134 North Henry Street, Williamsburg, Virginia
757-229-1000, 1-800-HISTORY (447-8679)
The largest living history museum in the United States, Colonial Williamsburg consists of the restored 18th-century capital of colonial Virginia. Williamsburg served as the capital of Virginia, England's largest mainland North American colony, from 1699 to 1780. Stroll down Duke of Gloucester Street and explore the shops, taverns, government buildings, homes and streets of Williamsburg just as they existed when Virginia patriots like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry and George Mason frequented them. In fact, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt called Duke of Gloucester Street "the most historic avenue in all America." The restored 301-acre historic area contains 88 original buildings and hundreds of reconstructed public buildings, houses, shops and additional structures, as well as beautiful gardens and four dining taverns: Christiana Campbell's Tavern, Chowning's Tavern, King's Arms Tavern and Shields Tavern.
Colonial Williamsburg Highlights
Highlights of Colonial Williamsburg include the stately Governor's Palace, the Capitol building, Peyton Randoph Site, Raleigh Tavern, George Wythe House, and James Geddy House and Foundry. Visitors also can witness historic trade demonstrations and interactive programs throughout the historic area. Don't miss the spectacular sound of the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums, which in 2008 celebrates its 50th anniversary of performing military music in the Historic Area. The Fifes and Drums will perform in the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area five days a week until the end of December 2008 and host special monthly concerts in the Hennage Auditorium or Kimball Theatre. Fifty fiffers and drummers will participate in the 2008 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
World-Class Museums
In addition, Colonial Williamsburg operates three world-class museums within walking distance of the historic area: The DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum and Bassett Hall, once the Williamsburg home of John D. Rockefeller Jr. The Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center provides parking, information and admission tickets, as well as an introductory film, Williamsburg-The Story of a Patriot. The Visitor Center is open 365 days a year (seasonal hours).
Revolutionary City
From now until the holiday season, Colonial Williamsburg presents a two-hour interactive street performance called Revolutionary City that depicts the everyday life of Williamsburg during the Colonial era. Scenes and encounters change daily: "Building a Nation," Mondays; "Collapse of Royal Government," Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; "Citizens at War," Fridays and Sundays; and "Revolutionary Stories," throughout the week. The Revolutionary City After Dark schedule features "Revolutionary Points of View," Mondays; "In Defense of Our Liberty," Tuesdays; "Revolutionary Points of View," Wednesdays; "Lady Dunmore's Ball," Thursdays; "Revolutionary City Concert Series," Fridays; "The Gunpowder Plot," Saturdays; and "A Capitol Concert," Sundays.
Walking Tours of Colonial Williamsburg
Among the guided tours offered at Colonial Williamsburg are Behind-the-Scenes Tour at Bruton Heights, Bits and Bridles, Garden History Walk, Gardens of Gentility and Rubbish, Treasures and Colonial Life: The Archaeology Labs.
Prime Location
Colonial Wiliamsburg was a prime location for the filming of HBO's John Adams miniseries, which starred Paul Giamatti. Landmarks that appear in the film, which was based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography by David McCullough, include Greenhow Store, George Wythe House, Palace Green, Gaol, Bruton Parish Church, Robert Carter House and Governor's Palace. In addition, Queen Elizabeth II visited Colonial Williamsburg in 2007 and stayed at the luxurious Williamsburg Inn, which first opened in 1937. Other Colonial Williamsburg hotels include the Williamsburg Lodge, Providence Hall Guesthouses, Colonial Houses-Historic Lodging, Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel & Suites and Governor's Inn. Colonial Williamsburg is also home to the new 20,000-square-foot Spa of Colonial Williamsburg: A Continuum of Wellness.
Championship Golf Colonial Williamsburg's legendary Golden Horseshoe Golf Club offers 45 holes of championship golf. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, the Gold Course at Golden Horseshoe was awarded 4 1/2 stars by Golf Digest. The Green Course at Golden Horseshoe was designed by Rees Jones and has hosted several USGA Championships. The popular 9-hole Spotswood Course was also designed by Robert Trent Jones.
Colonial Williamsburg Attractions Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum
African American Religion Exhibit
Apothecary Bassett Hall
Benjamin Powell House Blacksmith Shop
Brickyard
Bruton Parish Church
Cabinetmaker
Capitol
Coffeehouse
Colonial Garden & Nursery
Cooper Courthouse Dewitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum
George Wythe House
Governor's Palace & Kitchen Great Hopes Plantation
Gunsmith
Harness & Saddlemaker
James Geddy House & Foundry
Magazine & Guardhouse Mary Stith House Milliner & Tailor
Peyton Randolph House & Kitchen
Post Office
Powell House
Presbyterian Meetinghouse
Printing Office & Bookbindery
Public Gaol
Public Hospital
Ravenscroft Archaelogical Site
Robert Carter House
Shoemaker
Silversmith
Tavern Ghost Walks & Talks
Thomas Everard House
Weaver & Basketmaker
Wetherburn's Tavern
Wheelwright
Wigmaker
Colonial Williamsburg Dining
Bay Room
Chowning's Tavern
Christiana Campbell's Tavern
Huzzah!
King's Arms Tavern
Regency Room
Shields Tavern
Colonial Williamsburg Annual Events
Christmas Homes Tour
Colonial Williamsburg Antique Forum
First Night Celebration
Fourth of July at Colonial Williamsburg
Grand Illumination
Home & Garden Tour
