Colonial Williamsburg

Our stay was very nice. Our room wasn't super clean but we did report it and they gave us some money back. All the food we had was great. Blue Talon had a great cheese and charcuterie. Lots of shops greats for gifts. Fun museums all up and down the main strip. I would say you would want 2 days at least to explore the main strip if you're a fast walker. 3 or 4 otherwise or with family.

We are club members/timeshare holders at a local club vacation spot. We have tried other club vacation spots and other states but wanted to try this one. This is probably the closest one to our house even though it is 6 1/2 hours away. The kids liked Williamsburg, but I think they got bored. I found a lot of this stuff very interesting. There is a lot of walking involved here to see everything. There is no place like this around and it was interesting to see it all of the old buildings and structures. It was also fun to go on a ghost tour and some reenactments. Overall there’s just no place like this anywhere. It’s a one of a kind experience. Would highly recommend if you’re even remotely interested in history.

Perfect place to take your friends or family when they’re visiting! The rich history of this place blew my mind. I would definitely go again. We were there from 11am to 5pm this time and still feel like we didn’t get through all the buildings. Lots of history to absorb. We loved the characters they have throughout the tours. Everything was very clean and well maintained. Would recommend spending a whole day here.

I just recently visited Colonial Williamsburg for the first time while on a family vacation. This place is full of history and fascinating information. If you love history while touring the beautiful grounds and surrounding areas this is a MUST stop for you. If i could recommend anything it would be you need more then 1 day to see everything and take everything in to its fullest.

Colonial Williamsburg was long on our list as a family vacation destination, and we were finally able to visit it this summer. Unfortunately, the day we chose was an extremely hot day, even by Virginia standards, but we still enjoyed our time here. The history of the town is amazing, and I especially enjoyed the rebuilt House of Burgess. Many of the shops along the main street were closed, and we were told it was because of a staff shortage this summer, but the ones that were open were very interesting to visit. We especially enjoyed the dressmaker shop, and the cobblers shop. The actors who Performed the living history bit on the street were pretty good, and a highlight of the day was the fife and drum marching band. Don’t miss the short film in the visitor center, it is actually quite good. All in all, I highly recommend a visit here, especially if you enjoy early American history. Just come with a goal in mind of the places you want to see, and make sure you know the schedule for the reenactment, or you may be disappointed if you miss out on too many things

An open air museum of colonial Virginia. There are multiple 18 century buildings, some are original, most are reconstructed. Actors costumed in historic attire respresent different aspects of life in a colonial town. You can see the court, tavern, city hall, etc. The place has a feel of historical Disneyland, and can be quite entertaining, however, in my opinion, does not look quite authentic (even old buildings look new, likely due to heavy restoration). There are multiple souvenir shops and cafes inside the museum. I visited on the 4th of July and the fireworks were amazing.

There is so much history here to explore! The people that work here are extremely friendly and always willing to answer any question you have. Roaming around here at night is so much fun, especially when you do one of the ghost tours. The food at the taverns is amazing, but very pricey. Everyone needs to come here at least once to here, Jamestown, and Yorktown to explore the history of some of the most important events in US history.

It is a great place to visit but not exactly kid friendly. It's obviously very history orientated so unless your kids are into that, they might be bored. However, as an adult, I loved seeing the gardens and the old architecture. It is fascinating seeing how the place "ran" back in the day. Further out from the Colonial part are more modern shops for food, coffee, gifts, etc. And all within walking distance, which if there is good weather means I can be in that area all day!

This was a great experience learning all about the history of the area! We enjoyed touring some of the top locations and seeing inside of the buildings. Walking along the streets we were able to experience a show were muskets and a cannon were fired, and even enjoyed a well done play that explained the Gun Powder Incident. Staff was dressed to replicate the times and were full of knowledge when asked questions. This location had so many things to see and was spread out among many acres of beautiful land! You do have to pay per person to get in to experiment the buildings but can walk around the area without a ticket. However you do also have to pay about $10 to park for the day. There is so much to see and do. If walking and history are your interests, then you should definitely check this place out! It definitely has inspired me to educate myself more on local history.

My family and I decided to visit because we both have a genuine love for history. We were excited to explore and learn, and we paid $60 for the two of us after using my military discount. Unfortunately, the experience didn't live up to our expectations. We were only able to see two or three buildings, as everything else was closed -- which was very disappointing. The site closes at 5 PM, yet the shuttles run until 9 PM, which felt confusing and unnecessary given how little was available to see later in the day. We were also hoping to see historical reenactments, but instead, we only saw a few staff in costume with no interactive or immersive experiences happening. It felt more like a photo opportunity than a true step back in time. I really wanted to enjoy it, but overall, it didn't feel worth the cost or time. I hope improvements can be made, as the potential is certainly there.

There are very few things in this area that you can do for free. One of them happens to be walking along the Duke of Gloucester street. It is a great place to walk your dog if you live in the area. Your dog can revel in the glory of all the attention dogs get, have the fun of barking at the carriages as they go by, snuffling at the sheep and other animals, and did I mention the love? I am here about once a week with my mom's dog. Most of the actors recognize Gilbert and come to say hello. The guy that plays Washington rides by and chuckles as this tiny dog barking at his enormous horse. Sometimes he dismounts to chastise Gilbert and remind him that his horse could crush him. It's a hoot. Then there are the obligatory statues. It's fun to capture your pooch in silly pics(see attached). If it's a beautiful day and you are in the area, it's free and it's a lovely walk.

