If you love history, good food, and ghost tours this is the place to be. You will enjoy being taken back in time when house drawn carriages and folks wearing colonial attire pass by and offer up a good day. The town and restaurants can be busy so plan ahead. Be sure to walk around there William and Mary campus to see this beautiful campus. Tips: make sure to visit the Visitor's Center for tickets, information, shows, and shuttles to Colonial Williamsburg. Buy tickets in advance in order to see inside the different homes, shops, and business. Buy ghost tour tickets before hand and be sure to wear good shoes. Be sure to visit the shops, restaurants, and colonial homes along the Duke of Glouchester Street. Paid parking kids can be finie nearby and within walking distance. The cobblestone walkways can be challenging so wear good shoes.

Had a great time here with the kids. We were able to easily buy tickets ahead of time, and were able to show the tickets from my phone to get into places. Everyone there was extremely friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. The tours of the buildings were interesting, educational, and fun. Lots of places with bathrooms, snacks, and drinks. Options for a full meal as well. We spent about 5 hours here.

Wonderful old buildings! The atmosphere is wonderful. We did encounter school groups but we were able to keep away. Wish there was more homes to enter and explore. We came on a week day and less activity going on I assume. Trades people were interesting to talk too.

Life changing trip! Went for a whole week in the end of September and already planning the next trip. Don’t skip the palace or the art museum! Stay curious, take your time and be sure to go around every corner and in every open shop. The actors are amazing, the stories are so interesting, asking questions is celebrated and there is so much to explore and experience. Also, the shuttle is so convenient!

Colonial Williamsburg: Governor’s Palace Tour, Historic District, and Storytelling Colonial Williamsburg is a remarkable destination that brings America’s colonial past to life, and my recent visit left me thoroughly impressed. The Governor’s Palace Tour was a highlight, offering an immersive glimpse into 18th-century opulence and power. The meticulously restored palace, with its grand interiors, lush gardens, and period furnishings, transports you to the era of Virginia’s royal governors. The costumed interpreters are exceptional, weaving historical facts with engaging stories about the palace’s role in colonial politics and society. Their knowledge and enthusiasm made the experience both educational and entertaining, though I’d recommend booking tickets in advance, as slots fill up quickly during peak seasons. The Historic District is a sprawling, living museum that feels like stepping into a time machine. Walking the cobblestone streets past restored homes, taverns, and tradespeople at work—blacksmiths, wigmakers, and printers—captures the essence of colonial life. The district is expansive, so comfortable shoes and a map (or the excellent Colonial Williamsburg app) are a must. Highlights included the Capitol and Raleigh Tavern, where I learned about the seeds of American independence. The area is vibrant with activity, from fife-and-drum performances to impromptu historical reenactments, making it engaging for all ages.What truly sets Colonial Williamsburg apart is the storytelling and learning opportunities. The interpreters don’t just recite facts; they share compelling narratives about the diverse people who shaped this era—enslaved individuals, artisans, gentry, and revolutionaries. Programs like the “Voices from the Past” series and interactions at sites like the Peyton Randolph House provided nuanced perspectives on the complexities of colonial society, including its darker aspects like slavery. These stories are thought-provoking and grounded in extensive historical research, making the experience deeply meaningful. Overall, Colonial Williamsburg is a terrific historic site that blends education, immersion, and entertainment seamlessly. Whether you’re a history buff or just curious, the Governor’s Palace, Historic District, and rich storytelling make it a must-visit. I’d suggest allocating at least a full day to soak it all in, and don’t skip the evening programs for an extra dose of charm! Highly recommended for anyone looking to connect with America’s roots.

This is a living museum that portrays a version of history around the time of American revolution, painstakenly recreated by concerned researchers and presented as accurately as facts allow, from one perspective - the victors. There are certainly more perspectives of the story to be told as facts come to light, e.g. the natives, the enslaved, the wives and children, and yes, the British all have a part in this story, and their stories deserve to be told, and perhaps they will as more people get interested and get involved. This is not a pretty story. None of the participants wanted to be involved in the events that unfolded. No one lived happily ever after. And yet, the story has not yet ended, as the struggle for freedom of all people continues. The introduction of the American story told at Colonial Williamsburg is extremely well done in a realistic setting by earnest guides and interpreters. We are all part of this story, and everyone should come to Williamsburg to experience this invaluable piece of history. Take your time. Enjoy the story.

The largest outdoor living museum in the USA. A great place to visit whether it’s with the family or a significant other. Everything is very walkable and the aesthetic of the area is beautiful. I highly recommend staying at the Williamsburg Inn.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg is such a unique and fun experience. The park is designed around different European countries, and walking through each area feels like a mini cultural trip beautiful theming, great food, and lots of cool details everywhere you go. The rides and roller coasters are awesome, with options for both thrill seekers and families. There’s also tons of live entertainment, shows, and seasonal events that make every visit exciting. Overall, it’s a fantastic mix of culture, fun, and adrenaline. One of the best theme parks on the East Coast!

