Helpful Things to Know As You Plan a Trip to Williamsburg Virginia

The year 2026 is a big one for America, with a 250th anniversary celebration and special events around the country. And now more than ever, places like Virginia’s Historic Triangle—Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown—will serve to educate visitors on the tumultuous early days of America. Our family has visited Williamsburg several times over the years, including school field trips and family vacations, but I was reminded during our most recent visit in 2026 of how important these places, people, and important events are to the world we live in and the freedoms we experience today.

So with all the sites and activities in the area, what is the best way to plan a trip to Williamsburg, Virginia to celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary? Read on to find helpful things to know as you plan a trip to Williamsburg, Virginia. We have included what to see in Virginia’s Historic Triangle, ticketing options, parking information, where to stay and more. And if you are looking to explore other parts of Virginia, check out our list of 30 things to do when you visit Virginia.

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Start by browsing hotels in the Williamsburg area

As you begin, planning, it’s important to first understand how much there is to see, whether tickets are required, and what sites are on your must-see list. Start by reading this overview with essential information to help plan a Williamsburg vacation.

General Williamsburg Trip Planning Tips

Colonial Williamsburg includes 301 acres in the historic area of Williamsburg, home to 18th century buildings including 89 that are original. It’s the kind of place where you can expect to spend a big chunk of time in conversation with each period actor you encounter, reading informational plaques at the historic sites and museums, and generally learning about colonial life.

The best way to get an all-encompassing learning experience of America’s early days in Virginia is to combine the sites in Colonial Williamsburg with visits to nearby Jamestown (the first permanent English settlement) and Yorktown (home to the engaging American Revolution Museum at Yorktown as well as the Yorktown Battlefield and Yorktown Victory Monument).

Travel time from the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center to the Jamestown Settlement is about 20 minutes, and roughly 22 minutes to drive from the Visitor Center to the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. Note that as of January 2026, multi-year construction along the Colonial Parkway is still ongoing, with work expected to be substantially completed by June 30, 2026.

How to get to Colonial Williamsburg. Williamsburg is situated between the larger cities of Richmond and Norfolk. Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport is the smallest nearby airport. Both Richmond International Airport and Norfolk International Airport are just under an hour away. Driving from the DC area, typically takes under 3 hours. If you want to reach Williamsburg by train, the Amtrak Northeast Regional provides service to Williamsburg.

How much time do you need in each location? Even with an early start, visitors can easily spend one to several days in Colonial Williamsburg. Activities include exploring the historic town/area by foot, chatting with interpreters and period actors, entering buildings to watch demonstrations (tickets required), stopping for a show, and visiting the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum and the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum.

In Yorktown, expect to spend a few hours at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown and the afternoon at the Yorktown Battlefield, a national park site, with a break for lunch by the water. Most visitors plan for at least half a day at the Jamestown Settlement and Historic Jamestowne.

What are the ticket options? Many guests purchase multi-day ticket. Consider multi-day tickets. Combinations include variations of sites in the Historic Triangle, and even nearby Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and in the summer, Water Country USA passes. You can read more below to understand where tickets are required:

• Colonial Williamsburg ticket options
• America’s Historic Triangle Ticket (be sure to read directions about ticket validation)
• Combination tickets for the Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
• Four-site value tickets for Jamestowne Settlement, Historic Jamestowne, the Yorktown Battlefield (a national park site), and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.
• Busch Gardens Bounce Ticket: this ticket combines Busch Gardens with Colonial Williamsburg over 5 days.

Plus there are additional discounts for teachers, military personnel, and others. Check out the Colonial Williamsburg Stay and Play packages with hotels that are strategically located around town. Visitors can also purchase various ticket packages at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center.

In celebration of America’s 250th, from now through December 31, 2026, take advantage of the Virginia 250 Passport that includes sites in five regions of Virginia from the mountains to the Tidewater. You can use the passport for discounted admission across Virginia.

How do I balance all the activities? History overload, summer heat, and tired feet are all good reasons to ensure a balance of activities. Consider heading out to stroll the historic streets in the early part of the day, then change things up mid-day by stepping into the free museums. A few of the local hotels and resorts have fun pool areas where guests can spend an afternoon floating on a lazy river (Kingsmill) or at the Pool & Splash Park (Woodland Hotel and Suites), then return in the early evening for dinner and a stroll (or ghost tour!)

The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown is world-class and kid-friendly, with awesome immersive exhibits and holograms, a surround theater, and short films. Another nice feature is if the museum gets overwhelming, you can easily head outside to the re-creations of a colonial-era farm, continental army encampment, and various live demonstrations and talks, then return to the indoor museum. The nearby Riverwalk, home to seasonal Yorktown Market Days and a pedestrian walking path, is also great for a change of scenery.

