Where Is Colonial Williamsburg?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Colonial Williamsburg is located in

Williamsburg, Virginia

, and is part of Virginia's Historic Triangle, which includes Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. We're located midway between Richmond and Virginia Beach, and 150 miles south of Washington, DC.

Is Colonial Williamsburg a real town?


Colonial Williamsburg is the restored and reconstructed historic area of Williamsburg, Virginia

, a small city between the York and James rivers that was founded in 1632, designated capital of the English colony in 1698, and bestowed with a royal charter in 1722.

Can you walk around Colonial Williamsburg for free?


Free and Fun

.

Grounds are open to visitors free

so stroll around and take it all in. That includes many historic buildings, seeing historical interpreters strolling along, and visiting shops and museums. If you're visiting during the summer, you may find free concerts throughout the property!

How much does it cost to go to Colonial Williamsburg?


Single-day Ticket: Adult, $44.99 Child, $24.99

. Multiday Ticket: Adult, $54.99 Child, $29.99. Annual Pass: Adult, $74.99 Child, $41.99. Art Museums Single-day Ticket: Adult, $14.99 Child, $8.99.

What street is Colonial Williamsburg?

Walk down the principal street of Williamsburg and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and smells of what Franklin D. Roosevelt described as “the most historic avenue in all America.”

Can you drive through Colonial Williamsburg?


Take a leisurely drive or bike ride along the scenic 23-mile Colonial Parkway

that provides a physical and metaphorical link between Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown. Scenic driving, interpretive pull-offs, biking and fishing are available along this National Scenic Byway.

What is Jamestown called now?

In 1676, Jamestown was deliberately burned during Bacon's Rebellion, though it was quickly rebuilt. In 1699, the colonial capital was moved to what is today

Williamsburg, Virginia

; Jamestown ceased to exist as a settlement, and remains today only as an archaeological site, Jamestown Rediscovery.

Who built Colonial Williamsburg?


Rockefeller Jr. and his wife Abby Aldrich Rockefeller

. The result of their combined efforts was the creation of Colonial Williamsburg, which included a restoration of much of the downtown Williamsburg area with creation of a 301-acre (1.22 km

2

) Historic Area to celebrate the patriots and the early history of America.

What is the historical significance of Colonial Williamsburg?

Williamsburg was

one of America's first planned cities

. Laid out in 1699 under the supervision of Governor Francis Nicholson, it was to be a “new and well-ordered city” suitable for the capital of the largest and most populous of the British colonies in America.

Can you smoke in Colonial Williamsburg?

— Colonial Williamsburg is snuffing th use of tobacco in its portrayal of a state built on the tobacco trade. As of Jan. 1,

smoking is prohibited inside all historical buildings, for costumed and non-costumed workers alike

.

Is Colonial Williamsburg worth it?

Colonial Williamsburg is the world's largest living history museum, and

it makes a great getaway for both families and couples

. While I recommend spending at least a few days in the area, you can still do a lot even if you only have one day in Colonial Williamsburg.

What is the best time of year to visit Colonial Williamsburg?


Autumn and spring

are great times to visit, not only because the days are cooler, but between the gorgeous fall foliage and lush gardens in March and April, visitors have the best of all worlds.

How many days do you need in Colonial Williamsburg?

You can do both Jamestown sites in one full day, but I would recommend

at least two days

in Colonial Williamsburg. Both Yorktown sites can be done in one day, but we could have easily spent more time at both the museum and battlefield.

How long does it take to tour Colonial Williamsburg?

To fully experience Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia you need about

two to three days

. With that, you can visit the all the shops, city sites and homes. Your kids can play the RevQuest spy game.

Has Colonial Williamsburg changed?

Now that legacy will receive new attention—if not scrutiny—as

its museums reopen following their COVID-19 closure and an extensive $42 million renovation

. The 301-acre attraction in Williamsburg, Virginia recreates a vision of life when the town was the capital of Colonial Virginia during the mid-18th century.

How far is Williamsburg Virginia from the beach?

Virginia Beach

A budget-friendly day at the beach is

60 miles

from Williamsburg at the region's popular beach destination in Hampton Roads' biggest city.

How far is Colonial Williamsburg from Busch Gardens?

The distance between Colonial Heights and Busch Gardens Williamsburg is

42 miles

.

How long is Duke of Gloucester Street in Williamsburg?

A stroll along Duke of Gloucester Street — or DOG Street, as it's affectionately coined by locals.

Nearly a mile

long and 100 feet wide, the pedestrian-only lane — the heart of Williamsburg's restored area — has been walked by millions of visitors, including five presidents and Queen Elizabeth.

Can I walk around Colonial Williamsburg at night?


Colonial Williamsburg is mostly pedestrianized which makes it a pleasant place to walk through day or night

. You can stroll along any of the streets for free and see the houses, shops, historically significant buildings with occasional re-enactments happening as you walk along.

Can you bring dogs to Colonial Williamsburg?

Pets at Colonial Williamsburg


Pets are very welcome at Colonial Williamsburg

– in fact they have their own doggy mascot, Liberty! Just be sure your pet is leashed, that you pick up after him, and that you don't take him in any of the buildings.

Is Colonial Williamsburg decorated for Christmas?

“No place is more beautiful at Christmas with

all the natural door decorations and electric candles in the colonial buildings lining Duke of Gloucester Street

.”

Was there cannibalism in Jamestown?

Forensic scientists say they have found the first real proof that

English settlers in 17th century Jamestown resorted to cannibalism during the “starving time”

, a period over the winter of 1609 to 1610 when severe drought and food shortages wiped out more than 80 per cent of the colony.

What happened to the Roanoke colony?

There are many theories about what became of Roanoke, none of which are particularly pleasant.

Historians have posited that the were killed by Native Americans or hostile Spaniards, or that they died off due to disease or famine, or were victims of a deadly storm

.

Is the series Jamestown based on a true story?

We know

the show is based on true history

. After the first group of male colonists landed in Virginia in 1607, the gender imbalance started to become a problem. Women were in high demand, so Jamestown's leaders set up a marital immigration process to bring wives to the colony.

Why Jamestown moved to Williamsburg?

College students actually thought of the idea to move the House of Burgesses from Jamestown to Williamsburg

after Jamestown had a terrible fire

. They presented their idea to the burgesses, and the burgesses liked it! So in 1699, the capital of the colony became Williamsburg.

What years does Colonial Williamsburg represent?

For 81 formative years, from

1699 to 1780

, Williamsburg was the political, cultural, and educational center of what was then the largest, most populous, and most influential of the American colonies.

How were Colonial Williamsburg boys educated?

Q. How were boys educated in colonial Williamsburg?

Some went to school, while others were taught by private teachers

. Most went to dame schools in private homes.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.