Busch Gardens is great. I think parking and food are a bit pricey but it's a theme park, so that is kind of expected. I like all the coasters, but Alpinegiest and Verbolten are my favorites. Pantheon can be unreliable, so expect it not to be running all day. It's about a 2.5 mile circle, with moderate hills, so make sure to have comfortable shoes. There are a few animal exhibits and a couple shows; some seasonal, some run throughout the year, such as Celtic Fyre, which has won some awards. Wait times vary, sometimes they can be up to a hour on busy days, but on an average weekday during the summer, wait times can be less than 10 minutes. Especially when Water Country is in full swing. They do have all day dining options that allow you to get food every 90 minutes. If you time it, it's worth it. There are also a small, Sesame Street themed children's area.

I had a great time yesterday at Busch Gardens. I was there from 1pm until 10pm. Christmastown is absolutely gorgeous! I was disappointed that the top roller-coasters were closed. The lines for other rides were very long and I wished that I had a skip the line pass. It was sunny and 65 degrees. I only got to see the Festhaus show and it was good. Next year I hope to go to Christmastown a few times so I can see all of the entertainment.

Went with our kids and Grandkids today, October 18th 2025 for the first time in our Grandkids life's !!! They have been there three (3) times over the summer with our kids, their parents. Busch Gardens goes back to my childhood !! My father was in Broadcast Television as the president of the CBS Affiliate TV Station in Roanoke, VA !! I was there on the first day of its opening, and my sister and I rode the "Loch Ness Monster" in the first two (2) hours of opening !! It is truly the Most beautiful park in the Country. Has the best rides, nicest staff through the years, and a Must Go to Theme Park !!! So now the tradition moves on to the Grandkids and they truly, truly, truly love it and had a great time today !! They were talking about it as they went to bed. Telling their funnest moments and what they are going to do the next day !! They love The kids areas. The Dragon tree house, "Grouch's Worm ride" and "The Big Bad Wolf": "The Wolf's Revenge !!" And the "Loch Ness Monster". Our Kids Love "Pantheon", "Griffon", "Tempesto", and the all time Fav of our kids and My wife and I is "Apollo's Chariot" !! A Great time is always had here !! Get Season passes, and if you can the Skip the Line with "Quick Queue". If not do the food, it's worth it. You need to go and enjoy all the NEW rides for 2025. Now it's Howl-O-Scream, our Kids are there and I know are having a great time. I also see where it's open at Christmas now too. Excellent !!

It was my first time at Christmas town at Bush Garden. My friend invited me. We had so much fun to hot chocolate to matching Christmas earrings. She took me around to all her favorites. She really maded my day. I definitely will be back again soon.

This park is beautiful. It’s one of my favorite parks to go to and there are so many reasons why. First of all, Fridays are surprisingly much slower days so I’d recommend going on a Friday and the park is pretty big so wear some comfy shoes. The park is very convenient when it comes to loose articles and it has lots of shade so waiting in queues won’t feel like hell. This park has a European theme to it and they did it very well. The theme and atmosphere of the park is seriously underrated and the rollercoasters there refuse to miss. I’ve gone a number of times and it just seems to get better every time. There’s so much to do at the park and you never get bored. The food is great too but it is gonna still be pretty expensive (but that should be expected at most corporate theme parks). This park in Williamsburg is a must do when you’re in the area as it offers something for babies, kids, teens, adults, and even grandmas. Even if you don’t like rides all that much there’s still a lot of things to do there like catching a show or trying some new foods that are unique in every section of the park. Overall, this park has infinite possibilities with a beautiful atmosphere and an even better ride lineup that has something for everyone from thrill seekers to first timers. 9/10

Amazing park. I've gone here since I was a kid and it's still awesome. We went during the Christmas lights season, but I was disappointed that the big Rollercoasters like alpengiest, lochness, and Apollo were closed. Wish they would've had a big warning on Red letters of that on the checkout screen before purchasing the tickets... other than that my kids and I had an amazing time! It's a visit you won't regret. I also advise going on a Tuesday or Wednesday, and riding the smaller rides during the day and save the bigger coasters for the evening when the lines are shorter.

Visiting Historic Jamestowne was such an incredible experience! Walking the grounds where America’s first permanent English settlement began truly felt like stepping back in time. The mix of history, archeology, and storytelling makes it both educational and inspiring. The exhibits and artifacts bring the past to life, and the staff/volunteers are so knowledgeable and passionate about sharing the history. It’s amazing to see history being uncovered right before your eyes! Whether you’re a history buff or just curious, Historic Jamestowne is a must-see. We left with a whole new appreciation for the roots of our nation. 🇺🇸

We enjoyed everything about this area. The Powhatan village is interesting because it let's us see how they may have lived during this time. The ships are cool. One of the ship captains actually had a pair of prescription glasses made to look like what would have been worn during that period. The settlement area was great with live features like the blacksmith, cooking, setting and musket firing. Absolutely loved the museum! It's informative and well designed.

