Colonial Williamsburg is one of the top vacation destinations in Virginia. It is the largest living history museum in the country, and it gives you the chance to explore the culture and customs of 18th-century America.
There are many Colonial Williamsburg tours that will give you a chance to explore the sites and learn even more about the history of this special place.
11 Best Colonial Williamsburg Tours
There are many excellent Colonial Williamsburg tours to choose from, including ghost tours, walking tours, and history tours. Below are my top recommendations.
1. The Original Ghosts of Williamsburg Tour
The Original Ghosts of Williamsburg Tour is one of the most popular tours in town, and for good reason!
I highly recommend going on a ghost tour of Williamsburg!
Colonial Williamsburg has centuries of rich history, and with that comes many stories of the people who lived and died there. During the tour, which always occurs at night, naturally, you’ll get a unique opportunity to walk around Colonial Williamsburg.
The excellent, entertaining tour guides will lead you to various buildings and sites, and then tell you the stories of the people who once lived there.
You’ll also get to hear of strange or unexplained phenomena that occurred in houses over the years – including strange lights, sounds, whispers, shadows, bangs, and rattles. You might even experience some of these strange occurrences yourself!
The stories are always engrossing, and they give you a chance to experience a very different side of Williamsburg. It’s definitely something you don’t want to miss!
Note that this tour is very popular and likely to sell out, so make sure to book it in advance!
- Tour Length: 1 hr, 30 minutes
- Appropriate for all ages
- Stroller and wheelchair accessible
- Maximum Tour Size: 33
➡️Click Here To Book The Original Ghosts of Williamsburg Tour!
2. Private Walking Tour through Colonial Williamsburg and William & Mary College
This private walking tour is another one of the best Colonial Williamsburg Tours! It is a great way to really get an in-depth experience at Williamsburg!
The tours will only include your group, and you’ll get to tailor it based on what you’d like to see.
The tour guides are incredibly knowledgeable and will give you a wealth of information about the history of Williamsburg that will go far beyond what you would generally learn on your own.
The tour makes stops at all of the main sites, including the Governor’s Palace, Duke of Gloucester Street, and the Capitol Building.
You’ll also get to learn more about the history of major Virginia figures, including Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry.
As a bonus, you’ll get a chance to visit and learn more about the nearby College of William and Mary too.
Note that this tour is also very popular and likely to sell out, so make sure to book it in advance!
- Tour Length: 1 hr, 45 minutes
- Appropriate for all ages
- Stroller accessible
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Private Tour
➡️Click Here To Book Private Walking Tour through Colonial Williamsburg and William & Mary College!
3. Americas Historic Triangle: Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown
The Americas Historic Triangle Tour is a great way to easily book tickets to all of the main attractions in town! This is particularly great if you’re planning to be in the Williamsburg area longer and don’t want to miss any of the main sites.
This isn’t really a tour, but instead, it’s a single ticket that will get you admission to all of the main attractions around Colonial Williamsburg, including:
- Colonial Williamsburg
- Historic Jamestown
- Jamestown Settlement
- The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
- Yorktown Battlefield
The ticket is good for seven consecutive days, so you have lots of time to visit all of these major sites.
Along with admission, you also get a free shuttle service to help you get from one site to another, which is a great bonus!
I definitely recommend purchasing this ticket if you plan on staying in the Williamsburg area for 3 or more days, and if you want to go to most of the main attractions.
- Tour Length: 1 to 7 days
- Appropriate for all ages
- Stroller accessible
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Shuttle Service Included
➡️Click Here to Book Americas Historic Triangle: Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown!
4. Full Day Historic Guided Tour to Jamestown and Yorktown with Lunch
This guided tour is a great way to not only easily visit nearby Jamestown and Yorktown, but to take your experience to a whole other level!
The tour lasts all day and includes a shuttle service that will pick you up from Williamsburg and drive you to Jamestown and Yorktown.
Along the way, you’ll get to learn more about the history behind these incredible sites.
One of the highlights of the tour is that it includes a colonial-style lunch at Chickahominy House. Some of the dishes include Virginia Ham, biscuits, and Brunswick stew. And don’t miss the delicious buttermilk pie!
The full day includes 2 hours at Jamestown Settlement, a one-hour colonial-style lunch at a local restaurant, 2 hours at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, and 2 hours at Yorktown Battlefield.
