From theme parks to living-history museums to outdoor adventure facilities,
Greater Williamsburg is blowing up with fun and unique things to do. To help you plan for your visit — and not miss any of the greatest hits — here are the 10 most visited attractions.
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1. Colonial Williamsburg
According to many, this site is such a Disney theme park for history fanatics. Plus, Colonial Williamsburg's appeal isn't just for kids but also for who feels young at heart.
Visitors to Colonial Williamsburg are welcomed with townspeople, shopkeepers, politicians, slaves and more who called the Revolutionary City home.
On a daily basis, more than 20 guided and self-guided tours are available, including ghost walks, garden tours, city itineraries, and carriage rides. Travelers can also shop authentic wares and pattern 18th-century-inspired meals.
Recently, visitors crowned Colonial Williamsburg, said that it provided a professional recreated step back in time and helped them understand more about this period and our nation's history.
This history-themed park also earns reputes for employing knowledgeable guides and maintaining pristine facilities throughout. However, travelers warn that the ticket prices to access Colonial Williamsburg are abatement.
2. Jamestown
You've definitely 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 garniture 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 actually 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.
Close to that: Yorktown Victory Center, other open-air living museums that annals the British troops' rendition to the United States at the Yorktown Battlefield in 1781.
As a whole, the Jamestown area receives great reviews for offering three intriguing historical attractions within one space. Visitors often call Jamestown and its sites "captivating," "interesting", a place where "history comes alive." Many were also impressed with the engaging tour guides.
3. Water Country USA
If you stand the large crowds, you should be more than pleased with Water Country USA, say several recent parkgoers.
Some of Water Country's popular attractions include Surfer's Bay (a wave pool), Vanish Point (a 75-foot tower slide), the Jet Scream (an inner tube slide) and Big Daddy Falls (a whitewater rapids ride).
There's also Cow-A-Bunga (a kiddie pool area) and lessons can be arranged for less-confident swimmers (these cost extra). Visitors recognize the variety of water attractions and say the wait times aren't unreasonable at rides, slides and concession stands despite all the people.
You can find Water Country USA in the same vicinage as Busch Gardens, southeast of Williamsburg. It's opened from late spring until Labor Day weekend. Each day begins at 10 a.m., but closing time ranges from 5 to 8 p.m., depending on the day.
Single-day tickets cost from $45 to $52. There are bundle passes to visit Water Country several days or the water park, Colonial Williamsburg and other nearby attractions for a set price. Go to the official website for more information.
4. Busch Gardens
One of the real perks of this theme park, located southeast of Williamsburg, is that it truly does have something for all ages to enjoy. And that's not just a PR pitch: Toddlers will love the Sesame Street Forest of Fun and the chance to meet some of that show's most beloved characters.
Bigger kids can enjoy rides and animal shows like Pet Shenanigans, which features trained dogs, birds and cats. Teens are the prime candidates to stand in line for thrilling coasters like the Alpengeist, the Griffon or the Loch Ness Monster.
Finally, adults aggregate to the themed country lands, especially the Oktoberfest village and its beer gardens.
Recent parkgoers appreciate the grounds as well maintained, though they do warn that you'll do a lot of walking so you should bring comfortable shoes. Travelers also say that while the food here is priced like typical park food, the quality is much higher than what they've encountered at other theme parks.
5. Jamestown Glasshouse
This replica of a colonial glasshouse allows visitors to get a feel for how artists produced glass centuries ago. The structure was built in 1608 when settlers first arrived at the colony.
Travelers can get a close look at what's left of the original furnaces and see modern-day glassblowers create everything from candle holders and vases to wine bottles and other useful glass products. What's more, visitors can buy some glass goods at the on-site gift shop.
Recent visitors were impressed with the glasshouse and said they enjoyed watching the glassblowing demonstrations. Many said the glassblowers were eager to share their knowledge of the craft and explain the process. Travelers also said you should bring some extra cash as you'll probably want to purchase something from the gift shop.
6. Williamsburg Premium Outlets
When you need a break from the history lessons in Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown, go to these outlets for some modern-day shopping. Housing stores like Nike, Banana Republic, Coach, Gap, J. Crew, Polo Ralph Lauren and more, the Williamsburg Premium Outlets provide steep discounts on brand-name clothes and gear.
Recent travelers were especially interested in the selection of shops and the deals available, though some lamented encountering parking challenges and suggested arriving early to beat the crowds.
The outlets are located about 5 miles north of Williamsburg; stores are open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
7. Williamsburg Winery
Though this winery is only 4 miles south of central Williamsburg, travelers describe it as a decent day trip and a break from the numerous historical sites in town.
The 320-acre winery features Old World- and New World-style wines and grows various grape varietals, including merlot, cabernet franc, malbec, Vidal blanc, and viognier. The winery offers basic tours and tastings, in addition to more elaborate experiences; there's also an on-site retail shop for those interested in taking home some vino as well.
Recent visitors said the atmosphere makes for a relaxable outing and many said they loved the varied wines in the tastings (and how affordable a standard tasting is). However, wine connoisseurs were a little disappointed with the quality of the wine and some mentioned the bottles in the retail shop were overpriced.
8. Yorktown Battlefield
With so many spots dedication to Colonial and Revolutionary history in the Williamsburg area, what makes Yorktown Battlefield so special? For starters, it's the site of the 1781 blockade and surrender of British troops to General George Washington in the Revolutionary War.
Secondly, it completes the "Historic Triangle" of southeastern Virginia's colonial sites, which also include Jamestown and Williamsburg.
But before you visit, a word to the wise, thanks to a healthy majority of recent tourists: If you're looking for a brief overview of Yorktown, just visit the Yorktown Victory Center at Jamestown.
There you can behold a re-enactment of this monumental war and surrender. However, if you want to actually tread the paths of Revolutionary soldiers, then you should visit the cannons and still-dug trenches of the battleground. Yorktown is approximately 15 miles southeast of the central Williamsburg area. Jamestown is only about 8 miles away.
9. Muscarelle Museum of Art, Williamsburg, VA
The Muscarelle Museum of Art is part of the College of William & Mary and is located at Lamberson Hall on campus. The museum is a collection of gifts of art given to the college throughout 300 years of its history and is one of the top Williamsburg VA attractions. Until the opening of the museum in 1983, the art was scattered throughout the college.
Once placed in the museum, it was possible to not only better preserve the art but to also incorporate it into the College’s art curriculum and share it with the larger community.
Some of the most significant treasures are paintings by Hans Hofmann, Georgia O’Keeffe, Pablo Picasso, John Singleton, Henri Matisse, and many historically significant English and American Colonial painters.
Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, VA 23187, 757-221-2700
10. Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum
Like all folk art museums, the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum will stretch your understanding of what art is. You will find an amazing diversity of objects, paintings, and sculptures created by very talented local craftsmen and self-trained artists.
They record everyday life and use bold colors and interesting materials, simple shapes, and imaginative use of fabrics. It is one of the largest folk art collections in the country.
Besides its permanent collection, the museum also often holds temporary exhibits of folk art on loan from various other museums.
Some of the most interesting exhibits are Down on the Farm, with a carved wooden dog Prince who explores the countryside in toys, paintings, and sculptures, as well as exhibits of folk musical instruments used by folk musicians in the 19th and 20th centuries such as banjos, dulcimers, and fiddles.
326 Francis St W, Williamsburg, VA 23185, 888-965-7254
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