Colonial Williamsburg Reviews

Even though we preplanned several shows, we could not anticipate the scale of Colonial Williamsburg. There is so much to see and do. We could have stayed in the art museum a full day. Enjoyed two separate shows depicting trials of the times as well as a concert. All very nice! We were not able to get reservations at any of the taverns as they were booked out months ahead, but found great dining choices in the square. We loved it!

If you love history like I do, Colonial Williamsburg should be on your bucket list!

I only went for one day because I had a lot of stuff to do on this trip, but honestly you could spend several days here just seeing all there is to see. I was able to go into the Governor’s Palace, Capital, and Peyton Randolph house while also seeing the grounds, but there are tons of places to see here! From historic houses, churches and shops, to re-enactments, you can see history come alive at Colonial Williamsburg in everything they do. Tour guides are knowledgeable and engaging, and the sheer amount of things you can see and do here is amazing in and of itself! I was so impressed with it all.

We visited on a Saturday in July. Prime tourist season. While a lot of the buildings were open and the tours/workers in those shops were very knowledgeable, for the cost of the ticket we were somewhat disappointed. No fife and drum corps (even though it was listed as an event), no people in the streets. We expected it to look much more “alive.”

That being said, the meal we had at the restaurant was good and authentic, and the prices reasonable. Unfortunately, other restaurants were not open.

Tip: There is a teacher discount that you can get if you bring your ID with you and purchase tickets on site.

Horrible. Get ready to be crippled by the brick sidewalks that they dont maintain. They give you veteran discount but then take away meal discount for being a veteran. False advertising.

I've reviewed this before, but what can I say - Our family loves Williamsburg! This trip was for me (the mom) and 3 young adults, 1 of whom was here for the first time. Ticket prices are still very affordable, for all you get. I got an annual pass, while the others got 3-day passes. We spent our time visiting all the major historical sites (Palace, Capitol, etc.) and a few trades as they were open. New to us for this trip: We walked over to the archaeological dig at Custis Square and enjoyed a nice conversation with the historians there. We also enjoyed seeing the Bray School and talking to one of the workers; it was really nice to be able to see the "layers" of preservation taking place all over the building. Seeing the cannon firing was a first for us, and the guys enjoyed their militia training and experience as judges at the courthouse. Once again, the docents throughout the town were amazing - smooth, educational presentations, and they were able to answer any questions. They were all very personable and willing to interact with us. We visited on a Monday and Tuesday - we were surprised by how quiet the town was on Monday. Not nearly as many visitors as we've seen in the past (but that was pre-Covid), and we didn't see nearly as many costumed personalities. Tuesday seemed to be a little busier - more visitors, personalities, and horses throughout the area. We also really missed not being able to tour Bassett Hall - one of our favorites - but it doesn't seem to be included as part of the Williamsburg experience anymore. I have seen other reviewers saying they had problems with transportation around the park - We did use the bus system and had no issues. The buses were readily available - (Travelers tip: If you want to actually get a seat on the bus, board near the start of the route, at the Palace, Capitol, or Magazine stops - you will have to stand or even wait for the next bus at the other end of the route, near Merchants Square.) We were able to see and do all our personal highlights in those 2 days, although in hindsight I wish we could've stayed the 3rd day and done more of the "details" - more individual trades, shopping, etc. But we were concerned about the weather forecast. (Hurricane Debby was on her way with predicted flooding for the area.) So we cut our trip short. As always, we found Williamsburg to be a relaxing, educational, enjoyable experience. The Williamsburg experience connects dots in my American history education, yet still raises more questions so I want to know more. So we'll be back - I did get an annual pass! ;)

We went on Monday and didn’t pay for tickets just walked through colonial Williamsburg. I can get why you pay it enhances the experience but I do think the prices are a little high and just not something we were able to pay for at the moment. With that said, still a cool place to go to and walk around d for free. Also some solid restaurants and shops to take in there.

I spent four days at Colonial Williamsburg 7/31-8/4 2024. I have been to CW five times in the past . TO say it was horrible doesn’t do justice to horrible . It was over 100 degrees w the heat index . They didn’t have many cast members on site . I was told a combination of heat and few people employed meant the place was basically a shell of a town . There were no water stations for the visitors and almost no where to eat lunch. The on sire restaurants are either closed completely or only open for dinner. I stayed in one of the rooms in the colonial homes . I have stayed in them before and nothing had been updated , so like classic 1985. The 20 or so building exhibits in the buildings rotated and were not operational daily . There is no admission gate , and the town butts up against the village , so you could just walk around and pay nothing . I was waiting outside in the blistering sun on Thursday to enter into the House of Burgesses when I received a call from my dentist to change my appointment as I had broken a crown on my trip . I walked over to the brick fence , which was outside and took the call. A costumed Colonial Karen came over and informed me that I would have the exit the courtyard , which was outside and take the call . I asked her where it was posted that we couldn’t take a call outside while standing in line to enter an attraction ( Picture the line outside the Haunted Mansion at Disney World complete w heat n sun ). She couldn’t give me an answer . She was typical of the unfriendly old crones that one encounters on site . The type of Gladys Kravets that makes a visit here memorable. They yell at you to make sure you have no gum in your mouth , no beverages open in a cup . You could only bring in water or soda capped and not open inside . I can understand that because it is historic , however they could provide water , or have stands selling beverages . There were none . The plays I went to after dark , Haunted Tour , Hang a Pirate , and Hang a Witch were ok . Again we had to wait in the heat outside until they were ready for us to enter . Don’t look for an entrance or exit sign nor someone to point the way after the show was over . Other than a pricy , all be it excellent meal, or those performances , there is nothing to do after 5 pm on the premises of C. W. The entire restoration seems to be confused that the tourists are the ones paying for the experience and not the subordinates to their petty , crabby , staff . I did voice my concerns with people in charge while there! Avoid this Colonial Dinosaur of a place . Save your money , if your town has an old convent with broken down furniture , appointments, and crabby old nuns , stop there ! I promise that it will be more joyous and respectful than a day at Colonial Williamsburg! DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY !! I travel a lot and this is a disappointment .

Over the last 20 years, we’ve visited Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown numerous times. Not having been to CW in 9 years, some things were as remembered and sadly some not. The weather was rainy on and off so almost no scheduled shows were done. The plantation exhibit, the armory, the church all were closed to name a few places. I wish this was told at the visitor center before entering. We went with friends who bought their tickets using the visitor center machines and unknowingly bought the wrong ones (vague descriptions)- resulting in another trip to the ticket booth in the town. What was available - the one show we caught and the artisans shops open - were interesting and enjoyable.

I was really torn about visiting for free or paying the really expensive admission fee. I finally decided we would skip Jamestowne and just pay for Williamsburg. I'm glad we did. Our friends (who went on a different day) didn't pay and just had an okay time. We paid and had an excellent and interesting time! We only had 4 hours and we saw almost everything (we had to skip the church and courthouse tours). We parked at the Visitor's Center and the lady who took our money told me about the teacher's discount which I was able to take advantage of.

She very thoroughly went over the map with us. We decided to hop on the shuttle and get off at Stop 2 - the Capitol. The tour there was a bit longer than I expected, but I learned a lot. We walked down Duke of Gloucester Street and were able to enter every building because we had paid. It was a Saturday so almost everything was open. Several shops were very interesting! The armory, the bookbinders, the printing shop, the press room (the docent was great!), the James Geddy House, to name just a few.

The fife and drums came down the street at 12:30. We didn't have time to eat lunch, though a quick deli/sandwich shop was recommended to us, and instead found Baskin Robbins for a delicious treat.

Our last stop was the Governor's Palace - the icing on the cake. Our tour guide was excellent! He talked fast and was very informative and interesting. I had always wanted to tour this but in years past it was an extra fee so always skipped it. We toured the gardens on our own, and then walked back to the Visitor's Center. It was a lovely walk! So glad we went!

I was disappointed. It wasn’t really a good representation of colonial times. Paved streets & sidewalks. Merchants square is modern times shops

Great Trip to Colonial Williamsburg. Love the fact they allowed dogs on the shuttle bus, and throughout the area. Very dog friendly.

Visiting Colonial Williamsburg was one of the highlights of our trip and a truly immersive experience for the whole family. The historic area is beautifully preserved and offers a fascinating glimpse into colonial life with living history interpreters, authentic buildings, and engaging activities.

The kids were genuinely intrigued—even when they occasionally said they were “bored,” they quickly became fascinated by the hands-on experiences and lively tours. The guided walks were informative and fun, and the actors in period costumes really brought the 18th century to life.

Some of the most memorable moments included watching skilled tradespeople like blacksmiths and gunsmiths at work, and exploring the elegant Governor’s Palace, which offered a stunning look into colonial-era leadership and lifestyle.

The site is very family-friendly, with plenty of shade and spots to rest when needed (important on a warm day!). Staying hydrated and pacing the visit helped everyone enjoy the day fully despite the heat.

If you love history or want to spark curiosity in kids about America’s early days, Colonial Williamsburg is a must-see. We walked away with new appreciation and plenty of stories to share. Highly recommend spending a full day here to soak in the rich history!

They did an excellent job of rebuilding and recreating the colonial town. The governor’s palace was my favorite. It was truly an amazing experience!!

After being stationed here in the Army, from 1978-1981, I was disappointed. It has become very expensive to visit. You now need a $50 ticket to visit buildings, sites like a garden and folks portraying the settlers. It is almost impossible to eat in one of the Colonial restaurants. Reservations were not available after trying for two days! There are lovely carriage rides but we did not ask “how much”!
As a person who has been donating monies for several years to keep the Colonial area open, I was very sad.
We will not be back,
One area was interesting and free. That is Merchants Square. We were there for the Saturday Farmers market from 8am to noon. Fresh vegetables, flowers, craft items, baked goods and more were available for all to enjoy. We were able to buy pumpkin bread and cider donuts to enjoy and bring home.

At 2:00 pm on August 26, I attended Order in the Court at the Colonial Williamsburg Courthouse. For thirty minutes I sat as a member of the judge’s bench while real cases from the colonial period were reenacted. Ticketed guests stepped into the roles of defendants, while interpreters skillfully carried the story forward with historical detail and polished delivery.

What makes this program exceptional is how it balances authenticity with interaction. The cases presented were taken directly from Virginia’s colonial records, and the interpreters’ use of period-appropriate dialogue reminded me that the court was more than a legal chamber — it was the civic heart of the community.

Colonial Williamsburg excels at this type of immersive programming, and Order in the Court is a highlight. It is entertaining, but more importantly, it deepens your understanding of how justice and community life intertwined in the 18th century. A must-see for anyone seeking history that comes alive.

We had a wonderful time visiting the past at Colonial Williamsburg. It was a very immersive experience, speaking with people who lived in colonial times in Williamsburg, Virginia, both the famous, and the every day folks who made the place run. All the speakers and presenters were very well versed in their characters and responded appropriately when you interacted with them. I loved being able to walk up to Patrick Henry and others on the street and engage them in conversation.

Pros: There is a lot to see walking around, and it looks beautiful. You can do it in a day or possibly two. We were especially impressed by the Weavers and the Bookbinders, they gave great history and explanations. The Blacksmith was good too. Was not crowded on an October Tuesday. The bus that goes around the outer ring of the town is VERY useful, especially at night.

Cons: It seems a bit haphazard what will be open. We found a few shops/buildings that were closed. And the historical experience seemed to vary depending on who was working in a shop.

My biggest complaint is that we bought tickets for Jamestown, Yorktown and CW ahead of time online, and still had to wait in a long line at the ticket desk because their systems don't seem to talk to each other. Very annoying. But I'm glad we did it and would recommend to anyone.

This is an amazing place where history comes alive. The age range of our family was 7-75 and we all loved it and learned so much. The employees/educators who we encountered in all the venues were incredibly knowledgeable in their specialities. You really felt that you were conversing with people from another era who knew their stuff. What is especially wonderful about the place is it's lack of commerciality and it's total respect for authenticity. 10 stars!

One pass gets you into historic Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown, which easily take 2 full days to take in. I would plan a full day for Williamsburg and also possibly Yorktown. Jamestown can be seen relatively quickly.
One cautionary note. The web site mentions a complimentary shuttle service at Williamsburg. I mistakenly assumed a shuttle would take you to the other sites from there but that's not the case. You have to drive. The Williamsburg shuttle is due to the fact that it is quite a long walk from the visitor center to the actual site.

We first visited Colonial Williamsburg 35 years ago with our sons and it was an amazing, vibrant, interactive experience. We visited this year with two of our grandsons, hoping for a similar experience. We were extremely disappointed. The living history trades people were knowledgeable and interesting. The problem was there were so few of them and they were far and few between with many of the buildings closed. They were out numbered by shops, many selling the same overpriced, cheaply made reproductions of items from the period. The restaurants offered overpriced, dry hamburgers for $16 and chicken fingers, $4.00 for a 12 oz pop and $8.00 for a beer. An over abundance of Grocery stores sold ice cream, candy, pop and water. They made it difficult to refill water bottles as there were only water fountains and no spigots. Way over priced and commercialized. We were very disappointed.

Always interesting to learn about life in the 18th century but CW lodge accommodation and historical taverns prices are very expensive.

Great food at the Kings Arms Tavern. There are cute shops and the n the actors dressed in the authenic revolutionary period. We went for a l9ng weekend and had a great time.

Love this place. I have been here several years ago, but my husband has never been there. We were passing through the area, so decided to stop for the day. We only had a day to spend there, so purchased the one day admission online for a slight discount. $31.50 pp. arrived at the visitor center at 9 am. (Now pay parking) If you aren’t familiar with the area, I would recommend talking to the information desk at the visitor center. They highlighted area of interest and gave some recommendations. Very helpful and friendly. Quickly got the bus down to colonial Williamsburg. Toured several houses and shoppes. Then got the bus to the museum. Wear good walking shoes and layers. I took a shoulder bag and was glad I did. Quick access to removing layers and an umbrella. The day flew by. Not all shoppes and buildings are open everyday, so if you have more time, get a multi day pass or even a yearly pass. We were there 9a-5:30p ( most buildings and shoppes close at 5) and didn’t see everything. Also, different seasons would be nice to see as well. We went early spring. Beautiful day, but not very green or flowers blooming yet. We didn’t eat at historical sites this time, but I have before. Make reservations weeks ahead of time. Also they can be somewhat pricey $$$. Check online menus. They try to accommodate everyone and still try to keep the restaurants authentically colonial .

Being prior military, we used to visit Colonial Williamsburg every Veteran's Day when distance allowed. Even after having visited many, many times it still feels like the first time. A personal time machine is a very apt description - its as close as one could possibly get to a glimpse of life back then without actually going. What makes this place so amazing is that one can become one with the history and the staff truly brings it alive. A must, must for anyone who loves the early history of our great nation!

Wonderful experience. The people who work there are fascinating, and it was a very easy walk to everything.
There is a wonderful area at the end of the Duke of Gloucester street with some great restaurant options.
The only negative was my husband ( who is disabled on has a scooter) could not eat at the famous King's Arms Tavern. They wanted to put us in a separate building ( which looked like a shed) and we felt pretty offended by the fact that it was definitely not the dining experience offered to everyone else.
Other facilities had handicap entrances and different accesses that were very accommodating, so that was the only place that left us feeling a bit discriminated against. Considering the sizable amount of people on scooters here, I felt they dropped the ball.
Having said that, we did not let that one experience ruin what was otherwise a wonderful trip.
If you go you need to eat at the Cheese Shop, the Fat Canary, and Berrets. All were delicious!
Experience a trial at the Courthouse, as well as the Kitchens at the Governor's Palace. Both were a lot of fun!

We spent three days here and recommend that 3-day pass; lots to see. The people who perform and work here do it as a career. They are very knowledgeable about their characters. The bus system is good and goes all around the historic area and to the visitors center. If you like history this is for you. It was very hot in July. The carriage horses were taken beck to the barn because of heat but the people stayed!

Great historical experience. Learned so much about colonial America. The restorations and reconstructions are incredible.

We bought the 3 days pass and went two days. It was very warm weather. Unfortunately the area was having air conditioning issues so the restaurants were closed. The people explaining the different sites were very informative. It was well worth getting the passes because many places required that you had one. I was glad to spend 2 days because we got to see a lot. I think 3 days would be two much. However with the pass we were able to skip a day and go to Jamestown and then come back the next day. My brother served in the armed forces, so there was a spot we could go and get free water and use a clean bathroom. Be sure to check about a military service discount when you buy your ticket.

Different than expected but not in a bad way:

1. Very large place - not a compact village. Lots of walking, especially from the Visitor Center to the Village. (Shuttle available)
2, Just as much shopping as history- good or bad depending on your perspective
3. Lots of free exhibits- we bought tickets and took advantage of a few things, but if you’re on a tight budget you can still see and do a lot.

Great Visitor Center, helpful staff. All of the characters do a great job. Highly recommend the colonial capitol tour.

Full Disclosure we did not pay admission to visit the different historical buildings. Colonial Williamsburg is free to visit and walk around the outdoor areas of the park. As we were traveling with our furbaby we opted to stick with the free outdoor experience. We all had an awesome time. The fur child particularly loved the sheep pen and seeing other all the other doggies with their humans. It was a beautiful fall day and the site was popular but not overly crowded. We enjoyed walking the cobblestones amongst the beautiful historical buildings. The shopping/restaurant area was decorated for the holidays and there was a pop-up ice skating rink. The outdoor seating at the restaurants we passed had propane heaters. We took turns visiting the gift shops and then grabbed a takeout pizza from Mellow Mushroom.

Truly a step back in time and an enriching learning experience that does not come from a text book. My sole purpose of this trip was educational. As a former teacher there are things that I learned and SAW that had escaped me and would have enriched my teaching had I had a very in-depth knowledge 50 years ago. The detailed narratives of the craftsmen and experiences at the mock trial at the Court House and that of the House of Burgesses. I took my students on 1 day field trips from Queens, NY to Philadelphia to see history. Williamsburg is over the top. I saw many student field trips the days I spent there and I hope they fully appreciated what they experienced.

I purchased a three day ticket and spent two days just experiencing the craftsmen and government buildings. The third day I spent at the museum and wish I had more time as one could spend 2-3 days taking in everything they have to offer. God willing I will live to come back in 2026 when they will have their new Archeology Building completed and open.

At no point did you get the impression that you were being transported back in time. If you don't speak fluent English, you can do without entrance tickets (which allow you to visit the individual houses and shops), as you can visit the city itself without paying an entrance fee.
You should bring drinks and snacks with you...

We visited Jamestown, Williamsburg, Yorktown. Very historic, wondeful museums and exhibitions,
Excellent restaurants.

I went solo on Labor Day 9/1/25...I was told that there was plenty to see and enjoy without paying for the pass to what I would equate to a "behind the scenes tour experience" at Disney or Universal. I did plenty of research and reviewed the website and set my "Planner", downloaded the app. Due to limited time I opted to go the free route and maybe return at a later date and pay to do more.

Short Review: Would I go again, yes, would I pay $35 for the pass, probably not.

Detailed Review: I stopped first at the Visitors Center which is an extremely large building. From doing my homework, I specifically wanted to get a paper map and schedule of events.

Not sure if I went in the wrong way, but it was a long walk from the parking lot to the inside information/ticket desk area. I arrived at 1pm and the place felt deserted; a line of about 15 people waiting in que at the ticket desk with what appeared to be one person on duty. Not another employee to be found to ask questions, except those at the gift shop.

I ended up wandering around and found a brochure rack that had a map. Mind you it was not clearly marked and if I had not been picking up every brochure to scrutinize it I would have overlooked it. Never did find an employee to be able to ask any questions.

I was able to get parking by Merchants Square with no issues.

Overall, I kind of expected more...more visitors, more employees, more entertainers, just more. But it was a great place to walk and enjoy the scenery.

Merchants Square exactly what you would expect - fairly busy, with variety of stores with overpriced gifts, clothes, etc. Various eateries, coffee shop, food options. I could have easily gotten a seat at any dining establishment with no wait and plenty of outdoor seating to people watch and enjoy the beautiful weather,

Merchants Square was "busy" compared to everything else that felt empty, definitely not busy - and no waiting or crowds to get into any of the small retailers nestled among the historic buildings. Many of the roads are closed to motor vehicle traffic allowing plenty of room to walk on sidewalks or the road; but honestly it was not necessary. I think the most people I saw in one spot was about 25 people listening to a performance at the outdoor "theatre" in the backyard of the "coffeeshop" by the Capitol.

