21 Awesome Things to Do in Williamsburg, Virginia and Nearby

Williamsburg, Virginia, is a perfect location for a family-friendly vacation. Its rich history draws visitors from all over the world.

Williamsburg is ideal for a spring break getaway or a fun week-long vacation. It’s even a perfect stop on a Virginia road trip.

We’ve been to Williamsburg multiple times as a family and still haven’t seen everything available. There are so many fun things to do in Williamsburg, it’s hard to see them all in one trip!

No matter how much time you plan on spending, this guide shares some of the best things to do in Williamsburg and nearby, including the historical attractions and family-friendly fun!

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Visiting the Historic Triangle

Although many people plan a trip to Williamsburg, they also include Yorktown and Jamestown in their plans due to their historical significance.

Collectively, the three towns are known as America’s Historic Triangle. They are all close to each other (within a 20-minute drive), making it easy to combine activities in all three places during your trip to Williamsburg.

Drive the Colonial Parkway

As part of the Colonial National Historical Park, the Colonial Parkway is an attraction in itself!

This 23-mile drive from Jamestown to Yorktown meanders through the forested lands within the 10,000+ acres of the park. It’s a beautifully scenic way to visit all of the locations within the historic triangle!

Colonial Williamsburg

Of course, of all the things to do in Williamsburg, VA, Colonial Williamsburg is one of the most notable attractions.

As the world’s largest living history museum that spans over 300 acres, there are over three dozen historic sites and exhibits on the property. Not to mention the many presentations, performances, and special tours.

You’ll want to plan at least two full days to see everything Colonial Williamsburg offers. Maybe three if there are specific presentations or tours you’d like to see, as they are not always offered daily.

Visitor Tip: Not all historic sites are not open every day. Plan ahead to make sure you visit the sites when they are open.

You have several ticket options for visiting Colonial Williamsburg. They offer 1-day and 3-day tickets.

Colonial Williamsburg Ghost Tour

It’s fun to walk around Colonial Williamsburg by day, but you can even have some spooky fun at night.

There are few options for ghost tours in Colonial Williamsburg, but we enjoyed the tour offered by US Ghost Adventures. It was about an hour long and it wasn’t too scary for the kids.

Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens amusement park is another one of the most popular things to do in Williamsburg. The park has something for everyone, including a dedicated kid’s area (Sesame Street Forest of Fun), rollercoasters, and fun shows.

Busch Gardens is such a beautiful park to walk around. It has been named “Most Beautiful Theme Park” over 30 years in a row!

Like any amusement park, you’ll want to arrive early in the day to avoid crowds and enjoy shorter lines. Be prepared with lots of water during the hotter months!

Busch Gardens runs different ticket offers throughout the year. You can also purchase a Bounce Ticket that includes unlimited admission to Busch Gardens and Colonial Williamsburg over seven days. Summer Bounce Tickets also include Water Country USA.

Water Country USA

Water Country USA is Busch Garden’s waterpark, though they are not connected. As Virginia’s largest waterpark, there are over a dozen attractions and something for everyone.

Water Country USA is open during the summer months from mid-May through mid-September.

You can purchase single-day tickets to Water Country USA or multi-day tickets to visit both Busch Garden and Water Country USA. You can only visit one park in one day on the same ticket. Admission to Water Country USA is included in the Summer Bounce Ticket, including Busch Gardens and Colonial Williamsburg.

The Williamsburg Botanical Garden

This two-acre garden in Williamsburg features 20 distinct garden areas that showcase native plants. The Williamsburg Botanical Garden is FREE to visit and is a nice place to spend some time outdoors while visiting the area.

Located within Freedom Park, you can combine your visit to the garden with the Free Black Settlement and Go Ape! (More information about both is below.)

Free Black Settlement at Freedom Park

While in Freedom Park, take the time to explore the Free Black Settlement, another free activity in Williamsburg. These buildings are replicas built on the former property of William Ludwell Lee, whose will freed the people he had enslaved.