This was an awesome stop. We were pushed back into the time of the continental congress. As the crowd moved thru the town there were little historical skits for us to watch an in some cases take part in. We moved down the street to where the congress was meeting to have speakers from the window balcony. We followed along down to what I would call a little amphitheater where the folks took center stage to compete the show. You can do as much as you want or as little. We had the opportunity to check out some of the establishments to see how things were done. There was also places to eat plus lodging at the different inns. We even got a haunted walk in later in the evening. Was a great stop.

Even after living here for years, Colonial Williamsburg never loses its charm. As a longtime local, one of my favorite ways to spend the day is simply strolling through the historic streets, taking in the beauty and rich history that surrounds you. No matter the season, this town has a peaceful, almost magical atmosphere. From blooming gardens in the spring to candlelit evenings during the holidays, there's always something special to see and experience. Whether you're visiting for the first time or have been coming for years, Colonial Williamsburg has a way of making you slow down, breathe a little deeper, and appreciate the past in a very real and beautiful way.

This was a really good experience coming here. It was pretty hot that day so I didn't stay very long but I need to take another trip here for sure. There is so much to see and discover. I found Colonial Williamsburg to be very interesting. You probably need a whole day here.

Overall a good experience, only had a few hours to visit. Bus ride down to the historic spot, walk around the town, see how everything was done by period correct costume characters. Would recommend a full day here

One of my favorite things to do in Virginia is tour Colonial Williamsburg. Time stands still as you walk down Duke of Gloucester and see the many actors portraying life in the 1700's. This is a family fun adventure that you will return to. I have been coming to CW for over 30 years. Cannot recommend enough.

What a great experience! I walked the entire property! So many interesting places to visit. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Definitely worth seeing.

Colonial Williamsburg, VA is a must visit. It's a beautiful old Historic town with buildings from the 1700's. Many of the buildings were turned into museums. You can spend all day walking around the historic town and checking out the re-enactment's, museums and shops. You can also tour the town in a horse carriage. I definitely recommend starting your tour as soon as the Visitor Center opens. There's all day parking for $10 and also a charge for pass to go inside the mansions and museums for $49 they offer military discounts. Free admission to walk around historic town. The town has colonial style restaurants. Colonial Williamsburg is a must visit when in the area! Happy Yelping :)

Today, I went to Colonial Williamsburg. I grew up in Williamsburg. I've been to Colonial Williamsburg more times than I can count. CW (as the locals call it) is a beautiful place to walk around with friends, visit the Cheese Shop or Aroma's, and maybe play Pokemon GO. Outside of the annual elementary school field trip, I had never visited inside the buildings or spoke to the artisans and merchants. Those are traditionally paid experiences, and a local like myself already knew everything there was to know about the colonial past.  Today, I went to Colonial Williamsburg with a paid ticket in hand, a new experience. My mother (who's lived in Williamsburg decades longer than myself) and I walked through the city in a fresh way. First, we stopped at the cabinetmakers'. I've stood outside that building dozens of times. It is a quaint cottage over a small stream, perfect for photos and rest. I've never been inside before. Three artisans were caving wooden legs, carving designs, and planing lumber. When we entered, one stopped to greet us and explain their work. He spoke about colonial woodworking, CW's records of this shop, and the nature of being a cabinetmaker. There was also a record of a harpsichord being sold at the shop in the colonial era, so the modern artisans also learned to craft and repair the instrument. It was beyond impressive. Next, we went to a lumberyard where two other artisans were working. One explained the work of constructing colonial buildings. Each new building was constructed in the lumberyard, disassembled, and then transported (mostly by oxen) to its final destination to be rebuilt. The artisan also showed us the original foundation of a colonial building right under our feet. She explained how CW could study and infer information from a building's foundation. A thicker foundation housed a two or three-story building. Wear in a specific area might show where a door was. Sometimes items were even found under the foundation, like a barrel beneath the Bray School. We then walked over to the colonial farm, marked by a large windmill held up above the ground by posts. The farmer was my favorite tradesman. He explained how the farming habits of the colonists differed before and during the Revolutionary War. He had us separate cotton seeds by hand as he told us about everything from tobacco to linens. In the colonial era, when times were good, people could afford to buy clothing made from flax, soft, durable, and often dyed. When tobacco wasn't selling well, like during the war, farmers had to grow cotton to make their clothes. We also learned more about the role of enslaved people in the colonial capital.  We met two individuals, historians maybe, outside the Bray School. The Bray School was a school for free and enslaved black children in colonial Williamsburg. CW has been working with William and Mary to discover more about the school and its students, but in its time it taught a couple hundred kids, mostly enslaved. The school was free, and one of its primary purposes was to teach the children to read the Bible. It also taught the children "their place," making sure to teach all the scriptures permitting slavery. We got to see the copies of primary sources, but the school was still being reconstructed, so we couldn't go inside.  We stopped at Merchants Square for lunch. (I recommend the prosciutto, provolone & roasted tomato sandwich at the Cheese Shop and a hot chocolate from Kilwins.) Our last stop at CW was the courthouse. A mock trial was being held and I was appointed the bailiff and had a speaking role! A court of 11 volunteer jurors heard three real colonial cases (more volunteers from the crowd). The court clerk spoke between the cases, explaining the colonial law and how it applied. It was super interesting to hear actual cases brought up by men and women hundreds of years ago.  Overall, I really enjoyed the experience. As someone who has grown up a few miles from the historic sight, I can honestly say this trip was a wholly unique experience. I recommend Colonial Williamsburg not just to tourists but to locals as well. Colonial Williamsburg has dozens of different historic trades, shows, and demonstrations, and we only got to see a few. I will definitely be going back to see more.