In Jamestown, most of your visit will be spent outside, so plan accordingly, especially in the hot summer months. As a family, we have found that despite complaints from the kids, getting an early start is always a good idea!

Where do I park for a day in Colonial Williamsburg? The Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center is a good place to start your visit, with the option to leave your car for the day for a fee and take the free shuttle to Colonial Williamsburg. If you wanted a bit more exercise, or to wear out the kids, you could also walk to Colonial Williamsburg from the visitor center. Did I mention there is a lot of walking in Colonial Williamsburg?

Inside the visitor center you can purchase tickets, get information about daily events, and watch an orientation movie. There are also several small paid parking lots around town, but expect large crowds and limited parking during the height of tourist season; if this is your choice, arrive early.

Where to Stay in the Williamsburg Area. Williamsburg is a popular destination for families and history lovers so plan well in advance, especially in 2026. There is no shortage of choices, ranging from chain and suite hotels, condos, resorts, rentals, and even historic houses! You can browse hotels in the Williamsburg area here.

Some, like the elegant Williamsburg Inn, are walking distance to Colonial Williamsburg with its historic taverns, museums, and houses. Popular family hotels, like the Comfort Suites Williamsburg Historic Area where we stayed, are just a short drive away, and many include breakfast, a nice money-saver. Years ago we enjoyed the Kingsmill Resort on the James River, and it’s still a popular choice, with 1 to 3-bedroom condos available.

If camping or RV travel is your thing, Williamsburg Campground is another option with campsites, cabins, yurts, and RV spots. It’s located about 8 miles away from the Visitor Center.

Are tickets required to visit Colonial Williamsburg?

Most visitors choose to immerse themselves in the full Colonial Williamsburg experience and purchase a single or multi-day ticket, required for entry into most historic buildings (including the Capitol, Governor’s Palace, the Courthouse, and others), gardens, indoor historic re-creations with tradespeople engaging in woodworking and blacksmithing, and some performances. Other ticketed events include live music, tours, and special shows. Browsing the events schedule before you go will provide you with details of the action-packed daily schedule in the historic area.

Tickets are also required for the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, as well as Jamestown Settlement, and Historic Jamestowne. The Yorktown Battlefield is a national park, so if you have an annual pass then access is free! Otherwise, the entrance fee can be paid inside the national park visitor center. Check out the National Park app for the latest information on the park.

What Can I See in Williamsburg Without a Ticket?

Without tickets, you can still stroll the historic area of Colonial Williamsburg (spread over 301 acres), view buildings from the outside, enjoy street performances, and learn from the informational signs along the way. A handful of places, including the Williamsburg Bray School and Market Square, are open to the public, with on-site interpreters to provide historical information.

When we visited in January, it was a quiet day on the streets, perfect for a relaxing stroll around the historic neighborhood, stopping to read the informational signs and taking photos.

Two museums, the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum and the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, are both free to visit. I loved the Folk Art Museum, with its emphasis on whimsical pieces and pop culture pieces. Where else can you find a Hippoceros with a record player hidden under its back? Or beautifully carved wooden carousel animals? The museums are connected, and showcase exhibits that focus on three centuries of art.

Kids can download a one-page Eye Spy activity to enhance their visit, and will enjoy engaging exhibit rooms like Down on the Farm, which traces the story of a city dog as he adventures in the country. Items from colonial life include the Making Music in Early America exhibit with a collection of period instruments. Short docent-led tours are always a good bet.

What Else is There to Do in the Williamsburg Area

In Williamsburg, Merchants Square is home to a variety of shops and restaurants. This is where you can pick up souvenirs, books, local peanuts, Christmas ornaments, sandwiches and snacks. We enjoyed sandwiches from the well-loved Cheese Shop on the outside patio. The area is also home to historic taverns, breweries, like Precarious Beer Project and the Amber Ox Public House, and wineries. Unfortunately several of the taverns along with the brew pubs were closed during our January visit so we couldn’t check them out.

When you visit a city with such a storied past, it’s likely to be filled with ghostly tales. Head out on the Colonial Ghosts: Ghostly Whispers of Williamsburg tour to hear stories of the past and get a new perspective on some of the historic buildings after dark. Our guide was fabulous, sharing stories and personal experiences that kept us immersed during our after dark walking tour. As a bonus, because it was a slow week after the busy holidays, we essentially had a private tour.

Families often combine a visit to Williamsburg with a day at nearby Busch Gardens Williamsburg (and Water Country USA in the summer months.) Voted “the world’s most beautiful theme park”, in addition to over a half dozen coasters, visitors can stroll through the park’s villages, stopping for a show in England at the Globe Theater or a beer in Germany. The park offers seasonal events, and is closed on certain dates in winter.

Williamsburg is also home to The College of William and Mary, founded in 1693. We have found that it’s never too early to take the kids for a stroll on a college campus!