I give it a 4 star because you don't know that if you want to view old Jamestown (Jamestown Rediscovery, $15 per adult) you have to also purchase the park pass which is also $15 because you have to walk slightly through the park to get to it. They should just say $30 per adult and separate it in the system automatically (2 different entities are being paid). Now that's out of the way. Family had a great time, daughter enjoyed learning Halberds with Captain Brewster. The dig sites were neat to learn about. Ren was our archeological tour guide and seemed to have recited everything I read in the museum verbatim, she knows the timeline well, was friendly along with the rest of the staff, and had a good speaking voice for large outdoor crowds. The history of the place is awesome to learn about. We then went to the main museum and was awed by the size and the technology they put in this museum, better looking than the Smithsonian! Past the main museum is more historical replica outdoor buildings with staff dressed in the time period and showing people how different things were made during that time. There was also a musket rifle firing demo, which is loud. We also looked at the 2 ships at the end of the walk on the pier, which were also well maintained and fun to explore. We did not do the glass blowing house, but will go back and do it again.

This is an amazing place! This is a place in a place in a place. If you come here this gets a little pricey. Jamestown is broken into 3 pieces, there’s the more touristy Jamestown that’s not in the original spot, there’s the actual Jamestown where they are doing archaeological digs and have the original church and where you can see actual artifacts found from the digs, and then finally there is New Jamestown which is from the 1700s and is just ruins. Be prepared to do a lot of walking! It’s beautiful and educational but not for someone who can’t do a lot of walking. This will also take a lot of time, maybe 5 hours or more to do all 3 places. There’s parking at Jamestown museum and then at original Jamestown. All three places you have to pay. I didn’t mind paying for Jamestown museum ($20 a person) and the Original Jamestown ($15 a person). I was annoyed about paying for New Jamestown ($15 a person). You have to pay for new Jamestown and Original Jamestown together. $50 for all of it was a bit much. The only reason I’m ok with it because it helps fund the projects on the 2 sites.

Such a great experience! We saw many historic places as well as a lot of nature! There’s plenty to see so come early! Make sure you took your national parks card if you have one!

This was our first time to Historic Jamestowne. Since we are able, we went ahead and bought the lifetime NPS annual pass, which is valid for admission at all US National Parks. We actually visited two days in a row, the first time to go through the brick and mortar museum and the second day to tour the grounds. Please be aware that there are two sites, the "Old Towne" is owned by the state of Virginia, and the "New Towne" is owned by the National Park Service. Both require separate admission fees. The museum buildings and grounds are well maintained. The museum also has a nice 15-minute overview movie of the origins of the site, including artifact displays. What's interesting is that all of the Native American artifacts have been removed from the exhibits. The walking tour is self-guided. Guided tours are available for an extra cost. Our only mistake was going on one of the hottest days of late June, temps in the upper 90s. The museum has site maps available. However, there are enough placards throughout detailing people and events. Don't expect to see any buildings or recreations that's over at the "Old Towne." The only standing structure is what's left of the Ambler House. Otherwise, you'll only see the foundations for over a dozen structures. With a bit of imagination, one can visualize what it may have been like at the settlement over 400 years ago. We accomplished the walking portion in 30 minutes. If you have time, please take the driving tour on Island Drive. From the NPS Museum, simply take a right out of the parking lot. It's well worth it if you enjoy nature. There's also the 1608 Glasshouse that's available to tour. Check before you visit for times as they have live glass blowing demonstrations. Enjoy!

You just cannot put a value on our historic places. Everyone should see tour the Historic Triangle. We had a great time. We went off peak season so it was very peaceful without being extremely busy. A lot of this is outdoors so prepare accordingly. So worth it!!

I am so glad we choose Jamestown. We had an incredible day and learned so much. All the employees are very helpful and knowledgeable. So much to see and do, my kids loved the hands on exhibits and learning from those who were dressed in colonial times outfits. We spent a full day exploring here.

I really enjoyed Jamestown Settlement - it's an excellent museum with state-of-the-art exhibits and lots of film presentations to move the narrative along. There's a big building with ticketing, a restaurant and gift shop, then a long corridor of exhibits that take you through time and introduce certain historical characters. At the end of the building, you go outside to see a native village, a large European settlement, and three ships docked down on the water. It's all really well done with lots of folks around to explain anything you want. You can go inside the buildings and they're all kitted out as if someone were really living there, and you can go below deck on the ships. It's really fun for all ages. First, don't confuse this location with the National Parks Service site of Historic Jamestowne, which is the actual location of the original settlement. This is more the touristy museum recreation of it all. Second, Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown are sister sites and are set up very similarly. Jamestown is the bigger of the two and you can buy a discount ticket for both here. If you buy it online, you get a week's access to both for the same price. Third, when I visited, I mostly wanted to walk around outside, so I did a loop of all the outside parts, then worked my way backwards through the exhibits. I don't recommend that, but you aren't locked into one way of seeing everything. Bathrooms are at the ticketing area, at the end of the exhibit hallway, and at a restroom & snack stand nearer the boats.

Beautifully crafted and well-versed staff with a phenomenal experience of where everything started and how history effects are every day Lives. You don’t have to be a history buff to come here to explore. well worth taking in the past so we can help understand the future. Especially enjoyed the recreation of buildings Otterson tools must get firing and in-depth knowledge of characters and staff on premises. Cheers.

