Not 20 miles apart are three areas that played major roles in the birth story of the United States. We had the opportunity to visit this part of Virginia in August of 2023 and had a fantastic time. Here is what we learned, did, and recommend; starting with Colonial Williamsburg. In our next post we will cover Historic Jamestown and Yorktown.
Colonial Williamsburg
History With Rob: Colonial Williamsburg
From the moment you drive into Williamsburg, you are transported in time to Colonial America. I have always been fascinated with this area because of the first British colony that was established in Jamestown (just down the road). But I have come to appreciate the rich history right here in Williamsburg and the real life sights and sounds of this experience.
Williamsburg was the capital of Virginia for nearly a century (1699-1780) and is home to the second oldest college in America (William & Mary). Given the importance of Virginia and its inhabitants leading up to the American Revolution, it felt surreal to walk these streets and meander through these historic buildings. Thomas Jefferson studied here and was an apprentice to local George Wythe. It was also from George Wythe’s residence that George Washington planned the famous Battle of Yorktown. And just up the street from this home is the extravagant Governor’s Palace, where Lord Dunmore watched in fear as the revolution began bubbling right outside his front door. While much of the heart and passion of this time period is represented in Boston, Williamsburg is deeply symbolic to the transfer of power from the British to the American Colonists. And with the Battle of Yorktown victory in 1781 just a few miles away, within this one area, you can experience the full circle of Colonial American history.
- William & Mary College established in 1693
- Capital of Virginia Colony from 1699-1780
- Notable historic figures: Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, James Monroe, Ben Franklin, James Madison, Patrick Henry, George Wythe, and Peyton Randolph
Kendall’s Tips: Colonial Williamsburg
How to Visit Williamsburg: Williamsburg and the rest of Virginia’s Historic Triangle are truly not to be missed on a variety of different trips to the East Coast of the United States. With Virginia in the middle of the Atlantic Coast, a trip from the north down or the south up (which is what we did) should include a visit to Virginia’s Historic Triangle. Or, if you are visiting Washington, D.C., a day or two trip out of the capital is definitely recommended.
Stay: Now, there are tons of hotel options in Williamsburg and the surrounding area, but I have to say that I think our choice was a HUGE reason we loved Williamsburg SO much. After one of the more affordable hotels that we had been considering was no longer available, we decided to spring for the historic Williamsburg Inn. And, can I just say, I am so glad we did! Truly, it was like we were staying in the White House. Beautifully decorated to the colonial nines! And the decor was just the start. We were greeted in our room with a welcome letter and a lovely little gift upon our arrival. Then each night we returned to a room that had been prepared with turndown service, including slippers, fresh bottles of water, and a nightcap for mom and dad.
Not only did we feel like kings and queens, we were literally walking the same staircase as actual royalty – Queen Elizabeth II (and many more world leaders and famous individuals from the past visited the Historic Area, and stayed at the Williamsburg Inn.)
We felt truly immersed in history and the thriving American colony of the 18th century – except, of course, a super luxurious and vacation-like immersion with all of the modern comforts.
Another wonderful thing about the hotel is that it is located within Colonial Williamsburg and is walking distance to the Historic Area. The few blocks of Colonial Williamsburg are lined with working shops and various scheduled reenactments and tours. The schedule changes daily, so it is wise to see what is open and happening on the day(s) you will be there to make sure you get to see what you want. We didn’t have much of an agenda and just followed the Continental Union flags (indicating the shops and exhibits that were open for visitors).
Tickets: To be allowed to enter the shops and take part in the tours you are required to purchase tickets. There are a variety of options to fit your trip. We purchased the America’s Historic Triangle Ticket, so we could see and do as much as possible in the area.
Serendipitously, our first stop was Tarpley, Thompson, and Company, a store that carried a variety of hats, clothing, and other gifts and products of the time. I recommend this shop as an early stop if you or your travelers want to get something in the colonial style to wear on your visit. This will maximize your purchase, before returning home and it getting tossed in the costume bin to rarely be worn again. (Though I am pleased to report that Kellan has worn his tricorn hat once more to rep Alexander Hamilton for a school dress-up day!)
