So you’re planning your first trip to Colonial Williamsburg? Or perhaps it’s been a while since your last visit? Awesome, we can’t wait to share this amazing place with you! We’re here to help you plan your visit so you can get the most out of your stay.
Get ready to experience the living, breathing 18th-century colonial capital. A mile long and half a mile wide, the Historic Area boasts 301 acres of historic sites and trades to explore. Discover our two world-class art museums with thousands of objects on display. Meet the people who bring history to life at programs and events throughout the day.
Planning ahead is key to getting the most out of your visit. We’re sharing our tips on what to do during a three-day visit. Plus, we’ve asked our fans to share their favorite activities and tips below as well!
Hit the Favorites
Pick Four Trades to Visit
Allow 20-30 minutes in each location to ask questions and learn from the skilled craftspeople.
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Historic Trade: Milliner & Mantua-Maker
Stop by the milliner for the latest 18th-century fashions.
CW Admission
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Historic Trade: Cabinetmaker & Harpsichord Maker
Watch expert woodworkers fashion the intricate details of luxury products with period hand tools.
CW Admission
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Historic Trade: Gunsmith
Aim, ready, fire! Watch as rifles, pistols, and fowling pieces are made.
CW Admission
Handicap Accessible
Plan Your Meals
Savor historically inspired and contemporary creative cuisine.
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Taste Studio
Awaken Your Inner Chef
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Chowning's Cider Stand
Drinks and Snacks
Open to the Public
Handicap Accessible
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Gold Course Clubhouse Bar
Enjoy a refreshing drink after your round on the Gold Course at the Horseshoe Bar or indulge in a meal while taking in views of the 18th hole from the outdoor terrace. The Golden Horseshoe Clubhouse offers a variety of tast…
Open to the Public
Handicap Accessible
Meet at Least Two Nation Builders
Time and again, our fans suggest spending time with our Nation Builders. From Thomas Jefferson to the Marquis de Lafayette, any opportunity to learn from these engaging and knowledgeable interpreters is a win.
Experience Diverse Voices
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Presentation: Two-Spirits in American Indian Life
Join a member of our American Indian Initiative as they explore the lives of two-spirit indigenous people who embody both female and male spirits.
CW Admission
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Performance: Washington and the Shawnee War
Washington had a long history with the Shawnee as allies and enemies. Come hear his perspectives on the war against the Shawnee in the frontiers of Virginia in 1774.
Art Museums Admission
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Special Event: Indigenous Gown in a Day
The Mantua-makers are making a gown in a day! See what prominent northern Indigenous nations would have considered the height of fashion made with European trade goods.
CW Admission
TAKE A CARRIAGE RIDE
Enjoy a leisurely ride through the Historic Area by horse-drawn carriage and surround yourself with the sights and sounds of our unique city
See Two Performances
Whether you’re seeing our whimsical outdoor plays or Nation Builders sharing their stories, theatrical performances are great entertainment while you rest your legs.
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Event: Holiday Pops - Williamsburg Symphony
The Williamsburg Symphony’s Holiday Pops. Michael Butterman conducts your holiday favorites with Tiffany Haas, soprano.
Open to the Public
Event Ticket
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Music: All Hail to the Days
Join Lynn, Barry, and Lee to enjoy music for the winter season from the late 16th through the 17th centuries on lute, cittern, viols, hurdy gurdy, violin, percussion, and voice.
Art Museums Admission
Event Ticket
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Special Event: Community Christmas Tree Lighting
Join us for our annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, co-sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Williamsburg. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. in front of the Courthouse.
Open to the Public
GO BEHIND THE SCENES
Head over to the Custis Square or First Baptist Church archaeology sites, open Monday through Friday. Learn about what they’re uncovering and how archaeological evidence informs your experience in the colonial capital. Plus, you’re just across the street from the Art Museums!
VISIT THE ART MUSEUMS
In addition to the world’s largest living history museum, two hidden gems await in the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. The Dewitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum features American and British antiques and decorative art from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, while you can find bold and imaginative pieces of colonial and contemporary folk art at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum.
Select an Evening Program
The fun doesn’t end when the sun goes down. Take a ghost tour, or check out seasonal evening events in the Historic Area.
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Evening Program: Haunted Williamsburg
Brave centuries of scares, from 18th-century colonial ghost stories to creepy modern-day encounters!
Open to the Public
Event Ticket
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Evening Program: Cry Witch
Question witnesses, weigh evidence, and determine the guilt or innocence of "the Virginia Witch." Not appropriate for young children due to subject matter and intense emotion.
Open to the Public
Event Ticket
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Evening Program: Revolutionary Points of View
Step back in time to the eve of the American Revolution. There are just as many opinions about war and independence as we hear about politics and religion today.
Open to the Public
Event Ticket
STAY WITH US
With our official hotels, you can stay close to the action, enjoy resort amenities and get up to two complimentary admission tickets to the Historic Area and Art Museums when you book direct with Colonial Williamsburg Resorts. Book your stay now!
Three Great Museums. One Ticket.
Our living history museum and two art museums offer something for everyone to discover.
Your Admission Ticket is the Key