Had a good time at the museum. It was a nice walk out to the boats thru the villages. The people dressed and worked like they were from that time period it was really neat to see. The only thing I would have changed would have been someone giving out information about what building you were at as you walked by. For any information you would have to ask the person working nearby and it felt as if you were interrupting them from their work, although I'm sure that was not the case. The place was filled with lots of different things to look at and places to go into. We also went inside one of the ships. I saw a couple crew members climbing the mast to let the sail down. That was scary to watch and I thought that must have been scary to do on the open ocean a long time ago. I am thankful my son is into history and wanted to visit this place. We had a good time here. We also got some souvenirs in the gift shop. The gift shop was big and had lots of items to choose from.

My family had so much fun at Jamestown, my oldest and I could have stayed twice as long reading everything inside the indoor museum portion and questioning all of the reenactors but the younger ones got bogged down after a bit. They did however really enjoy all of the outdoors exhibits! It was a lot of fun for those aged 5-40!

We brought our kids (ages 13, 10, 8) to this place because of the living history component. It was great! Clean and easy to follow the paths. Plenty of activities and guides explaining them. The kids stayed entertained the whole time. The museum was AMAZING. I didn’t expect it to be so nice inside. Well done!

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the history that is present here! This is a great place to expose children and history enthusiasts to some of the original history of our great nation. The only thing that I would have liked to see more of is perhaps more reenactment of daily life during the time period portrayed.

First time visiting & I will definitely be back! My son - who’s 7- and myself had an absolute amazing time. The park was so clean. The staff were so friendly. The food was delicious. The rides were fun & the wait times were extremely short. We loved every second!

We had a ball!!! I purchased a 8 person cabana which I got on a discount rate for $301 on a Saturday. They are usually $499-800 depending on day and time purchased. I purchased our tickets off of tripster.com which they were $45 for a Saturday. With the cabana you get free water bottles, and depending group size of cabana a meal voucher for 30% off meals from select restaurants. I paid roughly $22 for meals with the voucher for what everyone wanted to eat. Also, I wished I would’ve purchased the wristbands because we had to wait 15-30 minutes for rides when people with the wristbands were constantly getting on and off , the price per wristband for unlimited rides and advantage of skipping the lines was an additional $34. I’m glad I did purchase the cabana because there were no empty beach chairs to put our towels. The cabana purchase also came with a locker. I was so happy my 3 yr old nephew was able to enjoy majority of the rides with us. He couldn’t rides 3 rides which was fine because we got on the rides that fit 4-5 people with his height range. He had a blast l, put a huge smile on their faces! We will be returning next summer!

This is a world-class water park. Great variety of slides and amenities. Capacity is geared towards selling quick queue tickets. On busy days they are worth it for the big slides. There are two limitations you should be aware of. Firstly, this park is not suitable for single riders. There are no single rider lines, and you have to ask other groups to join their rafts. Not recommended for introverts. Secondly the park is not accessible with public transportation or by foot. You need a car. Uber drop offs have to queue with the regular line into the park. This should be fixed. For families arriving by car, these two points would not be a problem.

Great water park for the price, I highly recommend getting a platinum membership for free parking as it is on the expensive side. There’s plenty of parking spaces, and it’s pretty much all pavement, but there are some gravel parking spaces if it gets too packed. They have a nice amount of water rides/slides and plenty of food options for kids and adults. The selection of rides is nice too, lots of different style water slides, my favorite one is Colossal Curl and the Cutback Water Coaster. I hadn’t been in almost a decade and went last week on Saturday August 2, 2025. If you need to change or shower, most of the restrooms have showers or a changing area. The crowds were definitely in full effect and they do have quick queue to bypass the line which is good for most rides, but I noticed the way they do their quick queue causes the line to be even longer than what it was since only one person or raft can go down at a time for bigger rides like Cutback Water Coaster. Weather was around 75-80 degrees with low humidity, but it did get cooler towards the end of the day. The water was warmed up for some of the slides but a couple were freezing lol. They stayed open until 11pm for an Aqua Glow Pool Party event, but I left at park close which was 8pm since it was too cool to be on water rides that late. I had a great day and look forward to going back again soon. Check out my YouTube channel Angelo Giles for a vlog and more!

T’was a fun day at Water Country USA! Despite a couple of unexpected thunderstorms that briefly interrupted our plans, the weather cleared up and we were able to enjoy several rides. The park had a great atmosphere, and once the skies opened up again, the fun continued. A memorable day with just a touch of adventure from Mother Nature! Water Country USA features a variety of attractions, including slides and rides, a giant wave pool, a lazy river, and designated play areas for children. Guests can experience thrill rides like Colossal Curl™, the park's first family thrill ride and the first of its kind in North America. Other popular attractions include corkscrew slides and river rafting with tunnels and falls.

Rides are good, lots of different areas with different things to do. Food is ok and expensive. I bought the all day pass for $30 a person, it’s worth it in a way. You can get an entrée dessert side and a drink every 90 minutes. But my kids were more thirsty than hungry. They have water fountains throughout the park. The downside is lack of seating.