Other than an occasional period attired employee standing outside a building, while they were friendly, they did not really look like they wanted to be there; it was simply walking through a neighborhood full of historic homes. I equate it with walking or riding a bike around Key West and looking at the historic sites and cool houses. I was thinking more Ren Faire with "players" to engage with and watch.

With so many "period" retailers/store fronts I was hoping to be able to purchase some items crafted by the local makers/artisans. When I asked in one of the stores they said all they had was a few pewter spoons or hob nails from the blacksmith. Everything else in the stores was made else where.

Be sure to check the schedule ahead of time, every food option I had any interest in was closed.

I did not get a chance to visit the museums due to time constraints but do plan to return to visit them and hopefully enjoy a meal at one of the taverns that so many people have given positive reviews.

Obviously this is a nice place to visit to take in historical buildings as well as what I expected would be re-enactment of life at that time.

But it was very disappointing in that I would say at least 70 % of buildings were just closed when we got to them; my brother thought it was even more.

Now I fully understand that this is the low season, and that on a Monday probably they cannot get as many volunteers to come to be at all the buildings. But we were charged 100 % of the entrance fee and nowhere was it mentioned that it would be a limited experience. Any museum that has a lot of exhibits closed will warn you before you buy your ticket. A couple from Georgia had the same comment.

By contrast I remember visiting Upper Canada Village and every building was manned and were full of life.

Maybe we just fell on a bad day but for sure it was not what we expected.

Way overpriced for what it is. A family of four with kids aged 7 and 10 will set you back 130+ with available discounts! Be prepared for long walks and closed buildings (that were marked as must see). Highly overpriced water/drinks, and very few re-enactments/trade shops.

Lots to see here. Get ready for a ton of walking. My husband and I logged 7 miles. The day started out rainy so there wasn't much of a crowd which allowed us to take our time and visit many of the shops and read about the buildings. We opted for lunch at the King's Arms tavern and were seated right away. I can imagine the situation is very different on a sunny day. We spoke with brick makers, carpenters and store keepers. They are all very knowledgable about the history and willing to share bits and pieces along the way. If you are a history buff this is for you.

Incredibly fascinating, especially if you have any interest in history. The volunteers and staff were all amazingly knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. We visited a sampling of the craft shops and houses, and had a great time watching, talking, and learning. Only had about five hours to spend as we were on our way somewhere else - hope to go back and spend a couple days sometime.

Enjoyed all the tours and demonstrations. Food was good at Shields Tavern then at Christiana Campbells the next night. Food similar so save your money and pick one Tavern. I was shocked to see the Blacksmiths hammering hot iron without eye protection. I will be sending video of this to OSHA.

Highlights of the visit to Colonial Williamsburg begin with the wonderful shuttle that goes to many stops in the park and was free with a ticket. After walking 4 hours it was wonderful to catch it to go back to the parking lot. We enjoyed a simple but delicious meal at Chownings Tavern. A new addition since we have been here is the Bray School. Very interesting.

There are different admission tickets you can get that includes different things. We got the 2-day pass that includes the art musuem. You can pick up and get dropped off at 7 different locations in the colonial village. There were a lot of people in costumes there. Merchants square has a lot of restaurants from anything from a quick bite to more fancy bite. We were there on 1 rainy day and we did the capital building, the Governers palace and the art musuem. We checked out the schedule for all day activities.

I wonder. Attendance continues to decrease, and CW continues to lose a lot of money each year. After having visited CW about 20 years ago, I was very surprised to return to see how CW has deteriorated. It is a shame, as there are many good bones to this design concept of offering a living history museum. However, who is your core group of learners? I could not help but notice the homogeneous visitors. Upon entering, the GPS directed us to make a left where there was no official turn, and it would be dangerous to stop and turn. Upon entering the parking lot at the Visitor’s Center on a Saturday during the summer, much of the lot was empty. I saw the cracked lot and trash. The signage needs to be improved as many motorists make u-turns in front of the building daily. I used several bathrooms that need a deep clean and remodel. The lock on the stall that I used did not close. One of the bathrooms near the shuttle was completely closed without a back-up of a port-a-potty. This is a nightmare for those who meet the ADA for IBS. There are no filtered, water refill stations for water bottles. There are old water fountains that are not working properly, and the water has a chemical-like taste. If you are gluten-free, there is no food for you. While many of the costumed-interpreters are passionate and hardworking, some complain about their bosses within earshot. The gate of the Governor’s Palace is rusted. CW does not feel particularly inclusive to those with disabilities or have young families. Many of the lectures were of a high level and not particularly engaging to a variety of age groups . There needs to be a deeper emphasis placed on the indentured servants and slaves that reflects what we were told-40 percent of the population were people of color. Overall, I left feeling disappointed.

We loved every minute! We visited with four kids under 10 and they were all completely caught up in the history. Every person we encountered in the trades and shops was happy to help us and engage with our children. The tours of the palace and capitol building were very informative but short enough for the kids to sit through. We were slightly disappointed in the new brick makers location, at the old one the kids were able to step into the clay pit and make bricks, this one was more of a demonstration. We also did the carriage ride- Andre, the driver, was fantastic. He engaged with our kids and entertained us with stories as he drove. One place for improvement would be water bottle filling stations- it was ungodly hot while we were there and there was only a couple of water fountains which are difficult to refill at. But 10/10 will definitely return!!

Not what I expected. You cannot walk in and tour the buildings on your own. You have to go with their tour. So unless you know when the tour is for what you want to see you spend a lot of time walking around outside. They do not list tour times on the website. The artisan shops are rather far apart but are informative. The Carpenter Tavern we ate at was very good. The play “Cry Witch” was very good.

We visited on a Tuesday and after a lengthy wait in the ticket office we ended up purchasing our tickets online. We purchased the admission not realizing the majority of the buildings were not open. The food and beverage options were mainly closed and the few retailers that had snacks & beverages were picked over. The only place where everything was open was Merchants Square which isn’t even part of the historical area. The most frustrating was the inconsistent opening/closing times. When we entered the visitors center the sign said 9am-7pm. Then on the maps some of the locations had specific hours and others only had tours every 30 minimum. We didn’t want to waste time waiting 30 mins for a tour of the Governors Palace so the guide suggested we come back after 4pm for self guided tours. We arrived at 5:15, not realizing it closed at 5pm. In total we saw the Capitol and the Courthouse as well as a handful of retailers. We did not see any trades. A total bummer considering how busy the place was for spring break. Make sure to check all of the times and available sights before you go. $200 and we left disappointed.

Unlike other historical towns and national parks, this area nickle and dimes you to death. Every site and historical building requires a different admission price. There isn’t one package that is inclusive to williamsburg, jamestown, and yorktown. Even the jamestown experience had two to three separate charges for each site. When I can go to St Augustine, Charleston, or even d.c. and see so many things for free or for one packaged price on a nice guided trolley, this was a huge disappointment. This is definitely not a handicapped friendly vacation unless you are willing to pay for motorized wheelchairs or be pushed in a manual wheelchair.

Due to the heat, there were very few guides in costumes and no carriages or carriage rides. They were allowing folks to buy tix and not informing them that the outdoor exhibits were closing at 11 am even at 9 & 10 am. Jamestown didn’t know if williamsburg was staying open and vice versa-no communication between areas.

There was no defined way even at the visitor centers to get the best itinerary. This lead to a bunch of folks standing around confused trying to figure it out and long lines due to the many many questions being asked.

Very pleasant and informative. Learned a lot from the blacksmith, gunsmith and joiner. House/palace tours were staffed by wonderful lads and lasses, very informative. Only downsid: Sunday and a number of things closed up.

Believe the bad reviews if for no other reason than to realize that guest experiences are either hit or miss. My visit was a near complete miss. There were a few positives; I'll share those at the end.

My family and I spent three days in Colonial Williamsburg. We purchased our tickets in advance but needed to pick them up at the visitors' center on the first day. We arrived early before the doors opened and still had to wait in line for 45 minutes behind two other couples before we could get our pre-ordered tickets. We counted six employees standing around talking to each other. There was one person taking care of customers. We almost missed our 9:00 ticketed entry tour. We took the bus to the nearest stop per the suggestion of the visitor's center clerk but still had to run to meet our tour. They were leaving just as we arrived.

Most of the buildings were not open. There is a paper map with a schedule printed of the buildings that are supposed to be open on certain days. We were there for three days, and the paper map was never accurate. There is supposed to be an app or a schedule on the website, but it didn't work when we were there. We wanted to visit the cooper, who was supposed to be open according to the schedule, but he never was. We checked every day we were there, both morning and afternoon. The buildings that are open hang a flag out front, but of course, you can't know if a building on one end of CW is open if you are on the opposite end without walking there. Some "Open Today" signage at intersections would be helpful.

Some of the people who work there were not all that great. We were walking down Duke of Gloucester St. and saw the courthouse was open -- the first building that was actually open. We started up the stairs, and an older lady in costume came barreling out of the building with her arms flailing, yelling at us that we weren't allowed to come in. We were only on the first step. Everyone in our group leaned backwards out of instinct as she yelled at us. I guess she realized how harsh she appeared, so she turned sickeningly sweet and told us we were to wait in the area to the side of the building. We arrived from the opposite side of the building and hadn't seen it. As guests, how were we to know? We decided not to stay. We didn't want to be around someone so thoughtless and rude to guests.

We took a tour of the Governor's Palace. There was a costumed person at the gate to the left side of the house. We asked if we were allowed to look around outside before the tour started; we were quite early. She said, yes, but we were ABSOLUTELY NOT allowed to join the tour late. We felt like we were being reprimanded by a nasty school marm. We hadn't mentioned joining late and had no intention of doing so. She prejudged the situation inaccurately. There were several other tours scheduled for the day, so even if we had missed the start of the next one, we could easily have waited for another one. There are nicer, more hospitable ways of speaking to guests.

The tour was a disaster. We all sat in the first room that has a large map on the wall. The tour guide came in -- never mentioned the map -- and started what sounded like practice for her one-woman show at a third-rate comedy club. Throughout the tour, she seemed to have been trained by Disney Cruise lines instead of an intellectual place of learning and research. I was pretty sure before the tour ended she was going to turn to us, wink with a cheesy grin, and say, "Rich white men are the worst, amiright? Don't forget to tip your waitress." We went room to room, but she didn't really tell us anything that we couldn't have found on the back of a brochure. There was so much she could have said -- like how were the wallpaper colors and patterns determined? In the entrance hall, were the weapons made by artisans at CW (a cross promotional opportunity, too)? How about that harpsichord? A nice story about Robert Carter playing it while Thomas Jefferson played the violin would really bring the place to life (and it's another cross promotional opportunity). A little boy asked the tour guide a question, as she just looked at him like a deer in headlights. She never did give him an answer. One of the guests on the tour answered him. A couple of adults asked questions, too, and she didn't answer them either. Thank goodness for other guests who knew the answers. We thought she might be a one-off situation, but we had similar experiences at the carpenter shop and at the Robert Carter house.

One of the things all three of those guides did was insult the audience right away. All three started off their talk with something to the effect of -- "You don't know anything. The people who work here are smarter than you are, but don't worry, I, the tour guide, know how to translate their intellectual speak so that you, stupidest of all stupid people, will understand." When the tour guide at the Robert Carter house said her version of that statement, one of the guests looked at her companion and said, "you've got to be kidding me." A group of three guests looked at each other with raised eyebrows and stifled laughter. The tour itself was pointless. The guide didn't really tell us anything. She didn't seem to have any knowledge of architecture, building trades, restoration, landscape history, or interior design history. There is more information available for free with a simple internet search than she shared on the tour. The Benjamin Moore paint website shares more information than she did. There was no information about how the house was constructed or what interesting things have been found during restoration. Nothing. About the family, she really seemed to hate them. It was another, "Rich white men are the worst, amiright?" situation. I mean, I know RC, III, wasn't perfect, but he did set in motion the document that freed more than 500 people. Isn't there SOMETHING in that act that makes him worthy of a little respect? She was just another person who came across as ill-informed and incredibly rude.

We're pretty sure the carpenter was high. He started off his speech by telling us all how he was smarter than all of us and then just talked gibberish for several minutes. He said a lot of words, but none of them formed complete sentences of substance. He kept looking back at a guy in the workshop who was working on something, and they just giggled at each other over and over again. Thank goodness for guests again, because without the guests who were there, we never would have learned anything about carpentry. The costumed guy was too busy giggling.

He was not the only person we suspected of being high. As we walked along DoG St., we saw a young woman in costume sitting out front of one of the buildings. She was bent over, and we thought she was ill -- maybe sunstroke or something. We were going to help her, until she looked up at us with a drunk grin and then flopped over. Then, we realized she was either hungover, high, or still drunk from the night before. One of guests in the area who approached her when we did made light of it and said, "CW is really going for authenticity. They've even included the town wench." I don't care what people do on their own time, but at a family museum, there should be a certain level of professionalism and maturity from the staff.

We ate dinner at Christiana Campbell's Tavern. The food was excellent, and our server was great. The dinner show, though, left much to be desired. A minstrel is supposed to enhance the meal -- not forcefully take it over. Our food arrived while he was singing "Yankee Doodle," and you would have thought our server smelled of dung and kicked puppies for fun by the look he gave her. What was she supposed to do? Let our food get cold while the attention-hungry middle-aged man who chooses to where a costume during the day went on and on about nonsense? And he kept saying, "no, no" to guests who weren't paying attention to him. I mean, read the room, dude.

There were three redeeming moments on our three-day visit.
1. The gunsmith really knew his stuff. He engaged the audience of mixed ages, told us a lot of really detailed and interesting information about how guns were made and who made them, and really made the experience one to remember. He was top notch!
2. The Master Gardeners who volunteer there also knew their stuff. We went to a talk with two gardeners. They brought pictures, so we could see what they were talking about, and they answered questions from the audience. They were the best part of our visit -- and they don't even get paid.
3. One of the men at the Greenhow gift shop was more than helpful. He anticipated our needs. We heard his interactions with other guests, and he was helpful to them also. He was the ONLY PERSON in three days to tell us where to find water and where to go to cool down on the hot summer days. (As an additional note, the cellar at the Governor's Palace is a cool 50 or so degrees, so you can go there to cool down. You access it from the outside. The door is open. We did ask the cranky school marm when we were at the GP if there was a cool spot, and she said no. Guess she didn't want us in the cellar.)

It was all disappointing. We have a fourth grader, and this was supposed to be the right place for the right age, but instead it was unprofessional, poorly run, and full of more opinions than facts. One of my family members remarked at the end of the trip that it's almost like they are failing on purpose. After all, all of that real estate would make somebody a pretty penny if they just had to close their doors and sell to the highest bidder.

We visited on a Monday to take advantage of home school days (this was our first visit). We had a very unpleasant experience at the visitor center. When we finally got to the ticket counter, the lady at the desk (who made us feel like we were bothering her being there) informed us that the home school tickets were only available online (don't understand why they couldn't accommodate that at the counter). She told us to go to the ticket kiosk and we should be able to get them there. Well, the kiosk didn't give us an option for a home school ticket. So, we went to the information desk thinking maybe they could assist. The gentleman there had the same attitude as the lady at the desk. When I explained the situation, he basically slammed a picture frame with a QR code on it and said here scan that. Well, my phone is full and wouldn't let me scan the code. He gave me an annoyed look when I said I couldn't scan it. I gave up, I walked away from the counter (I didn't want further embarrassment since at this point I was starting to tear up) went back to the kiosk and payed full price when I shouldn't have had to. If we hadn't driven hours to get there we probably would've just left after our experience at the visitor center. It was not a good first impression. The rest of the day was fine and the only reason I gave 3 stars.

I was very pleasantly surprised by Colonial Williamsburg. I hadn’t been since I was a young child in the early 70s, and I was afraid it was going to be hokey or too overcrowded or junkie, but it’s really lovely. My adult daughter and I were there on a Saturday in the summer and there were not crowds. They obviously keep high standards for their shops, eateries, and employees. Everything was great and all the employees very friendly. Our favorite demos were the wigmakers, milliners, weavers, and cabinetmakers. The shops were pricey but have very cute stuff, and the food and service at Christiana’s Tavern was excellent. We only went one day, and had we arrived at 9am and been in better shape we probably could have seen most everything we wanted to in one day, but it requires A LOT of walking (even when utilizing the bus to go to the museum and to and from the visitor’s center) as well as a lot of standing. I would say count on a minimum of 6 miles walking if you try to do most open things, and don’t backtrack. so I think it’s better to plan on 2 days; it will be more enjoyable. Also, wear good walking shoes. I seriously regretted wearing sandals instead of tennis shoes as the brick walkways are definitely hard on the feet. Tickets are expensive for one day but not much more for multi-day passes, and they do have AAA and other discounts. It is also my understanding that you get free tickets if you stay at one of the Colonial Williamsburg properties; unfortunately I didn’t find out about that until after my visit but I think that’s well worth it for some of the properties. The area nearby is really lovely and you should make sure to at least drive by William and Mary.

Having visited 30 years ago, my husband and I decided see it again. We remembered many costumed artisans and bustling streets. This time there were few options. Paths lead to construction closures, with no signage or guides to direct you. The artisans we did see were great! If the heat limited the availability, they should have been upfront about it at the ticket sales counter. The app needs redesigned to present a schedule for the day. It really needs reworked. The ticket lines took forever as no one could figure out where to go on their own. We were so disappointed in this stop.

We went in early October and the leaves had not turned yet so if you're planning to go in October wait until the last week of the month. Colonial Williamsburg is always so enjoyable and educational. They are really striving to give a more honest and accurate picture of what life was like back then for everyone. And they don't pull any punches about how terrible it was for the slaves. We particularly enjoyed the "stage" performances where costumed actors depicting certain people (George Washington, etc.)from that age gave an honest account of what was going on and how there were mixed feelings about the proposed declaration of independence from England. We really enjoyed the court case in the couthouse replaying actual cases from the 1700's. Obviously, the architecture and furnishings of the buildings is wonderful. The art museum had a lot to offer. We used the bus/shuttle to and from the visitors center on the second day. We walked from the Visitor's center on the first day- be prepared it's a mile or so to the historical site. We bought our tickets on line ahead of our trip and were able to save some money,

Your horrible you lied to me about my refund. I never got it. You double booked me for a tour. I will never use you again. I will post this on all social media sites

We took the ghost tour offered though the CW Foundation and were not disappointed! Our tour guide, Katelynn, was awesome. The best ghost tour we have been on, and we have been on ghost tours around the world. She was an outstanding story teller bringing the haunted history of CW to life. Unlike other tours, you actually enter into these homes after dark A must do attraction!

Trying to set up our annual Williamsburg time. This year at Christmas time. Heroes rate
for the Griffin Hotel on their website is misleading.
When called to try to make reservations, I was told they didn't know why it was not coming up on the system. Left me hanging. Then I asked if they would please check. I was told that the supervisor said they were not honoring the rate there is no availability. But when I checked my dates had plenty of rooms. So, disappointed and will stay somewhere else, terrible customer service as well.
Not like what I experienced before which was great. So, beware

We spent 1.5 days and it wasn’t enough to even scratch the surface of activities! This park has something for all ages. As history buffs, we enjoyed interacting with the interpreters who were extremely knowledgeable and friendly. For those with children and teens, the many trades people provide insight into colonial living. We loved the wig maker who was not only engaging about the wig business but tied it into greater historical context. We plan to on revisiting this area, in a cooler season. The heat was brutal and only about half the buildings had AC.

I have visited Colonial Williamsburg many times over the years. My most recent was this December. I had a great time touring the buildings, visiting the art museum, and enjoying the Christmas decorations.

SO much to see and do. You need a minimum of two days to see. We loved it. I will definitely go again!!! Dont miss the shops in downtown Williamsburg as well. As info, the buses that take you from the visitor center/ticket area do offer handicap seating and area for your scooters! Side note: A LOT of walking and steps into some of the buildings.

We were visiting from the UK and doing a US road trip and Williamsburg was one of our favourite places on the whole trip. Williamsburg is a wonderful place to visit for an authentic colonial experience. It is a living open museum and the admission gets you into various buildings around the town so you could just visit and wander round without buying an admission ticket. Having said that it was well worth buying the ticket to enable you to go in and experience all the artisans doing their various different trades and going into the historic buildings, for example The Governor's Palace.

