Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Wiiliamsburg is my second favorite travel destination. I was there one as a freshman high schooler and once as an adult.
I'm a history buff so Williamsburg with it's colonial realism is right up my alley. It's as though you're literally transported back in time.
The best way to see Williamsburg is to walk it so wear comfy shoes.
As a kid my favorite was the fife and drum corp because it was all kids around my same age.
My claim to fame on my first visit to Williamsburg was my visit to the Governor's Palace. It was so mobbed that people were shoulder-to-shoulder. Having toured it, I couldn't imagine why it was so mobbed. I managed to lose my family in this crowd, then suddenly spotted them in the distance. I took off running full tilt before I lost sight of them in the crowd again...
I accidentally bumped into a young woman, knocking her to the ground and was suddenly being grabbed by all of these big burly guys. None of which looked too friendly. I'm struggling to get free of them while shouting "LET GO OF ME!" at the top of my lungs, as my family was once again fading into the mass of people and I doubted I'd find them a second time.
I very quickly said to the young woman I'd just bowled over "Sorry!" as I offered my hand to help her up, only to have the big burly guys prevent me from touching her. Then I took off running again, managing to catch up with my family in the crowd.
My dad looked at me and said "Hey did you see the Queen of Nepal?"
OOOOPS!!!
Wellllllll Dad....now that ya mention it...
I just knocked her on her royal ass.
If you're going to go to Williamsburg GO BIG I always say. Plant a few royals on their butts during your visit. Leave 'em with that indelible impression of those rude Americans. LOL
(Shakes head at self) So yeah, that's my claim to fame with Williamsburg.
Good thing that incident didn't happen back in the 18th century! I could've found myself in the gaol, awaiting trial and likely, execution by hanging.
Having worked in a maximum security jail, the gaol was of particular interest to me. If today's inmates think they have it anywhere close to tough, they should spend a couple of nights shackled in the Williamsburg gaol. Yes, if you were facing execution they put your coffin right in your cell with you and at least one of the cells had a view of the gallows where the prisoner would be hung.
They didn't mess around in those days. There were 10 days before trial and execution. No plea bargains or endless appeals. 10 days start to finish, over and done with. Next prisoner please!
THE BLACKSMITH SHOP
Blacksmiths begin their day by lighting fires in the forges outfitted with bellows and a hood to carry away smoke. Once the fires are roaring, they heat bars of iron and use sledges weighing up to 12 pounds to hammer the heated bars into various shapes. The Blacksmiths work with other trades to make tools and other materials, such as nails for the Carpenters.
Many of the colonists clothes were made of materials like wool and I found myself wondering hwo these blacksmiths didn't just keel over from heat stroke! It got really hot in that blacksmith shop during the summer.
THE TINSMITH
The Tinsmith's shop is right next door to the Blacksmith's shop. The following video will give you a good idea of what the Tinsmiths did and what they made.
THE SILVERSMITH
The Silversmith was also considered part of the armory although I'm not quite sure why since they primarily transformed coins and outdated silverware into more fashionable silver pieces for a home's parlor and dining room (cups, teapots, spoons) as well as items for personal adornment.
THE WEAVER
I did weaving in college so this shop was very interesting too.
When English imports were cut off by the Revolution, local weavers came forward to fill the need for everyday items. Watch how flax, cotton, and wool are converted from tangled masses into orderly, precise fabrics—ranging from simple linens for shirts and shifts to blankets, towels, dyed wool for needlework, and stout woolens for military uniforms.
If you've ever done weaving start to finish (flax to yarn to dying to constructing a garment) it's incredibly time consuming and laborious so you can really appreciate watching these weavers at work.
MILLINER & MANTUA MAKER
These are the (primarily) women who made clothing, accessories and updated older fashions into the more modern 18th century fashions.
Most people knew how to sew in the 18th century. As a basic life skill, sewing was taught to boys and girls from all levels of society as part of their practical education. But knowing how to sew didn’t mean that everyone knew how to make clothing. Cutting out the shapes for garments and fitting them to a unique body was something an individual had to be trained to do through a formal apprenticeship.
Only professionals had the full range and depth of skill necessary to produce clothing. While sewing did happen at home, it was the kind of sewing that mended and maintained a wardrobe, rather than the sewing that manufactured it from start to finish.
So how much of a wardrobe did an 18th century woman have? That's actually kind of a difficult question to answer, but we have a list made out by Martha Jefferson, wife of Thomas Jefferson:
"16 gowns (18 if you count the 2 “to be made up”), 9 petticoats, 18 aprons, and 20 shifts."
