Heat Advisory
Last updated

We are anticipating high temperatures today. Due to intense heat conditions, Colonial Williamsburg's open outdoor trade locations will move indoors at 1:00PM. You can find trades at the Art Museums, open interior trade shops, and Charlton Coffeehouse. Please reference the calendar of events for the most up-to-date information on programming, open sites, and amenities. Click here for tips to beat the heat.

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School, Youth, & Adult Groups
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School, Youth & Adult Group Visit Information

Our website is full of information and resources to help you make the most of your visit. Explore the entire site and in particular, the links below, to plan and prepare for your Colonial Williamsburg experience.

Visitor Resources

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Accessibility Information

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Know Before You Go

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On the day of your tour

Pick up your tickets at the Group Arrival desk at the Visitor Center. If you are touring with Colonial Williamsburg guides, the group ticketing representative will let you know where to meet your guide. Since each guide can lead a maximum of 26 people through the town, please have subgroups identified on the buses based on the number of guides contracted.

  • You will want to travel lightly. Bring money for souvenirs and lunch. While cameras are welcome, please leave any other miscellaneous electronics on the bus. Chaperones, teachers, and group leaders may want to have cell phones for communication purposes, but please do not use them inside the sites or during interpretations.

  • Once in the Historic Area, buses may “stand” in designated areas only long enough for dropping off at the beginning of the tour and picking up at its conclusion. Limited parking is available for buses and recreational vehicles at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center at the rate of $25 per day. The first 30 minutes are free. Payment for bus parking is managed through the Passport parking app. Upon request, our group ticketing representative can provide a bus map for your driver with designated drop-off and pick-up points. Once you have disembarked from the bus, you will not see it again until the end of your tour.

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Tour comfort tips

You will be exploring the colonial capital on foot. The Historic Area is nearly a mile in length and nearly half a mile wide. The tour will be both inside and outside. Your group will be walking on surfaces that are uneven and include dirt, brick, wood, shells, and asphalt. Encourage all members of your tour group to wear comfortable walking shoes with socks.

  • Make sure all group members have the following: rain gear, such as ponchos and umbrellas for wet weather; an extra sweatshirt or sweater for cooler conditions; sunscreen; a hat or cap; and water. (Keeping hydrated in the heat is extremely important.)

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Museum Etiquette

Please help us preserve this historic town.

  • Please refrain from eating gum, candy, or foods of any kind inside any of the Historic Area sites.
  • Please look with your eyes only, unless an interpreter invites you to sit or touch. Your interpreter knows the best places to provide opportunities for you to touch objects and take part in activities.
  • Please refrain from using cell phones or other communication devices inside buildings or during presentations.
  • While photographs are permitted, please be courteous when using your camera. Take care that you do not disrupt any presentations.
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Groups with Special Needs

It is helpful for us to know in advance if any of your group participants have special physical or educational needs.

For more information please check our online accessibility information or call 1-800-228-8878.

  • For a small fee, a limited number of wheelchairs are available at the Visitor Center. Please allow extra time for making arrangements and pick up and drop off of wheelchairs. Many of our sites are accessible via wheelchair ramp or lift. Most of the restored and reconstructed buildings in the Historic Area have entrance steps, but most interior doorways are wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair. Many of the exhibition buildings have second floors that are interpreted, and stairs are often steep and narrow. Photographic interpretations of many exhibition buildings are available upon request.

  • There are a limited number of trained sign language interpreters available for the hearing impaired. While we cannot guarantee this service, we require a minimum of four weeks advance notice.

    • Colonial Williamsburg Regional Visitor Center
    • Williamsburg Lodge
    • Merchants Square (near bus stop)
    • The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg
    • Bassett Hall Reception Center
    • Adjacent to the Magazine on Francis Street
    • Between the Capitol and Waller Street
    • On Botetourt Street between Duke of Gloucester St. and Nicholson St.
    • On the Palace grounds

    The King's Arms, Purdie Kitchen, Shields, and Chowning's Taverns have ramps and ADA-accessible restrooms.

  • Please consult the individual descriptions of Colonial Williamsburg's historic buildings, restaurants, hotels, shops, and other facilities when planning your visit. Most evening performances take place in the historic buildings. Please check accessibility before purchasing separate tickets for these performances and other special events.