I visited Water Country USA in Williamsburg and had a generally thrilling experience with a wide variety of waterslides, a massive wave pool, and a fun lazy river. The rides like Aquazoid Amped and Hubba Hubba Highway were exciting and scenic, but the park was extremely crowded when I visited, leading to long waits and some chaos in high-traffic areas. The staff and lifeguards seemed mostly attentive and safety-focused, though a few reviews mentioned less-than-ideal interactions and slow entry/billing procedures in peak times. Overall, it was fun and adrenaline-filled, but the crowds and logistics slightly dampened the day.

This was the first historical landmark that I visited during my time in Williamsburg. The mansion and the gardens are absolutely beautiful and well-maintained. I really enjoyed the speech from "George Washington" and walking through the fun maze in the garden. The mansion has a lot of artifacts from that time period and very few items are original. The tour guides are friendly and very knowledgeable about history of this mansion and who previously lived here. They also have staff cooking traditional meals from that time period. They have clean restrooms on the premises and places to sit down. For those in wheelchairs, it might get a bit challenging moving around on the grounds as their is a lot of gravel (and broken sea shells) on the ground. Overall, I definitely recommend making this place a must visit. I do suggest buying your ticket in advance from the Lumber House Ticket Office or online in order to tour this mansion along with the other great landmarks as you can't buy tickets at the front door.

Breathtakingly beautiful. I loved every bit of this house. Gorgeous woodworking details. Interesting history. I wish I could have stayed longer. Make sure you explore the gardens surrounding the house and the maze in the back. My kids and I also loved the cellar underneath the house. Amazing! And worth the ticket to get in for sure.

Blown away! Walking through this palace is worth the entire ticket and more. It’s incredible and everyone is so knowledgeable and helpful, willing to answer all the questions we had. My favorite part was the musicians in the ballroom we stayed and listened for about four songs and could have stayed longer. What an absolute gem!

You need a ticket to take the escorted tour inside the Palace. This is the only way to see what’s inside. AnnMarie was our tour guide. She was knowledgeable, funny, and very nice. When we walked inside we sat in a room waiting for the tour to begin at noon. AnnMarie told us how it burned to the ground, and skeptics were not sure how to rebuild. But they found pictures of it outside and inside among papers in England and Thomas Jefferson’s papers in America. This is truly a beautiful building inside and out. After seeing the butler’s pantry, the parlor, the bedrooms & salon, and the dining room, we walked the grounds before moving on to the next historical landmark.

We spent a lovely afternoon exploring the Governor’s Palace in Colonial Williamsburg. This was the perfect starting point for our day trip, as the Palace is centrally located within the historic district, making it easy to continue exploring nearby attractions, shops, and restaurants on foot. We purchased the "Single Day Admission Pass" online in advance for convenience, which cost $35 per adult. Children aged 6–10 were only $10, and children 6 and under were free—great pricing for families. The pass included access to the Governor’s Palace and gardens, the hedge maze, guided tours, live music at the first theater in the U.S., historic trades demonstrations, and the local art museum. A fantastic value for everything that’s included. Parking was easy to manage—$6 for about three hours. You can pay at the visitor center or simply scan the posted QR code with your phone, which was quick and convenient. That said, parking does fill up quickly, so we’d recommend arriving earlier in the day if you're planning a short trip. The authenticity of the experience really stood out. The tour guides and staff were dressed in 18th-century attire and stayed in character, making it feel like we had stepped back in time. The grounds were beautifully maintained, and the Palace itself was both grand and educational. Horse-drawn carriage rides are available for an added fee and would be a great enhancement to any visit. This location is ideal for families, history buffs, and anyone looking to enjoy a mix of culture, gardens, and colonial charm. We’re already looking forward to returning during the holiday season to see how the town transforms. Highly recommended for a memorable and immersive experience!

The tour of the palace is a part of the $35/per person ticket price. Honestly, by the end of the day I felt like that ticket price was actually a decent price for everything you get to see. The people giving the tour of the palace were all very knowledgeable and kind. I gave 4 stars simply because they take us in groups of 50 and sometimes it was difficult to ask questions when lots of people raised their hand and not every question was able to be answered. However, I do understand they have a lot of people to take through the palace so taking less people in the groups would make the line even longer outside. I bought my ticket in advance, the day before online, and it was super easy. I walked around and just showed the email with the two QR codes to the workers who asked to see it and they let us in. I loved how the workers were dressed to fit of the colonial times but they interacted with us like normal and gave thorough explanations and were happy to chat!

The modern Governor’s Palace in Williamsburg, Virginia stands as a faithful reconstruction of the original 18th-century residence that once symbolized royal authority and later revolutionary leadership in colonial America. Originally completed in 1722, the Palace served as the official home for seven royal governors of Virginia and, briefly, for the first two governors of the Commonwealth—Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson—until it was destroyed by fire in 1781. From an architectural perspective, the current structure, completed in 1934 as part of the Colonial Williamsburg restoration project, exemplifies Georgian symmetry and refinement, modeled meticulously after surviving plans, inventories, and archaeological evidence. The façade features red brick in Flemish bond, limestone trim, and a grand central pediment, conveying both authority and elegance. Its interiors reflect the wealth and power of the colonial elite, with richly paneled rooms, ornate staircases, and period-accurate furnishings sourced or replicated from the 18th century. The gardens and grounds—laid out in formal, axial design—mirror the Enlightenment ideal of order imposed upon nature. From a historical standpoint, the Palace represents both the pinnacle and the decline of British colonial governance in Virginia. It was a stage for ceremony and diplomacy, hosting lavish balls and councils under the Crown, yet it also became a crucible for revolutionary sentiment. After the Revolution, it stood as a potent symbol of transformation—from monarchy to self-governance. Today, the Governor’s Palace operates as a museum and interpretive site, offering visitors a tangible experience of pre-Revolutionary life. It stands not merely as a reproduction, but as an enduring dialogue between past and present—a testament to America’s colonial craftsmanship, political evolution, and the enduring power of place in shaping historical memory.