So when I was a kid my parents brought my brother and I here. I recall having a lot of fun, but what I remember most is Chowning's Tavern. Why? I thought I had eaten the most delicious, and exotic dish in my life: Welsh Rabbit! As a young child, I told this story for years. Now, as an adult, I know what I had was really "Welsh Rarebit", which of course contains no rabbit at all, just cheese! If you are intrigued, head over to Chowning's Tavern, and maybe Josiah still works there. He was great, and laughed at my story. There are lot of other things to explore and do here, so plan a good part of the day. So what I didn't remember as a child visiting, is that is costs money to get in. Maybe it wasn't always that way, but it is now. From: https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/tickets We offer several admission options and special offers to customize your visit. Tickets can be purchased online and redeemed at the Colonial Williamsburg Regional Visitor Center, which is where your Williamsburg experience begins

This is at least our third visit to Colonial Williamsburg and, in our opinion, it is one of the premiere historical sites on the east coast. It's a "must see" for visitors. Williamsburg was the capital of Virginia from 1699 to 1780, and the city housed persons who lived and worked there by choice or were enslaved. The Historical Area includes 89 original 18th-century buildings, as well as hundreds more reconstructed based on historical records and archaeological research. (Not all are open to the public). One can wander the outside streets without a ticket, but to participate in the tours & programs, snd to see demonstrations of historical trades, you'll need a ticket. Tickets were $49.99 each (April. 2024) but we were able to get them for $42.50 each with a AAA discount. There are discounts for military, but not for senior citizens. On this particular visit, there were four of us -- two adult visitors from Asia and my husband/me who live in central Virginia. We particularly enjoyed watching the fife and drum corp that performed/marched in the late afternoon, and demonstrations and conversations with various artisans of colonial trades and crafts. Suggestions for improvements: 1. Offer an overview film in the auditorium to set the historical context of Williamsburg. 2. Offer more discounts - for instance, for senior citizens and/or locals. Many years ago, we lived in Hawaii, and many local attractions such as the Polynesian Cultural Center offered discounts to those with a Hawaii drivers license. This encouraged us to take guests from out of town to these attractions. Also, offer a discount if patrons won't be there for a full day. 3. Some of the programming was far too long. For instance, one program was conducted in court where at least three cases were heard. One or maybe two would've been sufficient. It took time away from our ability to see other attractions. 4. More benches are needed, especially to allow rest between sites on hot days.

I loved our trip here! I didn't quite understand how Colonial Williamsburg worked, because I thought it was a theme park with designated entrances. It's not -- you don't have to buy a ticket, you can just walk around the area. The reason for the ticket is to go into the historic buildings and take the tours. Quite a few hotels offer admission with your hotel reservation as well. We stayed walking distance from the Colonial Williamsburg town, and took a nice stroll "back in time." We went mid-May, which I think was the perfect time. The weather was amazing and it wasn't very crowded. Our hotel gave us a map and programming for the week, so we had some activities mapped out. We took the archeology tour and the horticulture tour, which were both pretty good. Then we went into areas like the palace, Capitol, court house, black smith, and Raleigh tavern. Our tour guide at the Raleigh tavern was amazing, so I think I liked that the best. It definitely gets you thinking about how wild people were back then.

My wife and I just finished a two night visit, and had a lovely time. The buildings and grounds are beautiful (and well maintained), there are plenty of very interesting activities (including talks by very talented and entertaining actors playing historical figures, and demonstration workshops featuring period silversmiths, weavers, carpenters, blacksmiths, etc.), a period marching band, delicious food, etc. Very fairly priced, and I believe entrance is free (you need a ticket or pass to enter some buildings, and see many of the performances).

Colonial Williamsburg was a neat experience to visit once but overall it is such a tourist trap- there are to many overpriced retail shops and it feels like the focus is selling Knick knacks verses history. Many of the buildings are not original or are but have so many things added it takes away from the history. I wish this could be operated by NPS instead to keep it truly history instead it feels like a historical theme park The city hall building also had an incredibly rude tour guide who yelled at guests and told them because there was so many in the group (15) he was wearing a face mask inside in 2024 and it was non negotiable- he just had a horrible attitude that showed he did not want to be at work

We "popped-in" as we were in the area and saw as much as we could like the fountain and the theatre. The ladies at the front desk were very nice and understanding. It's a historical site to visit for a whole day; so plan your visit. The souvenir shops are lovely, as well! I'm definitely going back the next time in town.

