Are you visiting Colonial Williamsburg for a day? You’ve come to right place!
Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia draws visitors from all over the world!
As the world’s largest living history museum, there is a ton to see and do, and it’s hard to see it all in one day. Especially if you plan on checking out all of the things to do in Williamsburg itself.
To get the most out of your trip to Colonial Williamsburg, we recommend at least two days to see everything. Especially because some buildings aren’t open every day!
On our visit to Colonial Williamsburg, we were able to see almost everything in two days with some strategic planning.
However, if you’re visiting Colonial Williamsburg for one day, the guide below will help you narrow down the best things to see and what to skip. We also share some tips for a multiday visit!
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Ticket Options for One Day in Colonial Williamsburg
There is a lot to do in the Williamsburg area, so several different ticket options include Colonial Williamsburg tickets and more. Below are some options you have, depending on what you plan to do and see.
Colonial Williamsburg Tickets
Colonial Williamsburg sells single-day and multiday (three consecutive days) tickets. The multiday isn’t too much more expensive than the single day, making them a great deal if you want to extend your visit.
America’s Historic Triangle
Are you planning to visit other historical sites near Williamsburg? Then consider purchasing the America’s Historic Triangle ticket. It includes unlimited admission to Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown Settlement, The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, Historic Jamestowne, and Yorktown Battlefield for seven consecutive days.
Bounce Ticket
Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens have partnered up to offer a 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.
Colonial Williamsburg Parking
The best place to park for Colonial Williamsburg is at the Visitor Center. This is also where you can purchase or pick up your tickets and book special tours, evening programs, or events there. You can even pick up a souvenir or two at the gift shops.
From the Visitor Center into the historic area, visitors can walk or take a shuttle bus to the historic area.
The walk is about a half-mile and takes about 10 minutes. The path takes you over a bridge where you “walk back in time” along the Colonial Parkway until you come out near the Governor’s Palace.
The shuttle is a fast and easy way to get from the Visitor Center to the historic area. There are several stops around the historic area, but we recommend getting off at the Governor’s Palace or the Capitol.
How to Plan One Day in Colonial Williamsburg
If you only have one day in Colonial Williamsburg, these tips and information will help maximize your visit!
Arrive Early
With one day in Colonial Williamsburg, you’ll want as much time as possible to see everything. The historic buildings in Colonial Williamsburg opens at 9:00 AM with the Visitor Center opening 15 minutes before that. Try to arrive by 8:45 AM to get your tickets and hop on the shuttle.
Don’t Miss The Big Ones
Touring the Governor’s Palace and Capitol is a must when visiting Colonial Williamsburg. Those are the two most popular and most prominent buildings on the property.
Other Notable Tours
If you have time and would like to do more guided tours, don’t miss Charlton’s Coffeehouse. We received a free sample of coffee and hot chocolate at the end and it was delicious!
You’ll may also want to tour the Raleigh Tavern (historically, a significant building) or attend one of the hearings at the Courthouse. It’s interesting to learn what a “small claims court” was like during the 18th century. The hearings are offered at specific times throughout the day.
The Randolph Property and the Wythe Property were owned by some prominent figures leading up to the American Revolution, so it’s worth visiting those buildings as well.
Visitor Tip: Tours of some of the historic buildings can take anywhere from 30-45 minutes, and sometimes you’ll have to wait for a tour to begin.
Visit Other Open Buildings
Select historic buildings are open every day, and others only a few times during the week. So, if you only visit Colonial Williamsburg for one day, you may miss out on some. But that’s okay! There are so many buildings available to pop in and listen and learn about what life was life during the colonial era.
Don’t Skip the Presentations and Performances
Every day there are multiple presentations and performances in the historic area. Pick one or two that your family would enjoy. Musket demonstrations and the fife and drum march are always crowd-pleasers.
Carriage Rides
A carriage ride is an excellent option for a quick tour of Colonial Williamsburg. They last about 15 minutes and will give you an overview of the historic area with some fun and exciting information about the period.
If a carriage ride is a must, head to the Lumber House Ticket Office (at the end of the Palace Green on Duke of Gloucester Street) early in the morning to reserve your ride as they sell out quickly.
Best Itinerary for Two Days in Colonial Williamsburg
If you have at least two days in Colonial Williamsburg, you can spend more time visiting the smaller historic buildings and even enjoying a leisurely lunch. This is what we recommend.
Visiting Colonial Williamsburg Day One: Divide the Historic Area in Half
The best way to see everything (or almost everything) is to divide the historic area geographically in half.
On day one, visit everything from the Capitol to Colonial Street. We recommend starting at the Capitol (take the shuttle to the Capitol Stop) and working your way west towards Colonial Street.
Of course, if there are buildings west of Colonial Street that won’t be open for your day two, definitely take the time to visit them.
As noted above, we highly recommend the Raleigh Tavern and Charlton’s Coffeehouse as must-do tours. However, you should have enough time to visit every open building, even if for just 10-15 minutes.