Colonial Williamsburg is always a terrific experience. This time we brought 4 children, ages 4-11. They loved the muskets, the parade, the tradesmen and the whole experience. This is the best “ museum” anywhere. The staff and the costumed people are excellent. Well worth the money, the bus system is the best way to get around! The best way to learn history AND have a great time

A lot of interesting things to see. They need to be more organized as far as what buildings are open on what days, times, etc. It can take awhile to get your tickets, so leave extra time (but it is air conditioned). There are many cool things to see. Blacksmith, printers, clothing, shoes, tin maker, etc. It was very interesting to see how the meat is hung up and smoked to make "Virginia Ham". A lot of the buildings are original from centuries ago. There is a lot of walking to see the different sites.

A great way to experience the colonial history of the US. Educational for the kids too. I recommend coming here if you have any interest in the past of the US.

I came away under-impressed. Of particular note is the $75 carriage ride that lasted 15 minutes ($5 per minute). The driver said little about what we passed. We felt ripped off. It put a taint on our visit.

Williamsburg was impressive in its buildings for historical value but the overall takeaway (2 days) was it fell short. High prices and under performance.
With a couple of exceptions, the employees seemed unmotivated.

I had low expectations but our experience was wonderful. It even POURED one of the days and it was still great. We did two evening activities — Cry Witch was totally great, even with an 11yo boy. The haunted walking tour was also great (the kid was scared to death and did not love that). We will def be back. The 7-day triangle pass gave us flexibility to go to an inside museum during the rain.

The grounds were impressive and the people working were wonderful.

I will say that it was disappointing the lack of things open to experience (we went on a Tuesday). So many places we walked by were closed and I’m not sure how we were suppose to find out about the events others have mentioned in the comments. We did not have any information on that.

Overall, I think the pricing was WAY out of proportion. Family of 4 is nearly $200!!!! And 1/2 the things were closed. If you’re going to do that then pricing needs to be adjusted based on what’s open that day.

Glad I went but not sure I’d recommend due to the price.

The tours that we had were excellent. The interpreters were knowledgeable and open to questions. We learned a lot about colonial life in a city.

We were disappointed that the sites that were open for tours seemed to be fewer than we expected and quite a distance apart.

Suggestions: Wear comfortable shoes, and bring a water bottle and your own lunch. Food is expensive here.

We were blessed with great weather during Christmas week.
Enjoyed the history & amazing decorations!
Add Williamsburg to your bucket list.
Great scenery & amazing food
Will enjoy a return visit again!!

I last visited here two years ago and this recreation of 18th century colonial life is as good as ever. On this trip I had the opportunity to visit many more of the historic sites and found the interpretation in all of them to be truly enlightening. The costumed interpreters and 'residents' set this place apart from other visitor attractions. In particular I enjoyed meeting Kathelene (Kat) at the Raleigh Tavern - so entertaining and welcoming as well as bringing this building's past to life. My only negative comment concerns the introductory film in the visitor centre which falls well short of other heritage attractions and fails to use the beautiful theatres in the visitor centre to their best advantage - more immersive storytelling using the technology now available would serve to create a memorable introduction to this beautiful place.

We were there in a heat wave and it was hot! Thankfully there were nice shady areas and air conditioning in many of the buildings. Our son is a William and Mary student which allowed him to get a free pass and then 25% off of our individual admissions. Admission is very pricey even with the discount. We spent one day at Colonial Williamsburg. We enjoyed the palace tour and the kitchen next to the palace. We did a courthouse experience which was fun. (They let a young child read one of the roles which meant an adult was constantly helping him to read and we didn't really understand what was happening. I would recommend limiting the participation of children readers.) We stopped in at an apothecary and ended at the capitol building. We walked up to the commercial area (more near William and Mary) and had fantastic pizza at Mello Mushroom.

We also stopped by for the fireworks on the 4th of July. We sat on the lawn next to the art museums. The fireworks were pretty lame. They said the show would be 20 minutes long, but it was maybe 11 minutes long with big pauses and no finale - just starts and spurts. We figured that fireworks would be a big deal because of the history of this area. Maybe we've been spoiled by our own local fireworks, but the fireworks show at Colonial Williamsburg could really use an upgrade.

My mother came to CW for the first time in the 1940s and returned every year until her death at 92. This is our family’s happiest of places. Even having been here over 50 times myself, I ALWAYS learn something new or have a new experience.
We stayed in the Brick House Shop (a colonial house) which was PERFECTLY located and well appointed— with a wood burning fireplace. We had Christmas dinner at the Kings Arms Tavern, which was lovely, albeit a bit disorganized.
It was a nearly flawless trip with just one issue: We had lunch at Chowning’s garden and it was actually the worst meal any of our party of four have ever had. Anywhere. Two of us had pork pies, one had chicken pie and one had a turkey sandwich— all were beyond dry— inedible. My daughter looked at my pork pie and said, “That looks dusty”— it truly did. Neither pies had any sauce or cheese (as the menu described). The man working the counter was CLEARLY not happy to be there— he bordered on rude. Ok, it was Christmas Day, but how does being unhelpful/rude to customers make any sense? I work in hospitality and have worked many holidays— this shouldn’t affect one’s customer service.
Chowning’s garden aside— everything was perfect — we will be back in 2026

We took the kids here on break. Visited both Jamestown sites, Yorktown battlefield, Colonial Williamsburg, and Yorktown revolutionary war museum. Everyone said Colonial Williamsburg was by far their least favorite place to visit. I think the problem is they try to make it more than it should be. The concept is pretty neat. But unfortunately all of the buildings to explore only allow you to come in on 30 minute guided tours that start every half hour. There is no self-guided touring or just stopping in somewhere for a few minutes to check things out, other than a few places. The courthouse and a couple of the artisans shops did let you pop in and out and visit for as long or as little as you would like, and ask questions while you were there. This was nice. But I'm sorry, I'm not, and my kids sure are not, going to have the attention span to take a 30 minute guided tour of a coffee shop, or a one-room bakery. For the governor's palace this makes more sense, as there is much more to see. If you are a retired person who doesn't mind taking this in over 8-10 hours than it might be more your cup of tea. But I wouldn't bring the kids here.

Sad how it has changed for the worse over the years, having become the equivalent of a colonial strip mall. Shops which were once set up with period furnishings for viewing have evolved into historical kiosks pandering for more of your $. Want to wander through the Raleigh Tavern? Nope, come back for a tour. There were zero interpreters on Duke of Gloucester Street to share interesting facts about colonial times. No demonstrations or parades on the green. Our family’s three generation tradition of photos in the public stockade are no more, as the pillory is inoperable. The George Wythe house was closed. No explanation. Disappointments abound after a hefty admission fee. Don’t bother going.

I went here primarily at my wife's request. Honestly I thought I'd be a bit bored. That was not the case. We had a great time walking all over and looking at all the buildings. We were incredibly impressed with the actor who portrayed Marquis De Lafayette. Wow! he is fantastic! You have to make it part of your tour to see his performance. He also speaks fluent French and has an encyclopedic knowledge of the area and time - he answered lots of questions afterwards and patiently waited for us to take photos. This was my favorite part of the visit. We also stopped at several places where they make historical items such as a blacksmith. In each place the people were really patient and explained what they were doing and answered our questions politely. The blacksmith guy gave us a lesson on quenching which was super interesting. We will be back again!

Very interesting and educational place! Buy your tickets at the kiosk inside instead of online. It's cheaper, and you can skip the line.

Colonial Williamsburg is beautiful and used to be a wonderful place to visit back in the 80s and 90s when I lived in the area but unfortunately since my last trip they have started charging for parking (which used to be free). They have also started closing the taverns during the winter. Fortunately my niece was able to figure out the smartphone app they have to pay for parking. I'm older, retired and don't do smartphones. We had planned to have dinner at one of the taverns but got there and found out that only one of them (Kings Arms) was open and and only from 11AM to 2PM and they don't take reservations. We ended up having dinner at Berret's Seafood which was very good.

We did Yorktown and Jamestown one day (about 8 hours) - and Williamsburg the next (12 hrs - as we stayed for the Ghost tour - pirates, ghosts and witches). Great 2 day excursion. We did not know how much Yorktown played a part in the revolution. Lots of history - Linda, the park ranger was great and we were able to hear so much info from her tour. Went to Downtown York - drove (due to time), did not take trolley - and parking was free in the lot for 3 hours. Walked a bit, had lunch and enjoyed the area. Jamestown due to heat index - people were not out, but you could tour on your own. The museum was informative. Williamsburg had a lot of interactive areas, the craftspeople shared their knowledge and we even participated in a courthouse trial. The Tour of Governor's palace and State house were well worth it.

I had a great extended holiday weekend visit! I stayed Friday leaving Monday. If you stay at the Woodlands lodge, 2 tickets are included to the village. Many beautiful natural decorations, loved the wig shop, the Grand Illumination (only on select Saturday nights in December), the tours of the governor's mansion and other historic buildings and the staff and visitors were so friendly! I'm not a history buff however you will be after visiting Williamsburg Village. Just loved my visit and booked for next year too. So much to see and do. Shuttle Bus to get you to different points in the village.

We had a wonderful trip. Had purchased tickets on line and the process to get our passes at the visitor's center was quick and easy (hint: go early in the day!). Took the bus to avoid crowded parking. Very convenient to just get off and on at our desired stops! Everyone was helpful and pleasant

Worth the money to pay for admission to the Governor’s palace & other AMAZING stops. GREAT Docents who described early times EVEN that my Grandkids could understand❤️. Places to dine & shop are free.

We enjoyed our day at Colonial Williamsburg. Had hoped to see more “trades” in action, but only found one (a kitchen). Would have appreciated more info on the individual buildings, ie. where it had been originally located, date of build, who built it. The tours of the Governor’s Mansion and old capital were excellent.

We stepped into most of the store that were open, and with few exceptions, merchandise was very similar shop to shop.

I wanted to write a review specifically of Collin the wagon driver. WOW! He made such a positive impression on all of us and truly made our day!

Collin was SO friendly, knowledgeable, and he had a great touch of comedy. He was so nice to my son and he clearly cares about his horses, which as a lifelong horseback rider, I really appreciated. Collin knew so much and was so kind about answering all of our questions and sharing such interesting facts. And the tour of the beautiful colonial area while on the wagon was so much fun! He took a photo of all of us on the ride too, which was so nice. We really appreciated him and we were so thankful for his kindness and knowledge. What a great start to the day going on a wagon ride with Collin and learning so much about the town. We last did a carriage ride as a family back in the 90’s so it was so fun to come back with three generations and take a wonderful wagon ride with a great driver and guide! Thank you!!

All I can say is just do it. We took the family of adults (in their 40's and late 70"s)) and children ( 8 and 12) and everyone learned and loved it. We went in the Fall when it wasn't as crowded and thoroughly enjoyed it. My husband and I rented scooters from Williamsburg Scooters and kept up with everyone walking 6 miles a day. They talked about the visit all the way home and I think they have a renewed interest in American History!

It was rainy but that wasn't the problem. (They do sell ponchos for a reasonable $6.99.) There's so much promise here but our experience was mixed. Your experience may depend on three things: 1. price 2. planning and 3. luck
Preliminarily though, I'll mention that we had one person who was mobility impaired. Although we rented a wheelchair (again, a reasonable $10 plus tax), we did not find Colonial Williamsburg to be sufficiently accommodating. This person gave up after the first day.
1. We bought three-day admission tickets. There certainly can be three days worth of experiences here though you'll have to decide for yourself whether it's worth it.
One experience, certainly worth a day's admission, was the Museums: Folk and Decorative Arts. Maybe you aren't into decorative arts - we aren't particularly, but we enjoyed the substantial and varied selection available, and learned a few things -but but- you'd have to be catatonic or peculiarly ornery not to enjoy the folk arts. Fun and informative!
2. In retrospect we failed to plan. Plan and plan and plan or abandon hope of seeing Colonial Williamsburg in the best light.
First there's the bus. There are no announcements or signs to tell you what areas the bus serves. Look at the map, as I did only after our visit, to see the seven tiny bus icons and locate what areas they serve. Note the bus only travels one way and the loop is long. Most start by taking the bus in and trekking back, because the bus runs infrequently (overcrowded at the entrance) and "the loop is long". (The people at Colonial Williamsburg did convey this as a suggestion.)
Why do you need to plan? Because it helps to know what trades you are most interested in and where they are located, where they are located relative to one another, and most importantly, whether they are open that day. Because not all buildings are open every day or at all times. Unless you are an inveterate trekker you are not going to want to be hopping randomly around. Even the walk in and back to the parking is a lengthy trek by itself.
Then, there's:
3. Luck. If you are lucky, you will encounter many (?) tradespeople/docents who are happy to educate and engage with you. Some of these people are really into it and informative. You may also enjoy the interaction with trades you didn't know you were interested in, once they get talking. But they're not always talking. One tradesman announced as we entered that he had just finished a lengthy lecture and he was not about to repeat it. At another, we heard the end of a lively discussion and went in just as another tradesman was taking over. He was, shall we say, laconic. We found it best if we were going in with a large enough group to get things started, but sometimes people coming in and leaving just seemed to interrupt the flow. Too often, when we were the only ones there, we just couldn't get the vibe going. And, there's another issue of timing, well, two: First, we wanted to see tradespeople actually working at their craft. We never timed it right in the three days. They'd tell us they had just finished something or that they'd be working on something later, but. Second, just our bad luck, several tradespeople told us they had recently finished commission work, so they'd point to an empty space where the finished piece HAD been.
I'm not that into history but I was pleasantly surprised. I learned some. I enjoyed what I did see and hear. But much was more promise than fulfillment.

We learned much from the tour guide at the Governor's Palace about the British governors of the colonies at the time of the American Revolution and their families. We also enjoyed the Thomas Jefferson presenter who did a good job of involving the audience while teaching us the governing tenets of our founders with respect to combining a democracy with a republic, and avoiding tyranny of the majority.

Wonderful experience, refreshing education. It wasn't too busy. Enjoyed the food and the sites. Go visit!

Many of the buildings were closed as well as the Church. No one mentioned that to us when we purchased $$$ tickets. Scale of 1-10, we would give it a 2

Summer in Williamsburg is hot. It’s still a great place to see what America was like back then. Everything is seen by walking, so arrive early (9:00 AM) if you can. Visit every place that you the welcome flag and listen to the presentations. You will definitely learn something new

Even though 99% of the area is comprised of replicas, everything is done very very well. Staff is not shy about that, either. They are sharing knowledge of our country's history in a setting that seems very real. Be sure to get the three day pass... you'll need it LOL

I could have spent the whole day there. Arrived at noon & left at 6:30pm after having dinner in their adorable vintage village of restaurants & shops.
Most exhibits close at 5pm.
We were told at the ticket counter that places with a flag in front are open BUT there were places without a flag that were open so look carefully.
This place is so pretty & mesmerizing. You can take your dog too as the grounds are really nice for walking.
A friend has a SNAP card & we were admitted for $3 per person.

We only passed through but what we saw makes certain we WILL be back. Beautiful, authentic, immaculately maintained, trained and committed historical people all around. Great for walking and kids.

We were here for five nights with a tour group. Some days in the CW and some days visiting plantations. We loved the costumed interpreters and the outdoor stage presentations. The audio was very good so it was easy to follow. We were here on a Friday night for the moving of the "Yule Log". It was fun to walk right behind the cart. Again, great audio at the destination.

Enjoyable day walking around Colonial Williamsburg, well worth the price of admission. We parked behind the Shields Tavern (paid parking via app, first 2h free then $5/hr) and avoided the need wait for the shuttle from the visitor center (and their $10 parking fee). Plan on quite a bit of walking to see it all. The artisans impressed with the astonishing depth of knowledge about their trades, do not miss the wig-maker and tailor. These folks are not just employees, they are enthusiasts dedicated to their craft. They had extensive answers to every question. Also enjoyed the military drill and musket firing demo. Admission price on TripAdvisor is same as visitor center, but no 3% credit card fee and use TripAdvisor cash and discounts. You still have to check in at the visitor center to pick up your badge and maps.

This is by far the best place to go if you love American history. It takes you back in time to when and how this country got started. The reenactors are great, the locals are really into being part of the scene and there are so many places to visit that you barely have time to relax and absorb it all. This is a must go to place for every American.

Each time we go, there seems to be less. Our previous visit was this past November, so I expressed to my Grandchildren what I had seen then, places we visited, costumed characters we may see. This past week we were met with closures of some shops, exhibits & restaurants. Shop keepers of the opened shops told us they were closed because of 'inventory' and closures of other places were due to staffing issues. Where were all the costumed 'story tellers, dressed in their finest, both woman & men that we had seen on Duke of Gloucester St just this past November? We were there Monday & Tuesday & saw not one! The Armory is still closed because of corpses found in the ground surrounding it, with no idea when it will open again. (It has been closed for quite awhile.) The carriage ride was nice, although short. You now buy the whole carriage (up to 4 people for $75) rather than per person. We did enjoy the sheep shearing -what a task!-, print shop & Fife & Drum parade! Overall, if we going back, I would check to make sure what exhibits are open before buying the tickets.(It costs nothing to walk the streets of Colonial Williamsburg or to enter the shops.) 3 merchant shops/exhibits that the kids wanted to see were closed & one had very limited times due to the 'staffing issues'. Very disappointing.

So many things to experience. We enjoys the musket demonstration, the court session and touring the Governor’s Mansion and Capitol. We also found the apothecary, blacksmith, joiner and dressmaker interactions to be very enlightening.

Having visited Jamestown we opted not to pay for the full ticket. We were happy just to walk around the village rather than enter the properties or partake in talking to costumed, in character employees . I think there is a definite cultural divide here in terms of how historical information is relayed.

It was interesting to learn about the American Revolution from the American perspective but hard to really appreciate restored Colonial structures when houses of this era are actually quite commonplace back home.

Had been there before and there were a lot of activities. This time was the off season so there wasn’t as much activity. Still had a good time, but would recommend going another time of year.

We came on the annual FREE July 4th day! There were lots of people
And it was HOT, but the air conditioned inside shops and free admission to everything that was open was a real plus. We used to be annual members and really are considering doing it again — it is truly more than we can do in one day and the trades-people are so friendly and knowledgeable it makes for a great colonial era education!

The price might seem high but you get everything included and can basically walk into whatever you want! The educational aspect is terrific so definitely take the tours. This really brought me back to the good old days, it felt like I was in colonial Williamsburg! The staff was terrific and honestly it was exactly how my great great grandfather used to describe how his grandfather use to live.

It was a fun day! Make sure to give two days to see everything and experience it all!

Normally, I am one to click the 5 stars and skip the written, but this trip was absolutely one of the worst family trips we have taken. First of all the detours were poorly laid out, the ticketing process was ridiculous even with prepaid digital tickets, and even the public transit was hot garbage especially for those with disabilities. I do NOT recommend.

Went the beginning of December for the holiday decorations and atmosphere. Not much open, the visitors center had 1 employee working and it was busy. Poor worker couldnt keep up. Not many places to eat on or near Merchant Square, mostly everything was closed. Not sure if we were too early or missed it. Where was the towns manger scene?

Everyone enjoyed all the museums and educational information. We went to all three areas Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown.

The whole Williamsburg experience was not made clear to the casual visitor. There was the more modern town of Williamsburg and Colonial Williamsburg. The 2 locations melded into one and a visitor could wander from one to the other. If a visitor wanted a detailed internal view of the colonial buildings with a building guide then a ticket was required at about $50 each. A casual tourist who might just require a feel of the colonial town layout, building types, people in period dress etc can get this for free. Both towns were really a worthwhile visit. A beautiful area.

I will be honest, I was veering between a 5 and 4 star review.
What it got right: the staff was friendly and knowledgeable. We bought our tickets online and "check in" was a breeze. The representative also took time to answer questions - fully. Gift shop is HUGE which was nice, but it was disappointing to find the pens, etc Made in China.
Unless you took the tours of the capital and palace, there was every little information. Did not see any exhibit of historical artifacts (maybe not prominently displayed?). Consequently, it felt more like a shopping trip than an historical tour. (I really wish they'd sold the items made by the basket weavers, potters, at in the gift shops. If I'd not gotten them while walking - and it is a lot of walking - I'd have missed my chance.)
Many places were closed (due to it being a Sunday, maybe) and the bakery was a dud.... 2 loaves of bread, some ginger cakes and they didn't even show any baking! Sandwich was great, tho'. Not sure if it was "of the time" bread baked by "of the time" means but it was good.
My main disappointment was the automobile traffic IN the area - right on Duke of Gloucester - the main thoroughfare. It really cut into the ambience of the experience and since there is only one privately owned residence, 30 cars or more was NOT due to them.
The shuttle service was VERY much appreciated - but the new company needs to get its feet a bit wetter, running lights and stop signs is not a good look.