Colonial Williamsburg is a living-history museum and private foundation that opened in Williamsburg, Virginia in 1934. It was founded by Reverend Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin with the assistance of wealthy philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr. and his wife Abby Aldrich Rockefeller. The city of Williamsburg originally functioned as the capital of the Colony and Commonwealth of Virginia from 1699 to 1780. Many years later, in 1903, Reverend Goodwin became rector of the Bruton Parish Church. He oversaw the restoration of the church and soon public interest began to grow around the concept of restoring the surrounding historic district. Goodwin contacted and obtained the support of the Rockefellers to finance the project which began in 1928. 720 buildings that postdated 1790 were demolished in order to return the historic area to the way it looked during the 18th century. Today, visitors can explore the 173 acres which contain about 500 historical buildings. Historical reenactors explain and demonstrate aspects of daily life from the period. My family and I visited Colonial Williamsburg this past summer while we were on a road trip. This was a bucket list visit for me; I've wanted to visit since I was a young boy. My wife and I were worried that our two toddler sons wouldn't appreciate the more museum elements of Colonial Williamsburg at their current age. Fortunately, visitors can explore the grounds and a handful of the buildings without having to purchase any tickets. This was fine for us because our sons seemed to enjoy the outdoor events much more anyway. They especially enjoyed seeing all of the costumed reenactors. Some of the highlights of our trip included seeing farm animals, horse-drawn carriages, musket and cannon demonstrations, and a fife and drum corps marching around the grounds. We had a fun visit to Colonial Williamsburg and hope to visit again when our boys are older and can appreciate the full experience.

The actors are awesome and i love them but genuinely the most soul sucking experience ever, every store sells the same thing and i would consider myself sort of active but the walking was awful. had to walk like over a mile to our car (we had to pay like 10 dollars for parking mind you) and everything is over priced. Im sure the experience is better if you have the passes but those are 35 dollars PER PERSON which is quite silly

Wow, cute little place FULL of history! Very cute local shops. If you stop by here get yourself some delicious peanut brittle!

A great place to visit and learn about Colonial America in the place it actually happened. Colonial Williamsburg is a wonderful place to visit that really brings American history to life. It offers visitors a unique glimpse into 18th-century America with real shops, people dressed in period costumes and buildings maintained as they would be in Colonial times. Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, this living history museum spans over 300 acres and includes restored buildings, interactive exhibits, and costumed interpreters. The site is an immersive experience where you can walk along cobblestone streets, interact with blacksmiths, shopkeepers, and even participate in colonial-era activities.. I would recommend starting your experience at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center. It is modern, spacious, and well-organized. There is plenty of parking in parking garages along the outer streets or at the visitors center parking lot. The center offers detailed maps, helpful staff, and a gift shop filled with unique colonial-themed items. There's a café for a quick bite before heading out. Shuttle buses run from the visitor center, regularly, to the main historical area, making it easy to access without worrying about parking downtown. Once inside the city I would definitely suggest seeing the Governor's Palace, the Capitol, and whatever trade shops are open. The shops are where skilled artisans demonstrate their crafts. I got a chance to see the bookbinder, weaver, armourer, blacksmith, and cobbler. OVerall, it was a wonderful visit with more to see than can be accomplished in one visit. I think a visit to Colonial Williamsburg is ideal for families, history buffs, or anyone seeking an educational yet entertaining experience. It's truly a gem worth exploring when in Virginia.

Going backwards in time? My crowd trying to leave and return to the 21st century I'd have titled "Misery"'! When we arrived, I asked the lady at the information desk for just that, information. She looked at my annual ticket barcodes and said I had to wait in another line to get them printed. Ummm, I'm pretty sure when we bought them that it didn't say that, and having a printer at home, would have done so there. Oh, well, on to the long line to get that done. Guess what? She was wrong! We got lanyards with cards inside, and I rented a manual wheelchair for myself. I don't care how easy those people in the hospital make pushing one of those look, but don't bother. Someone has to push you the entire time, OR you'd have to try to wheel yourself. Don't even think about this unless you've got the biceps of the Rock! Either rent the scooter from the private company or just do your best to walk. Wondering WHY I got the wheelchair? I've needed my hip replaced for several years and if you don't have that problem, you cannot understand. However, there is a LOT to see. You really have gone back in time, and there were some actors talking and explaining things. Did I mention it was around 35 degrees and windy and I'm NOT a fan of the cold weather at all? We got the tickets Cyber Monday when the year pass was the price of a daily, so we plan to return...........when my hip is fixed and when it's not cold enough to freeze you! Be forewarned, there is a good bit, and I mean by that, a ton of walking. My autistic grandson seemed out of sorts and his father had to carry him most of the time, he would occasionally let his oldest sister hold his hand and walk with him. I think she had the best time of all, because they are studying this time in school. Not one complaint, and that's saying a lot with her. Wear comfy shoes. Take your time. Rent a scooter if walking is difficult. Oh, they will tell you of a shuttle bus, but I only ever saw it pick up and/or drop off at ONE location. Don't rely on catching it, because I watched it drive away as I headed towards it. See you again...in warm weather without my bad hip!

