Tourists visiting attractions in Williamsburg, Virginia.

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Popular Things To Do and Experience In Williamsburg, Virginia

Are you visiting our site and feeling a little overwhelmed by your vacation options? While Williamsburg is a historic area famous for its role in the history of America, there’s something here for every visitor, including theme parks, museums, and relaxing in the great outdoors. To get you started, we’ve compiled a list of the most popular and fun things to do in Williamsburg, VA.

 

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Colonial Williamsburg

Covering over 300 acres, this living history museum rivals the scope of a major theme park. While it’s known for its recreation of colonial life, there’s a lot more to this complex than just reenactments. It’s home to traditional workshops, art museums, gardens, and archaeological sites. Stop at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center to purchase tickets and get up-to-date information. 

The area is home to two art museums. The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum features one of the largest collections of American folk art in the country. The DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum has a collection of British and American decorative art from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.

Like plants? The arboretum features over 30 historic gardens. While you’re walking around the park, you can scan the QR codes on the trees to learn more about them.

History buffs interested in a more active look at historic sites can book a walking tour with a professional travel guide to show you around. If you prefer the creepy side of American history, try a ghost tour like Ghosts of Williamsburg. With all the battles fought during the Revolutionary War and the Yorktown Battlefield nearby, the area is a playground for the supernatural. 

The area’s history is still being researched, with active excavations on the grounds. Tours can be scheduled with archaeologists to learn about their discoveries.

Colonial Williamsburg is open year-round, including holidays. Most historic trade shops along Duke of Gloucester Street, Merchants Square, and other tourist attractions are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., while the on-site art museums are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The park also hosts evening events. 

Visitors can use the Colonial Williamsburg app to navigate the area and check times for activities. Tickets are available for visiting all the buildings in the complex, such as the 18th-century Governor’s Palace, home of the English Royal Governor. Evening programs, carriage rides, and wagon rides have their own tickets.

[FREE GUIDE] There’s plenty to see, do and explore in Williamsburg. Plan your day with our guide and hit all the best spots!

Jamestown-Scotland Ferry

Want a different view of Colonial Williamsburg? This ferry connects State Route 31 across the James River, passing along the riverbank next to the colony. While this isn’t a tourist ferry, it offers great views of the coast around Williamsburg and surrounding wildlife. This free ferry operates seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Wait times tend to be long, especially on summer weekends. 

Busch Gardens Williamsburg

For most visitors, there’s one reason to go to Busch Gardens amusement park: roller coasters. This park features nine coasters, including the just-opened Pantheon (the world’s fastest multi-launch coaster).

The park is divided into four country-themed villages. There is at least one kiddie ride in each village, while the Sesame Street Forest of Fun and Land of the Dragons is 100% kid-friendly. Even if you prefer walking, it’s a good idea to start your visit with a ride on the train to get your bearings.

There isn’t a huge range of food options in the park, but you can find German and Italian food along with the regular theme park fare. They also host a massive food festival in the spring and early summer. Busch Gardens also has a nightly fireworks show, and there are always a couple of kid-friendly theater shows running in the park.

Want to film on rides? When you enter, your camera equipment will be checked to ensure harnesses and wrist straps are functional. If they’re approved, you’ll get a card to show at ride entrances.

This park is open from May to October. Quick Queue allows line skipping and is available in several versions, from single line skips to unlimited access. Currently, only the top Quick Queue pass offers access to the new Pantheon roller coaster, and that access is limited to one ride per day. 

Water Country USA

Need a break from the summer heat? Pack your swimsuits! This water park has everything you need to stay cool. It’s packed with water slides, wave pools, water coasters, and splash pads. Rides and features range from kid-friendly wave pools and a lazy river to high-speed slides and rafts. This year, the park is introducing Aquazoid Amped, a ride with over 800 feet of tubes with music and lighting effects.

Water Country USA is open from mid-May to mid-September. Be sure to check their social media accounts to make sure they’re open. Hours are limited at the beginning and end of the season, and they shut down for bad weather.

Cameras can be approved for use, but they’re not allowed on all rides. Like Busch Gardens, you can get a meal plan on top of your ticket. Be sure to budget an extra $20-$30 for locker rentals to store your stuff while exploring the park.

Jamestown Settlement

Jamestown Settlement is considered a  “living history museum” which showcases replicas of the original James Fort, a Powhatan village, and the ships that the original settlers sailed to North America

The recently upgraded 30,000-square-foot exhibition space houses a collection of more than 500 objects that illuminate the lives of all inhabitants: European, Native American, and African.

Colonial National Historic Park 

This national park encompasses several parks around the Historic Triangle, comprising Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown, with historic exhibits covering everything from colonization to the Civil War. While there are lots to see and do, the highlight is the Historic Jamestown Island Drive. This trail on the forested island has several stops that tell the area’s history, including logging activities and the stories of people who settled here. Since pedestrians, bicycles, and cars share the road, the speed limit is 15 MPH.

York River State Park

York River State Park is known as an estuarine environment, where fresh water and salt water combine to create a unique habitat for local wildlife. The park has more than 30 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails with a boat ramp for boating, canoeing, and kayaking

Virginia Capital Trail

Want to get out of the city and enjoy the scenery at a slower pace? This 52-mile-long biking and pedestrian path runs along the scenic Route 5 corridor, connecting the old capital at Jamestown and the new capital at Richmond. The entire length of the trail is paved with several stops for parking.

While there isn’t a shuttle service for this trail, you can use Amtrak or GRTC Pulse to get back to your car after your ride.

Muscarelle Museum of Art 

Do you like museums but want something other than colonial history? The Muscarelle Museum of Art at the College of William and Mary has over 6,000 pieces of art, covering almost every style and medium.

This museum is open from 12 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Docent-led tours are usually available on Fridays and Saturdays. Admission is $10. You can use the Passport Parking app to reserve a paid space.

American Revolution Museum

In nearby Yorktown, you can visit the American Revolution Museum and experience what George Washington and other founding fathers went through. The museum includes an outdoor area with a recreated Continental Army encampment and a Revolution-era farm. It’s located next to the Colonial National Historical Park and has access directly from the Colonial Parkway

Virginia Musical Museum

Looking for something a little out of the ordinary? This museum serves two purposes. It preserves a range of unusual instruments and music-making devices, including music boxes, nickelodeons, and circus novelties, as well as an exhibit on early recording technology. It’s also home to Virginia’s music hall of fame which features top musicians from the state, including Roy Clark, Wayne Newton, Ella Fitzgerald, Pharrell Williams, and Missy Elliot.

The Virginia Musical Museum is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for military and senior citizens, and $5 for children and students.

Let Us Help You Plan Your Visit to Williamsburg

Whether your interest is history, sightseeing, nature, or just getting away from it all, start planning your trip by visiting Relax Williamsburg. We have all the information you need for your next getaway to Williamsburg, including activities, breweries, hotels, restaurants, transportation, and more. As you can see, there are plenty of things to do in Williamsburg, VA! Start planning today.