All admission tickets are also included.
- Tour Length: 9 to 10 hours
- Appropriate for all ages
- Stroller and wheelchair accessible
- Shuttle Service Included
➡️ Click Here to Book Full Day Historic Guided Tour to Jamestown and Yorktown with Lunch!
5. Williamsburg Ghosts, Witches, and Pirates Tour
As you might be able to tell, ghost tours are very popular in Colonial Williamsburg! This tour is another excellent option when you’re visiting the area.
As the name implies, this tour will give you a chance to learn more about not only ghost stories but also about pirates and witches from the early colonial period.
You can even take your tour to the next level by renting a Ghost Detector as part of the experience!
They have other merchandise you can purchase as well, so the experience is a little more commercial than some other tours, but it’s still worth it.
- Tour Length: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Appropriate for all ages
- Stroller and wheelchair accessible
➡️ Click Here to Book Williamsburg Ghosts, Witches, and Pirates Tour!
6. Patriots Tour of Colonial Williamsburg or Williamsburg 101
If you’re looking for a great way to get even more out of your Colonial Williamsburg experience, then I highly recommend this tour!
It’s another one of the best Colonial Williamsburg tours to really help you get an in-depth understanding of the history of the area!
The guides are great and very knowledgeable, and they’ll lead you on a one-hour tour of the main attractions in Williamsburg while giving you a lot of entertaining background information about the history.
I’ve explored Colonial Williamsburg on my own, but with the help of a tour guide, you’ll get much more out of the experience! Plus you’ll have even more fun along the way!
Please note that admission to Colonial Williamsburg is not included in the tour price.
- Tour Length: 1 hour
- Appropriate for all ages
- Stroller and wheelchair accessible
- Maximum Tour Size: 25
➡️ Click Here to Book Patriots Tour of Colonial Williamsburg or Williamsburg 101!
7. Colonial History Tour in Williamsburg Virginia
This is another popular guided tour of Colonial Williamsburg. This particular trip comes with the added bonus that the tour guide is dressed in period costume to really help make the period come to life.
The tour is about 1 hour and 45 minutes and features a walk through the main attractions at Williamsburg, with historic commentary along the way to make your trip even more memorable.
You’ll get a chance to learn lots of interesting information about life in colonial America, famous Virginians, and much more.
Your tour guide will help lead you to all of the top spots while also making sure you don’t miss any of the important sites along the way!
- Tour Length: 1 hour, 45 minutes
- Appropriate for all ages
- Stroller and wheelchair accessible
- Maximum Tour Size: 35
➡️ Click Here to Book Colonial History Tour in Williamsburg Virginia!
8. Private Colonial Williamsburg Breakfast – Exploring Before and After Restoration
If you’re looking for a great rainy day activity, then the Colonial Williamsburg Breakfast tour is a great option!
This private tour is one of the most unique Colonial Williamsburg tours. It features a knowledgeable guide who will give you the history of how Colonial Williamsburg was restored at the beginning of the 20th century.
The guide will meet you at the lovely and charming Williamsburg Inn, where you get a chance to enjoy a delicious breakfast.
Some of the menu options include Crab hash with poached eggs, Goodwin’s Benedict, and Steel-cut oats with fruit or nuts.
There is also a short walking tour after breakfast.
At the end of the tour, you get to keep a copy of the book “Williamsburg Before and After.”
Please note that breakfast is not included in the tour price – it is an extra cost based on what you decide to order.
- Tour Length: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Appropriate for all ages
- Stroller and wheelchair accessible
- Private tour
➡️ Click Here to Book Private Colonial Williamsburg Breakfast – Exploring Before and After Restoration!
9. Jamestown Settlement American Revolution Museum 7-Day Ticket
If you’re interested in spending more time exploring two top attractions in the area, then I highly recommend getting this 7-day museum ticket!
The ticket price will give you unlimited admission to both the fabulous Jamestown Settlement and the equally excellent American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.
You’ll be able to visit both attractions multiple times over the course of 7 consecutive days. This is a great option if you want to really take your time exploring the many facets of these museums.
Jamestown Settlement features a very detailed indoor museum that includes exhibits on the life of the early European settlers, the Native inhabitants, and enslaved people. There are many artifacts and writings on display to bring the history to life.
Jamestown also includes a fantastic replica of the original settlement, plus the ships that brought the colonists, and a native village.