Walking around feels like stepping back in time, and the actors and hands-on activities make it enjoyable

I mean... WOW. If you are a living history buff, this is your Superbowl. So much to do and docents who are truly experts in this areae. Something to remember is that you are in 1774.... before the revolution. It helps you to get into the mindset of folks who were living under British rule. The transportation around the area is top notch, but truly you can walk almost anywhere (except the visitor's center) in a short amount of time. Every day the events that are being presented change so it's never the same experience. The beauty and the ability to make learning history fun is what makes this place AMAZING. Please also be sure to see Cry Witch at the Capitol. Truly a thought provoking and entertaining production!

This is a must visit for anyone who is a US citizen or an aspiring one. There is a lot to see and lots of history to take in. There are a multitude of ticket options ranging from a day or more and ones that include Jamestown and Yorktown. You'll park at the visitor center and get your tickets and either walk about a half mile to the grounds or take the free shuttle. We decided to walk in, and I am glad we did because the first property we toured was the Randolph mansion, and it was beautiful! We also got to visit the governor's palace, capitol, weaver, wig maker, apothecary and Raleigh Tavern. All of the field guides in the living history museum were very friendly and highly informative. One cool fact I learned was that the term "pig pen" came from George Washington, wanting property owners to contain their pigs in a "pen" You will walk quite a bit here, so be ready! There is also a large museum to tour with lots of period art and home furnishings to browse. If you are looking to do a carriage ride you must get those early or possibly online because they sell out quickly.

It was a beautiful day to walk through the village. The people working in the village are super nice and extremely helpful.

I remember my middle school class were going to Colonial Williamsburg for a school field trip but I got sick so I never went. Not giving my age but years later, I'm on a field trip with my family! HAHAHA!!! It's a nice walk around the "plantation" and a lot of history. They bring the experience to life by having the staff dressed up like the olden days. Think of 1800's early 1900's, you know how we used to dress back then LOL!! Fun fact, some of the houses are actually houses people bought and are living in. So some houses are not open to the public because there's real family living in them. I wonder if these see ghosts at night? Hmmm.... The only thing I missed out on was the carriage ride. They said they usually sell out in minutes. You have to get there as soon as the window booth open and buy your time in advance. So another field trip is in the future....

This place was very cool! It was a good experience! Be prepared to WALK! I would 100% recommend!

$50 to get in, only a few buildings are open to view. Few shows to see. For the price to pay to get in you would think that you would be able see more of the buildings. Walk down the street to pass buildings that you can't look in.. I was so disappointed

We loved it here. Family of 6 spent some good time here. Loved learning about history. Things I loved the most?! The people who were artisans and actors, role playing. Horse carriage ride. Stories. Logistically, how easy it was to get around. Things I didn't like?! some shops were closed, they ran out of ice cream, we tried to upgrade our tickets to season passes and never heard back.

Plan an ENTIRE day here cause there is sooo much to do. During the winter months they even have an ice skating rink. Oh so here we go,... u get ur tickets at the visitors center and can walk to the downtown area through the back door or just drive over to the downtown. And when I say downtown,... it is literally in the downtown of the city. There are shops and places to eat, but to get to go into the historical buildings/art museum, you gotta show your ticket! Such a fun and great time for us and the kids. Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia *Williamsburg was the first capital of Virginia. *John D. Rockefeller, Jr, American financier and philanthropist, was responsible for funding the restoration of Williamsburg in 1926. *It was home to the 1st psychiatric hospital in 1773. *William & Mary, the nation's second oldest college, is located in Williamsburg. *Williamsburg was an important city during the American Revolution. It was home to the Virginia Conventions including the one where Patrick Henry gave his famous "Give me liberty, or give me death!" speech. It also was where General George Washington assembled the Continental Army in preparation for the siege of Yorktown.

I love history and learning about it. There's many places you can go to learn about basically anything that's happened and has been documented, but Colonial Williamsburg is the best one I can remember. There's MANY things you can do here, the area is beautiful, and all of it is there to teach you about Virginia back when it was one of the 13 colonies. I'm having trouble explaining everything but it's all amazing. If you get the chance, you have to go here. I've recommended a lot before but out of all of my reviews, this place is the one you MUST do if you can. 10,000/10.

This place is BIG!!! It's April (spring), the weather is perfect to take in the sites. This was our first time to Williamsburg, and some friends advised us to walk around our first visit... I had no idea how much has been restored, or how many park employees were going to be there to answer questions and tell stories. The whole place is a living museum. It's information overload. Did you know the first hot air balloon launched in VA was in Williamsburg in 1801???? Yeah, that kind of information. It's more than pre-revolution info. It's all a lot of fun. Tips: comfortable walking shoes, sun screen (even if it's cloudy), a good hat, and water. Try to take in any of the plays, and try to read the signs on each house (one of them was owned by Martha Washington's Father/Grandfather)... the plays are where you'll hear the oddball information and the signs on the houses are kind of cool to help make all the connections to prominent historical figures or give you an idea of where they were spending time when they weren't making written history.

we were very disappointed this visit. no soldiers in the streets. they had visitors as troops. brief enactments such as the musket shooting which was one man who didn't want to be there. A visitor was asking questions and he brushed him off, couldn't wait to get away. employee at the registers in the cafe in town rude. My experience in the past was superb, but this was just depressing

NOTHING TO DO everything is closed now since "covid messed everything up" My family and I go every single year and there USED to be lots to do. They'd have the gardens you could at least walk through, with the fife and drums at the end of the night. Now you have to spend $50 to buy a ticket just to access the shops ((they will literally turn you away at the door and be super rude)). It's no wonder the place is tanking, they took everything fun out! I'll NEVER return Yall keep your overpriced tickets!!