You could pick up something at the Raleigh Tavern Bakery or plan a nice leisurely lunch at King’s Arms Tavern or Christiana Campbell’s Tavern.
Two Days in Colonial Williamsburg: How to Spend Your Second Day
On your second day in Colonial Williamsburg, visit the Governor’s Palace and everything else west of Colonial Street. This includes attending the Courthouse hearings and booking a carriage ride (if you want).
You should also have time to visit any of the stops along Nicholson Street if you didn’t get to them on day one.
We recommend taking the shuttle to the Palace Stop and visiting the Governor’s Palace first. Don’t forget to visit the gardens and the outbuildings!
If you are looking forward to a carriage ride, head to the Lumber House Ticket Office (either walk from the Palace Stop or stay on the shuttle until the Market Square Shop) and sign up for a ride before they sell out. You might want to do this before you tour the palace.
On this day, you’ll be closer to Merchants Square, with more modern lunch dining options. However, we recommend eating at the Golden Horseshoe Gold Grill or Museum Café.
If you still have time and energy, you can explore the exhibits at the Art Museums (included with your ticket).
Tips For Your Visit to Colonial Williamsburg
Pick Up a Map
The Colonial Williamsburg map not only shows the locations of the historic buildings, restrooms, and eateries. It also lists which buildings are open each day, as well as the time and days of performances, presentations, and tours. It will help you plan what to see and when.
Look for the Flag
The Grand Union Flag will be outside the historic buildings that are open for the day. They also indicate the entrance of the buildings, which is very helpful for larger properties like the Capitol, Governor’s Palace, and Randolph Property.
Attend an Evening Program
Although they are not included with your daytime tickets, the evening programs are worth doing. There are options like ghost tours (some are kid-friendly) or concerts at the Governor’s Palace.
Wear Layers and Comfortable Shoes
You’ll be doing a lot of walking outside in Colonial Williamsburg. So you’ll want to dress appropriately for the weather, and wear comfortable walking shoes.
However, the tours of the buildings take place inside, and they have modern conveniences like heat and air conditioning. You might want to remove layers in the winter or throw on a light sweater or jacket in the summer while inside the buildings.
Don’t forget sunscreen and a hat. There are some shaded areas, but you’ll still get a lot of sun exposure during your visit.
Getting Around Colonial Williamsburg
Walking
Walking is the most common way to get around Colonial Williamsburg. With a few exceptions, the main road through the historic area is closed off to motor vehicles, allowing visitors to walk on both the sidewalks and in the streets (keep an eye out for horse droppings!).
Shuttle Bus
Your ticket to Colonial Williamsburg allows unlimited access to the shuttle bus around the historic area.
Shuttles run clockwise, and stops include the Governor’s Palace, the Capitol, the Taverns, Market House, Williamsburg Lodge, the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg, and Merchants Square.
The shuttle bus runs daily from 9 am until 10 pm.
Where to Eat in Colonial Williamsburg
Taverns & Other Table Service
There are several table service restaurants in Colonial Williamsburg. A few restaurants are in the historic area, including the popular King’s Arms Tavern and Christiana Campbell’s Tavern.
Others are more modern dining spaces surrounding the historic area, like the Golden Horseshoe Gold Grill and the Rockefeller Room.
These restaurants take reservations, and it is recommended to make reservations a few months ahead of time, especially for the favored King’s Arms Tavern.
Grab and Go
On a beautiful day in Colonial Williamsburg, grab a sandwich, sit outside, and watch the historic action unfold along Duke of Gloucester Street. There are a few shops in town that sell this kind of food. The Raleigh Tavern Bakery is right in the heart of the historic area.
There are other grab-and-go options (like Saladworks) in Merchants Square, on the west end of Duke of Gloucester Street. And if you’d like a quick bite to eat, but with an indoor seating area, the Museum Café in the Art Museums has delicious sandwiches, salads, and other options.
Snacks and Drinks
Several vending machines around the historic area have drinks and small snacks. They are typically close to bathrooms, shuttle stops, and other areas along the perimeter. You can find these vending areas by following the “Cold Drinks” signs.
Where to Stay Near Colonial Williamsburg
There are tons of family-friendly resorts and hotels near Colonial Williamsburg.
One of the many timeshare resorts would be a great option if you’d like a full kitchen and multiple rooms to spread out during your stay. You don’t have to be a member to book a visit, but they may ask you to attend a timeshare presentation. You can always decline!
The Colonies at Williamsburg and Patriot’s Place by Wyndham are two resorts we’ve stayed at. Of the two, we had a better overall experience at the Colonies (they have an indoor pool and a better outdoor pool), but both were pleasant stays.
Every major chain has a hotel (or more) in the area. So, if you prefer to stay in a standard hotel room, you have many to choose from.
And, of course, Colonial Williamsburg has multiple hotels on its property within walking distance to the historic area. You can even stay in one of the historic buildings!
TOP HOTEL PICK
The Colonies at Williamsburg‘s large two-room suites (with full kitchens) and awesome pool with a lazy river is our top choice for a hotel in Williamsburg.
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