What To Expect

What‘s Included

Reviews

• Step into the Past

  H5152PVrobertd,,Jan 22, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Colonial Williamsburg is a must see! Walking through this living history museum is like stepping into the past. The historical interpreters are excellent and it is a lot of fun to talk to them. Do not miss the special programs throughout the historic area and especially in the Hennage Auditorium of the Art Museums. You can easily spend a week here. The Art Museums have a beautifully decorated Folk Art Christmas tree. Would you believe some of the ornaments were made 50 years ago for the White House Christmas tree? Betty Ford asked Colonial Williamsburg to design the ornaments for the 1975 White House Christmas tree. These ornaments have made their way back to Williamsburg and are displayed on the Folk Art Christmas tree. I visited the most recently discovered original building in Colonial Williamsburg. The Williamsburg Bray School operated from 1760 to 1765 and was the oldest building in North America used for the education of Black children. The building was originally on the campus of the College of William and Mary and was moved to this site in 2023. I enjoyed speaking with the interpreters inside the classroom where both free and enslaved Black children went to school. The current archaeology project is the Peter Scott house and shop. Scott was a cabinetmaker and his shop operated here from 1733 until 1775. One of the most enjoyable programs was at the Art Museums called "Becoming History". Each program features one of the actors who portrays a National Builder speaking about his or her experience. I saw the character interpreter Ron Carnegie who portrays George Washington. He told us about his background and the preparation he did for the role. This was followed by a Q and A from the audience. Fascinating. I walked to the Military Encampment, where they demonstrated firing a three pound field gun. I visited several other sites and programs. Then I saw "Midwinter Stories", a presentation by the Native Americans. Colonial Williamsburg is one of the few museums that is open on Christmas Day. I started my exploration at the Play House Stage. They performed a modern play written in the style of the 18th century titled "The Accidental Proposal". I then walked to the Peyton Randolph House. Peyton Randolph was the first President of the Continental Congress and might have been our first President had he not died in October 1775. His coffin was on display in the dining room. Since it was a gorgeous, sunny day, I spent the afternoon outdoors watching several performances. General George Washington was the featured speaker at today's "Meet a Nation Builder" program at the Charlton Stage. I then walked down the main street and spoke to the young Patrick Henry. Later I watched the Company of Comedians perform in the middle of the street. Finally, I went back to the Charlton Stage to watch "The Promise of Freedom". British Governor Lord Dunmore fled Virginia in 1775. He issued a proclamation that any servant or slave of a rebel master who runs away, joins the British military, and takes up arms against the rebels with receive their freedom. Four actors portray characters who are affected by this proclamation. As I walked back to my hotel, I passed a house with award-winning decorations. The Catherine Orr House decorations won a ribbon for creativity.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Christmas is a wonderful...

  Donald E,,Jan 14, 2026

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Christmas is a wonderful time to visit Williamsburg. I enjoyed walking around watching the demonstrations and listening to the tour guides.

• Off season not fully open

  cubbyv,,Dec 30, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  3.00

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

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Christmas visit

  emilyrB4397PB,,Dec 29, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  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.

• This allowed us additional access to many places in Colonial Williamsburg that just walking around on your own

  Tara B,,Dec 29, 2025

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  There are so many incredible things to do in Colonial Williamsburg and I didn't know where to start. Getting this one day pass and a map at The visitor center enabled us to figure out what were the best places to see and what additional access our pass allowed. We didn't even get to see everything we wanted to see, there was so much to do! I highly recommend getting this pass because it allows you more access to places than just walking around on your own.

• 10/10 with one (big) exception

  ThatJenny,,Dec 29, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  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

  

  

  

  

• Fun experience

  johngI2296BQ,,Dec 13, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  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.

• Bring your own food

  philargyry,,Nov 25, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  3.00

  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.

• Not as Advertised

  Corporate T,,Nov 20, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  1.00

  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!!

• Great time, something for everyone

  Monique P,,Nov 13, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  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.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  
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