We recently made a trip to Williamsburg and visited Colonial Williamsburg (CW) during Memorial Day weekend. My in-laws had booked us a room at the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel and Suites for a family vacay and whatever deal my mother-in-law found, included entrance tickets to CW with the booking. Score! If you're looking for accommodations nearby, Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel and Suites is located right next to the CW visitors center. I'll post a separate review for our experience there. - Transportation - Free shuttle available all around CW, making stops between different points in the CW village and some of the restaurants and shops next to CW village. Runs pretty much all day until the later hours of the evening. First stop, we had to present ourselves at the admissions office to get our physical badges for entrance. My stepfather-in-law is a veteran and my husband is active duty, so they gave them a blue star with their badge. We were informed that Home Depot sponsors admission for military and their dependents during Memorial Day, so we got free passes for our kids. I must say, I am grateful for the deals from the hotel booking and complimentary passes sponsored by Home Depot, because when I looked up on the TV screens for the prices, it wasn't cheap! Now, we had been to CW once before when my oldest was a tiny baby and my youngest wasn't even around at that time. I remember enjoying our visit, but also don't remember it being that pricey, but maybe we went during a similar situation. We took probably about 2.5 days to explore. Can't say we saw everything, because one of those days, it was raining most of the day, so it threw a wrench in our plans. I do love a good interactive theme and CW delivers on that front. Great for the kids' learning experiences as well. Paid staff and volunteers dress up in the traditional dress and are really quite knowledgeable. We visited so many different houses of prominent figures during those times and various shops. We visited places like the carpenter, the silversmith, the brickyard, the wigmaker, gun maker, George Wythe house, The Capitol of Williamsburg, the coffee house, Raleigh Tavern, Governor's Palace and so much more. There's just a lot to see and so much info to process and take in. Some things to note and fun facts: - not sure if there is tiered pricing, but our passes were valid over the course of a week. This is really great if you live in the area, so you can take a week and go explore different sections on different days without having to pay for the hotel. For the tourist crowd, if this is all you came to see, then at least the tickets will be worth it. - For the Home Depot sponsored tickets for the kids, we did have to go daily to get a new pass for each day - you can walk within the villages, but you can only access certain buildings with a pass - Fun fact: some of the staff rent rooms within the historical buildings. Talk about walking to work! - bring your walking shoes and lots of water. - the red horse carriage was the one Queen Elizabeth II rode when you she came on her last visit to Williamsburg. - horse carriage is an extra fee (runs around $50+) It takes you around a square and the driver provides some tidbits of fun info that makes for a pleasant chat - they are still experiencing staff shortages, so you may experience some shows/demos being cancelled or just less staff around Overall, it's was a fun experience to play tourist for the weekend somewhat close to home. The entire village is very well kept, staying on theme with so much information. Lots of history on these grounds and they do a great job of restoration, preservation and education, but like I mentioned, it comes at a cost. If you're like me, who likes to read ALL the things, but have younger children who squirrel everywhere, still go and experience it all, but take lots of pics, post them here and read them all later (or with the best intention to). This is what I do! hahaha Stay safe, Friends!

This place has so much history. I loved everything about this place. All the people dressed up so you feel as if you went back into time. Everything is well kept and clean

Amazing place. Haven't been here since I was a kid and it lived up yo my memory. Micah at the visitor center ticket area was so cool and kind and accommodating. He gave us a lot of good information. Definitely worth it-- you really are stepping back in time.

Colonial Williamsburg has been on my to-do list for years now...I finally made the trip earlier this month. (June 2022) Now, I've gone to a few historical villages in the Northeast...Sturbridge, Allaire, Bethpage, Mystic Seaport...and have always enjoyed learning how things were done during that time period. We arrived at the Visitor's Center at around 10 AM on a Monday morning and the crowds were minimal. Lots of parking spaces in the Visitor's Center main lot. You enter the visitors center (contains gift shop, bathrooms and a few exhibits). You can buy your general admission tickets (Single Day Adult - $47, Children 6-12 - $26, Multi-Day Adult - $57, Children - $31, Annual Pass Adult - $75, Children $42) After you buy your tickets, you can either take the shuttle bus to the Village or walk there (1/4-1/3 mile walk). There is a lot to do, see and learn at the village. If you want to take full advantage of the experience by attending all of the tours and visiting each house, it may be a good option to get a multi-day pass. Keep in mind that not all houses are opened all days...we were specifically told that less houses are opened during the week...so the weekend, although more likely to be crowded, will ensure that more houses are opened for visiting. I did the Governor's Palace tour which was interesting...but be sure to set aside at least 35-45 minutes total including the waiting time, briefing and tour. I didn't get to do the Capital Building tour, but I would imagine the time allotted to be similar. We visited blacksmith, leathery, dress making, wig making, silversmith, court, church and a few others that were opened that day. Everything was interesting and the staff there are all awesome...very willing to teach you and take any questions you have. My wife and I loved it, my 11-year-old liked some of it and the 2-year-old napped a lot...strollers by the way must be parked outside of most houses. There is also a lot of gravel in some areas so navigation with a stroller can be tough. Wear comfortable shoes...lots of walking, especially on uneven surfaces. Clean bathrooms. A bunch of food options...but many were closed, likely due to it being a Monday...I'd expect they are all opened on weekends. The bakery was open and had some treat: ice cream, pastries, snacks, drinks. There are also a few gift shops/markets around other than the main one back in the Visitor's Center...all have interesting items that those of all ages would love. All staff we encountered were super nice and more than willing to engage in conversation, teach you what they know and offer helpful advice to make the experience more enjoyable. Overall we had a good time...I would suggest that the weekday admission be less than the weekend admission...or be adjusted based on the number of houses that are opened that day. I don't think it's fair to pay the same price and get less from the experience. It's also no secret that you DO NOT need a ticket to simply walk the grounds of Colonial Williamsburg...you just cannot enter any house...may be worth it for those who want to preview the experience before buying a ticket.