The three buildings depict the homes of Anthony Brown and John Jackson, who were freed in 1804, and Juba Lightfoot, who was not enslaved by Ludwell but had worked as a bricklayer and plasterer.

Visitors can enter the homes (two were unlocked when we visited) and learn more about the freed men and their families and the differences in the relative wealth of the inhabitants.

Williamsburg Air Tours

See Williamsburg and the Historic Triangle from above!

Take a private air tour with the Williamsburg Flight Center. They’ll fly you over Colonial Williamsburg, the mansions and plantations, or the Historic Triangle in a single-engine aircraft. The tours last 30-90 minutes, and the aircraft holds up to 3 passengers, not including the pilot.

Historic Jamestowne

Of the two museums dedicated to the Jamestown settlement, built in 1607, Historic Jamestowne is built on the former settlement site.

A project called the Jamestown Rediscovery began in 1994. Since then, it has established the fort’s original location, essential buildings, and thousands of artifacts.

Guests can explore the grounds to learn where the fort was located and how the town expanded. They can also attend archeology and historical tours. The Glass House is one of the popular exhibits on the site.

Historic Jamestowne is part of Colonial National Historical Park, which is partnered with the National Park Service. National Park passes or a receipt from the Yorktown Battlefield can receive discounted admission. This site is also included in America’s Historic Triangle ticket.

Jamestown Settlement

Jamestown Settlement is a fun living history museum that depicts what life was like for both the Jamestown settlers and the Powhatan, who lived in the area before the settlers arrived.

Outside, visitors will find recreations of a Powhatan village, the ships that brought the settlers, and the Jamestown Fort. Interpreters are at each location to explain what life was like and the history of the time.

Inside, there is a HUGE exhibit, starting with English life before they left for the New World. The museum is beautifully done with interactive exhibits that keep everyone’s attention.

Plan to spend 3-4 hours at the Jamestown Settlement. There is a lot to see and learn about! If you plan to visit the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, you can buy discounted combo tickets. The America’s Historic Triangle ticket also includes admission to Jamestown Settlement.

Williamsburg Wild Airboat Tour

One of the reasons Williamsburg made an excellent capital for Virginia during the colonial period was its proximity to water. Both the James and York Rivers allowed for easy transportation and shipping. Now, visitors can enjoy touring the waterways via an airboat.

Williamsburg Wild offers airboat tours along the Powhatan Creek and around James Island. The tours are about an hour long, and you’ll learn all about the native plants and wildlife of the region.

Jamestown-Scotland Ferry

On a beautiful, sunny day, why not take a ride on the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry? You can even see the ferry when you visit the Jamestown Settlement.

The ferry is FREE to ride and takes about 20 minutes to cross the James River, and it operates 24/7. Departure times vary based on the time of day.

Once you’re on the other side, you can visit Chippokes State Park and the Farm and Forestry Museum. Or maybe stop by Smith’s Fort and learn about Captain Joh Smith’s “New Fort”.

Ride the Yorktown Trolley

If you’re visiting Yorktown, the easiest way to get around town is by using the FREE Yorktown Trolley.

The trolley runs daily from mid-March through mid-November and then Friday through Sunday from mid-November through mid-December.

It makes multiple stops at some of the most popular locations in Yorktown, including the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, Riverwalk Landing, and the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center. It’s easy to track the trolley’s location on their website or free apps.

Yorktown Battlefield

The battle at Yorktown was the last major battle of the American Revolution, where Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington.

The National Park Service has preserved the battle’s history with an informative exhibit at the Visitor’s Center and a driving tour through the battlefield. There is a free audio tour app you can listen to as you drive to each location on the tour.

Visiting the Yorktown Battlefield costs $15 for those over 16 years old to visit the Yorktown Battlefield. However, those with a National Park Pass (including the America the Beautiful and Every Kid Outdoors passes) can enter for FREE.

Take a Steamer Wagon Tour

For a different way to tour the Yorktown Battlefield, check out the Yorktown and Company Steamer Wagon Tour.

