Make your own family history in Williamsburg, Virginia
Those who have enjoyed Williamsburg, Virginia, before know one thing for sure: It’s not a vacation to be…
Your browser is not supported for this experience.
We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.
From getting here and getting around, to everything in between—here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about traveling to Williamsburg.
Q: What is the “Historic Triangle” and what is the significance of the name?
A: The Historic Triangle is a triangular-shaped region in southeastern Virginia, bordered by the James and York Rivers, that encompasses the span of America’s British colonial past. Connected by the 23-mile Colonial Parkway, the three points of the “triangle” are Jamestown, where America’s first permanent English settlement was founded in 1607; Williamsburg, the 18th-century capital of the most populous of Britain’s 13 American colonies; and Yorktown, where the decisive battle of the American Revolution was won in 1781. The area is a multifaceted travel destination, with historic sites, living history museums, theme parks, recreation venues, lodging, dining, and shopping.
Q: What attractions are close to Williamsburg?
A: Williamsburg is well known for its historic landmarks; however, the region is also home to world-class golf, shopping, restaurants, theme parks, and sports and entertainment venues.
Q: Williamsburg is known as a history destination. What else does it have to offer?
A: Williamsburg provides a variety of activities that appeal to visitors of all ages. Summer offers water parks, roller coasters, treetop adventure courses, biking, hiking, swimming and kayaking. Fall brings an outdoor arts festival, harvest dinners, beer fests, and bewitching programs. The holiday season includes fireworks, music, candlelit windows, natural decorations, and special programming, including Christmas Town at Busch Gardens, Christmas trees, music, and food to delight all ages. Any time of year, visitors enjoy plenty of shopping choices and dining venues ranging from elegant fine dining to energetic atmospheres, with seafood, farm-to-table, craft beers, and creative wine selections on menus throughout the area. Golf courses, tennis courts, spas, art museums, and gardens are open year-round.
Q: What’s the most popular season for visitors?
A: With its relatively mild climate, Williamsburg is a popular destination all year round. Families, couples, and business groups have plenty to do all year, from the first hints of spring through the destination’s core summer season and holiday celebrations.
Q: What kind of activities for children does the destination offer?
A: Williamsburg offers a host of outdoor and indoor adventures that are perfect for children of all ages. Young children can play all day with Elmo and his furry friends while their older siblings enlist in the rebel army in support of the American Revolution. Adventurous kids can fly through the treetops, race around the track, and, believe it or not, explore the strangest oddities in the world.
Q: What outdoor activities are available in Williamsburg?
A: There is more to discover here than most people think. From treetop adventure courses to plenty of walking, biking, and boating opportunities, Williamsburg is a surprisingly diverse spot for outdoor activities. The region’s three rivers, the James, York, and Chickahominy, offer 152 miles of shoreline plus miles of marshlands and beach ready to be explored. Some of the best still-water paddling can be found practically year-round. Visitors can bring their own kayaks or canoes, but there are plenty of places to rent them during the day. Walking and biking trails wind through historical sites, forests, meadows, and along creeks, with one park having more than 20 miles of the best mountain biking trails in the region.
Q: Where can I get information about events taking place in the area?
A: VisitWilliamsburg.com is a great resource for visitors to the Williamsburg area. The site contains event calendars and other information visitors will find useful as they plan their stay.
Q: What’s the weather like in Williamsburg?
A: Williamsburg enjoys a moderate climate that experiences a gentle version of all four seasons. It’s not unusual to see golfers out on Christmas Day. Summers do get hot and humid, but the first use of air conditioning in a hotel in the United States was at the Williamsburg Inn, so there’s a long history here of making visitors comfortable. Autumn and spring are great times to visit, not only because the days are cooler, but between the gorgeous fall foliage and lush gardens in March and April, visitors have the best of all worlds.
Q: Where is the best place to get information about lodging, food, and attraction discounts?
A: You're already there. visitwilliamsburg.com is the best bet for all lodging, food, and attraction information.
Q: What’s the best way to travel to Williamsburg, and what is the proximity of airports and train stations?
A: Williamsburg, Virginia, is situated 150 miles south of Washington, D.C., midway between Richmond and Virginia Beach, and an easy drive on Interstate 64. Although Williamsburg is often considered a drive destination, it is also conveniently served by four airports: Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport (20 miles away), Norfolk International Airport (46 miles), and Richmond International Airport (46 miles). Williamsburg-Jamestown Airport is just two miles from Williamsburg and serves private planes. For people in the Northeast Corridor, one of the most efficient and easiest ways to travel is by train. Amtrak offers direct service from Philadelphia, New York, and Washington, D.C. The Amtrak Station is right in downtown Williamsburg, and trains and bus lines arrive several times daily.
Q: How does someone who doesn’t drive or who arrived by plane or train get around the area?
A: The Williamsburg Transportation Center at the Amtrak Station is situated in the heart of downtown Williamsburg. The center is the only one of its kind in Virginia, serving as a hub for bus, rail, taxi, and rental car services.
Shuttles and trolleys are a favorite of visitors in Williamsburg and Yorktown, providing easy and fun transportation between the area’s dining and shopping areas.
The City of Williamsburg is bicycle-friendly and is known for its easy walkability, so guests can leave their cars behind and walk or rent a bicycle while enjoying the best of small-town living.
Q: What is the sales tax in Williamsburg?
A: 7%
Those who have enjoyed Williamsburg, Virginia, before know one thing for sure: It’s not a vacation to be…
There's no time like the present to gift yourself and your loved ones unforgettable experiences. Whether…
There’s so much to see, do, and learn in Williamsburg that the only challenge in staying entertained is…
With the air getting colder, it’s officially spooky season in Williamsburg! From the haunted houses and…
As I walk down the streets of Colonial Williamsburg or along the waterfront at Yorktown Beach, I cannot help but…