A must see when in Virginia- Historical Colonial Williamsburg! Williamsburg was capital of the Virginia Colony from 1699 to 1780 and played a significant role in the American Revolution. It forms the "Historic Triangle" together with Jamestown and Yorktown. Its heart is Colonial Williamsburg, a historic district and living-history museum where actors in period costume depict daily Colonial life in the streets, stores and workshops.A must see when visiting Virginia! Photos by: Wayne Salvatti . . . . #virginia #virginiaisforlovers #virginiausa #godisgood #colonialwilliamsburg #ilovevirginia #seetheusa #waynesalvatti #virginiacolony #jamestown #yorktown #coloniallife #museums #americanhistory #americanrevolution #ushistory #usa1 #ilovetheusa #leicaphotography

He really enjoyed our time here! We are history buffs so it was a perfect place to go during our stay in Williamsburg for a wedding. We went in October and it was a nice cool fall morning! We went on a Saturday morning and it was not too crowded at all! The people who work there get into character which is so fun! They wear the traditional clothing and shoes that are actually made there! They were very nice and knowledgeable. We toured the governors palace which was cool to see and very informational. We also went to see the bookbinding shop, shoemaker, blacksmith, tin maker and jewelry maker. There is someone that works in each of those shops who is very knowledgeable on their skills and is very open to questions and you can even touch and feel the things they made! A lot of the buildings weren't open when we went (we were not sure why) but you could still look in the windows and there were plaques that said what the buildings were used for. Lots of gift shops too! There were also a few restaurants, but we didn't eat there. We only stayed for a couple hours and didn't see much of it. We definitely could have made a whole weekend out of it to see all the different shops. Would definitely go back! We wanted to take a horse carriage ride but they were all sold out, so make sure you reserve in advance!

This review is coming from a visitor that did not pay for admission and walked around this place in the morning for a couple for 2 hours each morning before heading to Busch Gardens. I parked my car near the visitor center for free and walked around 0.25 miles on the trail that goes to Colonial Williamsburg. There are closer parking spots, but you have to either pay or park for only an hour and come back. I played Pokemon Go here and a great place to play as there are plenty of gyms and Poke stops. The place does not open till 9am, but you can check out the place before then. Their bathrooms are also opened early and the people here do take care of the place as you can hear the lawn mowers in the morning and some of the people getting ready. To get inside the buildings you do need a ticket which I did not know as the people will ask for them. But for free, you can wonder around to look at the outside which is good enough for me. I am not so sure if I would pay the price to go inside a couple of buildings. But it was a cool experience and would recommend anyone to go check it out.

I likes my visit, however ALL of the open taverns had to have a reservation...on a 90 degree weather that was not very fun. Thank goodness for the lovely air conditioned shuttle because with my low blood pressure, the heat and no place to go inside outside of the museum and trying to get food was a real strain for me. Not sure I'll return, I nearly fainted. The tavern mandatory reservation needs to be shown on the website for people like me who have difficulties with high heat. However, the fireworks evening was so well done. They had two stages at various sections of the governor's palace mall. That was really well thought out because it meant that if you were sitting in the back, you had other stages right by you that had readings done aloud, dancing and music. I would return but know to have to make a reservation at one of the 3 or 4 taverns to eat in a historic atmosphere. The air conditioned shuttles (2 that I experienced) are priceless for visiting this venue in the hot summer months and when it's raining also. The shuttle stop by the Tavern Stop has a roofed shelter so I could see how that would be good to have around.