You’ll ride in a replica steamer wagon while learning how Yorktown played a large part in the American Revolution and Civil War. During our tour, we also learned about the different fife songs that were played during the American Revolution.

This one was one of the best things we did on our most recent trip to Williamsburg. The guide was knowledgeable and informative, and since the steamer wagon only holds about 10-12 people, it’s very intimate.

American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown is another fun living history museum near Williamsburg, VA.

Visitors can learn what life was like for civilians working on a farm as the American Revolution unfolded around them and what went on at a revolutionary encampment.

Inside, take your time to enjoy the beautiful museum exhibit, which starts with a short film and ends with the birth of a new nation.

Like its sister property, plan to spend 3-4 hours at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. There is plenty to see and do!

If you visit the Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, you can purchase a combination ticket for a discount. The museum is also included in the America’s Historic Triangle ticket.

Enjoy a Day on Yorktown Beach

There is nothing like laying out on the sand, enjoying a breeze off the water! And Yorktown Beach is the best place to do that near Williamsburg.

The beach sits right along the York River, giving you beautiful views of the Coleman Memorial Bridge and Gloucester Point in the distance.

If you want to enjoy the beach but forgot to pack your chairs or umbrella, don’t worry. Patriots Tours & Provisions at the Riverwalk Landing offer beach rentals for everything you could need.

Bike Ride Around Yorktown

Yorktown is a small town, so it’s easy to get around on foot. But you can also bike around town to the various historic locations.

We rented bikes from Patriot Tours & Provisions during one of our visits. They also offer Segway Tours or kayak rentals if you’d rather spend your time on the water.

America’s Historic Triangle

If you are visiting many of the attractions below, a multi-day/site ticket might be the best money-saving option for you.

Several ticket options fall into this category. The most popular option is America’s Historic Triangle ticket, which includes unlimited admission to Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown Settlement, The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, Historic Jamestowne, and Yorktown Battlefield for seven consecutive days.

This ticket can be purchased online or in person at one of the sites included. A smaller version of this ticket includes Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown Settlement, and The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. This ticket option can only be purchased on-site.

Four-Site Value Ticket

The Four-Site Value Ticket is similar to America’s Historic Triangle Ticket, except it does not include admission to Colonial Williamsburg.

Guests will have unlimited entry to Jamestown Settlement, The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, Historic Jamestowne, and Yorktown Battlefield for seven consecutive days. This could be a good option if you also purchase the Bounce Ticket (see below).

Bounce Ticket

Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens have partnered up to offer the Bounce Ticket, which gives the user seven consecutive days of admission to both Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens. Water Country USA is included in the Summer Bounce Ticket option.

A bonus to this ticket is the FREE general parking at Busch Gardens (and Water Country USA). Parking at Busch Gardens for one day can cost $25 or more.

Family-Friendly Hotels in Williamsburg

Due to its popularity, Williamsburg, Virginia, has plenty of hotels and family-friendly resorts options.

Several timeshare companies have properties in town, giving families options for a full kitchen and multiple rooms during their stay. Remember, you may be asked to attend a timeshare presentation, but you can always decline.

We’ve stayed at the Colonies at Williamsburg and Patriot’s Place by Wyndham. Of the two, we had a better overall experience at the Colonies, but both were pleasant stays.

If you prefer to stay in a standard hotel room, you have many to choose from. Every major chain has a hotel (or more) in the area.

If you plan to visit Colonial Williamsburg (which is a must-do when you’re in Williamsburg), you can stay at one of their hotels, which is within walking distance of the historic area.

Wrapping Up Things to Do in Williamsburg

We love Williamsburg! It’s one of our favorite areas in Virginia and offers so many amazing things to do. If you only had a few days in Williamsburg, we would put the following attractions at the top of the list of things to do:

• Colonial Williamsburg
• Jamestown Settlement
• Busch Gardens

Of course, everything on this list is amazing and so much fun. You’ll be happy that you took the time to visit Williamsburg!