Williamsburg, Virginia City Guide
For over 20 years, Pamela Lanier's Williamsburg, Virginia Travel Guide has been your connection to Williamsburg's tourism community with invaluable details on local attractions, restaurants, shopping, museums, history, outdoor recreation and more.
Historic Outings
 As the nation’s largest living history museum, the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area boasts 500 buildings, homes, stores, and taverns reconstructed and restored to their 18th century appearances and spread over 301 acres. Tradesmen practicing historic trades and domestic crafts, as well as historical actors and characters round out this incredible, never before seen experience. 90 acres of immaculate greens and gardens combine with the historical architecture to make the Colonial Williamsburg experience an entirely beautiful and enjoyable outing.
Ever wonder what the first Thanksgiving might really have been like? Then a visit to the Berkeley Plantation is for you! Berkeley was the site of the first Thanksgiving in 1619, and is the most historic plantation on the James River. Costumed guides will lead visitors through the 1726 mansion and vibrant flower gardens, offering spectacular views of the James River. Other plantations well worth visiting, include the Shirley Plantation, still operated by the eleventh generation of the Hill-Carter family, and the Sherwood Forest Plantation, home of President John Tyler.
At President’s Park wander through the artistic outdoor museum and peaceful garden where 20-foot tall busts of 43 United States Presidents are on display. The park also features a Museum Center with a café and gift shop, and themed tours pertaining to presidential history are offered.
During a visit to the Jamestown Settlement, visitors experience the beginning of America’s history through film, galleries filled with artifacts, and an outdoor living history. At the Jamestown Settlement patrons will board replicas of three ships that sailed from England to Virginia, explore life-sized creations of the colonists’ fort and a Powhatan village. From the founding of America’s first permanent English settlement to the Revolutionary War and the implementation of the Constitution, visitors are immersed in two centuries of history and will find themselves newly inspired and intrigued by history.
On October 19, 1781 British forces surrendered to American and French forces, ending the Revolutionary War at the site that is now known as Yorktown. At the Yorktown Victory Center, guests will explore an outdoor exhibit that details events leading to American colonies declaring independence from Britain. Explore the Continental Army encampment and the recreated 1780’s farm featuring a house, kitchen, tobacco barn, crop fields, and gardens. Visit the Yorktown Victory Center to see how American evolved from a colony to a nation through unique historical events.
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