Excellent overall. Toured the governor's palace, the court house and a few other stops. Didn't get a carriage ride, heard they fill up quickly. Will return!

I haven't been to Colonial Williamsburg in 15 years, and it is even better.

I revisited the Governor's Palace and watched several crafts at work (wherlwright, cabinet joiner, tailor). There's plenty to do for a 2nd or 3rd visit this year. Subtle updates are being made to the Magazine (armoury), the museums have nearly doubled, and several sites have been added from archeological digs (including a new coffee house near the House of Burgesses). The Merchants Square between Colonial Williamsburg and College of William & Mary is dynamic as ever. I found a couple of quite good bistros.

The walking is a pleasure. I strolled a half mile, a mile, and a mile & a half on three days -- with plenty more saved for next time.

It’s a nice day and we’re enjoying the historical
Buildings. Unfortunately our experience was spoiled by our initial experience at the information booth. The older gentleman working there was condescending and answered every question with sarcasm. He even shamed us for not arriving earlier. He has no idea of our health conditions and the activity we had yesterday so he should keep his opinions to himself. We were able to get a table at Kings Arms tavern for lunch fairly quickly. The ladies were very nice and brought us right in.

Recommend the multi day ticket. We visited for several hours each day. Also attended an evening program . Parking and shuttle were very convenient,and staff very helpful.

We did not actually pay for any of the tours at this location, we walked around the historic buildings and houses.
Having a 2 year old and a 6 month old this was easiest for us.
Everyone we encountered was friendly and helpful.

Colonial Williamsburg is an outstanding experience! The historians do a magnificent job. They are experts in their subject, present themselves professionally and enthusiastically. The grounds are immaculate! Been to Williamsburg many times over the years. The greatest disappointment is the bus shuttle service. At one time it was five stars, now a one. Buses are overcrowded (often standing room only), infrequent, and seemed to be inadequately maintained. For example, one had defective speaker system, another had flat tire with a full bus load. One bus was 20 minutes tardy. I presume management thought they would save money by contracting service with WATA. Maybe, but the price is customer dissatisfaction and potential lawsuit if someone is injured in standing room only buses.

We toured Colonial Williamsburg on 8/30/24. It was unusually quiet. We were surprised as to how few people were visiting. We also noted quite a few of the exhibition buildings were closed and you could not tour them.

We returned the next morning for a walking tour: one not associated with Colonial Williamsburg. As we followed our guide through the town, I was able to point out many of the exhibitions that were closed the prior day. When I mentioned this to our guide, he commented that he has heard that many only have one person who can work the exhibit: so if they are off, it is closed. Unfortunately, this is understandable as the employees are in character and give great details of the exhibits.

Colonial Williamsburg is one of our family’s favorite places. We love the feeling of stepping back in time and we learn something new with each visit. The grounds and buildings are maintained and preserved with such care and attention to detail and the experience is different every time, in every season, at every age. Highly recommend a family visit!

Spontaneous December weekend in Colonial Williamsburg with my husband, benefit of retirement . Last visit either of us made was in 1999. Neither of us knew about Grand Illumination, which was best fireworks we've seen in forever. Not crowded like summer visits of past.

I was checking out things to do in the Richmond area and found a review talking about the historic triangle ticket. When we started our trip to the historic sites, we began with Jamestown Settlement and bought the historic triangle ticket there. It made it so simple to visit each of the sites. You have 7 days to go to all the sites so you can return as much as you want in those 7 days.

Well, our 1st time there. We learned alot and that being said, do your research before you go. First, when arriving, look for signs for the handicapped parking if you need that service. It is parked but we didn't turn in there because that is where buses drop off. The parking lots named for trees also have handicapped spaces that are some distance from the entrance to the Visitors Center. We also learned that the best way to access Colonial Williamsburg IS NOT the path that treks through the woods and seems to go on forever. It says a 15 minute walk. Maybe that is true for some, but not for all. If you have mobility issues or have little ones not in a stroller, use the shuttle that you access through the downstairs of the Visitors Center. Our young ticket agent told us NOTHING! I am sure that was an isolated incident because the other ticket agents seemed very engaged with their customers. We took the path and ended up renting a jazzie for my husband at the end of the path. Thank God that truck was parked there renting g jazzies. My husband has RA and it saved the day having the jazzie. Another point to know is you must go online on your phone to see the schedule of events for the day. No brochure with times and locations listed. All online. Just take screenshots or write it down. I found it difficult to read the tiny writing on the sad little map they provide. No signage I suppose because they want to keep it as "historical" as possible. It is NOT like a mapped out amusement park with clear signs directing yiu to bathrooms or food. We later found out tickets could be purchased at Market Square and it is actually closer to Colonial Williamsburg than the Visitors Center. Go there 1st and cross the street and you are there. If you want to ride in a horse drawn carriage, arrange it early or the day before. Same things for special things like Haunted tour, Cry Witch, or any night time activity. By the way, you can park somewhere else for those nighttime activities and take the shuttle which runs the perimeter of the CW area, but look at the time the shuttles quit running. You might want to park in parking garage on Henry Street. Best bet is to stay in one of their properties. Positives include a great dive into Revolutionary War history. Actors are well versed. Pretty clean but horses poop is not contained in a device like some carriages in NewOrleans or other places. Poop stayed in the street while we were there. Our experience might have been different if we had known these things I have told you. All food is pricey, but that is to be expected. Most workers were very nice and helpful when asked questions.

We visit CW several times a year when time permits. This visit yesterday, was not what we were used to. We had to pay to park. The town was empty, most buildings were “closed for renovation” (Wythe House, Gov Palace, for ex). The “order in the court” was nothing like it used to be. We remembered a time when G. Washington and Lafayette came in there and it was magnificent. Yesterday was a boring hard to hear show read by fellow travelers. We ate lunch at Kings Arms Tavern, usually a treat, but not this time. Their food items must be contracted out because the food was not very good. We both got Chicken hash in a stale, hard to cut or eat bowl of bread. The accompanying butternut squash was good. The wait staff was very good, although wearing a colonial outfit and fancy two toned fingernails was out of place. They used to have a delicious fried chicken meal for lunch, but now the food is not appetizing and it costs a lot too. We did have a nice drink with lunch. The weather was beautiful. The best part of the trip was visiting with Patrick Henry at the Charlton Stage. He is a wonderful actor and does such a great job portraying Mr. Henry. He and Lafayette are our favorite actors in all of CW. Ending the day with Mr. Henry made everything a lot better after all the disappointments we’d had.

It was hot.
Not many activities going on.
Was expecting more.
Disappointing experience overall given the history.

This was our 2nd time coming here. The 1st time we concentrated on the big buildings such as the governors home, the capital and lunch at Kings Arm Tavern. This time we walked all around, checking out all of the shops and listening to the reenactors and yes, even asking questions. We even found several "out of the way" spots.
This is one of those places that you can visit several times and still discover something that you didn't see before.

We throughly enjoyed walking around Colonial Williamsburg. Very quiet time in January, not many buildings open but plenty of walkers taking advantage of the streets.

Very disappointed over all. Our friends who are in their late 70's invited and paid for our visit. We parked at the lot and rode the shuttle bus to the village. The driver and several other employees had a fit about our stroller being too big and wanting us to fold it totally flat (we had folded it in half) which we did. The woman continued to lecture us about taking waterbottles out since they could explode when we folded it down. In the mean time people were standing on the bus steps trying to get a seat. Very unprofessional and anti family oriented! The one thing we wanted to do was take the children on a carriage ride. We paid ahead and then got a message the afternoon rides were cancelled! I went to the ticket office and the employee assured me that our ticket was still good and our 2:40pm ride was the last one for the day. We walked around in the blazing heat for 2 hours only to come back and find that the horses were put away for the day because it was "too hot". Poor horses, what about the older people who had to wait all afternoon!!!! On the way home we waited for the shuttle bus which was packed when it arrived, as was the second bus. The drivers were very rude and unaccommodating. We waited at the stop for over an hour with our 6 children in the heat. Finally my husband squeezed into a bus and went back to the lot to get our car and come back to pick us up. How do you run such a major tourist attraction with such poor service!! How can you possibly charge people so much for so little! We will never come back!

A beautifully restored/curated colonial village that’s an actual working village, just like it would have been back at the beginning of this great country. The attention to detail is great and the common areas are beautiful and family-friendly spaces. Plenty of walking areas, shopping, dining, etc going on here too.
Definitely would like to return, maybe in the fall.

A must to do to learn history of the biggest live size museum, live traders showing their skills, governor palace, capitol etc… definitely a must visit for tourist and citizens. Ticket admission required to visit the buildings. Be prepare to spend a full day around here. Free parking at the visitor center or the museum area.

We were so pleased with the experience and got to do so much during the week we were there. It gave us plenty of time to complete everything in Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown. Absolutely awesome to walk up to all the different ticket counters, show our Ticket and get a Sticker to see everything. Loved all the homes we got to visit in Colonial Williamsburg. Had a very nice Lady show us around the Jail, loved all the info we got from the Silversmith and soooo much more. A Trip we will never forget!

People were great, town is super well kept and seems —- to my knowledge —- accurate. Nothing negative to say — except some annoying tourist questions.

Very nice Colonial experience-we only had one day-need at least three. The entire area is very clean and many hotels and restaurants are close.

Colonial Williamsburg is a very nice section of town that allows visitors to step back into time to experience 1700s Williamsburg. We toured many of the buildings and shops. Everyone is friendly and knowledgeable about the time period. There are also a variety of modern day shops for shopping and dining.

My wife and I are interested in the revolutionary era and wanted to see how the "inhabitants" of Williamsburg would react the news of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th. We were not disappointed when we watched "Thomas Jefferson" boldly read the Declaration from the balcony of the old State House to a thousand people cheering "Huzzah, huzzah, huzzah!" It was epic! We took in many of the free events and tours and were impressed with the knowledge of the era all the docents possessed. We stayed on the grounds at the Williamsburg Inn which was key to taking a break from the walking and Virginia's heat and humidity. We recommend the inn if you can swing the price. We did too much in four days to list it all here, but suffice to say it was a great trip and highly recommended.

So much to see! This was an amazing experience. You literally feel like you are traveling back in time as you are walking to the village. The reenactments were so good! Everyone was so knowledgeable and fun. The kids loved being able to get hands on in some of the shops. It was HOT when we went. It was a pleasant surprise that a lot of the buildings were air conditioned.

This is NOT your candle making and blacksmith place. This is where our Government was formed and decisions made to break with England. One could easily spend a full week here and not see it all.
We have been a number of times and learn more every time. Christmas time here is wonderful with events galore. To me every US Citizen should be required to come here and learn about our Country. And kids 8 and up will learn history the schools today seen to skip.

The historic triangle is amazing. I’m into history but I think anyone who wants to learn about our country’s beginning, these are must see places. We stayed at a historic house in Williamsburg-Chiswell-Bucktrout kitchen. Certainly not as plush as I am sure Williamsburg Inn must be, but because of its history pretty cool. Adrian at Williamsburg Inn was so friendly and helpful. He was a highlight of our experience. Many of the tour guides at individual places were very well informed and enjoyable to listen to.

Colonial Williamsburg is an exceptional place to visit for a variety of reasons. First, it's thought provoking. It's living history and challenges you to think about our government and our country's history. Second, it's beautiful in terms of its historic ambiance and its meticulous maintenance. Third, it's just fun to see people in 17th century roles. Our son in middle school thoroughly enjoyed it, as there are interactive activities for children, too.

Poorly organized and information about activities and site openings is inaccurate on website vs map. You will waste a lot of time walking to see events only to have them not occur. Why a site of this size doesn't have an app that allows you to see a chronological list of what is happening is a mystery.

We stayed at Williamsburg Woodlands hotel, it was very nice there and was great to be in walking distance of everything. They do have a shuttle, but we enjoyed the walk to the exhibits and shopping. The hotel was very clean, reasonable priced and the staff was very helpful. I really liked how the had the breakfast. It was a lot of fresh, good fruit (no green or brown bananas) They had cups of pineapple and other fruits. They also had breakfast burritos and sausage muffins everyday. It rotated daily.
Going in the houses and shops in the historical area was really cool. Every place you went to something was going, the shoemaker was making shoes, the blacksmith working, the seamstress sewing. They all explained what they were doing. We even got to attend a court hearing where they had volunteers participate. It's a great learning experience for both children and adults as well.

We spent three gorgeous days in Williamsburg this October. The weather was stunning which undoubtedly helped, but the whole experience was amazing. We bought a one week ticket which covered Yorktown and Jamestown also and we felt that we got good value from what we paid.
There seem to be a few comments about places not being open, but that wasn’t our experience.
We were lucky enough to see some of the actors playing Martha Washington and James Madison and rev Pamphlet and they were all excellent. Really informative and entertaining. We also managed to see almost all of the tradespeople, who were very good also.
The area is so vast that it really needs more than one day to explore all it has to offer. You can walk miles up and down the Main Street but there are plenty of places to sit and watch the world go by. We didn’t eat in any of the taverns, mainly because they were all so busy, but there were lots of other food options in Merchant Square, which was a great addition to the area.
The art museums could justify a whole day alone and were well worth a look around.
We had no real expectations of Williamsburg before we arrived and found it to be so much more than we could have hoped for. As Brits we now feel much more informed about American history, and in particular the struggle for independence.
If you get the chance you should go to Williamsburg.

Wonderful time with the kids stayed nearby and walked to Williamsburg. Bought the triangle membership much cheaper than individual and you get discounts at the restaurants and gift shops.

I grew up coming to WIlliamsburg with my mom and brother. As I got older, I made it a priority to bring my children here as well. Everyone loves it! However, time has passed and it has been 12 years since I have been! I was glad to see that the charms of Williamsburg are still there. We did a carriage ride (a must do) and toured many of the historic homes and shops. I was a bit disappointed that the interupitors were allowed to "get out of character." The food offerings are not great in the historical areas as the taverns book up quickly (and are expensive). Plan ahead with snacks or time in your schedule to walk several blocks. The shuttle service is a wonderful thing to use.

Disappointed in the colonial area Other than that, it was nice.
I waisted money on colonial Williamsburg. Won’t return

This was our third trip to Colonial Williamsburg and, once again, it brought colonial and early American history to life. We used two days this time, which seemed like a reasonable amount of time to take it in. My wife and I both thought that the historical interpreters and craftspeople seemed more engaging than in past visits, so we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Colonial Williamsburg is an excellent destination- whether for families, couples, or just on your own. It can be very hot though, so plan accordingly. Early morning and later in the evening have a lot of charm and a lot less people. You can actually enjoy a lot of the village without doing a tour visit. Many of the colonial shops welcome all visitors- the ginger cakes from the Raleigh Tavern bake shop are a must stop for us- and all of the historic taverns guarantee a fun and entertaining lunch or dinner. They are on the expensive side, but a Williamsburg experience not to be missed. The Bruton Parish Episcopal Church is free and the docents share so much good information about life in that time and about all the famous people who worshipped there. Ghost tours at nighttime are very popular and the atmosphere is perfect for them. Walking on your own during sunset hours after dinner is relaxing and a chill way to cap off the day.

The entire colonial area was so peaceful and beautiful. The history is awe inspiring. The historic buildings were interesting to see. College of William and Mary is beautiful. A must stop for those interested in history

I had a fairly short trip here (the afternoon on Christmas Eve and 3 hours on Christmas day), so I didn't try to see everything. I think that 2 full days is needed if you visit every building and spend time listening to all the docents and attend all the free programming. I had a good experience. I did the guided tour of the palace and heard interpreters at the capital, the armory, the courthouse, and several of the trade shops. The docents were all excellent. I asked some specific and uncommon questions, and they were able to answer everything I asked. Their presentations were also delivered in a way that was interesting to people with no background. Williamsburg really did great work restoring/reconstructing the buildings and making every detail as accurate as possible. I also attended the Christmas pageant at Bruton church on Christmas Eve. The kids did a lovely job, and I was glad that was available for guests to attend. I caught the fife and drum march right when I was exiting the church, and I was just in time for the firing of the Christmas guns. That was so cool. I didn't think I would connect with that, but I really did. Something about it felt special and made me feel like I was in another period of history. The atmosphere was also festive. They had free and paid events going on throughout the grounds, as well as period-appropriate Christmas decorations. The only drawback in my opinion is that the taverns are extremely expensive. They have a few spots where you can pick up a pre-packaged sandwich, like the bakery, but I really wish they had a place that was more budget friendly that still sold colonial style food. The taverns were way out of budget for me. My biggest tip is to spend time where there are interpreters. They're really what elevate the experience from good to great.

Colonial Williamsburg has over 12,000 reviews, so here's my two cents. Spend most of your time at the individual houses and workshops - the presenters are very knowledgeable & friendly, and will cheerfully answer all your questions. Plus, it's fascinates me to see (and touch and smell) the details of daily life and work of past times. Use the shuttle bus, because there's a ton of walking through the streets and your feet will get tired. If you are on the fence about getting a one day ticket or a multi-day pass, be aware that you can "upgrade" your one-day ticket without financial penalty - show up the next day, and they will modify your pass by just charging the difference in prices as posted. Hydrate - carry a water bottle or buy water from a vending machine. There's some shade along the streets but it can get mighty warm by midday (note that NO food or beverages can be taken into the museum).

A must do experience if you like history. Well worth the price of admission. Bring your walking shoes and take advantage of all of the included tours.

Stepping back in time, this feels like a theme park, but it’s also very real as life is going on with so much to do that is memorable. The governor’s mansion, olde world carriage and historic church to name a few highlights.

A major disappointment

Most of the houses (I would guess 90%) are private property and
you can't visit them.

That doesn't leave much to do :

The gardens of the Governor's mansion
The guided tour of the Governor's mansion
The guided tour of the Capitol
The museum
The usual tacky, touristy shops you find in such attractions
The blacksmith's forge
The rifle demonstration : they show you how they load them and
then fire one shot , lasts less then 5 minutes

Paid $50 (25% discount if purchased on-line) basically to walk
down the street and look at the front of old-style buildings.

I did enjoy the museum but it's not really worth $50 .

Please read 80237travel's Oct. review , his insider advice is spot on

Colonial Williamsburg is definitely worth a visit. The monologue performances by "Martha Washington" and "James Madison" were stellar. The trades persons were a bit hit or miss with some being mainly out of character in their appearance (nose rings/massive and distracting tattoos) and inserting political opinions into their statements and others being wonderful (Silversmith/Leather workers, etc.).

I think the people who work as the tradesmen and women are dedicated and well versed and generally very entertaining educators.
If you want to lean about colonial life, you'll enjoy this.

The main problem seems to be they are resting on their fame a little bit and grossly upcharging. $50 a day to walk the main strip and listen to all the people you care to. Not all of the places were open when we went which I don't think there's a way to know until you get there. Every other experience is an additional charge. Overpriced period taverns. Set right up next to a block of modern stores and then the university the next street over - both of which ruin the atmosphere a bit.

It was very interesting to see how people used to live in the xviii century. It was amazing to see the structures and architecture. The only part that I didn’t think was that good was some of the explanations and stories. They were way too long and hard to follow.

Years ago when we visited here, there were tons of people doing first person re-enactments. This time we couldn’t find any.

This was our 2nd visit and it was perfect. First, the weather was spectacular, blue skies and sunny but not hot. We stayed on property at the lodge which was wonderful. We spent 3 days walking Williamsburg, visiting every building, and listening to Colonel George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and George Wythe tell us about living in Colonial Virginia. They were wonderful speakers. Our only complaint was the lack of lunch restaurants on property, but that can be quickly rectified by driving a short distance (.6 mi) to the shopping area where there are many restaurants and shopping stores. The one thing we would not advise is a carriage ride. We paid $52 reduced from $67 because we were staying at the lodge. It turned out to be a 10 minute ride around the block by the Governor’s mansion. 😠. I don’t know at out age (70s) if we will be back because of our bucket list, but I highly recommend Williamsburg.

