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13 Things to Do in Williamsburg, Virginia

October 3, 2021 by Dana Zeliff 26 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Things to Do in Williamsburg, Virginia
Whether you’re visiting Williamsburg for the first time or live in the area, there is a abundance of activities and places to see. The city is bursting history, fun and excitement. Below are a few of my family’s favorite things to do in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Things to Do in Williamsburg, Virginia:

1.  Colonial Williamsburg – Visit the historic area of colonial Williamsburg to learn about life in the 18th century. Step back in time to see what life was like for the colonist through tours and reenactments.

2.  Jamestown Settlement – The settlement of Jamestown is a fantastic place to visit. Immerse yourself in the 17th century culture with a Powhatan Indian Village, colonial forts and see the 3 ships that bought settlers to Virginia.

3.  Yorktown Battlefield – See the site where the British surrendered and our Independence was won in 1781.

4.  Busch Gardens – What would a visit to Williamsburg be without a day at the amusement park? Take a tour through Europe with roller coasters, food, live shows and a stop at Sesame Street Forest of Fun for the little ones. Make sure to ride one of the newer coasters, Griffon, while you’re there. Save money by purchasing tickets online with these Busch Gardens discount coupons!

5.  Water country USA – Cool off with a visit to the water park. There are water slides of all kinds, 3 kiddie areas, plus a lazy river to beat the heat. If you’re planning to visit both Busch Gardens and Water Country, a 2-park pass will help you save some cash.

6.  Williamsburg Premium Outlet Mall – Get your shopping fix at the outlets. You’ll find stores from Coach to Ann Taylor and even Stride Rite. You are sure to find something to buy at one of the 135 stores!

7.  Williamsburg Pottery – Looking for pottery or custom silk flower arraignments?  Head to the Williamsburg Pottery for a unique shopping experience.

8.  Great Wolf Lodge – Spend the night in one of the neat hotel rooms and experience an indoor waterpark. This is a great time for all seasons of year. There are quite a few activities for kids but be sure to look for specials as it can be rather pricey.

9.  Eco Discovery Park – Eco Discovery Park has a full service Marina and a nice long bike trail. It’s a serene area with lots of native birds such as osprey and herons.

10.  Freedom Park – Another place for bike rides is Freedom Park with trails for everyone from beginners to advanced riders.

11. Yankee Candle Store – If you like candles, there is a huge Yankee Candle Flagship store in Williamsburg.  You are sure to find every scent of candle and Yankee Candle product imaginable.  I also find it just plain neat to see all the different sections that each have their own decor.

12.  Sno To Go – Looking for a tasty treat?  Try these Hawaiian style snoballs of shaved ice and syrup (located right across from the Yankee Candle Store).  By the way, these are not just sno cones.  Try them “stuffed” with soft served ice cream inside!

13.  Merchant Square – Merchant Square is located within walking distance of Colonial Williamsburg and William and Mary College.  You’ll find unique shops and delicious restaurants.  This is also the area where the Farmers Market is held on Saturdays.

To save money, look for ticket combinations. If you know that you are going to visit multiple amusement parks, such as Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown, in a single visit, you will pay less by purchasing tickets together verses each attraction separately.

Also remember that summer is extremely humid in Virginia, so plan accordingly. We like to visit attractions early in the morning or late at night to avoid the heat that comes in the middle of the day.

These are just a few of our favorite things to do in Williamsburg, Virginia. There are so many other adventures you can seek out in this historic city. What are some other Williamsburg Virginia attractions can you suggest?

You might also like Virginia Beach Staycation Ideas!

Filed Under: US Travel, Virginia, North America, Destinations

Comments

  1. Krakowbooking says

    September 4, 2024 at 1:34 pm

    Great breakdown of things to do in Williamsburg, Virginia! The post offers a fantastic mix of historical attractions like Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown Settlement, along with family-friendly activities such as Busch Gardens. The variety ensures there’s something for every type of traveler, whether you’re interested in history, outdoor activities, or fun experiences with kids. The practical tips and recommendations for visitors really enhance the guide, making it both informative and easy to follow. A wonderful resource for anyone planning a trip to Williamsburg

    Reply
  2. Adree | The Keele Deal says

    July 25, 2018 at 5:36 pm

    Williamsburg sounds like an awesome place to visit. We have it on our bucket list. I would love to visit and explore these fun places!

    Reply
  3. andrea says

    August 6, 2015 at 11:35 am

    You forgot Historic Jamestowne, the birthplace of our country and surely the most fascinating place to visit!

    Reply
    • Dana Zeliff says

      August 11, 2015 at 11:28 am

      Jamestown is #2 🙂

      Reply
      • HeatherK says

        July 25, 2017 at 10:35 pm

        Historic Jamestowne is different from Jamestown Settlement. The first is a national park and the actual site of the original Jamestown. The second is a museum and recreation of Jamestown with costumed interpreters. My daughter volunteers at the Settlement.

        Reply
        • Dana Zeliff says

          July 31, 2017 at 5:48 pm

          Thanks so much for the clarification! What a fantastic place to volunteer.

          Reply
        • Millie Feliciano-Cruz says

          December 20, 2017 at 3:28 pm

          Thank you ! One of my resolutions for this 2018 is to explore historical places in USA and this one of the places.

          Reply
          • Dana Zeliff says

            December 21, 2017 at 8:02 am

            Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown will definitely help you reach your goal. The location is also great for visiting other historical cities.

            Reply
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Welcome!

Hi, I’m Dana. I believe planning a great trip doesn't mean spending endless evenings scrolling through travel forums and getting overwhelmed by all the logistics.

My approach to travel is built on real-world experience. Alongside my husband and our two kids (who are now 19 and 22), I’ve explored 48 countries across 4 continents including a life-changing four years living as expats in France.

Whether you want a custom European trip built from scratch or a seamless cruise vacation, I combine my firsthand travel knowledge with top industry credentials to handle the stress of planning. You just pack your bags and enjoy the journey. Read More…

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