Let’s Break It Down…
Costs in Colonial Williamsburg
First things first. How much money am I going to shell out while visiting Colonial Williamsburg, VA? There are a few options. You can find them all here.
As a military family we received an entire day for free. It included myself (the military service member) and up to 5 others, which included my entire family of 5 others. On day two we had the option of an annual pass for 50% off which we took advantage of and it cost just a tad over $100. It was a great deal! Plus we received 10% off in all the shops in Colonial Williamsburg and at the Visitors center. *5 and under are free. Here are the normal ticket prices.
- Annual pass per adult $66.99, youth (6-12) $33.49
- Single day tickets per adult $40.99, youth $20.49
- Multi-day tickets (3 consecutive days) per adult $50.99, youth $25.49
How Long Should I Plan to Stay In Colonial Williamsburg?
If you are serious in seeing the area, you need more than one day. You can do it in 2 but not efficiently. I recommend at least a 3 day pass. As you can see above with the cost you also get the best bang for your buck when staying longer.
When to Go To Colonial Williamsburg
Fall or Spring. The summer is just too hot to make this an enjoyable trip. It does get rather cold in Williamsburg, so bundling up isn’t all that much fun either. There isn’t much reprove from the extreme heat or cold. It is Colonial Williamsburg, and although many of the attractions have A/C, it is modest at best. There are some shady areas in and around town. Of course you will always gamble with rain. Rain basically wipes out the day as many of the outdoor events and skits are all ‘weather permitting.’ All things Colonial Williamsburg can be found via this website. We also recommend going on the down times. We homeschool our children so we can plan vacations on our own time. This works out well as we are able to visit popular attractions during the not so busy seasons.
What to Bring To Colonial Williamsburg
If you have little ones that require a stroller bring one (or two or whatever your family calls for). Also the typical hard plastic wheeled stroller won’t work well. You are dealing with cobblestone and uneven terrain in many areas. Bring or rent a stroller with rubber tires. You’ll be glad you did! Appropriate clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, snacks and drinks. Snacks and drinks can be brought if you have something to lug them around with (i.e. A stroller). Otherwise there are places for purchase. Remember, it is an entertainment experience so the drinks and food are not cheap. Count the cost before you take off.
What to Do To Colonial Williamsburg
Not all the shops/houses/government facilities are open all of the time. Pay attention to the schedule. I recommend the Williamsburg App and search the daily itinerary to see what is happening. There are recommended itineraries depending on your interest.
*HOMESCHOOLERS*. . .There are specific “homeschool days” that are geared for homeschooling families (like us). Those dates can be found here.
One ‘must do’ is to get to the stages at the Governor’s palace and the Charlton stage (just behind the coffee house near the capital) each day to be witness to the very real debates and discussions between various members of the town. They can range from Thomas Jefferson debating Patrick Henry to Thomas Jefferson learning from his mentor George Wythe.
Pay attention to the times and location so you can get there at least 15 minutes beforehand so that you can find a shady spot when the sun is beaming heavy. It is to be of note that each of these stages are on complete opposite ends of town. Keep that in mind and get an idea of the distances around the town on your first day. This map is a helpful tool.
‘Order in the court’ at the courthouse is also worth 30 minutes of your time. Usually scheduled in the later afternoon and fills up quickly as the courthouse room is not large for patrons to view. You can get in on the action and be a part of one of the cases as well. I did and lost my case to the 12 man jury!
Try and get to the tours of the facilities rather than the ‘walk through on your own’. The guides are well versed and make the scene come alive for you. Pay attention to those specific times. An example of a weekly schedule can be found here.
Fifes and drums (AKA ‘Marching into the Evening’) at 4:50 pm Tuesday-Saturday (schedules subject to change) is a must see.
Depending on the time of year and days you go there will be different individuals telling their stories in their corresponding places scattered throughout Colonial Williamsburg. For instance, the barber will be available from time to time to tell you about himself and his establishment. Other characters such as a silversmith, blacksmith, enslaved Baptist preacher, cabinet maker, pharmacist, postal worker, binder, etc. will be available from time to time. Again, pay close attention to the schedule.
*BEWARE* There are some events that have additional fees. The daily events calendar will give a description of each. For example, we went on the ‘Bits and Bridles’ tour which was a tour of the stables that house the horses used in Colonial Williamsburg. My 9 year old, horse lover, just loved it!
*RENT THE COLONIAL ATTIRE* As you can tell from the pictures we played the part and rented the colonial costumes on one of the days. It was well worth the cost and it will be a great memory for our family.
What About Food?
There are four Taverns available throughout colonial Williamsburg. Each tavern has a different menu and hours of operation. There are also three quick service shops where you can grab a ‘ginger cake’ and a cold drink. The art museum and the visitors center also have food and drink options but are not located directly in the main historic walking area. Here is a list of actual dining experiences and details.
As for our family, we chose to take the less expensive route and eat out in modern day Williamsburg after we were done going back in time in the Colonial city.
Check online for kids eat free or at discount. I will give the Sportsman Grille a shout out as their menu was extensive and kids eat free with each adult meal purchased every day. The food was also excellent!
We also tried The Whaling House. It was very expensive seafood with no real discounts available unless you search for that elusive 10% in the copious amount of visitor’s guides. It would be an extravagant date night for a couple wanting romance but not the best for your pocket book with kids.
Transportation in Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg buses run from 9 am to 10 pm. The buses run frequently (at least every 10 minutes) and can get you back to the visitors center fairly quickly. A map of the bus route and stops can be found here.
The visitors center where you purchase or pick up will call tickets is not directly in Colonial Williamsburg. You can take the bus from here to a pre-decided stop or you can walk from the visitors center. The walk will take you about 10 minutes with a farm depicting colonial times along with a wind mill to view on the way. The path brings you out on the north central part of town not far from the Governor’s palace.
Worth The Trip
After spending three solid days in Colonial Williamsburg we were certainly beat. We were granted great weather each day. We went in early October 2017. It was a tad bit warm even for this time of year, but not unbearable. The rich living history that you experience cannot be replicated. It is a must if you are looking for a giant “bite” of U.S. history for your children. It was an exceptional Never Nearly Normal week!
Don’t forget to sign up for our posts via email.
Thanks for taking the time to read and we hope you get to visit Colonial Williamsburg soon! Soli Deo Gloria!
By: Shawn Waugh
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2017