I have been here many times, but never experienced the hassles involved with this visit. They now charge to parking, in a parking lot with signs so bad I didn't know that they said to pay for parking until I was nearly in the building. The parking lot is full of pot holes and the lines are barely visible. This was only the beginning.
I purchased tix online since it seems to be the only way to get any discount. However, I never got the email with the tix or instructions. I did not want to set up an account with another password to remember, and it said it wasn't necessary, but it wouldn't give me tix until I did. When we arrived, there was a long line of people who purchased tix in advance. So, by buying in advance, and paying for them, I had to input my cc information, address, etc., basically do what a customer service rep is paid to do, but I got nothing for it. I still had to wait in a long line. I complained about how difficult the process was and was sent to a different line to speak to a manager. I was so mad I just wanted a refund, including the parking, but they couldn't give me back that $10.
I eventually went in, but found many of the workers in foul moods. It was a hot day, and I got the impression they didn't want to be there.
I complained to CW about my experience but have not received any acknowledgement or apology. While I have been there in the past, I have no desire to go back. It seems stale and considering their lack of customer service, I do not recommend them to anyone for more than one visit. They have gone down hill and deserve to be closed.

Always enjoy learning more about our country’s history and interactions with the
Well versed cast to give us a look into the 18th century life in colonial Williamsburg.

According to CW staff, the stores in the historic district are now operated by a private corporation and items purchased by visitors no longer benefit the foundation financially as was previously the case. Also, jewelry items advertised as ‘Williamsburg Exclusive’ and sold as handmade locally are in fact offshore imports. Caveat emptor!!

Colonial Williamsburg was fantastic. Walking around the grounds, seeing the old capital, visiting the museum, and much, much more. We enjoyed the Jamestown settlement and seeing how the first settlers lived after coming to a new land. See the replica of the ships and imagining what the voyage must have been like. Then there was the visit to the Battle of Yorktown. It was quite educational. I do wish there had been some type of scale drawings depicting what happened at certain points of the battle.

We hired a private tour guide Cyndi Young to help us understand Colonial Williamsburg. She texted me, and gave me clear instructions of where to meet her. She told us where to park and even gave us restaurant recommendations.

She had a lot of knowledge about the time period, the history of how it started, how it was restored and the buildings. Since it was mid August and very hot, she helped us find shade and would give her talks there. It was very interactive. We had good dialogue. She was friendly to us and knew some of the carriage drivers and even the horses!

We toured the governors palace before we met up with her, very well worth the time and money. One thing to note we bought separate tickets through Trip Advisor for this and other buildings. I had a voucher on my phone that we had to take to the ticket office to get the actual tickets to see inside the buildings. All in all it was a very good day!

Our two days' visit exceeded expectations of both couples. Particularly memorable was guide Edwin Cook III in the Peyton Randolph house. He had deep knowledge that interested the group so much he got numerous questions. Also, the tour was richer because he contrasted the lives of the enslaved workers with the lives and careers of the Randolphs.
We dined at the Shields Tavern. The family style, Colonial recipes filled us, and the music described and played from the era was very entertaining!

The Williamsburg we visited this week was even nicer than I recall from my previous stays! (I had worried that time would take its toll on the area.) Many exhibits were open (we saw the wig maker, the apothecary, the courthouse - even participated in a trial based on old surviving court records!, the print shop with a young lady printing, coffee house with a yummy surprise at the end, Raleigh Tavern, the house of burgesses, the governor’s mansion, the church, and more!). What made history come to life were the docents - their insights were fascinating!! We “met” Mrs. Braxton, whose struggle between being a patriot and a loyalist was very personal and poignant. And that is, I think, what I learned… that while we think of patriots as righteous and just, each had to reach that mindset through a lens of once (and for them, recently!) having been proud British subjects.
Ideas for improvement: ticketing was very manual, and slow. Update this process, please! And fix the potholes in the road leading to the welcome center and in the parking lot. Finally, the “road closed” signs were confusing as they didn’t affect us (thank goodness) but did worry us.
Hints:
You should buy a multi-day pass because there’s just so much to see and you shouldn’t be rushed. Some attractions are open on various days so it’s really worth it.
There are military discounts, so ask at every turn!
When they say “print the tickets to present at the ticket counter,” they really mean it. It’s easier to do it in advance then to fill out a form and email your voucher.
This experience has proven to be one of the best and I can’t wait to visit again!

I'd like to give it zero stars. Condescending tour guide preached and yelled about power and prestige in the 1700s. We left the tour early because it was so ridiculous and a waste of time. Very little history of the Randolphs was provided, her basic message was that the Randolphs and other wealthy colonists were bad people. She and other interpreters in Colonial Williamsburg seemed to only convey their judgment of the colonists and rant about enslaved people. I am sure the Randolphs made contributions in early America, but I left with no idea about what they were.

This was such a wonderful place to visit! The grounds are beautiful - with both impeccably well-maintained original buildings and flawless replicas. The staff and performers were incredibly knowledgeable and all had interesting information to share! The performances were such high quality. You really felt like you stepped back in time and were experiencing what life would be like. We really appreciated the perspectives of loyalists, revolutionaries, and enslaved people. We felt like we really learned a lot and the employees were wonderful, really eager to tell you information and how things worked. We enjoyed the variety of tours, street and stage performances and just talking with shopkeepers and residents of Williamsburg. I can't recommend this highly enough! We felt so thankful to be able to visit this wonderful living history museum!

Beautiful area to walk around. We didn't get a pass to go into the buildings. Just spent about an hour walking and viewing the buildings. Parking was nuts. They need better signs to locate parking because we drove around longer than we walked around just trying to find a place to park.

There is so much to see here that it would be best to plan on a Multiday pass. There are tours through the governor's pakace and performers in a number of the sites around the town. Some of these require a wait for the next one, so we ran out of time in a single day. We were also there when teh Christmas market was in full swing, so there were crowds that were there visiting the market, which did not require a tour ticket. Seeing many of the homes decorated for Christmas was a plus as it is done in traditional ways, not a lot of electric lights.

It was a super hot day and everyone was very accommodating. We were able to take multiple tours inside with air conditioning since we had the pass. I believe you can walk through the town without a pass but wouldn’t be able to do all of the museums etc

On a very busy day, there was only a single restaurant in colonial williamsburg that was open. They did not anticipate that the perhaps one thousand people or more who are here might want to eat. Bring your own food. All of the other restaurants were closed on a very, very busy day.

We spent the day at Colonial Williamsburg on Monday 10/9. We purchased tickets online before we arrived so we’re able to get right in. We did wait in a quick line to rent a wheel chair for a family member. Instead of taking the shuttle we went out the back door of the Visitor Center (which I don’t recommend if you have to push a wheel chair) it’s a somewhat winding and uphill trek. On our return to our vehicle at the end of the day we waited for the shuttle which comes around every 15 minutes or so and is much more convenient. So this was a Monday and also was Columbus Day holiday it seemed like not all attractions were open. None of the trades we expected were open. We did tour the grounds of the palace and the gardens which were nice and took the tour of inside of palace which was guided, informative, but a little longer than we expected (45 min). I think we pretty much covered the grounds and went into the few shops that were open, but again we’re somewhat disappointed we didn’t get to see any of the trades we expected to see. We did get to see a canon being fired. Seemed like the Merchants Square area which is attached to the ticketed area of Colonial Williamsburg was more lively than the actual paid portion. We shopped around that area which includes many shops for souvenirs, a Illy Coffee Shop, clothing stores etc. We Grabbed coffee and found a table to relax in the nice weather. We enjoyed our full day and we would return, but maybe during the summer season when more is going on.

We have been going for many years. Something for all ages. Never a disappointment! Never a bad day strolling through history when you can have a sit down conversation with Patrick Henry, Mr. Jefferson or any other of the famous citizens of our nation’s first capital. Always something different to see/ rotating events. You might just see a colonial style wedding going on or be able to take a carriage ride. The interpreters do a great job and are very knowledgeable.
Well worth a few days. The best value is to buy a yearly pass. Much to see! Always a fabulous time on matter what time of the year.

Very interesting insight to colonial history. Many tours of the buildings on site. Most are reconstructions but still give the feel of the colonial period. Tour guides were very knowledgeable and appeared in period costume. Had demonstrations throughout the day. We witnessed the blacksmith demo, the cannon firing and the fife and drum.corp. All well worth while. One day pass was plenty long for us to see all we wanted although we did not visit even
half the homes The courthouse mock trial was a little boring since they used volunteers from the audience for the defendants (teenagers) and plaintiffs and they read the scripts (badly). We only stayed long enough to get a feel of a colonial trial. Overall an educational and entertaining day

No one seemed to know what to do with our online bought tickets from a third party. So we took the bus to the site and showed them our online ticket and they said we would then have to go back and then come back after that. Too much walking and running around. We gave up and did not use our tickets. To be honest I would like to get a refund. It was a total bust.

Horrible customer service!!! I was a few minutes late for my Haunted Williamsburg tour (in the dark at 7 pm), got attached to the wrong tour, wandered until I found two additional tours - none of which were mine, eventually got back to our starting point (about 30 min later) and was told that I could walk about 10 min to the Govs Mansion (maybe?) to catch the last story. The program manager - John - was kind and apologetic and offered to allow me to join the next tour but it conflicted with my 9 pm event - Cry Witch - so that was a no go. He said to call in the morning, which I did, and was told they don’t offer refunds since it is not their fault I missed my tour?!?!? They said this is a FIRM policy and there was nothing they could do for me. I’m EXTREMELY Dissatisfied and would not recommend this organization to anyone. Do all the “open to the public” / free events - walk around and enjoy the town and support OTHER local businesses - but book your tours with any one else! And if this warning falls on Dec ears and u feel that u MUST pay this group - go early because they have no concept of customer service! My disappointment aside - Cry Witch (a mock witch trial for accused witch Grace Sherwood) was pretty good.

I was a bit skeptical when I first booked the ticket because we've done living history museums before and normally they aren't even half the cost (we literally have 3 that are free with state park admissions within my state) but I was very wrong. We had the great misfortune of being there on a day with a heat wave so I'd say try to find a cooler month than July but literally two days after our trip it was 10 degrees cooler but despite the heat the actors and artisans were amazing (and I was surprised that several buildings had been retrofitted with A/C). What is offered varies day to day so check your map when you first get there to see what's open. We started our day at the governor's place which requires a guided tour so I would go either early or late to avoid having to wait. Our favorite stops of the day were the Weaver (literally he was the best, super funny, very engaging with our kids), the merchant (again very engaging with the kids)/games house and the blacksmiths. I personally also liked the courthouse (probably because you could sit and it had A/C) but I'll admit he was a little dry on an already dry topic for kids to keep their attention. We did find a casual lunch option at the back of Chowing's Tavern. They have a limited menu of burgers and such with shaded seating in the garden.

A few tips. The store in the historic area had various goods made by the artisans for sell. I assumed that the same products would be for sale at the visitor's center and I didn't want to haul stuff around. Some of it was and some of it wasn't and it was too freaking hot to walk back later that afternoon. So if you see something maybe ask if it's available at the gift shop or make a plan to stop here last.

We did a ghost tour (I'll review that separately) but if you are doing that I'd suggest getting dinner beforehand. We had a 7:00 tour and thought we'd just grab a late dinner but by 8:00 nearly everything in Merchant's Square was closed. I wasn't expecting that since the college is so close but maybe it's because class isn't in session in July.

Make sure you plan your visit around the special dramatizations. We listened to some amazing history from George Washington, George Mason, Thomas Wythe, James Madison and more. Kings Arm Tavern great place to eat. Book your carriage ride early in the day before it fills up.

The open-air museum, with its many houses (many of which can be visited) and actors who represent the then owner or a craftsman in front of or in the houses, offers a very impressive picture of what the USA must have looked like at that time.
A guide on a tour in Washington D.C. had been an actor himself and recommended that we bombard people with as many questions as possible. We did that and were rewarded with very interesting stories.
The stage portrayals of famous people of the time are very popular with locals (George Washington and all the others). The actors speak exclusively in the first person to give the feeling that you are talking to the real person. The resulting dialogues are very amusing.
The place feels like a living history book, which we really liked.

We so enjoyed the Freedom’s Paradox tour narrated by Tracy. It was extremely hot out so instead of the walking tour we sat on benches in the shade. I am so glad we did this as it was easy to hear all her researched, informative and clearly knowledgeable perspective on enslaved peoples struggles, This is a most tour.

I really looked forward to visiting Colonial Williamsburg, but I was a little disappointed. Seemed like so much of the area was made up of ho-hum shopping and limited restaurants. It was ok, but not as thrilling as I had hoped.

Excellent day spent here. Our teenagers loved it. We went on a cloudy day; so many places to stop and learn. We attended the courthouse event and listened to a nation builder speak. Loved those. Met the blacksmith and visited the apothecary. Tough to see it all in one day but we sure enjoyed the day we spent.

We LOVE Colonial Williamsburg! We have been at least 8 times over the years and we were excited to be here again. With some recent mobility issues and health changes, I knew my husband wouldn’t be able to do the walking it requires. We wanted to enjoy the ambiance of the village. We decided to go and just buy a hop on hop off bus ticket and spend the day in the village, maybe have lunch or a cocktail. It didn’t matter if we went inside the buildings we’ve seen most in the past. To our surprise, the women at the information desk said, the bus is now free to everyone! You do not have to buy a ticket to ride the bus. We were thrilled. Off we went to spend the beautiful fall day in the village. We had a wonderful time and were able to talk to many locals and visitors. We saw a musket demonstration. The horses and carriages were clip clopping by as we sat on a bench enjoying an ice cream cone. What amazed us were the number of scooters being used and how easily they drove on the dirt rode. We never gave it a thought, of course they’d have scooters to rent even if you don’t own your own. We never inquired but, don’t hesitate if walking is an issue. Colonial Williamsburg has you covered! The buses even have the ramps and the driver helps you on and gets you all secured and your scooter all secured in place. We had the nicest friendliest driver both morning and night.
Go to the village, enjoy all they have to offer. Outside demonstrations, beautiful shops, great buildings and crafts people are excited to have you there. It’s after their busy season, so many buildings weren’t open and the taverns were closed until later in the day but the village was a hopping busy place and we had a wonderful day!

We spent 3 days in the Colonial area, which we have done numerous times over many years. Our admission was included in the price of our hotel (Williamsburg Lodge). The Historic Area is beautifully restored and maintained and we always enjoy visiting. The staff are great and do a nice job of explaining the sites. On weekdays in the fall, there weren't any crowds so access was easy.

It would be nice if they had a better app. I could get the current one to load on my phone. We had to carry the map with the schedule.

Overall, we highly recommend visiting.

We are from Canada, and we found the layout and organization amazing. The tours were great and well done. Some great interactive activities and a beautiful landscape. Learned a lot of information and would recommend it to anyone.

This was a fun outing! My wife and I enjoyed walking throughout Colonial Williamsburg in a day - that's all it took. The live actors provide a great insight into the history of their craft and of the times in general. We parked at the Visitor Center, took the bus to the first spot (the Governor's Palace), and took it back on the other side of Colonial Williamsburg after touring the final stop, the Colonial Capitol building. I initially thought this would take the two-day ticket period. but it can all be done in a day. Some sites were not open (we went on Wednesday), but there was enough open and enough to do to get your money's worth.

While the overall experience was interesting and educational, we were very frustrated with the inefficiency of ticketing and entry. We bought tickets online before we arrived. Generally, this means you skip the line once you arrive. However, here it means you stand in line again in order to turn your e-ticket (which apparently must be printed as well) into a badge for the tour. Upon getting our already purchased ticket made into a badge, we were asked a lot of additional questions, such as our address, phone number and other personal information. I was completely baffled (and said so to the lady who was waiting on us) as to why this much information was needed just to get a ticket (which already seemed extraneous, since we had purchased online) to get into this area. Come to find out, you can actually park in town and walk around Colonial Williamsburg for free!!! Had I known this, we would have just done that and skipped all of the extraneous nonsense. There were a few "extras" that we were able to do because of our all powerful ticket, but I could have skipped that to avoid the long and unnecessary line. We also tried to eat at one of the restaurants there and even though we could see tables that were open, we were told we must have a reservation and could go on Open Table.com to see if one was available. No thanks. Even though it was interesting and educational, this was a one and done for us. Too much hassle for what it was!!!!!!

This is by far the best living history museum we have ever been to. The grounds and buildings were well maintained and kept clean. The real stars were the staff. Everyone was polite friendly and helpful. The interpreters were phenomenal! If you didn't engage they would. Asking if you had questions. Many museums like this have staff that memorize a script. Not here. All interpreters were very knowledgeable. When asked questions "off script" they were able to supply answers. Or, if unknown they would tell you why. If they didn't know the answers it was because no one did. Every one came across like this was so enjoyable to them. No one is that good of an actor. They really enjoy what they do and it shows. We especially appreciate how history was presented in a fact based manor. The good, the bad and the ugly. No sermonizing and no woke nonsense.

Parking in Williamsburg is strange. Some lots are free. Some have a time limit. Our advice is to park at the visitor's center. Free parking if you buy an admission ticket. You do want to buy a ticket. You can walk around for free but need a ticket to enter the buildings and events. You especially do not want to miss the Governor's Mansion and Capitol Building tours. Most tours are offered several times a day. There are also demonstrations throughout the day. Musket firing. Cannon firing, etc.

There is a bus free to those with tickets. It travels around the perimeter of the site with several stops. We strongly advise you walk the trail from the visitors center to the site. Supposed to be 1/3 of a mile but seemed longer. The trail is very pretty through woods and the back side of a recreated farm. It is paved and accessible a bit hilly for a wheelchair though, but doable. It is worth the walk. If you are tired at the end of the day you can take the bus back as we did. A word of warning. There is a LOT of walking and standing. Seriously! If you have issues like I do then plan on breaks. Even in June it was HOT! So plan to take breaks and drink water. There are benches and shade throughout. There are places to eat from sit down restaurants to snacks. A bit pricey but they do have huge expenses to keep this site in such good repair as well as the excellent staff.

We did it in a day and saw maybe half. If we did it over we would have done two days.

There are carriage rides but we didn't take one. We didn't notice the drivers talking to the passengers so we think it is just a ride. Love horses, but without getting extra info we didn't think it was worth the ride.

The site is accessible but most buildings are not. No ramps or elevators for the most part. They do rent the little rascal type scooters at the visitor's center and where the bus first drops you off. So if it appears to be too much walking you can look into that.

We think older kids will like this museum. Younger children may be bored. There is plenty of outside space to burn off energy though.

It was nice that you could get a lot of information without having to read it all. I am an avid history buff and have devoured a lot of information about this period of American history, but still learned some things I didn't know. If you love history you will not be disappointed.

Colonial Williamsburg is a huge living history museum. I love to go there for the Christmas holidays. They have all natural decorations and special programs for the holidays. Colonial Williamsburg is one of the few places that is open on Christmas Day.

One highlight of the Christmas season is the Grand Illumination. It used to be held on the first weekend of December, but for the past two years they have held it three times, on the first three weekends of December. It can be very crowded, but it is a lovely atmosphere and the fireworks displays are worth seeing.

I love the theatre and try to see as many performances as I can at the Play House Stage (on the site of the first theatre in British North America). This is an outdoor theatre so performances are weather dependent. They have three 20-25 minute shows three times a day. You can see musical programs, light-hearted plays, and story telling. (I wish they would bring back the full length colonial era plays they used to have in the evening at the Kimball Theatre.)

The town is decorated for Christmas. They did not decorate houses in the 18th century, but when visitors came to Williamsburg in the first years of the restoration, they asked where the decorations were. Colonial Williamsburg decided to make decorations using all natural elements. You can take a tour of the decorations.

The Robert Carter House was recently opened for touring. Unlike the other exhibition homes, this house is not furnished. Instead, the tour focuses on the historical architecture. Sections of the wall have been removed so you can see what is under the plaster, such as the original brick chimney stack from 1727. Carter showed off his wealth by using crimson wallpaper. Archaeologists actually found a small piece of the original wallpaper. I was the only one on the tour of the Robert Carter House. My guide was very knowledgeable and enjoyed giving a tour to one interested person.