When we first arrived in Williamsburg, we visited the George Wythe house, which was one of the places on our list to stop at. We saw the cemetery while waiting for our tour (and had to walk across the street to get our tickets and passes), but it was closed that early. NOTE: Check the website for the church for the times that they are open for tours (we did not know that at the time). After we left the Wythe house, we walked over to the cemetery and looked around, not realizing that there were tours at the church. Before we left Williamsburg, we did a little bit more research on the church and cemetery and decided we would try to go back and see if it was open. It was, and we went inside to tour the church. The gentleman inside, who was providing historical information about the church, could not have been more personable or nicer. They provided us some intriguing information and allowed us to take some video and pictures. If you take nothing else from this review, just check the times on the church's website if you would like to go inside and take the tour. As an active church, they schedule their tours around their services.

We visited Williamsburg on a very hot day, and stepping inside the air condition. Church was a wonderful treat! A neat piece of history, and I understand they still owe weekly services here.

A majestic historical place of worship still in operation. The congregation is welcoming and open to those in and out of the faith. They offered answers to questions not only about the physical church but also the faith it represents without pushing. It is a land of peaceful historical zen.

This original church from the colonial period Is definitely worth visiting. Amongst the famous people who attended his church, are George Washington, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Jefferson. Standing in the sanctuary where they once worshiped was quite spectacular. The people in the church were very helpful in teaching us the history of the church.

Beautiful historic church still in operation inside the historic area of Colonial Williamsburg. They encourage $1 donation upon entry and do not allow hats or water bottles inside. Thursday night candlelight concert and you can park right by the church.

Beautiful church with so much history. It's not part of the Colonial Williamsburg organization, but there are church members who volunteer and tell great stories about the history of the church. You can take pictures in the church and then only ask for a $1 donation per person. The grounds are beautiful with grave makers from the 1700's. Beautiful and fascinating. Definitely make time to visit.

One of the major sites at Williamsburg. This is a must-see location. So much history, both inside and outside. This is just an incredible place. While most of the structures in Williamsburg were refabricated according to original blueprints and records, the church is original, and you can really feel it when your're standing in there.

Overall this was a great time! Really good wine, and the tour was awesome. The hotel had a few drawbacks though. The bed was really uncomfortable and you can hear literally everything from outside the room. The breakfast was par, but again, overall it was worth the price. We got the couples massage package and don’t regret anything. It was a nice weekend away with the wife, just the two of us.

Met the COO Michael Kokolis while we were onsite and the guy transformed a normal experience into a memorable one. Would highly recommend this place to locals and travelers alike! Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or just someone looking for an incredible experience outside of Busch gardens and colonial Williamsburg!!!

My first time at winery and the experience was less than amazing. Came out for my best friend birthday and we did a tour and sichel was jut a joy. The knowledge behind wines and the business was awesome. The wine taste great will definitely be back to taste others

Jenna was outstanding. She is very knowledgable about the menu and drinks and provided excellent service. Her positive demeanor and pleasant attitude really made this a tremendous experience.

Excellent place to stay and such friendly staff! Jeff gave a great tour! We stayed at hotel and they gave us a voucher for a free wine flight, so back to the winery before heading to Bush gardens... it was a Lovely place I cannot recommend enough!

My daughter had her wedding at the Williamsburg winery this past weekend. What a wonderful location Everything went quite smoothly and we couldn’t have been more pleased. The short ribs were amazing. So delicious. We stayed at Wedmore place and it is so convenient. Just one wish- maybe more lighting on the path from the winery to the inn.

Had a great time there celebrating our anniversary, my only gripe was we did not get our glasses from the tasting tour. I was told they were out, that would have been a nice souvenir.

overall both my rising freshmen kid and myself are pleased with the house accommodation provided by the Director of Housing & Residence Life, director Harriet Kandell and her team. Despite huge stress caused by the news of delay of the new dorm construction released just 3 weeks prior to move in date, they are able to find us a room that met our needs based on student accessibility request documented in portal just in time. We are grateful for their support and understanding for my freshman kid's physical health. Thank you!

Beautiful, tranquil campus made for walking, running, biking, and... oh yeah - studying for 4 years! Great restaurants, bars, historical sites and top tier ghost tours! Architecturally brilliant and embraced by the city and especially the people of Williamsburg and the Tidewater region. Come visit and see where history was made, where Thomas Jefferson studied, where the roots of American democracy blossomed.