For colonial dining make reservations. Destination Williamsburg is a 55-year experience for our family. We recommend a week in this area, and we always trade into a Five Star Timeshare to enjoy Destination Williamsburg. I have escorted folks for years. A Colonial Williamsburg ticket is essential. The Colonial area requires several days of intense history. There are several excellent restaurants in or near Merchant's Square, which borders Colonial Williamsburg, and there is parking at Merchant's Square. Be aware that like most of the Tide Water area, that Colonial Williamsburg is very hot and humid in the summer. Fall and spring are delightful; however, we love to visit during the Christmas season with Colonial Williamsburg in full Colonial Christmas decorations and the street bond fires. Dining in the 18th Century setting id provided at the following: * Christiana Campbell's Tavern® * Chowning's Tavern® * King's Arms Tavern® * Shields Tavern® King's Arms Tavern is our favorite colonial inn. A Colonial Williamsburg ticket is not required for colonial dining; however, we strongly recommend reservations. The Williamsburg Inn may provide a special dinner for a couple. Yes, one can "muddle" through Williamsburg without a Colonial Williamsburg ticket, but Colonial Williamsburg ticket is essential to the experience. Nearby Yorktown and Jamestown (two locations) require tickets and are well worth the price. Do read restaurant reviews, and take a digital restaurant list on your laptop. Some of the best Williamsburg restaurants are located outside Colonial Williamsburg. One must research to locate the best seafood establishments. Destination Williamsburg is not a "bucket list" experience. Colonial Williamsburg is a reasonable drive for the east coast and the Midwest tourist. Colonial Williamsburg is a short flight from everywhere east of the Mississippi. Expect to return many times to this wonderful history! We have been visiting since the 1960's.

I visited CW 25 years ago, and again today! all I can say is what happened? most of the blogs were closed, the bldgs open the staff were not in character, except for one, the dress shop and the lady was lovely. and of the blog's open not all represented the 18th century, the can't shoppe sold funyuns and modern day candy bars instead of the glass apothecary jars filled with candy from the era. no civil war enactments, and only one person from the past encounter. my memories were so magical, going back in time but today I paid lots more $$$ and got really nothing for it!!! what a shame it had become, so commercialized! I certainly will not return!

Such a great experience. The last time we went was 2005 and lots of changes. The Jamestown and Yorktown museums were very nice. You can spend a day in each of them maybe even two days to read all of the displays. Colonial Williamsburg was so nice as well. All of the "characters" were very knowledgeable and lived in their perspective time periods. Great place for those who love history and for kids that are older. I would definitely bring my daughter again and especially since American history is a big part of her social studies class.

We went on a Saturday in August. I guess they're already winding down for the season because a lot of the shops weren't open or doing demonstrations. I would say that's the only downside. Also, the bus service is really slow. For how much it cost to go there. I think they need to improve that.

Even though I piss, bitch and moan a lot about the CW of now versus what I remember as a kid, I was pleasantly surprised during two brief visits this Spring and Summer about certain things. Let me start by saying that for the better part of the last twenty years I've had one of the annual passes. Technically for another week and a half I still am a passholder even though I'm going to let it expire because I simply don't see in the near future any chance to make substantive visits. From a planning standpoint the one big change is that they revamped their website map to actually reflect everything that is currently offered including the Colonial Houses you can stay in. Previously it was basically a state secret as to where these were located and the only way, I knew of, to get a solid map was to reserve a house and then you got a map at check in that showed where all are located. Yet, there are still tickets for certain events/daily programming that can only be reserved by calling the 800#. Why make it so hard and not fully transparent? www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/map/ Two things that I'm still not thrilled about are the trade schedules and the food. Many, many reviews in different forms talk about the frustration of how things even at the height of the summer tourist season, are not open daily but on irregular schedules that seem to have no rhyme or reason. Of course, all of the merch shops are open seven days a week, but the things that could provide a deeper sense of interpretation and understanding are not. Original buildings like the Geddy House, Robert Carter House and the Everard House need to be open more than seasonally, the 12th of never, once in a blue moon or occasionally. Don't even get me started with what they did by closing the Benjamin Powell House.... The food to me is also another sore spot. Small menus at the taverns, very high prices and quality that is sketchy at best. If I'm not mistaken, CW farmed out their F&B a few years ago and honestly, I don't think it's doing them any favors from a guest perspective. Prices need to come down or variety and/or quality needs to come way, way up to justify what they're charging. I usually spend a fair amount of time talking with the interpreters both on and off the record and two in particular remember me from prior visits, so we speak more informally. For the first time in a long time, some are speaking optimistically about the future with Cliff Fleet as CEO as someone "who gets it" versus as one called it, "The Dark Years" of Mitchell Reiss who, in their perception, only managed via a spreadsheet. There is still value to be had by visiting here. A lot of people who staff the trade shops are fantastic in every way and are very generous with their time. In particular the Foundry, the Brickyard and the Carpenter. The museums are also first rate and some of the night programs (not the ghost tour - more like To Hang a Pirate) are entertaining enough to justify the additional expense. Take part in as many of the reenactments & tours as they offer but also leave time for simpler things like hanging out in the gardens behind The Palace or walking the streets at night when it's completely quiet. Going forward I would like to see better quality F&B choices in the taverns, more "behind the scenes" tours and a greater focus on creating better value for guests versus simply monetizing things the way how it was done during the Reiss era. If you've never been, do your research on their website and on their calendar page. In the summer there is a lot to see and do here let alone if you combine it with visits to Busch Gardens, Yorktown and Jamestowne. In the off season the crowds go away, and things become more approachable (hotels prices plummet), but the amount of programming here also decreases. Either way, there is nothing like CW and it should be on everyone's bucket list to try at least once. If done right, chances are, you'll be back.

It was so fun visiting this area over the holidays - returning to where I grew up. The attention to detail and focus on preserving history in an authentic way really takes this living history experience to the next level - along with all the modern comforts you'd come to expect from a top-tier destination.