Williamsburg had 88 original buildings. They recently discovered the 89th and moved it to a new location. It was the Williamsburg Bray School, a school for enslaved and free Black children. The building is not yet open to the public, but I was able to take a photo of the exterior and talk to the guide about the archaeological discoveries.

The very first building to be reconstructed on its original foundations was the Raleigh Tavern. Each day, a scene from the past plays out in front of the tavern. On some days the Shawnee Princes arrived in 1774. The Governor was negotiating a treaty with the Shawnee and required them to send four hostages to Williamsburg to ensure the peace would be kept.

Nearby, the Milliner and Mantua-maker shop had a special program on "Dressing the Holiday Bride". I watched two women making a bridal gown to look like the one in the nearby drawing. (A mantua-maker constructs silk dresses.)

One of my favorite buildings to visit is the Charlton Coffeehouse. They give you a sample of chocolate, coffee, or tea. Then I met Robert Carter inside the private dining room. Nearby I watched a presentation by Nation Builder Patrick Henry. Another day, the Nation Builder was James Armistead Lafayette. He was a slave who had to deliver some goods to the Marquis de Lafayette. Lafayette asked him to become a spy for the American cause during the Revolution. After the war, Lafayette helped him gain his freedom.

I highly recommend the "Talk of the Town" morning walking tour led by a person of the past (in character). My tour leader was James Armistead Lafayette. You follow him as he goes about his business in the city.

Don't miss the special evening programs. "Revolutionary Points of View" explores the different positions on independence that the colonists had. As we entered, we were each given a piece of paper with a quote from one of the Burgesses. I read my statement aloud to the audience in a dramatic way. It was a lot of fun.

As you can imagine from this lengthy review, I spent a week at Colonial Williamsburg. I keep coming back because there is always something new to see and something new for me to learn.

Very worthwhile to see, hear and feel Colonial Williamsburg, steeped in history and tradition and ghostly encounters; truly an amazing part of old American culture; recommended.

Very informative. Enjoyed the narrative speeches about the living and working conditions of the time. Impressed that food grown in gardens and other items made are used in the village. A must visit.

Over half of the attractions were closed. Only a few characters dressed for their roles. Apparently only certain days are the attractions open. Charge you the same price though. Very disappointing.

Attending the "Cry Witch" trial in Colonial Williamsburg was a captivating experience from start to finish. The anticipation built as we joined a queue at 8:30, with a sold-out crowd eagerly awaiting entry to the courtroom. The meticulous organization placed the first 12 attendees as the governor's council and the subsequent ten as jurors, setting the stage for an authentic colonial trial atmosphere.

The focus of the trial on Grace Sherwood, accused of witchcraft, added an intriguing historical element. The acting by those involved in the trial was nothing short of amazing, maintaining historical accuracy and truly immersing us in the theatrics of the era. The attention to detail brought the courtroom proceedings to life, allowing my husband and me to feel transported back in time.

Undoubtedly, this experience became the highlight of our visit to Colonial Williamsburg. The commitment to recreating the atmosphere of the past made "Cry Witch" an unforgettable and educational performance. If you find yourself in Colonial Williamsburg, make sure not to miss this extraordinary portrayal of history.

I scheduled the Cry Witch program for tonight at 7:30 p.m. My husband and I arrived at the Visitors Center at 7:00 p.m. to make sure we were on time. When we tried to park in the Visitors parking lot, we were told we would need to park across the street in the overflow lot. I thought that seemed odd since Colonial Williamsburg closed at 5:30. From the overflow lot, we had to follow a path that led us back across the street to the historic area. Once we got back across the street, we had no idea where to go. We finally found someone to ask and by the time we were seated, we had already missed part of the presentation.

The costumed character outside had told us that the shuttle stopped running at 8:30 so we left out of the presentation early to catch the shuttle so we didn't have to make that hike back across the street in the dark. Needless to say, when the shuttle came by, we were told that no more busses were going to the Visitors center. So......we had to walk another 30 minutes to get back to the parking lot IN THE DARK! That was the most unacceptable of all the things that happened. I truly had 9 an 1 dialed on my phone so that all I had to do was dial one more number in case of emergency.

The program itself was great. I really would have liked to have seen the verdict. After all, that's what I paid nearly $40 for.

I have no idea what happened or where we should have parked. There was quite a crowd there, so where did they park and why were we the only ones hiking across the street and through the woods?

We haven't even been to the Colonial part of Williamsburg and at this point, I don't even want to even though that was the sole reason for our trip.

The place is freaking hot. Nothing opens until 10 am, even though some some buildings have a sign saying they open at 9:00. The people at the entrance are you often rude. Apparently you cannot tour any of the houses or the places by yourself until 4:00 p.m. you have to wait for 20 minutes to get onto a tour packed with 40 other people like sardine and trotted around different rooms instead of being able to do it by yourself. This process and this rule is very aggravating and annoying for people that are by themselves and just want to have a quick tour in the morning before everything gets hot. The tickets are already expensive at 35 bucks for the little you have to see and tour yourself, on top of that you have to have parking for another 20 to 25 bucks. Thanks for the rip off calling your Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg organization and tour of the places is horrendous, the houses are boring the little thing you can visit is not very well organized. I certainly won't come back. There's so many other better place to visit in the US in the world that was a waste of my family time bye-bye Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg is a wonderful place to visit that really brings American history to life. It offers visitors a unique glimpse into 18th-century America with real shops, people dressed in period costumes and buildings maintained as they would be in Colonial times. Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, this living history museum spans over 300 acres and includes restored buildings, interactive exhibits, and costumed interpreters. The site is an immersive experience where you can walk along cobblestone streets, interact with blacksmiths, shopkeepers, and even participate in colonial-era activities.. I would recommend starting your experience at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center. It is modern, spacious, and well-organized. There is plenty of parking in parking garages along the outer streets or at the visitors center parking lot. The center offers detailed maps, helpful staff, and a gift shop filled with unique colonial-themed items. There’s a café for a quick bite before heading out. Shuttle buses run from the visitor center, regularly, to the main historical area, making it easy to access without worrying about parking downtown. Once inside the city I would definitely suggest seeing the Governor’s Palace, the Capitol, and whatever trade shops are open. The shops are where skilled artisans demonstrate their crafts. I got a chance to see the bookbinder, weaver, armourer, blacksmith, and cobbler. OVerall, it was a wonderful visit with more to see than can be accomplished in one visit. I think a visit to Colonial Williamsburg is ideal for families, history buffs, or anyone seeking an educational yet entertaining experience. It’s truly a gem worth exploring when in Virginia.

We love Colonial Williamsburg! We enjoyed meeting with the "founding fathers" and seeing history come alive.

Booking the admission through Trip Advisor was a mistake. It did nothing to shorten our time in line, and in fact lengthened it quite a bit as we had to fill out forms and deal with pulling up the electronic ticket. ( I have booked through Trip Advisor many times recently, and this was the only time that it was a problem.) We were set on taking a carriage ride, but they were all booked for that day when we arrived mid-morning. When we tried to reserve a spot for the next day, we were told that you may only book that activity on the day of, and that we should return by 8:30 the next morning if we were to have a hope of getting a spot. We loved the additional ghost tour and the dinner experience at the King's Arms Tavern, but the Williamsburg admission alone was not impressive.

Great historical experience. The town is restored to 1775 or so (pre-Revolutionary War) with townspeople in period costumes, and explaining life back in the 18th century. In particular are the historical characters (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, etc.) who talk about their life.

Some of the craftsmen shops (carpenter, cooper, cook) are particularly interesting.

The tours of various buildings, such as the Capitol or Governor's Palace, are very interesting.

They sell a one-day and three-day pass. There's a lot to see and do, so a longer pass might be best if you really enjoy history.

This was our first trip to Colonial Williamsburg. We’ve always heard what a great place it is to visit and it did not disappoint. We spent the entire day from 9a-9p. We ate at the King’s Arms Tavern for lunch. It was so good! Loved the traditional colonial fair. We ended the day on a candlelit ghost tour. We were in Virginia from Indiana on Fall Break with our 17 year old daughter. She enjoyed herself as much as we did.

I think I was expecting a lot more. I grew up in Michigan where we had Greenfield Village and Mackinac Island. I thought Williamsburg would be bigger and better. It was bigger, but definitely not better. The Michigan locations take their authenticity very seriously. No cars and no busses. All the workers are in period costume and all the buildings are open and are identified by purpose. Not so in Williamsburg. We walked for blocks without a building being open or identified - when was it built, who lived there, etc. Plus we kept dodging buses and cars. I would have given them a 1, but they have a nice gift shop. If you want historical accuracy go to Michigan.

Many of the attractions were closed. The only food and drink option was backed up out the door with the exception of the art museum. That was actually decent. Having drink options up and down the street would really enhance the hot days in the town.

An excellent educational vacation! The grounds and buildings are beautiful! We enjoyed the museums, touring the shops and buildings very much. Our only complaint is that we didn’t have enough time to do it all and see everything.

It was interesting if you like history. I enjoyed walking some of the homes such as George Wythe house & gardens. The Governor's Place & gardens was rather interesting as well. The only catch is seems like you always had to what for a group to get organized than listen to some history about the place or person, which became very time consuming. Than found out a lot of the homes or sites were private residence. If your going to tour the houses & events, you want to get a multi day ticket because there is a lot to see plus the waiting.

We enjoyed 2 nights at Williamsburg while driving North for the summer. The first night we took a Haunted tour at 8:30 pm (you don't have to buy an admission ticket ....just the tour ticket) and the next day we enjoyed the Visitor Center's short movie about the history of Williamsburg. We walked along the main street and stopped in a few shops and into a few of the places we had seen at night. Our favorite part was the Art Museum at the end of our day seeing all the antique china sets and tools and things of everyday life at Williamsburg.

We couldn't get reservations at any of the quaint taverns but did enjoy a meal at the Williamsburg Lodge's restaurant "Sweet Tea and Barley". We were surprised to see the Beach Boys putting on a concert on the Williamsburg premises and this caused a lot of people late in the day settling in for the concert. Too bad we couldn't stay to hear them as some people did by just setting up a chair on the sidewalks outside the venue.

very interactive was here many years ago. for the price it is worth it. there is shuttle you can get from the visitors center.. Even with all the construction on the historic parkway it was easy to get around.

I love living history museums, and I have been to many across the country. I had always heard Colonial Williamsburg was the best. We planned to stay two days. We went on a cloudy Sept Monday and, after about 3 hours, felt like we had seen everything worth seeing. My first general, over-all impression started with the visitor center where no one was friendly or helpful. Being from Texas, I guess my standards of friendliness are just much higher. Next, the places we visited had knowledgeable people but, again, lacked warmth and friendliness. All of them seemed tired and bored, almost monotone in their delivery. One exception was the gal at the courthouse who had the kind of exuberant vitality I would expect. The other guy there was just awful, hard to understand and very dull. It seemed liked he was reading his lines for the very first time. The whole day was lackluster and not inviting. We don’t even plan to go back tomorrow and will, instead, go to Jamestown…even though we paid for another day at Williamsburg. One bright spot was our sandwich at The Cheese Chop. It was excellent.

We went about once a month over the course of a year. I purchased an annual pass for the family as a Christmas gift for my husband (he asked for a family experience and it fit with what the kiddos were learning in school).

Key Information:
If you buy an annual pass, it starts the day you purchase, not the day you redeem. If you want to buy it as a gift, I recommend printing a modified certificate to give as the gift and purchasing your actual pass online the morning of your visit. Purchasing online will save you a bit of time at the visitors center.

Reservations at the taverns must be done far in advance. The prices are quite high and the menus are limited (to be expected). We recommend with little ones eating in merchants square but finding places without the exorbitant resort/service fees. Over time we found Precarious Beer Project to be the best place to have lunch as it is similar to a food hall, the food and beer were reasonably priced and the atmosphere was super family friendly. Maybe not entirely authentic for a colonial experience but definitely worked better than any other dining establishment for our family. Many years ago we did eat at the Kings Arm tavern and found the peanut soup to be delicious but our one attempt to eat there on our current pass year on a slow day met with a very rude encounter with the hostess and we weren't willing to try to schedule a dining time for over priced food and poor hospitality with two pre-teen boys (you can make peanut soup at home and it is just as incredible).

The hours are pretty short, most activities close by 5. It is a colonial reproduction area so it is not entirely surprising but the hours don't change in the summer when it is daylight until quiet late in the evening. Some merchants are closed one of the weekend days and usually at least one week day. Plan your visit wisely if there is a specific merchant your family would like to visit. There are some evening separate ticketed events, purchase these as early in the day, as in stand in line at opening (or in advance when possible) if you want to attend as they usually sell out early.

Carriage rides sell out early, as in before the actual open of the area. You can only purchase them day of at the Lumber House Ticket Office. If you wait for the visitors center to open, you will not get a carriage ride. If you need to purchase day passes and want to do a carriage ride, park and walk directly to the Lumber House to purchase. Prepare to queue by 8:00/8:15. For our last visit my youngest asked for a carriage ride, we were at the Lumber House by 8:30 and almost missed getting a selection (it was a super fun experience, I'm terrified of horses but even I enjoyed the different perspective), my boys felt like royalty and were waiving at everyone, it was adorable to watch.

It will be hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Dress accordingly. Bring sunscreen. Bring hydration and snacks. Bring layers and good walking shoes. Some areas will not be accessible to individuals needing mobility assistance. Expect resort prices for everything you purchase. Souvenirs can often be found at the visitors center for less than the same item at the merchants, but there are some very unique custom items, it is fairly easy to tell what is custom vs mass produced.

Dogs are welcome on the grounds but only service animals are allowed inside the historic buildings.

Actual Review:
It might sound like we disliked our experience from my advice, but we truly love our experience. We learned over time how to navigate the area and it would have saved us time and money if we had known some of the insider tips. We usually spent a half day from lunch to closing (2 neurodivergent boys, lots of walking and lots of history, many small doses worked best for us). The merchants were great with the boys, even when they asked questions that were definitely influenced by their fortnite battle knowledge vs real life. Every merchant had a hands-on experience and it really made things fun for the kids. We picked seeds from cotton, there were samples at all of the smiths, games to play in some of the parlors, beautiful gardens with very well labeled plant life, musket fire, and cooking demonstrations. The reproduction discusses the treatment of slaves and Native Indians with facts about the work, living quarters, and laws of the time, we appreciated the bluntness without idealizing or sugar coating information as we feel it helped our children learn. We highly recommend more than one day, take your time, enjoy the experience.

This is a fantastic experience not just for history buffs but for any curious mind. It is a superb example for many social studies lessons. We've enjoyed Williamsburg as a couple and now as parents.

Early June was a good time for Williamsburg, it was warm and sunny but not too hot. You are walking outside most of the time so please wear sunscreen and a hat and bring water. We visited most of the larger buildings but what we most enjoyed were the sessions where a person recreated a historical figure. We joined James Armistad Lafayette and the Marquis de Lafayette for their talks as well as the mock court cases in the courthouse. We walked a block to the golf course and had lunch in the clubhouse, reasonable price.

A typically American experience. Interesting if you want to spend a day outdoors strolling through the main street of a colonial village from the 1700s

We had such a great time learning the history of Williamsburg. Our stay at Powhatan Hilton was excellent and touring the museums and Colonial Williamsburg. Will definitely be back.

My husband and I went for our honeymoon. It was a great day as we both live history, and we learned so much. Lots of great walking, make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and the right outfit - it was the upper 80s for us that day. Gift shop was expensive but that is to be expected. There are two of them, perfect for everyone you can think of. We also took a green screen picture which was $10 cash or card, it came out beautifully. Overall, amazing and very friendly staff. And if you get hungry, which you will, there is a great steak and seafood restaurant (expensive but worth the price) called Aberdeen Barn and Grill

It’s was good for people that really love history, a lot of walking.
I thought it going to be like tour guide, you have to walk to the building then will have someone tell you about that history of that building.

Very educational.....problems with trip advisor tickets were efficiently solved by Dave and Sarah. Very much appreciated!

We enjoyed our full day at Colonial Williamsburg. There is a lot of walking. We really enjoyed one of the speeches given by an actor who pretended he was Patrick Henry. And we enjoyed looking at and asking questions at some of the trades shops. The only reason I didn't give this an excellent rating is that most of the "speeches" (except for the Patrick Henry speech above) were fairly cheesy or the people didn't really say much and were just there to answer questions. Even the "comedian" show outside wasn't really a comedian show. It was a little skit where they asked a few kids to stand up and pretend they were various people. It was sort of a waste of our time. But the cost for the day was quite reasonable.

Wonderful, unique experience. The area and the tour guides. We came during Thanksgiving weekend. Spent 2 days on the site. Our favorite was the tour guides and the narrators. They were very polished, and I was amazed at how well they interface with everyone from 2 to 92 years old. Their knowledge, trivia recall, and stories were amazing. The costumes were very well done. My only criticism was the lack of 18th-century artesian. It could be due to Thanksgiving weekend. The last time I was here, many of the artisans could be seen working their trade and selling their goods. Most of the goods I saw in the Colonial Williamsburg historical were made in China. All the shops mostly sold the same goods. I had always enjoyed purchasing local unique gifts. This week I only purchased books.

Colonial Williamsburg is an American treasure. It's one of my absolute favorite places in America.

I've visited a half-dozen times in 25 years.

While much of it on the surface never changes -- it's always the 1770s -- my experience was noticeably different.

For starters, everything was more expensive than just a few years ago. Especially things like food, drinks, souvenirs, etc. Look, I get it. Inflation. Everything is more expensive these days.

Colonial Williamsburg is very expensive for just a one-day visit. Even a day and a half isn't enough time. Not every building is open every day, not every program or tour is offered every day, etc. They really need to offer a discounted admission during the offseason.

Here's some insider advice: If you only have a day, don't buy a ticket. You can roam the grounds and look at the buildings from the outside without paying. It's not cheating. It's perfectly legal. The streets or most of the streets are public thoroughfares. In the morning, you see a fair number of college students from nearby William & Mary running or walking through Colonial Williamsburg. While admittedly not same experience, it's still interesting -- especially if you've been to Colonial Williamsburg before or have some knowledge of the colonial era.

Another noticeable difference from previous visits of mine (especially many years ago) was authenticity or lack thereof. While everything looks authentic on first blush, especially to the casual visitor who doesn't have much knowledge of the period, I noticed quite a few things that were problematic from a historical or authenticity standpoint.

I don't think you would have seen this 20 or 30 years ago. Things like interpreters (Colonial Williamsburg doesn't like to call them reenactors) wearing modern shoes. Or male interpreters with facial hair. Maybe some of them are volunteers. I don't know. But it was noticeable. Then there's the more touchy subjects. Do you allow a black person to interpret a character or the role of a character when it wasn't possible for a black person to hold that hold or be that person during the colonial era? That's obviously a touchy subject with valid arguments on both sides. Same for gender roles. I saw at least one person who appeared to be a woman doing something that a woman in that era couldn't wouldn't have done.

That aside, some of the interpreters who play a very specific character or historical figure are quite good. When you think about it, they're part actor, part teacher, part historian, and part tour guide. That's not easy. It's actually quite impressive.

My only real complaints?

1) The art museum needs better hours. 10 am to 5 pm is way too limited, especially if you're spending most of the day in Colonial Williamsburg itself. At the very minimum, the art museum should have extended evening hours like 8 or 9 pm on Thursday and Friday evenings, like an increasingly number of art museums in bigger cities.

2) It would be nice if they offered visitors the experience to dress up in authentic colonial attire.

3) They need to do more experiences. Most of the visitors seem to be senior citizens, parents with children, or school age children on group visitors. You don't see many 20-30-40 somethings without children visiting. Maybe a colonial era cooking class? Or a mixologist explaining and making colonial era drinks?Or a Colonial Williamsburg behind-the-scenes tour. Some of these would also be of interest to repeat visitors of all ages.