On a recent visit to the Historic Williamsburg District, we found ourselves with some extra time so we decided to stop by here. If you're arriving by car like us, you can go to the Police and Parking Services office along Ukrop Way to pay the parking fee and get info about designated parking spots. Campus maps and restrooms are available there as well. We found street parking along Landrum Drive, which was an easy walk to the two places we wanted to see - Sunken Garden and Wren Building. We spent the next 1.5 hours walking around and learning about the university and some of its most famous graduates, such as Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson.

my alma mater <3 the BEST experience. Not happy about them getting rid of Modern Languages majors, though. :( amazing staff, students, highest quality education.

This school doesn't care about its students. A weekend should not count as fall break. I've had a few really good professors but I've heard some horror stories and experienced some myself from truly awful ones. The campus was under construction the whole time I was there which actually made it difficult to use facilities and get places.

A beautiful campus for a world-class university. Colonial fun times every time we visit.

Campus visit was very informative and the campus is beautiful! Loved our visit!

What a true treasure. Thanks to the Rockefeller 's for this great "FREE" facility. The depth of the collection is staggering. I am a fan of American folk art and this is meca. It's all.hete under one roof. It's a must see destination.

World class folk art museum full of the best examples … I was so excited to get to this place and it did not disappoint . I was on a fairly strict schedule , but can’t wait to get back in the fall.

I am shocked that this art museum is free. It is absolutely amazing. It has so much to see where you can literally spend the entire day here. Everything is so well organized and well maintained. They also have several items that are interactive. My favorite exhibit, which I found quite touching and I know kids would like was the one dedicated to "Prince" the dog. The staff and security are welcoming, friendly and helpful. They don't allow large backpacks, so you have to put it in a locker before viewing the exhibits. They have a lovely gift shop with great gift ideas and a large cafe. They also have multiple restrooms that are very clean. This is definitely a spot to check out, especially on a rainy day.

I loved this place, visited with some friends and had gone on a field trip years ago as well. Employees engaging- security happily talked with us about some of the history. Takes a little if you don’t buy tickets in advance. Cafe isn’t open the entire time.

The variety and number of exhibits in this museum are mind-boggling. No matter what you're interested in, there's something here for everyone from historical portraits to folk art to pottery and even historical toys. The staff are super friendly and helpful. There's also a really nice Cafe that's not too expensive and has really excellent food. It's definitely a place you could spend the whole day at so plan accordingly.

This was a good stop for about 2 hours with my 8 yr olds. This is a free museum of folk art and it has some good artifacts and art as well as a large dollhouse display and a kids art room with self drawing/coloring tables. Need to park in one of the nearby public lots.

A lot of interesting items. Well worth the walk through. You need a good 4 hours to take it all in. And it's free.!

This place is a fascinating and educational stop near the historic Jamestown settlement. It was very cool to watch the experts work with molten glass and create glass starfishes and vases. It is a fantastic place to purchase very unique souvenirs.

Fun spot to visit and a bit out of the way from both the NPS original site and the Jamestown Settlement museum. You can walk to Jamestown Settlement, but not Historic Jamestowne. It's on the Colonial Parkway, so you might be able to access it all by bike. It's a ticketed area, but no one really checks, so you can really walk around for free. There's a decently-sized parking lot and a short trail to the Glasshouse, which is a recreation of a barn, much larger than the original would have been, which you can see the remains of farther down the trail. There are master glass blowers on site, making items to sell in the attached shop. They are there to answer any questions you have or to explain the overall process. It's really fun just to stop in a on a random day and see folks making glass like they would have in colonial times!

The historical center was great. We did the walking guided tour and our guide was great. She was very knowledgeable. It really added a lot to the experience. I would totally suggest you take the time to listen.

Very cool experience. Employees are very knowledgeable and friendly. Incredible to see them making the peices up close like that. We went on a holiday so the parking/entrance was free!

Very interesting experience to see how glass products are made. You can also purchase different items they make during demonstrations! Worth a stop if you are visiting Colonial Williamsburg and the Jamestown Settlement.

This is a MUST see while visiting the Williamsburg area! My kids requested a second visit on our way out of town because it made such an impression on them. The glassblowers and other staff did a wonderful job walking us through the process and answering questions.

Be sure to stop by when visiting Jamestown Settlement. It was fascinating to watch the glass blowers make jugs with a handle and attach a seal (blue glass jug in my pictures).

Thank you for keeping this free service running! This is a gem in travel! Each experience is so breathtaking with the beautiful views, and the aviary life interacting with the ferry, and it's land, and river anchoring components. The operators are welcoming, and fellow riders are drawn out into 15 minutes of shutting down your own car, stepping out to stretch, walk about, face the breeze, or even relieve yourself in the upperdeck restroom.

VDOT's ferry service is fantastic. Great experience every time with loading, travel across the river, and offloading. Depending on the time of day you plan to travel, you might get right on the next ferry or you might have to wait for the next one. Just plan that time into your trip! No big deal.

A wonderful, scenic, relaxing excursion across the famous James River. Unique views of Jamestown Island and you land in Surry County with no shortage of historical buildings and places. While in Surry, check ✔️ out the museum. They tell the story of the Ferry from conception to today! Along with other local history.