The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown is another must-see attraction. It centers around the history of the American Revolution and the men and women who fought in it.
The museum features hundreds of period artifacts, an immersive movie depicting the Siege of Yorktown, plus artillery demonstrations.
- Tour Length: 1 day to 7 days
- Appropriate for all ages
- Stroller and wheelchair accessible
➡️ Click Here to Book Jamestown Settlement American Revolution Museum 7-Day Ticket!
10. Haunted Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg hosts this special evening tour program that gives you another opportunity to learn about the ghost stories behind Williamsburg.
Because it’s officially run by Colonial Williamsburg, it is also the only tour that lets you actually enter the buildings. This helps create an even more intimate and eerie experience.
I thoroughly enjoyed going on this tour. The guide was excellent and told fascinating stories about the history of Williamsburg and the people who lived there.
There are generally two tours each night: one from 7 pm to 8 pm and another from 8:30 pm to 9 pm.
- Tour Length: 1 hour
- Appropriate for ages 8 and up
- Interior spaces are not wheelchair accessible
➡️ Click Here to Buy Haunted Williamsburg!
11. Colonial Williamsburg Carriage Ride
No visit to Colonial Williamsburg would be complete without taking a carriage ride through the historic town!
A carriage ride experience is a great way to really immerse yourself in the history of this special place.
Carriage tours are particularly popular with families or as a romantic couples experience.
The carriage tours are only about 15 to 30 minutes long and will take you down Duke of Gloucester Street, which is one of the main streets running through the heart of Colonial Williamsburg.
Carriage ride tickets can only be purchased the day of at the ticketing office. There is also limited availability and they do often sell out. It’s best to arrive early in the morning to reserve a carriage tour.
➡️ Click Here to Buy Colonial Williamsburg Carriage Ride!
Where To Stay Near Colonial Williamsburg
Because Colonial Williamsburg is such a major vacation destination, there are many options of great places to stay nearby.
Below are some of my top recommendations.
📍Budget Option: The Fife and Drum Inn is a great budget option within easy walking distance to Colonial Williamsburg. It is very highly rated and features charming interior decor.
📍Mid-Range Option: The Williamsburg Lodge is a great mid-range option. It’s right next to Colonial Williamsburg. There is an indoor pool and lovely decor.
📍Luxury Option: The Williamsburg Inn is the ultimate luxury option right in the heart of Colonial Williamsburg. It features gorgeous, luxurious decor, an indoor pool, hot tub, spa, and it’s even pet friendly!
Colonial Williamsburg: FAQs
To help you make the most of your next trip to Colonial Williamsburg, here is some more information.
How long does it take to walk through Colonial Williamsburg?
You can walk through Colonial Williamsburg in as little as about 1 hour, or you can easily spend a full day or more exploring the country’s largest living history museum.
There are many buildings, gardens, inns, houses, and shops to explore, as well as plays, performances, artillery demonstrations, and much more.
Can you walk around Colonial Williamsburg for free?
Yes, you can walk around Colonial Williamsburg for free. It is an open area and it is a popular spot for running, walking, and lounging.
Please note that you will need a ticket to enter buildings or attend events, demonstrations, and shows.
How long should you spend at Colonial Williamsburg?
I recommend spending at least a full day at Colonial Williamsburg. This will give you a chance to tour the grounds, attend some of the performances, watch some of the demonstrations, go into the shops, and even get some food at the restaurants.
If you want to explore the Williamsburg and historic triangle areas (including nearby Jamestown and Yorktown), I recommend spending at least 3 to 4 days.
Is parking in Colonial Williamsburg free?
There is free parking at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center. The center is about an 11-minute walk to Colonial Williamsburg. There is also a free shuttle that can take you roundtrip from the Visitor Center to Colonial Williamsburg.
There is also a paid parking lot just a few blocks from Colonial Williamsburg.
You can learn more about parking options online.
Conclusion: Colonial Williamsburg Tours
Colonial Williamsburg is a top vacation destination in Virginia and for good reason!
To help you make the most out of your next trip there, I highly recommend taking a tour, particularly a ghost tour and a history tour. They are generally very affordable and they will really enhance your experience!
Learn even more about what to do, where to stay, and where to eat at Colonial Williamsburg!
Learn about the best things to do in Williamsburg
Learn about the best places to stay in Williamsburg
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