When you think of Williamsburg, Virginia, visions of colonial-era homes and horse-drawn carriages, mixed with roller coasters and water slides may very well come to mind… but I can assure you that this charming region is rich with so much more than just history and theme parks.
My husband and I recently spent a few days exploring the outdoorsy side of Virginia’s Historic Triangle, the region comprising Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown. We kayaked, biked, sailed, and even explored from above on a single-engine Cessna plane, and after packing in as many adventures as possible, we can confidently say this region is the perfect destination for nature-loving couples looking for an outdoorsy and adventurous escape.
From scenic hikes and serene paddling opportunities to nature-based stays and spas, Williamsburg offers a variety of activities that allow us to connect with nature and each other. Below, we’re sharing a guide to 10 of our favorite outdoorsy dates paired with where we’d recommend grabbing a meal afterward in hopes that these ideas will inspire you to plan your own romantic getaway to Williamsburg.
Take a Scenic Sunset Sail
We set out with Yorktown Sailing Charters for a sunset cruise along the York River. Our vessel for the evening was the Schooner Alliance II and our tour lasted about two hours. Our captain and deckhands were super kind and knowledgeable and happy to chat, point out wildlife, and answer any questions that we had. Sails run daily until November, and tickets can be purchased up to 30 days in advance. Chips and beverages (beer, wine, and soda) are available for purchase as well.
When our sail ended, and the sun had just set, we used the twilight to get ourselves over to the Yorktown Pub as we were starving! We were ready for a feast, and luckily for us, this pub is located right on the river, and adjacent to the dock where we just arrived. They serve up delicious pub-style meals as well as fresh, local seafood.
Relax at the Williamsburg Salt Spa
he Williamsburg Salt Spa offers services that range from relaxing in a salt cave (inspired by the famous Wieliczka Salt Mine in Poland) to sessions in their float tanks to infrared sauna sessions. So although we were indoors, the vibe was a natural one. We had a private salt cave session followed by a float and left feeling so relaxed.
Afterward, we headed to Copper Fox Distillery for a tour and a tasting. It was so cool to see how whiskey is made from start to finish. The folks at Copper Fox Distillery use locally sourced ingredients, and they’re one of the only distilleries in the nation using traditional malting processes. After our tour, we enjoyed a charcuterie board and got to sample some spirits.
Conquer an Outdoor Escape Room
Our first-ever escape room took place in the woods with Go Ape Williamsburg. We previously knew them for their adventure courses consisting of zip lines, rope bridges, and other obstacles set high in the trees, but we had no idea we could solve a mystery below their canopy of cables. If swinging from branches isn’t your cup of tea, you can flex your brain muscles trying to figure out who stole some historical artifacts with clues they left behind at camp.
After all of that thinking, we needed to switch our brains off. What better way to do that than with dinner paired with life-sized video games? At Revolution Golf and Grille, we rented a Sports Suite where we could not only play golf games, but also shooting games, dodgeball, and more.
Fly above the Historic Triangle
Experiencing Virginia’s Historic Triangle from above was definitely a highlight of our trip. We took a flight with Williamsburg Flight Center and toured Jamestown, Yorktown, and Colonial Williamsburg in just 45 minutes.
After our flight, we snagged a table at Charly’s Airport Restaurant. This spot is located right beside the runway, so we got an up-close view of the planes taking off and touching down at sunset. The sandwiches were fresh, the beer was cold, and the live music was spot on.
Bike the Virginia Capital Trail
We’d been hearing so many great things about the Virginia Capital Trail, so we headed to Spoke + Art Provisions Co. to rent some bikes and take a ride for ourselves. The trail itself is beautiful and intersects many points of interest to the south, including Billsburg Brewery and Waterfront Grill and the James City County Marina, and leads all the way to Jamestown.
After putting in about seven miles, we returned our bikes and hung out at Spoke + Art Provisions Co. for lunch and some live music. They serve cafe fare, so grab some sandwiches and take a seat on the patio out back with a coffee or a local brew.
Paddle along the Powhatan Creek
We rented SUPs from James City County Marina and set out on a peaceful morning paddle along the Powhatan Creek. The water below is calm and rich with fish, and the skies above provide a haven for local birds of prey. We spotted osprey and great blue herons and even found some bald cypress trees to paddle between!
After a few hours on the water, we returned our SUPs and walked over to Billsburg Brewery for some beer and cocktail flights and paired them with some grub from Billsburg's very own Billsburg Waterfront Grill food truck for lunch.
Ride a Stanley Steamer through Battlefields
We explored Colonial National Historical Park from an old-fashioned Steamer Wagon. This unique and ADA accessible tour winds through the site of the last battle of the American Revolutionary War where your guide will give you information on the Battle of Yorktown while pointing out historic landmarks and even playing the fife. Did you know the French fifes played Yankee Doodle at the English surrender ceremony as a way of humiliating them? The song, originally composed by the Redcoats, was written to mock the US, but it was now forcing them to acknowledge the defeat handed to them by the “ragtag” US army.
Afterward, we grabbed an ice cream cone at the Little York Confectionery and then walked a few steps over to the local institution that is Mobjack Coffee Roasters for sandwiches and an afternoon pick-me-up.
Explore Williamsburg on Foot or Horseback
We opted to explore Colonial Williamsburg on foot alongside Master Storyteller, Trish Thomas of Williamsburg Walking Tours. This area of the city has been restored to be as historically accurate as possible, and walking along its infamous streets truly makes you feel like you’ve been transported back in time.
After our tour, we walked over to Precarious Beer Hall and came back to the present with some beer flights, tacos, and spirited games of pinball.
Hike or Bike around Jamestown
But first– whether you’re in the mood for coffee or beer, Frothy Moon Brewhouse has you covered. We stopped by both before and after exploring Jamestown because we couldn’t miss the chance to try out both types of brews.
Once we were properly caffeinated, we went on a guided walking tour of Historic Jamestowne and then stopped by the Jamestown Glasshouse where we had the opportunity to observe skilled glass blowers use traditional techniques to create glass pieces the same way that Jamestown residents would have hundreds of years ago.
Take a Pedal Boat Ride in Waller Mill Park
Located a bit off the beaten path, Waller Mill Park is the perfect destination for those looking to find peace in the outdoors. We spent a morning here watching wildlife and boaters take in the scenery that surrounds this beautiful piece of land. Kayaks, canoes, and even pedal boats are available for rent onsite, and taking one out is the perfect way to spend some time on the water.
Afterwards, we headed over to Virginia Beer Company. This laidback brewery is a local favorite and boasts an outdoor patio with fire pits and a food truck. It’s also pet-friendly, so there were plenty of four-legged friends enjoying the beautiful weather as well!
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Bottom line, Williamsburg is the perfect destination for couples who love the outdoors, and whether you and your significant other are drawn to paddling along historic rivers, sharing a quiet moment out on the trails, watching the sunset as you cruise the river, or relaxing together at the spa, we hope these ideas inspire you to plan a romantic and nature-inspired getaway to Virginia’s Historic Triangle.