I was here for a week with my 6 yo, 8 yo, & 3 elderly grandparents. This was my 3rd visit but first with kids & elders. My kids enjoyed the games at the Geddy house the most. They barely had the patience for tours of the historic buildings. Plus it’s hot in summer & there’s lots of walking so they were whining. If you have kids this age or younger, my opinion is that Jamestown Settlement is easier & more hands on for that age group.
I’m 42 and really enjoyed my visit but either summer in VA is 10 degrees hotter or I’ve become intolerant of the heat. I would only come back in spring or fall but likely there aren’t as many activities open.
The elders with us are around 75 yo. One is a wheelchair user which made me keenly aware of how repulsive the horse droppings in the street are. My husband found it easier to push his chair in the street rather than gravel or brick sidewalks. There were plenty motorized chair users in the street too. The horse feces are just nasty. I’m from New Orleans we have horses in our parades, carriage rides, etc & they wear bags. This should be required here too. there are modern bathrooms here so I don’t see why this would ruin the authenticity. Apparently others have stated similarly on this page for years but they haven’t changed anything

Well, before you go, know the ins and outs. You MUST get your itinerary for the day on your phone. Download the CW app. Know that you should go downstairs of the Visitors Center and get the shuttle over to Colonial Williamsburg. It is not adjacent to the Visitors Center . Yiu must walk through a wooded path that is challenging for those with little kids or for individuals with mobility issues. The walk is at least 15 minutes of longer. If you rent a scooter, your enjoyment will increase.The most important thing to know is you need to have your day planned out and easy to access. On the app, you CANNOT pick your event and save on your phone to a portfolio. The designated handicapped parking, which is by the bus drop off, is marked when you drive in to the Visitors center. Look for it. Do not park in parking lots named oak, pine, etc unless the handicapped area down by the entrance where the buses drop off is full. If you park in the designated handicap area, there are no steps to.get in to Visitors center. Take shuttle. Start out in Merchant Square and you can go across the street to the main area of Colonial Williamsburg. Get special tickets in advance, such as carriage ride, Ghost Tour, Cry Witch, etc......Two days spread out should enable you to do every single thing you want to do. It is not like an amusement park. No signs with pointers to food and bathroom. Overall, good glimpse into the founding of our country. Great for history buffs.

Great tour guides throughout Colonial Williamsburg, knowledgeable and engaging. Especially enjoyed touring the Capitol with Brandon.

The whole community did such a wonderful job putting together a great show and decorating with fun reenactors.

The only huge let down were two Christians proselytizing into loudspeakers. Can’t we just celebrate without people lecturing and ramming their belief system in people’s faces with technology that was very clearly anachronistic? Ruined the atmosphere.

This is a multi day adventure. Lots of walking with peaceful surroundings.
We especially enjoyed the Nation Builder presentations! Lunch at the local tavern was amazing with smoked Cornish game hens, salad. and string beans. The dessert, egg snow was delicious as well.

Can’t say enough about this place. I can’t count the times I’ve been and every time I see something new, learn something new, and my interest in the American revolution heightens. We saw the Williamsburg military tattoo. It was spectacular and honestly I’m still in awe. Seeing all the ages come and play the fifes and drums together was amazing! Can’t wait come back and explore! Love Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown!

The Governor's Palace was an awesome experience. Visited the Capitol which was very informative.
Living history streets were mesmerizing as well as the performance on stage.

we finally wended our way to historic colonial Williamsburg, purchasing the $60 tickets which was the way to go: a bus running every 15 minutes dropping visitors off at all of the venues, passes good for 3 days and included all of the attractions - free! Good time, learned things about pre-Revolutionay War facts I never knew from the well-scripted tour guides dressed in 18th century garb. Gave us a sense of deep pride and gratitude for the forefathers of this great nation.

We had a great time at colonial Williamsburg. We learned a lot about the village and enjoyed the slow pace of the country. The actors did a great job and the merchants were very courteous. We highly recommend this trip!

Colonial Williamsburg was a pleasant experience.The exhibits were very nice. You can get a free bus ride from the visitor center.we only covered a small portion and had to leave because of the high heat. I would advise visiting in the spring or fall

Went in December off season and it was partially open so that was disappointing. No reason to have paid for admission. So fair

LAst week we visited Colonial Williamsburg. I have been there many times, but this time was special. It was with my kids. Now they are grown, young adults, but none-the-less. They will remember. My wife wanted pictures of them in the stocks, I wanted them to have a ginger ale. I guess, in the end, we wanted them to leave with a memory of time with their parents. Williamsburg is the perfect place to make these memories. It has adapted over the years, but you know the quality of the visit will be the same. Memories that will last forever! Cheers!

Didn't live up to the marketing or my memories from 20 years ago. The tradespeople didn't re-enact, they just wore costumes and chatted like any other shop. Somehow the concept of connecting the physical experience to the information has been lost -in the animal talk they 'parked' the oxen then showed laminated pages of sheep and spoke about them at length. The kids were bored of course. Uh, tell about the oxen standing there?!

I didn't find any reasonable way to sample/experience historical food other than multi-course sit down meat dinner, which is not our thing.

The actors were good, but the message of the street theatre got quite heavy handed, lecturing the visitors directly about race.

In the future, I will know better than to visit the South in June. We were flattened by the heat. I hope CW can do more showing, less telling.

The trombone player who played loudly on Merchant's Square all day, every day of our trip, was just brutal to be forced to listen to. Totally ruined the experience.

We purchased the Historic Triangle ticket before we arrived in Williamsburg (I think you can purchase the same deal when you arrive). There were several locations to redeem. We got our tickets at the Visitor Center and started our tour there. There is a shuttle that takes you to various locations in Historic Williamsburg.
Most of the attractions/tours are along Dule of Gloucester Street. The buildings that are open have a flag placed in front. Most have tour guides who will tell you all about that building, and you can go inside if you have the pass. The museums, shopping and dining are all on the next block. We also did a ghost walk, which is not included in pass. Allow 2 days to see it all!
Historic Jamestowne and Jamestown Settlement are located on the same site but separated. Be sure to see them both. There are active archeological digs going on around the fort at Jamestowne. Attend the interpreter's presentations scheduled throughout the day. The Settlement has an Indian village, a fort, and 3 ships to go aboard.
Yorktown Battlefield is pretty much a drive through experience with a few stops to check out what happened there. Don't miss the American Revolution Museum close to shopping and dining along the river.
Purchasing this pass for $119 to see all this history for 7 days was so worth it! We learned so much and the experience was enjoyed by kids, parents and grandparents. Highly recommend!

Not much to say so I'll just try to make it brief. I paid for 7 annual passes since I heard there was so much to do and we could go back another time, well I was mistaken. What a waste of hundreds of dollars!!! It was like a ghost town there. Very few, like a handful, of people walking around in costumes. No interactions with people. No background music or anyone playing instruments as you walk around. Half the tours were closed at any particular time. Heavy construction was going on in the heart of it all. We paid "extra" for the tickets which NOBODY even checked so everyone has access to everything for free what we PAID for. Snack prices were through the roof. We did tour some houses and did a ghost tour but even the ghost tour was just okay. It wasn't very scary just a regular tour but at night basically. I probably would not go back any time soon, disappointing. Jamestown was fun. We never made it to Yorktown.

Although I enjoyed our trip back in time, I noticed that several things seemed to be missing since I last saw Williamsburg.
There were no fife and drum corps, no changing of the guard at the governor's palace or firing the evening cannon. In fact, there were no cannon.
Setting this aside, the tour of the palace was great and our guide was terrific. We even got to explore the cellar.
After that we wandered around the town and e3xplored everything that was open and had a good time.
The Art Museum was a pleasant surprise and we got to explore the Bruton church, carpenters shop, garden and ended our day at the capitol where we saw Cry Witch. I would really like to spend more time here someday.

From the moment you pull into the entrance loop, you are awash with the sense of caring and you are the singular most important person to the staff. Check in was a breeze. Room was awesome. Breakfast and Dinner on site were marvelous. Housekeeping went the extra mile. Staff congratulated us as we were celebrating our wedding anniversary...all the special touches of a top-notch establishment. Jessica was an outstanding host for our meals!!!

The two day adventure through Colonial Williamsburg was eventful and full of much history of our past. I found the workers were very knowledgeable and very welcoming. The weather was percent days allowing us to enjoy our walking through the town and exhibits. At the end of each day we walked more than eight miles and even though my feet hurt it was fun.

This was a re-visit after the 1980's -they have air conditioning now! More employees in costume. The individual characters with monologues are superb and should not be overlooked. The carriage ride is a bit pricey, but it's always sold out; we went and the coachman was a wealth of information.

Ghost Tour

I didn't see the ghost tour that is put on by Colonial Williamsburg itself listed separate on Trip Advisor. If you are going to do a ghost tour 100% do this one because it's the only one that gets you inside the historic buildings after dark. Even if you aren't into ghosts (I don't believe at all) I still recommend this tour for a unique way to see Williamsburg at night. It's 100% kid friendly just spooky enough to send chills not spooky enough to cause nightmares. We had two guides/story tellers and they both did a great job telling engaging stories and adding humor and interacting with the kids. Each story was a nice mix of historical story and "ghost experience." It's done via candle/lantern light but the streets are lit so there's no problems walking. They had 3 tours running the evening we went and they sent us in different directions so there wasn't much waiting (we had a little bit of over lap at one house). Williamsburg was very cool after dark.

We came here at the conclusion of our homeschool year studying early modern history (including colonial times) and it was an absolutely wonderful way to be immersed in what we had learned so much about this year!! We loved it. The trades people are great- they are all happy to answer questions. We really liked almost all of them (except a guy at the capitol).

FYI - King's Arms Taverns has amazing food!

The only negative was that they wouldn't give us the schedule 24 hours in advance. We stopped by the day before our visit specifically to pick up the schedule and circle the things we wanted to go to, but the seasonal schedule was changing that day and they'd only hand out today's schedule... not tomorrow's. We had to stop back by a second time at the end of the day, at which time the guy said "Yes, now they're finally letting me give these out." They need to make it available earlier in the day if someone comes in for it.

This place is amazing! I came here decades ago when I was just 10 years old, and my parents brought me here. I decided to bring my daughter here to show what I experienced so many years ago, the Colonial Williamsburg did not disappoint. A surprising addition was behind the Governor’s Palace where Marquis de Lafayette was giving a speech. It was SO entertaining that we could have spent the day listening to his soliloquy. The grounds of this site are well-kept, the docents are very friendly and willing to share their stories, and the pace is very relaxing. We also made it a point to visit the remains of the public jail on the site, and to talk to the brick makers, who were very friendly and a pleasure to talk to. This was a great experience, and every family should make sure they bring their children here at least once in their lifetime.

Poor improvements NOT!
LONG LINE TO PAY FOR PARKING.
NEED SMARTHOME to see schellule!
Next open later!
Rethinking yearly passes and spending 100 of dollars each day at cw.

Wow! Just be Abd my 16 yr old- he loved it, his words. With the military discount it was cheaper to buy season pass pays for itself when went one day. It was refreshing to see the colonial depictions to include free blacks Abd slaves and characters who stayed in their roles. When you enter houses creators- actors give you a wonderful historical narrative. There are working farms, get the pass that permit entry into all the facilities. Lots of walking, you’ll need scooter if you have mobility issues, the paths are clear and I’m a Disabled veteran and dud not feel restricted at all. There’s restaurant you van walk to modern sit outside tahr in that old town feel both modern & pre revolutionary war.
Parking was free we parked at visitors center took walking paths to bus got off first stop to grab stew at tavern. Some open at different times so check brochure it’s free and it has events show times. Be part of interactive court house And experience live court proceedings it’s so funny and you learn so much.

It’s a great place to go at your own pace, especially with young kids. You can tour that area at your own pace and if you need a break you can always come back or go to the merchant square to recharge, its as involved as you want it to be

Decided to stop in downtown Colonial Williamsburg since we were already in the area. Price of admission IF you choose to do the tour is $35 per person. So that would have been $140 for my family of four. We opted to go with the FREE route, which is basically viewing the outside of the buildings. You can walk freely around the town without purchasing a ticket. IF you want to enter the buildings or see demonstrations, you have to have an admission ticket. Tours didn't start til 10am, so we got there around 8:30am in order to walk around without being crowded. The only building we noticed we could enter without a ticket was a little bakeshoppe. Other buildings were clearly marked that tickets were required for entry.

Overall, I thought it was an OK experience without a ticket. We spent may 1.5 hours walking around town. I did think many of the buildings were interesting. However, I was disappointed to see that many of them were not original buildings or were classified as "reconstruction". My daughter, who is a history buff, really enjoyed just walking the town. I doubt I would return OR purchase the admission to go into the buildings.

The people working here did a great job of explaining what life would've been like back in the Colonial times. It was a lot of fun to see the buildings and to learn while we were there. Definitely worth a visit!

I wish that the colonial Williamsburg was a little more organized in terms of what to see and how to see it. We did a lot of walking, went into some historic buildings, but everything seemed to have its own time to it so without a schedule of events, it was pretty hard to take in what was happening at different times. We tried to download a Williamsburg app, but no longer had access to it apparently. The visit was frustrating from that standpoint. We appreciated all of the period costumes the various activities that you could step into historical sites and experience and the skits that were taking place in front of some of the main buildings.

Great place to visit. Cost of room in a historic Tavern right on D.O.G. street was similar to a regular hotel. The Market Square Tavern is an original restored building that Thomas Jefferson stayed when attending William and Mary Collage. The historic restaurants have amazing food the programs and interpreters are so well researched. I have been there from Washington State 11 visits and every time I learn more about history. I come away waiting for my next visit. See you in June 2026

We absolutely loved Colonial Williamsburg. I had been here years ago, but this was my husband’s first time, and even with 2½ days, we still felt there was so much we did not see. During the day, we enjoyed tours of the Governor’s Palace, Capital, and Courthouse. The carriage ride, although short, was a lot of fun. Bruton Parish Church, established in 1674, is a must-see. What history! The fife and drum demonstration and the many shops were also great. The costumed interpreters and crafts people are very knowledgeable and add to the historical experience. In some cases, visitors have the opportunity to take on historical roles. For example, when we visited the courthouse, I assumed it would be a basic tour. Not! They encourage visitors to get involved acting out real court cases from the 1700s. When my husband went missing, I only later realized that he had volunteered to be one of the judges, so I volunteered to be Jane Vobe, a tavern owner, who petitioned the court to have my license renewed. We came away with such an appreciation for some of the legal history as a result of our involvement. Perhaps, the most impressive and educational experience we had during our visit was the evening program “Revolutionary Points of View”. Held in the Capitol Building at night by candlelight, visitors are encouraged to engage in the debate as to whether or not to go to war with England. As you sit and listen to the various opinions of others who are portraying actual 18th century individuals who argued the very same way about the prospect of independence in that very room, it really hits home what people during that time were facing and the different views on the prospect of war. My husband said later that the Rev. Points of View Program was what helped him to really understand what was going on historically. We also enjoyed dining at Christiana Campbell’s Tavern and King’s Arms Tavern, both of which had performers playing instruments and singing period music during dinner. After dinner, we walked down the Duke of Gloucester Street which was lit by baskets of burning firewood, and enjoyed the occasional performers singing or costumed reenactors demonstrating their craft. Day or night, there was always something to experience. If you go to Colonial Williamsburg, I suggest spending some time well in advance to decide what are your must-sees and make reservations early, particularly for dinner and any programs you are interested in. If you can, consider staying in one of the accommodations in Colonial Williamsburg for the convenience (not having to deal with parking) and the experience. We would never have had the opportunity to enjoy the evenings otherwise. There are so many other programs, events, and sites to see in Colonial Williamsburg. The above is just a sampling of what we did. To say we loved it is an understatement. Months later, we are still talking about it and can’t wait to visit again.

I took my son to Williamsburg to spend the 4th of July. We stayed at the Griffin! The room was clean and comfortable BUT it lacked updating and fixing the closet since the mini refrigerator was not well placed properly and the safe box was balancing on two little pieces of wood!
We bought the special 4th of July Dinner at the Traditions at the Williamsburg Lodge. I paid $131.87 for overcooked dry brisket. The idea was sold as an outside meal where all the activities take place. Unfortunately it was inside. I do think it was not worth it!
Williamsburg has change and not for the better since the last time I had been there! Very upsetting since I had an incredible experience as a young girl.
HOWEVER, I must add that everyone we spoke to were very kind and friendly!

Absolutely the worst part of our vacation. Ticketing was a mess and when we got there they told us our tickets were not valid. You can be sure we will never waste our time visiting here again. Simply put it was awful.

The girls loved walking through restored town and the nearby hotels were decorated for Christmas. Next time we go, we would park in the town and walk over rather than by the visitors center

We really enjoyed our visit to Colonial Williamsburg. We took a ghost tour our 1st night
that was informative & enjoyed. Our 3 days there were filled with going from house to house touring. But our most enjoyable time was spent listening to the individuals who were speaking as historical figures of the time.

Unfortunately, Williamsburg is not what I remember as a child. No longer are the ideals that founded our nation celebrated, instead tours are critical race theory indoctrination. If I had to do it again, I would either only walk the town and discuss history with my two elementary age kids or only go into the non-tour led houses and shops.

What an amazing, historical place this is. Beautifully kept up and a real snapshot of life in colonial Williamsburg in the 1700s. Lots of the houses and buildings were open with employees dressed in garb from the period and telling you about life back in colonial times. You learn so much but it didn't feel like history lesson! Absolutely beautiful place to see.

We used to live in the area and always enjoyed visiting. Now whenever we come back to the historical triangle we make sure to spend an afternoon stroking around. If you’ve never been, be sure to purchase a ticket. This way you can get into much greater detail. We park at the visitor center and enjoy the walk to Colonial. If you aren’t going inside the sites, dogs are fine to bring. We always do. There are a few places with patio seating that are welcoming dogs.

We really loved Williamsburg for the history, the costumed docents with excellent information, and the attempt to include as many voices as possible (women, enslaved people, indigenous peoples, etc.). The shuttle bus was wonderful, especially as it was very hot while we were there. If you go, be aware that not all program run daily, and not every place is open each day. I also think this wonderful attraction needs to come into the 21st century with an app that tracks when the shuttle bus will arrive at stops, provides an interactive map, allows you to make reservations, and provides important alerts about time/venue changes (we missed a program we had hoped to see because the venue was changed, and we didn't know it in time to get to the new venue). Overall, we had a great time and learned a lot about Colonial America.

Excellent! Get the 3-day pass! Park at the Visitor Center and use the free shuttle bus. See as many of the tradesmen, street/stage performances, and indoor building tours as possible. Eat at the King’s Arms Tavern (soups) and the Art Museum Cafe for a delicious, reasonably priced lunch. Skip the commercialized Merchants Square area unless you like modern-day shopping and and like to spend. Stay at the excellent Comfort Inn 10 minutes away. Outstanding full breakfast, indoor pool, clean and comfortable room and courteous staff.

Very interesting to tour Historic Williamsburg. I like watching the carriage rides go by (reservations required months in advance) and the people in period costume. Some of the guides are very helpful, find one you like and schedule tours when they are there. Love seeing the architecture too.

The sprawling, historic city of Williamsburg is definitely worth a day's visit. Very beautiful buildings, very informative guided and costumed tours but also numerous reconstructions of life at the end of the 18th century (special mention to the brickworks).
Essential if you are in the area

Very nice layout and decent value for the price. However some of the exhibits were add-ons (ie candle making, and other demonstrations) and for a $50 ticket I'd assume they were included. Also thought it was odd in a 'colonial town experience' there was a Talbots, Lululemon and other stores including an illy cafe which takes away from the immersion.

What an amazing experience! It really does feel as if you are in the 18th century! The performers/educators are all deeply knowledgeable. The place is so professionally restored and reconstructed. It gives you the feeling of knowing how people lived at the time. My wife and I loved it and will be back next year. Just keep in mind: lots of walking...

Be aware that even though the hours are 9 to 5 daily, not everything is open onsite. Also note the taverns are not listed on TripAdvisor, and the hours are limited during off season. It is best to reserve a time at the Taverns at Colonial Williamsburg (check hours on line). Many of the eateries outside of Colonial Williamsburg are your standard fares, and are not great eats!

We took our 2 grandchildren and we were all very disappointed. My husband and I have been there 3 times and we could not believe how frustrating our day was. It was super expensive, taverns and cider stand closed, many activities and buildings were closed. We felt robbed. It was nothing like we had experienced during the other two visits in 1987 and 2013. We can't really recommend this experience unless you have money to throw away. Very sad . Jamestown was interesting, despite pouring rain, and the museum and exhibits inside are well done.