I'm not sure what motivated Martha to make this list. "“Thomas, I only have 16 gowns! I simply must go shopping before the season begins!” ???
THE WOODWORKING TRADES
Woodworking trades include carpenters, who use hand tools to transform trees into lumber, cut and raise timber building frames, and provide finishes such as siding and roofing; joiners, who produce finish work for buildings including doors, windows, shutters, and cupboards; cabinetmakers, who fashion intricate details of luxury products with hand tools; harpsichord makers, specialized craftspeople who build stringed keyboard musical instruments; coopers, who transform flat boards into barrels of assorted shapes and sizes; and wheelwrights, who combine wood and iron to make functional vehicle wheels.
THE APOTHECARY
What was it like to be sick or injured in colonial times? Meet the apothecaries and learn how medicine, wellness, and surgical practices of the 18th century compare to today.
THE GUNSMITH
Of course since we were fighting the American Revolution and people hunted for game, there had to be a resident gunsmith to make the guns.
THE PRINTER & BOOKBINDER
In an age before TV, radio, and the internet, the printed word was the primary means of long-distance mass communication. Watch and learn as printers set type and use reproduction printing presses to manufacture colonial newspapers, political notices, pamphlets, and books.
Binding books—especially fancy ones—was a specialized and time-consuming craft.
GARDENING & FARMING
The gardeners and farmers of Williamsburg are so interesting to watch working, using 18th century tools and gardening methods.
Plots within the garden represent provision gardens of the enslaved and American Indians, as well as the luxury gardens that ornamented the landscape of wealthy households.
The well-being of the entire colonial economy was dependent on the farmers' crops. This involves the growing and harvesting of tobacco, corn, wheat, flax, and cotton.
THE WIGMAKER
Routinely wearing a wig may seem strange to us, especially for men, but it communicated the wearer's elegance, his station in society, and even his occupation. With the skill of a barber and hairdresser combined, wigmakers fashioned "perukes" of quality and distinction.
Those are just some of the sights and working shops you can expect to see at Williamsburg.
We have it so easy now compared to our forefathers. One has to wonder what they would say if they could return and see how their trades and occupations have developed?
Accommodations
On my first visit to Williamsburg we stayed in a hotel outside of Williamsburg itself as it was less expensive. However, on my second visit with hubby we stayed at the Williamsburg Inn in the heart of the Williamsburg historic district. It was well worth the extra money ($450+per night) just for that once-in-a-lifetime experience. And one didn't have to argue with driving to Williamsburg, parking the car and all that. I liked too that staying inside Williamsburg didn't break that feeling you'd traveled back in time.
The Williamsburg Inn first opened to guests in 1937 and John D. Rockefeller Jr. designed the Inn to look more like a gracious country residence than a traditional hotel.
The Williamsburg Inn is intimate with just 62 guestrooms and suites. The Inn's guest rooms are decorated in three distinctive styles: floral, classic, and restoration. All rooms feature period furnishings, original artwork, and handmade silk window treatments.
It is the only luxury-premium hotel owned by Colonial Williamsburg that has an evening turndown service with night spreads, slippers, robes, and an evening turndown tray.
(It was also the first American hotel to have air conditioning.)
The Williamsburg Inn is also home to the elegant and formal restaurant, the Regency Room. This upscale restaurant celebrates classic American cuisine with traditional European roots.
Colonial Williamsburg has packages that include tickets, meals, golf, and spa treatments so bed sure to scope this out before booking a reservation. Currently they're offering a Bed & Breakfast package that includes 2 free admission tickets.
Incidentally, if you're a dog owner the Inn has dog friendly rooms.
Dining
Williamsburg offers great dining options but my personal favorite is the King Arms Tavern if you want an authentic colonial dining experience.
Originally opened by Jane Vobe in 1772, this authentic reproduction public house serves up a transporting experience for the senses in Colonial Williamsburg. Everything is true to the time period at King’s Arms Tavern, from the fashion sported by servers to the pewter candlesticks—all adding to an air of colonial elegance. Inspired by 18th-century recipes but with updates to suit 21st-century tastes, tuck into a chophouse menu featuring prime rib, pork chops, and more..
There's always live music of some kind, performed by musicians in colonial dress. The food is very good as was the service.
The only drawback to King's Arms Tavern is that it can get quite noisy when it's full of diners.
There is an ADA accessible dining area but one must check in at the front desk and you will be taken to that dining room in what's called the "Purdic Kitchen".
TERRACE & GOODWIN ROOMS
While staying at the Williamsburg Inn, hubby and I did have breakfast at the Terrace & Goodwin Rooms before setting out that morning to explore more of Williamsburg.