The ferry ride was quick, professional, and very convenient. During the trip, you can even go up to the second deck to enjoy the view.

I found this Ferry on a blog while looking for kid friendly things to do. It was a beautiful ride and very well run.

Friendly people, great view ,fun walk on boat decks while ya ride across

This is a very cool fairy to get on it literally runs 24 hours a day just to go across from Williamsburg into Suffolk very calming relaxing right across the water and you can't get any better views than out there I love riding out there with my buddies on the bikes and going across the water on the ferry very Scenic awesome places to stop along the way

Walk through wings of excellence and we'll preserved antiques. This mueseum has it all! Stunning handmade furniture, beautiful paintings, elegant silver work. Firearms and instruments from the 1700s. The staff was very knowledgeable and very friendly.

This Art Museum complex is worth spending a whole day at to see the unique and wonderful Exhibits they have on everything from Quilts & Embroidery for my Fiber-Arts Wife to Woodworking & Clock-making for the Engineering-Geek types like me! I also recommend the Museum's Cafeteria-style Cafe with a wide assortment of Soups, Sandwiches and Salads... many of which were delicious for my Vegetarian Wife!

A large collection of items from furniture to artwork. It was bigger than anticipated. We will have to come back to get the other floor

One of the best museums I have ever visited. Thank you Rockefeller for your funding. Give yourself a full afternoon, there is so much to see. Plus enjoy the live performance In the theater - it was very good. Excellent for kids.

Such a delightful Art Museum! It was clean and shiny, and the exhibits were well labeled and interesting. There was an extensive collection of teapots and portraits. Loved my experience there!

Changed a lot since they've moved the location and not as many clothing displays are available which is kind of disheartening but other than that it's a wonderful experience

Nice Museum with several collections. 1830 Folk Art -Old 1700's Furniture, Lots of decorative pieces. Cafe to rest.

One of my favorite places to shop peacefully! Always stop here when I'm in Williamsburg!

This outlet is huge. We walked about 3 miles and spent an entire afternoon just exploring. It's also all outdoors with not much shade. Some really good deals found here. The options are also not bad. Wasn't able to find the food court, but there's various food trucks scattered around and we stopped by one of those. Restroom areas are also scattered about pretty well. Free parking lot.

There are a lot of stores, and a lot of selection. But have some idea of prices before you shop here. I knew what I was looking for, and I wrote down prices that I had found at local stores and online, of course, and I only ended up buying one item on my list. We did have a fun day of roaming around and looking though. And we thoroughly enjoyed the "As seen on TV" store.

Larger than I thought at first! And found some really great deals here on some new clothes and shoes for fall. At the Express, I bought a dress that was marked as $115, which I bought for $25, half off sweaters at Gap, etc. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I was able to find.

I love shopping at the Williamsburg Premium Outlets! The whole place is always clean, easy to navigate, and has such a great variety of stores. There are tons of good deals, friendly staff everywhere, and plenty of parking. It’s the perfect spot for a weekend shopping trip or just a quick stop to grab a few things. Always a great experience every time I visit!

Good quality good deals. I suggest you call ahead of your arrival to see what special sales are going on,best time is the weekends for most stores but call ahead anyway. Lost of places to dine and to stay. Take advantage of the history available and enjoy your visit you might just want to stay or even relocate.

Crowded sidewalks they are to small. Compared to Leesburg Premium outlet this one was a big letdown. People seemed rude and didnt care leaving trash around. Also (and maybe the season) the prices seemed higher then Leesburg (Eddie Bauer and Under Armor 2 places ive visted a lot). Wont go back.

Never open. Don't waste your time walking all the way over to see it. It's most likely closed.

Stopped in for an anniversary drink...I had the Strawberry Shortcake and my husband had the Cafe Royale. So good! We bought some to bring home and enjoy later. Cool place!

Ok... It has taken me by surprise, this is a great indoor/outdoor venue. They always seem to have a great food truck. Are pet friendly. Every time i go, they have good music/live entertainment. If you haven't had their beers, or its been awhile you are missing out. Beers are on point! Prices are not outrageous. The beer always seems to come home with me. They are not stuck on just one style. GREAT BEER!!! The staff , (sorry guys) i can't remember names. The staff is friendly, patient, inviting. This is a great place... CHECK IT OUT

Had a great time visiting here for my first time even if I was by myself. The bartenders Paul and Morgan were great. Morgan gave me some recommendations for other places and he was definitely right. Go to him if you want any others. Also tried the taco truck outside and the tacos are delicious! My last recommendation is to try their homemade pretzels! Hope you enjoy!

Stopped in to try a Brewery that we have never tried before. There were some really great beverages and we enjoyed sitting out on the patio and relaxing. Overall a great experience and worth checking out.

They offer a solid selection of beers, with two locations in Williamsburg, VA. If you can, stop by one of their breweries during your visit — it’s worth the trip.

Great selection of beers, and it was a lot of fun to get a flight with a variety of creative flavors. The ambiance inside was cozy.

Tried 7 beers in one sitting, couldn't find one I didn't like. Excellent selection of house made drafts and the pretzels are fantastic!