on foot to enter buildings and enjoy the atmosphere.
2. Colonial Williamsburg’s Special Programs
If you’re interested in any of Williamsburg’s unique performances, you’ll want to check their schedule and plan your visit accordingly. You can see many incredible programs, from behind-the-scenes tours to the Fife and Drum Corps. Many of these run daily, while others only happen a few times a month, so you’ll want to check the schedule.
Colonial Williamsburg also highlights national holidays and important months like Women’s History Month, Black History Month, President’s Day, and the 4th of July. Around these holidays, Williamsburg runs special tours and talks emphasizing their history and importance.
3. The Governor’s Palace
My favorite stop in Williamsburg is the Governor’s Palace. This gorgeous building is one of the rebuilt homes, as the first one burned down. However, the Palace was rebuilt using the same plans as the original to keep the house’s authenticity intact.
This residence housed seven royal governors and Virginia’s first two elected governors! The tour reveals so much fascinating history about the former residents and their lives within the colonial period.
You’ll see lavish bedrooms, walls covered in swords and pistols, and even the grand ballroom!
My favorite spot, however, was the garden at the back of the house (pictured at the start of this section). Two broad strips of topiary-lined garden plots frame a gravel lane leading up to the back of the mansion. The gardens are filled with colorful blossoms and butterflies, laid out in almost a wild-flower field aesthetic.
As a whole, the Governor’s Palace is the perfect picture of 18th-century luxury and where I personally felt the most fully transported back in time. If you get the chance to visit, you’ll understand!
4. Must-See Trade Shops in Colonial Williamsburg
As I said, you can spend days trying to see everything in Colonial Williamsburg. Or you can choose the experiences that interest you the most and prioritize them. Here are a few of my favorites that I’d recommend you check out!
Blacksmith and Public Armoury
Watch craftsmen up close as they shape iron straight from the forge into tools and weapons of the era. This exhibit really demonstrates how hard people had to work in the 18th century!
Wigmaker
Did you know that colored hair was fashionable in the 18th century? Check out the elaborate fake hairdos of the wealthy and learn about the crazy styles of the period (I’m talking model ships on top of your head crazy!)
Public Leather Works
Learn about tanning and working with leather, and check out some cool items like hats, clothing, and saddles!
Silversmith
Have you ever wondered how people used to get their silverware so flat and shiny? As it turns out, they used little hammers fit for workshop elves to painstakingly pound every single imperfection out of the silver surface! You can watch this happening at the silversmith as he molds everything from spoons to pitchers from little lumps of silver.
Printing Office
At the printing office, you can examine an old printing press while the printer (an actual person, demonstrates how to arrange the letters, roll the ink, and press the individual newspaper pages. I particularly enjoyed this shop because the printer obviously loved his job and made everyone laugh quite a bit with his jokes.
Tailor
If you’re interested in fashion, this is the perfect stop! See how clothing was made in the colonial days and the kinds of fabric they used. You’ll also learn about some of the fashion choices of the period.
Weaver
At the weaver’s house, you can watch the meticulous process of turning wool and cotton into fine threads for spinning clothes. They also show you the dying and weaving methods so you can see how much work went into making a single item of clothing. It’s pretty cool, and they also have some interactive parts for kids.
5. Tips for the Perfect Visit to Colonial Williamsburg
A few vital planning points can make the difference between an enjoyable visit and a frustrating one in such a historically immersive area. Here are some tips to help you out:
Start early: Colonial Williamsburg has so much to see! If you want to maximize that $45 ticket, get there when the doors open at 9 a.m. You’ll beat much of the crowds and be able to squeeze in more experiences.
Plan a route: Yes, wandering from shop to shop can be fun, but you might never make it out of the Market Square area if you do! I highly recommend you plan an itinerary to ensure you can fit in trade shops and self-guided tours around any scheduled tours or experiences you want to catch.
Decide where you’ll stop for lunch ahead of time: The whole park is approximately a mile long by half a mile wide, which can seem very large when you’re hungry. Decide beforehand where you want to eat and plan your day’s route to land you in the right area around lunch/dinner time. Yes, you can take the bus, but backtracking is no fun!
Get the app: If you enjoy the convenience of having everything on your phone, download the Colonial Williamsburg Explorer app. It’s an interactive guide that lets you see what’s in your area and even reserve tickets for shows and experiences. You can ditch the big paper map and avoid many lines!
Bring water: Yes, vending machines are scattered throughout the area, but why pay $2 for a bottle when you can bring your own and have it readily accessible? Just keep it sealed and tucked away when you’re in any building.
Wear comfortable shoes: I know I said this before, but you will probably regret wearing anything other than close-toed shoes. On a hot day, your sandals will get dusty and can rub your feet raw. Plus, horses roam the streets, so you’ll occasionally need to watch your step.
Dive right in: Few places offer an immersive historical experience like Colonial Williamsburg does. I’d encourage you to take the opportunity to disconnect from modern life for the day and just enjoy the town’s simplicity. Obviously, you need to take pictures and use the app if you have it, but don’t let those be a distraction. You’ll learn so much if you can pay attention and embrace the culture of those who helped form our country for even a single day!
Closing Thoughts on Colonial Williamsburg
Overall, Colonial Williamsburg is a fabulous place to learn more about America’s history in a fun and educational environment! I always enjoy our trips here because we discover something new each time. Not to mention, I love old architecture, and this is a prime location for that! So, if you find yourself in the Williamsburg area, be sure to spend at least one day discovering this historic center.
As always, thanks for stopping by Carried Away Travels! I hope you enjoyed reading about some of Colonial Williamsburg’s charming stops and that it helps you plan a perfect trip.
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