Virginia’s Number One attraction, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum, a major vacation destination in Hampton Roads. Open every day of the year, it features 88 original buildings (over 500 restored and reconstructed buildings) on 301 acres and everyone in the town dresses in period clothing. The time is just before the American Revolution. Attractions include churches, blacksmiths, flowering and vegetable gardens, theatres, meeting houses, plantations, taverns, quaint shops, and dining establishments.
Accommodations in the historic areas of Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown include Applewood Colonial Inn, Inn at 802, Williams White House Bed & Breakfast, Alice Pearson House, Woodlands Hotel & Suites, Williamsburg Inn, Colonial Capital Bed & Breakfast, Heritage Inn, Kingsgate Resort, and Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg.
A few of Williamsburg’s fine dining options include the Dining Room at Ford’s Colony, Shields Tavern, Sportsman’s Grille, Seafare & Steakhouse of Williamsburg, the Colonial Golf Club, Second Street Restaurant & Tavern, the Trellis, and Christina Campbell’s Tavern with Virginia inspired seafood specialties. There’s also the Williamsburg Mystery Dinner Theatre.
Museums to visit are the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, the Public Hospital exhibition, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Museum, Bassett Hall (the home of John D. Rockefeller Jr.), the Governor's Palace, Raleigh Tavern, the Magazine, Courthouse, Bruten Parish Church, Geddy House and Foundry, and Greehow Store that features 18th-century goods. Attractions outside Williamsburg include Busch Gardens (home to Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve), Water Country USA (mid-Atlantic's largest water play park), Lee Hall Village, and famous Williamsburg Pottery.
Events that reflect the historic charm of the town include A Colonial Christmas, Anniversary of Benjamin Franklin’s birth, Military Through the Ages, the James River Plantation Summertime Progressive Candlelight Tour & Dinner, Memorial Day, Storytelling Festival, Walsingham Flower & Garden Show, and Fourth of July Celebration. In addition, there are also re-enactments of historic events such as Drummer’s Call, Godspeed Sail Landing Party at Jamestown Settlement, and Under the Redcoat.
Shopping in the historic area like Merchant’s Square include colonial period clothing, silver, pottery, foods, crafts and gift items, jewelry, pewter, herbs, bookstores, homemade candy, and quilts. During the summer, fresh local produce, flowers, seafood, and fresh baked goods are sold from street stalls that line the square.
Written by: Natasha Lawrence
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