Goodwin Room
Terrace Room
Relaxed yet luxurious, The Terrace and Goodwin Rooms retain The Williamsburg Inn’s charm and sophistication while serving up contemporary expressions of American classics. At breakfast in the Terrace Room or Goodwin Room, enjoy Chef’s morning amuse-bouche to jumpstart your day, followed by a two-course prix-fixe menu featuring new creative dishes and showcasing signatures such as the Tidewater Omelet with Chesapeake blue crab and the Goodwin Benedict with Virginia ham.
I ordered the Cinnamon Brioche French Toast which was delicious and filling.
Hubby ordered the Eggs Benedit and they too were delicious, especially the blistered tomatoes that neither of us had tried before.
While the atmosphere is casual but elegant, there is a bit of a dress code.
Casual attire is fine but sportswear and flip flops are both a no-no.
The Terrace & Goodwin Rooms are open for breakfast and dinner.
Menu items are a bit on the pricier side.
I'd recommend reservations at any of the sit down Williamsburg restaurants.
CHRISTIANA CAMPBELL'S TAVERN
Christiana's is another of my Williamsburg favorites and it was George Washington's favorite hangout.
It's known for it's seafood so enjoy the historically inspired, locally acquired menu of shrimp, scallops, and fish, and of course their world-renowned crab cakes and spoon bread.
The crab cakes and fried chicken are my personal favorites.
The food is great as was the service. Again, a bit on the pricier side but not quite as expensive as the Terrace Room at Williamsburg Inn and you'll get more than enough to eat as the portions are large.
Christiana's is only open from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday for dinner.
Please note: Campbell’s Tavern is not ADA-accessible and Cellar experience is exclusively walk-up only. Seating is limited, so be sure to arrive early to secure your place.
Other Williamsburg attractions
If you're into the paranormal (I'm an internationally certified psychic medium) and if you can swing it, try to visit Williamsburg when the Dead of Night Tour takes place.
This ghost tour is not just a walk through a historic town. It’s an immersive experience that will leave you feeling spooked. You’ll be transported back in time to the colonial era, where you’ll learn about the lives of the early settlers, and the spirits that still linger in the shadows.
Knowledgeable guides in costume will take you to the most haunted sites in Williamsburg, including the Peyton Randolph house, often referred to as one of the most haunted houses in America, and the jail house, where people have reported eerie experiences that defy rational explanation. The Dead of Night Ghost Tour is an opportunity to experience the darker side of Williamsburg history and uncover the secrets of its past.
Your expert guides will use paranormal equipment to summon the ghostly spirits!!!
This is the most popular ghost tour at Williamsburg and sells out FAST so you need to make your reservations early.
Ages 12-99, max of 25 per group. Price of tour is currently $30 per person. Tours last 1 hour and 45 minutes and start after dark, usually 9 to 10 p.m. Check the link above for more details.
The tour is completely wheelchair accessible.
PIRATE WALKING TOUR
Kids and adults alike will love this tour.
If you’re looking for an entertaining yet educational experience in Colonial Williamsburg, the Pirate Tour is an absolute must! I went in expecting a fun adventure for all ages, and it did not disappoint. From the moment we set out, our guide – dressed in authentic pirate attire – captivated us with tales of daring buccaneers, colonial intrigue, and the real-life pirates who roamed Virginia’s waters. The tour is well-paced, blending pirate legends with historical context, so you feel like you’re stepping back in time. Along the way, we learned about the brutal realities of piracy, and even picked up some “pirate lingo.” Highlights included hearing about Blackbeard’s dramatic capture and the significant role of piracy in colonial economics and politics. Whether you’re a history buff or just in it for the swashbuckling fun, the Pirate Tour at Colonial Williamsburg is a fantastic way to experience this part of history.
Cost of the tour is currently $25 per person. Tours last approx. 1 hour 45 minutes.
Wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Ultimate Pirate Walking Tour in Colonial Williamsburg for more information and to book online.
CARRIAGE RIDES
Carriage rides close during the winter months but reopen in March.
You can book on 4 different varieties of carriages or opt for a stage wagon. It's a fun and unique way to tour Williamsburg when your feet are worn out.
Visit the link above for more information.
That concludes my tour of Colonial Williamsburg. It's not only a fun but educational place to visit for both kids and adults.
TIP FOR PARENTS: As a kid my dad purchased each of us a tricorn hat for us to wear while we visited Williamsburg. We absolutely LOVED THIS because it made us feel like we belonged in Williamsburg. And you can always use it again for Halloween or a costume party.