Wife and I took a week off for my Birthday and did the Americas Historic Triangle. We had a great time visiting Colonial Williamsburg, we took our time and stopped at all locations that were open. Visited the Church and got a great briefing on the history of it. Also got educated on a property by a Gentlemen name William Blanton, did an excellent job, very knowledgeable.

We also visited the Colonial Williamsburg Museum, this was a full day visit as well. They have a lot of great items, loved the weapons section and the old furniture and where they came from.

Jamestown and Yorktown were excellent visits. Jamestown has a glass blowing shop, please stop by and purchase one of their excellent items. Touring the Exhibition site was great, especially seeing the replica fort and boats and Native village.

We also enjoyed visiting the actual town and museum of Jamestown. A lot of great artifacts and historical items.

We visited all the locations 5 years ago, but we missed Yorktown, we went this time and wasn't disappointed. Great Museum with tons of artifacts and historical information. Also has a military camp site set up with live characters detailing how it was back in those days. Experience a Musket and Cannon shooting, as well as a farm from the Colonial days. Well worth the trip.

We toured the Surrender field where the British surrendered to Washington and his troops. Toured the battlefield and visited the graves of our Civil War Veterans that are buried there.

Dont miss out, take time to visit our great Countries history.

Carriage ride was awesome & worth every penny. Took the ride for pleasure but quickly became engaged with friendly driver who was happy to fill us in on all the history around us. Was one of our favorite things we did. There is a discount rate with daily admission tickets.

Lots of walking which I expected, but no real logic to the layout of the place. It was like you ran from here to there to there in the hopes of catching SOMETHING on the schedule. There weren't many character actors milling around like I remember years ago. The Lafayette guy was great and we loved the carriage ride but the rest was ehhh. Not bad not great. I much prefer Greenfield Village in Michigan.

We stayed at The Lodge, a CW property; prior visit I stayed off site — that’s the way to go. $30/day to park at the Lodge vs $10 at the Visitors Center. We enjoyed the tours (Palace & Peyton Randolph House). and the performance of George Washington and Gale from the North. The song/dance performances were disappointing and one was just a repetition of the other, different name. The map and signage are poor. The signage for the public hospital was especially poor and not visible from walkways. The map should show paths with a dotted line! The shuttle is handy. Everything is vastly overpriced, bottle of water nearly $4. We expected some of this but it really was extreme. Items at The Cupboard were not only overpriced, but ridiculous. A blueberry muffin with 2 berries! A cranberry muffin with one berry!! We learned, after a meal at Sweet Tea and Barley, to eat off site. Check Tripadvisor for good restaurants. If shopping is your thing, there’s plenty at and around Colonial Williamsburg — not our thing. We went to a presentation in the Art Museum which was good, though titled as a talk on the trades and was about gardening! The museum looked wonderful but we didn’t have time to explore. The cafe there looked ok but we didn’t eat there. Museum itself requires no ticket, so perhaps save for day of departure. You must book direct to get tickets free with CW hotels. We didn’t as we covered hotel with points.

Making a room reservation at the Williamsburg Lodge through Marriott is a snake show of changing per night prices and a reservation desk with people who can’t speak or understand English.

Very disappointed, it is a ghost town compared to 20 years ago. There is less to see and hear, very few buildings are opened at the same time, and the tours have been shorten. It is a reader's digest of what it once was. They should have ghost tours during the day because it already is a ghost town.
Not to mention $15.00 hot dogs

The wife and I along with our 2 dogs spent the day here and it was amazing. Yes they are pet friendly on the streets NOT in the buildings. They require all animals to be on a leash. We had our two dogs in a stroller which was perfect, and they got to get out and walk as well. Where we parked it was paid parking, I think it was $10 for 6 hours no biggie. They do offer a bus to take you from the visitors center to the actual downtown area, but we didn’t use bc of let policy. The overall experience was great. Nice little shops to go in and shop, huge historic homes to go in and learn. All of the homes you visit have a guide inside that gives you info, if you want a walking tour guide that’s a separate experience you have to purchase. Some events sell out quickly such as carriage rides and tour guides, so I suggest you book in advance. A few notes: A lot of walking involved, kid friendly, pet friendly, and watch some YouTube videos before you go and you’ll be ahead of the game. Lovely place to be outdoors, we’re probably coming back around Christmas to see it decorated.

We had a wonderful time. Weather was beautiful. Lots of walking but well worth it. So glad my wife and I got to experience it!

So much to see and do. Living history, yet things for all ages. Interpreters of the historic characters are impressive for their knowledge and research of the period.

I loved the history but the food options and the expensiveness of it all were not worth it. To go into the buildings they wanted $50/person per day and that was ridiculous. Pay extra for horse carriage rides.

Still a number #1 place to visit. We came to see the beautiful Christmas decorations. We ate at Christina Campbell’s food was amazing then to a concert at the Governor’s Palace. Everyone was so accommodating and nice. There is an ice skating rink set up and all the houses have lights in the windows at night. Felt like a Bridgerton evening in Williamsburg.

Loved it! Great place to reconnect with history. Went here for a mini vacation with my husband. I was extremely impressed with the staff. They were engaging but not over bearing, extremely intelligent and immersed in their character. I particularly liked how they played a character from that time period in a way that fit with those times objectively and realistically. Austin was particularly great to talk to, very sweet and friendly. We dined at Christiana Campbell's tavern & learned about food of this time period. Everything was a fun learning experience. We did the court proceeding & it was very fun and again I learned something else new. Highly recommended.

I have mixed feelings about Colonial Williamsburg. I have visited a few times over my lifetime. It’s been a while since my last visit so I was very disappointed to see that not all areas are open everyday. We went on a Sunday and many things were closed. I wish I was told this when we booked the room at Williamsburg Lodge. There seems to be more souvenir type stores open which I found tacky for the whole period experience. I was also very disappointed to find my FAVORITE ginger cake was not the same- at all. It was much smaller, overcooked and hard. I bought one on two different days. We also went to the haunted walk one night. I can’t remember our tour guides name but I found her very hard to follow- almost annoying to listen to. Otherwise, I found the places that were open to be enjoyable, informative and well presented.

Colonial Williamsburg is a 1 mile long walk through the colonial times, original and reconstructed buildings. What is adding the charm , is people dressed in original clothes , working on the property and explaining their trades. You ask them anything and they are very knowledgeable.
What I wished for, is to see more street performers.
Overall nice experience. Highly recommend to get the entry ticket which opens the door to many indoor places.
Just walking the grounds is free.

We spent 2 days exploring Colonial Williamsburg and had an amazing time. The museums were excellent but the living history presentations were our favorites and totally fabulous.

Loved Martha Washington, the various house tours. It was a beautiful day. Lunch in the William Mary college area. Fun shops and various food places. Loved the Dog restaurant. Worth the wait

I knew nothing about 1770's American History and now know a lot! So does my 8 year old.
We learned and experienced and want to come back for more!!!!
And maybe next time the chef at the Governor's Palace will throw us a bone!

I LOVE Williamsburg. I love that everytime I come I meet wonderful new people, and learn something new!! We unexpectedly ran into a wonderful woman whose name escapes me now :( but I’ll post a picture! She told us the most amazing story about the Underground Railroad and she sang some hymns that were messages. It was beautiful and she was just a wonderful person to meet!!! I can’t say enough about this museum, it’s absolutely amazing!! Our friend dressed up as a colonial person and we went to the kings arms tavern for dinner! Yummmy!!!

Interesting the tour guides at each venue informative and truly connected to the history of the area

The staff is amazing and knowledgeable. A little disappointing cause very little is original and everything is a replica.

What a wonderful, truly immersive place where
we were greeted with truly enjoyable time while learning some historical facts. It is an
undeniably enriching experience.
This fascinating trip down history lane is
brilliantly complemented by the
knowledgeable reenactment stories and the actors are just fully engaging, making the history
come fast alive. The park surrounding the museum
is also wonderfully maintained, perfect for a
leisurely stroll. Overall, it is a must-visit destination
for history enthusiasts and families alike.

I was amazed at the size of this attraction. You could easily spend a day there. There were many in costume assistants ready to give you historical highlights and assistance. This is a must see attraction if you are in the area.

Our experience at Williamsburg was very informative and enjoyable. I was amazed at the detailed knowledge of every shop worker and the actors on stage as well. It’s as if they actually live in 1776 .

Went for the day. Recommend getting there early as there are a lot of 45 minute tours and a lot of walking.
Overall my rating was: 8.3/10, neat, lots of walking, good job by the tour guides

Highlights include: The King's Arms Tavern and a delightfully informative waiter, a tour of the Randolph house with a guide named Ginny, a capitol building with a guide named Brandon, street theater scenes

Took short trip to visit Williamsburg this past weekend. What a great place to go to relax and unwind. Take a step back in time and visit a historical site or just enjoy the country side. Lots of places to shop and a good variety of restaurants for food. Everywhere you go is a friendly face that welcomes you to the area!

On our US History tour, we were limited to 3 hours at Colonial Williamsburg between the opening time and when we had to leave for our flight home. This is not the fault of Colonial Williamsburg. Although we’ve been there before, we really would have liked to spent longer there. Truthfully, you could spend 2-3 days, maybe more. The tour we had with a Williamsburg guide named Brandon was very limited and didn’t really tell us much about the profound historical events, eloquent words spoken, and the heritage of the place. The narrative concentrated more on the culture side of the history. The tour didn’t go into any of the homes, such as the Wythe or Randolph home, visited only one tavern, and a couple of businesses. My husband and I went off on our own partway through, when we realized it was not going to the places we wanted to go. Still, I did enjoy our visit there, just wish it had been longer, and I’d rather have toured on our own as everyone’s interests are different as to what would be meaningful to them.

Pretty much an overpriced tourist trap. The idea to recreate and restore historical buildings is a good one but it’s more hype than learning about colonial era. Really only need half a day. Enjoyed the guided tour of the capitol building as it was informative and the guide knowledgeable.

Very interesting and historical experience, we went to every house or building open. Very educational experience for all.

Excellent walk for the whole family, every corner is full of history. You can walk through the streets, enter different houses of the time, hear how people lived in the 18th century and how they worked.
There are also several restaurants and shops, a skating rink and much, much to explore.
With the entrance fee, you have access to a bus that runs through the entire property, and also gives you entry to places such as the governor's palace, the court, stables..., and trade houses that operated at the time (workshop jewelry, armory, taverns, etc.)
Very educational, very well restored, and all the staff very willing to tell part of the history of their town.

No. I could have bought a ticket for Coloniak Williamsburg without tour guide.
I do believe that I was more informed.
No, I was satisfied with the tour itself.
I would recommend a two day pass, because it is too much for one day.
More time to absorb the information.
Going into the homes throughout the strip.
IT WAS NICE AND INFORMATIVE WHEN WE could. Not every home was opened.
Good.
We could t explore the jail or gardens due to inclement weather.
Muddy and wet. It stunk.
We changed our tour from one day to next due to the weather.

Great experience for all of my family. They had Thomas Jefferson reading the Declaration of Independence and great fireworks on the 4th of July. All of the people that work there are wonderful,

Lovely time. Would definitely go again. Very much enjoyed the history and people were very friendly. Did the Haunted Williamsburg Night Tour. That was fun, but got lost trying to find our car afterwards during an unexpected downpour!

This is wonderful place to immerse yourself in American history. Many individuals in period garb with numerous pieces of information that you might not be aware of. Many, many buildings depicting life in the colonies. A great venue!

What a total disappointment our day at Williamsburg was. My new wife and I are on a honeymoon road trip round the USA, and she wanted to come back to her favourite vacation place. The only positive part of the day was the carriage ride. Although there was horse manure all over the road all day long. The fact that no one cleaned it up was a big surprise. Loads of places were closed, others had specific times to go round on a tour, if you did not know this ahead of time like us, then you miss things. The Tavern closes at 2pm, why? Totally ridiculous when it’s the height of the season. The grocer shop sells modern sweets, and isn’t at all like an historical store. The boy serving in the bakers store was rude and sullen, the area to sit out tue back of here was filthy. The general store beside the ticket office is fabulous with really friendly staff. The behind the scenes stables tour was truly awful. The lady was lovely, but it was so hot and long and loads of unnecessary chat. It would have been better to have someone talk us through tacking tack on and off, grooming etc, much more interactive. We couldn’t even hear what she was saying half the time. Serious consideration needs to be given to the whole place. The staff are mixed, some lovely, some completely disinterested. Their costumes are awful in places, ill fitting and often put on in the wrong way. What’s wrong with having different houses open, working class ones, rich gentry ones. Have people baking, cooking, tending gardens and animals. We stayed on site on the Griffin Hotel, no complaints here, staff and facilities were perfect. Use some of the guest money to upgrade the whole of the historical experience or visitors will dwindle away to nothing.

We bought our tickets through Tripadvisor and so we had to go to the business office of our condo to print a paper voucher to take to the check-in area. I thought this was an unnecessary extra step that I could have done with my cell phone. Other than that I found the place to be very organized. The parking was easy and available.
We took a wonderful walk from the check in to the town and ended up at the Governor’s Mansion so of course we took that tour first.
It was excellent, and our tour guide was wonderful. After the tour, we went through the maze and then walked behind the maze to the old ice house, which is a big mound that you can climb, up steps,, and have a view of the back of the house and the maze.
After that, we wandered aimlessly around and bought some excellent apple cider, and had a really good lunch at a tavern. I was surprised at how good the food was.
The most fun thing we did was an archaeological dig of an old house and grounds that they hope to rebuild someday. The people running it were very knowledgeable and I enjoyed every minute of it. You can access this info at Facebook Williamsburg archaeological dig.
I wish we had had another day to go see the museums. They look amazing.
And the crafts along the streets and the buildings they are in are very interesting and again the people are very knowledgeable. It was truly a wonderful day.

We are long time visitors of Colonial Williamsburg. We love coming here in all seasons especially during Christmas. We are most disappointed with the new charge for parking at the visitor center. If you are going to charge for parking, those with annual passes should be able to park for free or at a discount. Also the parking should include in-and-out fees. Many people (especially with little kids) park for the morning, leave mid-day and come back in the evening or something like that. It is crazy to have to keep paying hourly for such a parking scenario. It can easily add up to more than $10/day for parking if one wants to leave for a few hours and come back. Parking fees at the visitor center is a very bad decision by Colonial Williamsburg.

I found this to be a really disappointing experience. The tour we took of the capitol building was more of a lecture than a tour, and the building is not preserved, just built over the original foundation. The place seemed more of a tourist trap than a place to learn about history in an authentic way. When you see a Lululemon store in the square, it just feels wrong. I would not recommend Colonial Williamsburg. If you want an authentic tour and history lesson, see Monticello in Charlottesville instead.

We were following our GPS when the GPS brought us into colonial Williamsburg. We were not aware that you could not drive through because there was no signing where we pulled in that you cannot. Once we figured it out we stopped by a lady who we thought would help us out. The actor went on to yell at us and belittle us. As I said we were not aware and she would not hear us out. In the photo below, I will show that there was no barricade and no signage telling us not to enter.

My son took pictures the entire time we were there. We expected to only be there a couple of hours but ended up spending the entire day. My only negative was there weren't a lot of lunch options.

Colonial Williamsburg is a huge living history museum. You need several days to see it all. In addition to the historic buildings, there are tours and performances to enjoy. You can spend several hours in the Art Museums alone. Christmas is a good time to come because there are many special programs that show how the colonists celebrated Christmas.

There are 89 original buildings. The newest was the re-discovered Bray School. This school for enslaved and free Black children was built in 1760 and the building was moved to its current location earlier this year. (BTW, in the 18th century, some enslaved people were taught to read and write so they could perform their jobs better and become more useful to their owners. It wasn't until the 19th century that it became illegal to teach an enslaved person how to read and write.) They plan to have it ready to open to the public next September.

One of my favorite buildings is Charlton's Coffeehouse. When I first visited Williamsburg in 1985, a huge Victorian building sat next to the Capitol. After the last resident died, the family agreed to give the land to Colonial Williamsburg provided they moved the house to another location. They put the house on a truck and moved it to the other side of town, just outside the historic area. (It is now a B&B.) The Mars family (of candy fame) funded the reconstruction of Charlton's Coffeehouse and it opened in 2009. After touring the ground floor rooms, you descend into the original kitchen, where you are given a small cup of either dark drinking chocolate or dark roasted coffee.

Every day you can visit the Play House Stage and watch the various entertainments. I took a tour that was led by a person of the past. We followed him as he went about his daily activities. You can watch nation builders such as Washington, Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and the Marquis de Lafayette talk about their lives and answer questions from the audience. I have learned so much from my visits here.

Have been coming here with my wife every year for 9 years and this year brought our 9 year old granddaughter.

This has been not only a disappointing trip but downright infuriating. Most of the exhibits we wanted to share with a new generation are no longer open at all. The odd days when the remaining sites ARE open make it very difficult to plan your visit.

Our granddaughter is an archeology enthusiast so we planned touring the Custis dig site. The tour guide, though I'm sure we'll intended, never even had interaction between the guests and the archeologists,so we never got to see how they go about sifting through history and what they look for which was the reason for taking the tour.

Our stay at the Woodlands hotel included free meals for our granddaughter. We had planned to enjoy Chownings Tavern for lunch, as it was listed on the special offer for which we reserved. Arrived at Chownings to find they were no longer open!
A sign in the door advised to go to Kings Arms instead. As we had evening reservations for there we ended up returning to the room for snacks we brought with us.

Returned to Colonial area leaving from the Visitor's Center at 4pm to have dinner at the King's Arms Tavern. We had tickets for the "Cry Witch" trial at 7:30pm. When we left the visitor center, we saw the sign said the last bus leaves the VC at 8:30pm. For the last 9 years coming to Colonial Williamsburg, the bus ALWAYS started and ended at the visitor center.

Had dinner, followed by the witch trial. Which trial ended at 8:20 and we quickly headed back to the Capitol Bus Stop. The bus arrived but driver told us they did not return to the visitor center but ended the run at the AMTRACK TRAIN STATION! We were on our own to walk several miles back to the Visitor Center, in the dark, in dress attire, in June! Two out-of-shape grandparents with or 9 year old granddaughter!!

Part of what we pay for in our tickets snd lodging is for the benefit of the shuttle transports that have ALWAYS run, especially for the evening programs. Now guests are STUCK after 8pm. Looking at the website AND printed maps,bus route shows returning to the visitor center. Turns out, the bus service is now no longer part of Colonial Williamsburg, but instead the city of Williamsburg Transit Athority.

This will be our last visit to CW and we are canceling both our dinner reservations for tomorrow evening and the concert we would have attended tomorrow evening as well. We will no longer donate to the foundation either as service has gone downhill fast.

Very sad to have to post this.

Jon & Leslie

We come every year, and every year we love it. It's getting a bit crowded now, but CW spreads everyone out. There are not many places where you can experience living history like Williamsburg. I'm always impressed, and this time we returned with friends and had a blast. It's not necessary to purchase any tickets to enjoy the town. Just show up and walk around. Now, if you want to get into the buildings and hear artisans speak on crafting iron or cooking shoat, then pony up baby! This isn't a day-trip experience. You'll need 2-3 days if not more to visit Jamestown, Yorktown, CW and the outlying areas like Gloucester Point. On this particular trip, we joined the magistrate on the bench for a mock-trial and helped to render a verdict! It was great fun and such a wonderful learning experience. Thanks to all the workers at characters working in CW!

Very nice open-air museum. It's worth a visit. You can walk through the city without paying an entrance fee. If you want to visit buildings, however, you need a ticket. We skipped this due to time constraints. The city is historically very important for the USA and you should go and see it if you are in the region.

My experience was mixed. I found the characters wonderful and engaging, particularly Armistead. (I was disappointed, however, that there was no Lafayette.) The house tours were interesting but incomplete and not really worth the cost. I loved the art museum and the show in the Heritage auditorium about Washington's conundrum regarding GB. My biggest complaint, however, is the number of Inns and restaurants that were closed, as well as half the homes shutting early or never opening for viewing. We had to leave the grounds to find a place to eat. We even had difficulty finding coffee in the morning, as there only one place available, but the host was unable to make coffee until much later since all the workers had called out sick. I did find some workers a bit brusque, but most were wonderful, answering all my questions. And I really liked parking my car at the visitor center to use the trolley to get around. I would definitely go back since the Revolutionary war is my passion, but I would try to get more information before I go regarding what will be open for viewing and what Inns will be open for dinner. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience and I learned a lot.