On our stay, we spent one full day exploring Colonial Williamsburg. We did not get to see and do everything that was available, but we felt fulfilled in our visit. Within our day, there were a few stops that stood out to me as not-to-miss on a visit to this place, that has an infinite amount of things to do and see:
George Wythe House – This original home was incredibly rich with American history. I knew nothing of George Wythe prior to our visit, but we learned of his importance to the Revolutionary era. Not only did Thomas Jefferson stay as a house guest here for many months, it is theorized that George Washington planned the Battle of Yorktown in this home as well. To walk the same halls and stairs as these legends of America made them real. You could feel the human connection in your bones, realizing it was only a dozen generations ago, and they were people just like us.
Historic reenactments – We visited in early August and the colonists were publicly reading the Declaration of Independence to other townspeople as would have been done throughout the colonies, following it’s issuance on July 4, 1776. What made this performance particularly compelling was the way in which different townspeople interjected their feelings about what was being declared. The most powerful was the man that challenged some of the ideals presented in the historic document, contrasting the famous words with the reality he faced as an enslaved person. It was well performed and didn’t shy away from the paradox of fighting for freedom in a nation built by enslaved people. These performances vary throughout the year and align with the seasons and holidays.
(Video watchers: First, turn on the volume. Second, who knew they had U-Haul in the 18th century? It’s a working town, and someone was moving into one of the buildings. They should have transported their goods by carriage. :P)
King’s Arms Tavern: One of the four historic taverns in Colonial Williamsburg, the King’s Arms Tavern was both delicious and educational. There are seating times (that must be reserved) for each multi-tabled dining room, so that the wait staff can present and lead all of the tables through the meal with colonial etiquette and and fun facts about tavern meals in the colonial period. This dinner was definitely a highlight for all of us! We had to skip the famous Peanut Soupe, with Kellan’s allergy, but we all very much enjoyed our meals and the entire experience. (Rob was the most adventurous, ordering A Game Pie.)
Finally, if you are staying in Colonial Williamsburg for a few days, as we did, there are many more dining options just outside the Historic Area. William and Mary (college) is a part of Colonial Williamsburg, and with any college town come many great places to eat and drink. So if you are looking to explore in the evening and you do not have reservation at one of the historic taverns or a scheduled ghost tour, there are still plenty of options to keep you fed and entertained. We had a delicious pizza dinner and really enjoyed the after-dark stroll back to the hotel… The fireflies were magic!
Kellan Suggests:
Colonial Williamsburg
Williamsburg is a great place if your kids are really into history. You really feel like you are in the 18th century. One of the best things for kids, that we found, was the maze at the Governor’s Palace. We played in the maze trying to get to the center before the others did. It’s a really fun thing to do when it’s cooler outside. It was a good break from all the tours.
Another cool thing for families is the outdoor area behind the Williamsburg Inn. Bridget and I played out in the big grassy area, playing under the trees and running around. Being out here in the sunset was really beautiful and if you need a break from Historic Williamsburg this is a great place to be… also, you don’t have to stay here to enjoy it.
Best of with Bridget:
Colonial
Williamsburg
First, the shops! I liked the way they had the straw hats, the tricorn hats like Kellan got, and bonnets. I also like the gown and leather making shops. It was fun being able to touch the buttons and the leather, and also they told us how they made leather and how they sewed it into clothes. Many of the shops sold what you saw them make. Everything that you could buy was made in the shops of Colonial Williamsburg. Also, the people working there would tell you how they made the items and some would tell how they lived in the olden days.
My other favorite thing was that if you stay at the Williamsburg Inn they treat you like a princess (or a prince). The bathroom was amazing because it was giant. The bathtub was big and the shower was big. Also, they gave you bubbles so you could take a bubble bath and shampoo and conditioner that you could take home. I felt really special and cared for staying here. Every night they gave us four chocolates. They gave our parents special drinks, and the kids and grown ups could use a small fancy cup to drink water out of. This was one of the most fanciest places I have ever stayed at.
Thanks for reading! Please give us a “like” and leave us a comment, if you enjoyed our tips on Colonial Williamsburg.
The Beautiful Wandering 